Celebrate Crayfish and Cake Balls on August 19

IKEA invites you to celebrate summer the Swedish way with all-you-can-eat crayfish. Join the annual kräftskiva celebration on Friday, August 19. Tickets are $9.99 for adults and $2.49 for kids under 12. 

The menu includes assorted salads, breads, cheeses, salmon, meatballs and more. Check the IKEA website for complete details and ticket info. 

IKEA
7171 Ikea Drive
Frisco, Texas 75034
(972) 712-4532

My homemade cake truffle.

August 19 is also The Cake Ball Company's birthday. More than 15 flavors of cake balls will be available for $1 each. Beautiful flourishes adorn the cake balls, adding a thoughtful finish. Neiman Marcus and the Gaylord Texan feature the Dallas-made treats.  

To celebrate its five successful years, the shop will reward every fifth "party guest" with a door prize, ranging from free cake balls to company t-shirts.

The Cake Ball Company also ships its sweet treats across the country. It will unveil a new website design and offer a 25% coupon on the 19th. 

The Cake Ball Company
10230 East Northwest Highway
Dallas, Texas 75238
(214) 559-5788

Fuel City Discount on Groupon

If you are looking to buy some street tacos and/or get your car washed, Fuel City has it covered and Groupon's deal of the day means you can get your gas station taco fix/car wash at a discount.There are three offers available:

• For $2, you get two medium cups of corn (a $5 value).
• For $3, you get four tacos (a $6 value).
• For $5, you get a Ranch Special car wash (a $15 value).

Visit Groupon for complete details. Here's my referral link.



Fuel City
801 S. Riverfront Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75207

Lt. Shannon Stone Memorial Fundraiser on 8/14

Noteworthy Dallas businesses are sponsoring a fundraiser for Lt. Stone, the Brownwood firefighter who died earlier this month after falling from the stands at a Texas Rangers game. A $30 ticket includes dinner, drinks and entertainment on Sunday, August 14.

Here's the description from the ticket seller's website:

"Pecan Lodge Catering and Lockhart Smokehouse were so moved by the tragic death of Lt. Shannon Stone at the Rangers Game that we wanted to help out his family and son. 
We cooked up the idea for this fundraiser. Your ticket price includes a BBQ dinner, drinks, music and live auction. We have great items on the block that will be announced soon... 

Co- hosted by Pecan Lodge Catering & Lockhart, other sponsors include Dallas Farmers Market, Texas BBQ Posse, Il Cane Rosso, Edible DFW, Crave DFW, Deep Eddy Vodka and US Foods." 

Tickets are available from Eventbrite. 

Chill Out at Salvation Army Cooling Centers

This shaded bench isn't the cooling station.

With the ongoing heat wave and string of heat advisories, the Salvation Army Cooling Stations and similar programs provide an important service to the community.

Dwayne Neal credits a Salvation Army Cooling Station for saving his life by recognizing his symptoms and calling paramedics. Last summer, the veteran mail carrier experienced progressive heat-related symptoms, but did not immediately realize he suffered a heat stroke on his delivery route.



Escape the Heat
The Salvation Army operates numerous cooling stations which serve cold drinks and give people a place to cool down. Click here for a list of locations and to learn how you can donate bottled water or funds.

If there is not one in your area, check your neighborhood community center for similar programs. Call 211 for additional resources.

The public library is another free option. Locations throughout the Metroplex routinely offer free programs, such as story hour and puppet shows. Dallas public libraries are also participating in the Mayor's Summer Reading Program. Through August 13, kids can log their weekly reading hours to earn prizes.

Free Veggie Zinfandel Pasta @ Cafe Brazil Today

Do you ever see one of those Cafe Brazil promotions and feel disappointed because it is only at certain location? Well, not this time! All Cafe Brazil locations, from Addison to University Park, are participating in today's special offer. Present a copy of the coupon located here either on paper or show the website on your fancy interweb device (SmartPhone, laptop, etc.). Remember to bring your own copy because there is no coupon sharing. As usual, the offer doesn't apply to take-out and there are no substitutions.

The Veggie Zinfandel Pasta sounds like an airy summer entree. Here's the company description:

“So, what is Veggie Zinfandel Pasta?” you might be asking yourself? It is comprised of Portobello Mushrooms, Sundried Tomatoes, Red Bell Peppers, Spinach and Onions lightly tossed with Rigatoni Pasta and Low Fat Zinfandel Vinaigrette and topped with Feta Cheese, served with Homemade Garlic Toast.  This is one of four new menu items we just introduced and we’d love for you to try it out. Hopefully it will be one of your new favorite dishes!"

Free Brain Freeze Today

July 11 is 7-Eleven's birthday and that means free 7.11-ounce Slurpees. The pitstop is celebrating it's birthday all month long with specials on food and drinks. The Birthday Donuts, 2 for $3, have a Yuletide vibe with the red and green sprinkles.   

Marble Slab Creamery is getting in on the 7/11 freebie fury by offering red heads a free scoop of red velvet ice cream. Is that bordering on cannibalism? The fine print specifies no mix-ins, one per customer and participating locations only. Visit Marble Slab Creamery for complete details about Red Head Appreciation Day.

Dallas Marble Slab Creamery Locations
Preston Center
6130 Berkshire Lane
Dallas, Texas 75225
Phone: (214)369-5566

Marble Slab Creamery
4937 Belt Line Road
Dallas, Texas 75254
Phone: (972)503-7522

Galleria Mall
13350 Dallas Parkway Suite 3265
Dallas, Texas 75240
Phone: (972)991-1900

Marble Slab Creamery
3001 Knox Street
Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: (214)219-0300

$10 Dipped Fruit Boxes at Edible Arrangements

Photo Courtesy: Edible Arrangements

It's National Dipped Fruit Week! (Isn't that printed on your desk calendar?) Edible Arrangements is celebrating by again offering a discount box of chocolate-covered fruit. From July 10-17, shoppers can purchase a 12-piece box of fruit $10 instead of the usual $25. The selection includes the store's choice of sliced oranges, bananas, pineapples and/or apples. Online ordering is available, but this promotional offer is only available for store pick up. Visit the Edible Arrangements website to find the nearest location.

Edible Arrangements
6833 Snider Plaza
Dallas, Texas 75205
Phone: (214) 361-8600

Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sun: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Freebirds 2 for $10 Special

Now through August 14, burrito fans can share the love and buy two Freebirds for $10. The Freedom Salad is also on special for $5 throughout July.

The line tends to move slower than most as the burrito-builders create custom orders, but the newest Freebirds location on N. MacArthur Park Blvd. in Irving is still drawing crowds. Freebirds converts can browse an online menu to help narrow their options and avoid uhm-itis at the counter. To find a PDF of the fax menu, go to the Freebirds website. Choose a location and click "View Details." The next page has a menu option just below the driving directions.

North Texas Freebirds World Burrito Locations
Old Town
5500 Greenville Avenue, Suite 209
Dallas,Texas 75206
Phone: (214) 265-9992

MacArthur Park
7601 N MacArthur Park Blvd
Irving, Texas 75063
Phone: (972) 869-3500

Belt Line (Addison)
5000 Belt Line Rd
Dallas, Texas 75254
Phone: (972) 788-1828

There are additional locations in neighboring cities, including Arlington, Hurst, Richardson and Ft. Worth.

Duff Goldman Visits Ft. Worth's Paris Coffee Shop

Duff Goldman of "Ace of Cakes" fame is doing a TV show where he travels around highlighting America's best and most unique desserts. (Yes, it sounds and looks a lot like "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" without the hair dye.) The new show, "Sugar High," premieres Monday, August 8 at 9:30 p.m. on Food Network.

One of the inaugural episodes features Fort Worth's Paris Coffee Shop. The highlights appear to include coconut cream pie piled with a mountain of meringue, dessert crepes and Swirly Sandwiches (some kind of whoopie pie-like dessert?).



Strangely, the episode is being hyped as featuring Dallas. (Courtesy of Food Network, the slideshow captions mention Dallas.) Using Dallas as a broad label is understandable when mentioning small, neighboring cities or referring to a general area. It usually is not a big deal considering the meandering boundary lines, but Fort Worth is a huge city worthy of numerous episodes of "Cops." To see a travel show refer to it as Dallas is perplexing. Throwing an extra city name--Paris, Dallas, Fort Worth--into the mix is confusing as well.

Acclaimed by various media outlets--including Bon Appetit magazine--and family-owned since the 1920s, the restaurant has a strong flow of customers. "Sugar High" will likely drive a new stream of sweet fiends to the restaurant. If you are planning a maiden voyage, consider going before Duff shows everyone else in the Metroplex why they should stop by Paris Coffee Shop.


Here is restaurant owner Mike Smith preparing a custard pie for a 2010 episode of "Good Morning Texas."

Paris Coffee Shop
704 West Magnolia Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Phone: (817) 335-2041

Flippin' Out Crepes Finally Open

Chef Scott Hoffner

Flippin' Out Crepes & Coffee in Addison opened on July 2. The service is excellent and the selection includes many novel creations. The online menu lists all the flavors, $3 to $8, so you can decide if you want to try the breakfast menu or lunch/dinner crepes.

Of course, Nutella is available 'round the clock as a desserty breakfast or breakfasty dessert.

Nutella crepe, $4.90

The Nutella crepe delivers chocolatey goodness just as expected. Filled with Nutella, strawberries and bananas, it comes doused with a gentle sprinkle of powdered sugar and surrounded with additional sliced bananas and strawberries. The crepe itself resembles a thin, airy pancake. Although a knife and fork accompany this crepe, it is possible to eat it like a delicate tea sandwich without making a mess.

Chef Dan's iced coffee, $1.90

 The drink menu alone warrants repeat visits. The frozen espresso, iced teas, coffee, lattes and lemonade are tasty summer chillers, but the white hot chocolate is begging for a cool day worthy of its rich warmth.


Flippin' Out Crepes & Coffee
4021 Belt Line #303
Addison, Texas
75001
Phone: (972) 385-6183

The Dallas Zoo Honors Military with Free Admission

The Dallas Zoo is celebrating the Fourth of July by giving active and veteran military members and up to three family members free admission to the zoo on July 2, 3 and 4. Be sure to bring a valid military I.D. or VA card.

The festivities include ceremonies and vendors. There is also a cookout buffet available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this weekend. The cost is $10.99 (plus tax) per person and includes hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, potato chips, watermelon and a beverage.

Celebrate Freedom Weekend
July 2-4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dallas Zoo
650 South RL Thornton Freeway
Phone: (469) 554-7500
Get Driving Directions on Bing

Watch 'Robocop' at Dallas City Hall on July 1

So what if it is a billion degrees outside. Jumpstart your Fourth of July holiday and head to Dallas City Hall Friday night for an outdoor screening of "Robocop." Bring your own blanket or chair to enjoy the show. The movie begins at 8:30, but food trucks will set up shop at 7:30. I could not find a list of vendors, but scoured the websites of some of Dallas' favorite food trucks to see which ones are heading to City Hall. So far, it is Nammi. Watch your favorite food truck's Facebook and Twitter accounts to see if it is in.

Nammi Crusin Vietnamese Fusion serves Vietnamese sandwiches, tacos, spring rolls and a few extras.

Dallas City Hall Plaza
1500 Marilla Drive