A Beginner’s Guide to Whiskey from Tricky Fish Richardson

At Tricky Fish, we pride ourselves on not only providing the best bar in Richardson, but one that is stocked with unique, craft beers and liquors. One that educates and expands your palette.

We have an entire menu dedicated to whiskey, and we’ve realized that many customers want to learn more about sippin’ whiskey, differences in varieties, etc. So in keeping with our motto to be the best bar in Richardson, Texas, here’s a little primer on a few popular types of American whiskey:

Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon whiskey is the most popular of all American whiskey types. Craft bourbon distilleries have popped up throughout the United States, the reputation and taste of Kentucky Bourbon still remains unmatched. In fact, experts believe around 95% of all bourbon is still produced in Kentucky. In order for a whiskey to be distinctively bourbon, it must have at least 51% corn, be distilled in new, charred white oak barrels, and be aged for at least 2-4 years.

bourbon whiskey

Rye Whiskey

Next to bourbon from Bourbon Country, rye whiskey is probably the next most popular variety of whiskey produced in the United States. Rye has been traditionally produced in the Northeast or Kentucky, and must be made up of at least 51% rye. Much of the distilling process is similar to bourbon, but the end result is a spicier, smokier flavor that pairs well with strong foods or mixed in an Old Fashioned.

Tennessee Whiskey

Many ask us at Tricky Fish, what is the difference between Kentucky Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey? In fact, the process for creating the spirit is almost the same, except for one small detail. In order for a spirit to be Tennessee Whiskey, it must be filtered through sugar maple charcoal at some point after distillation.

Want to learn more? Visit us at Tricky Fish – the best bar in Richardson, Texas – and try out one of our sippin’ whiskies! Each spirit on our menu has been carefully selected, and our bartenders can give you more details into the wonderful world of whiskey.

Tricky Fish: Our Favorite Craft Beers to Try Now

Enjoying the simple things in life is what it’s all about, and sipping a glass of ice, cold craft beer pretty much tops the list.

 

At Tricky Fish, we make this easy. With tons of choices – both on tap and bottled – you’ll get craft beer at its finest. Beer handpicked by our staff and handcrafted for your enjoyment. Here are a few of our favorite craft beers, available now at Tricky Fish in Richardson, Texas!

 

·     Bockslider by Martin House: Bockslider just happens to be the official beer of the Toadies, fellow Fort Worth natives and a favorite band of the Martin House founders. At Tricky Fish, we love the beer because it’s smooth, easy to drink, and somehow makes us want to go to a rock concert.

·     Mosaic IPA by Community Brewing Company: Based out of Dallas, Texas, Community did something right when they brewed up the Mosaic IPA. The intense hops in this beer make it perfect for IPA aficionados and novices alike.

·     Velvet Hammer by Peticolas Brewing: The award-winning Velvet Hammer shines as a customer favorite here at Tricky Fish. With a malty sweetness and caramel undertones that balance the spice of the high hop content, what’s not to love about this beer?

·     Bourbon Barrel Ale by Alltech Lexington Brewing Company: If you’re a bourbon drinker, then the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale is a must-try. This delicious beer is unique in that it is aged in oak barrels once used to produce bourbon. Each sip of craft beer brings in flavors of charred oak, vanilla, and caramel, straight from the barrel.

 

craft beer richardson

These are just a few of our favorite craft beers, available now at Tricky Fish – Richardson’s newest location for the best craft beer! Join us this week for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and of course, a glass or two of the finest craft beer around.

What are Gold Band Oysters? – Tricky Fish Richardson

You’ve heard us talk about the lengths we go to at Tricky Fish to ensure your safety when it comes to eating oysters. When it’s peak season – as it is now! – we get them fresh from the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico. When it’s an off season, we only source top-quality Gold Band Oysters. Read on to learn why:

 

High Pressure Processing

High pressure processing is at the core of what makes Gold Band Oysters so special and their quality second-to-none. The high-pressure wash eliminates any of the harmful bacteria that may be in or on the oyster during warmer months when the water heats up. Worried about the flavor of a pressure washed oyster? Don’t be. The original texture and flavor remain in tact – just without any harmful contaminates! You won’t even notice the difference.

 

Award-Winning Flavor

Speaking of flavor, you don’t have to take our word for it that Gold Band Oysters are some of the most delicious oysters around! Gold Band is the recipient of many industry awards for flavor, including the Best Tasting Fresh Raw Oyster Award by the American Tasting Institute and – for 3 years in a row – the winner of the American Culinary Institute’s Best Taste Award.

 

Shucking is a Breeze

Who wants to waste time trying to shuck an oyster when you just want to slurp it down?! Gold Band Oysters arrive pre-shucked, leaving every last bit of the meat in tact – but saving you the headache.

 

Whether joining us in peak season or not, Tricky Fish has the best oysters in Richardson and we can’t wait to prove it to you! Join us at Tricky Fish in Richardson’s CityLine development this week for fresh oysters. They make the perfect happy hour snack, pre-dinner appetizer, or light dinner. Just don’t forget to order a craft beer or cocktail to go with them!

Louisiana Craft Beer: Abita Brewing Co.

True to our craft, Tricky Fish is fond of using craft beers and spirits in our cooking that are sourced from the Gulf coast region. Texas is our home state, but we have a soft spot in our heart for all things Cajun. One of our favorites – craft beers from Abita Brewing Co.

 

Abita Brewing Co. is located just a short 30 minutes north of New Orleans, just outside of Abita Springs, Louisiana. The taste of their beer is something special, and we love it so much, we use it in multiple dishes here at Tricky Fish. But what makes Abita beer any different?

#1 – The Springs

Beer 101: the purer the water; the better the beer. With a brewery right on top of Abita Springs, Abita Brewing is able to source their water from very deep wells, pulling crystal clear water right from the source.

#2 – The Process

Small batch is the only way to go in craft brewing, and Abita Brewing Co. has this down to an art. A team of experts is trained to test each batch for quality, ensuring it meets the highest standards around. Not a bad gig!

#3 – The Ingredients

While Abita Brewing may be a small town brewery, nothing is “small town” about their ingredients. Ingredients arrive daily from around the world – hops from the Pacific Northwest, yeast strains from Germany, and barley sourced from Great Britain and around North America.

#4 – No Preservatives

When only the freshest, purest beer will do, you have no time to add preservatives, additives, and stabilizers to your craft beer! Abita Brewing Co. steers clear of these ingredients, leaving you with the best craft beer around – pure and simple.

Ready to Try Abita Brewing Co?

In addition to using Abita beer in several of our entrees (our Fish & Chips use an Abita beer batter!), we have a nice selection of our favorite craft beers as well. Join us at Tricky Fish this week for Abita beer in Texas!

abita beer in texas

3 Common Misconceptions about Oysters – Tricky Fish Richardson

Oysters are one of our most popular dishes here at Tricky Fish in Richardson, Texas, and over the years, we’ve learned that there are many misconceptions about these tiny little shellfish. You either love ‘em or you hate ‘em - but either way – let us set the record straight on 3 of the most common misconceptions about oysters:

 

Myth #1: Oysters are High in Bad Cholesterol.

Yes, it’s true. Oysters were once considered very high in cholesterol and possibly contaminated with harmful metals. However, new research on the subject has removed oysters from the “bad cholesterol list” and the University of Maine’s School of Food and Agriculture considers them healthy! Packed full of zinc, iron, and Vitamin B12, oysters can definitely be part of a healthy diet.

 

Myth #2: You Can’t Eat Oysters During Months Without the Letter “R.”

“R” months – May, June, July, and August – are typically the warmest of the year, causing warmer gulf waters. What was once a hard and fast rule to avoid contamination and off-peak oysters, is now just a thing of the past. During the warmer months, Tricky Fish gets its certified oysters from Gold Band Oysters, ensuring safety and enjoyable oysters year round.

 

Myth #3: The Bigger the Oyster, the Better the Taste.

An oyster’s flavor has little to do with its size, and much more to do with its harvest date. The fresher the oyster, the better it tastes, period. Tricky Fish – your seafood restaurant in Richardson - orders its oysters fresh from the Gulf and you can always ask to see the harvest date.

 

Join us at Tricky Fish in Richardson’s CityLine and order a plate of raw oysters on the half shell, fresh from the Gulf of Mexico! It’s the perfect appetizer or happy hour treat to accompany a big glass of craft beer!

Have you Tried Smoked Whiskey?! - Tricky Fish Richardson

At Tricky Fish, we’re a huge fan of whiskey.

So much in fact, that we have an entire menu dedicated to our favorite sippin’ whiskies. Chances are, some of them are your favorites too: Woodford Reserve, Firestone & Robertson TX, Booker’s, and more.

But have you tried your whiskey smoked?

Tricky Fish in Richardson’s CityLine development has perfected the art of smoked whiskey and we invite you to come give it a try! Here’s the technique:

·     Start with the Perfect Chunk of Wood: Maple is our wood of choice, as it adds the perfect sweetness to any whiskey infusion.

·     Light in On Fire: We grab our torch and light that sucker on fire! You watch the maple flame and just know it’s gonna be good.

·     Capture the Smoke: After burning for about 30 seconds, we capture the smoke in a mason jar - it’s easier than it might sound.

·     Add the Whiskey of Choice: Pretty much any whiskey is delicious when steeped with smoke, so take your pick of our extensive selection of whiskies! (Smoked Firestone & Robertson TX Whiskey is locally produced and one of our customer favorites.)

·     Steep & Enjoy: Let the whiskey steep for a few minutes and serve over ice.

·     Try it in a Cocktail! We also love mixing our smoked whiskey in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan for a new twist on an old favorite. Let us know how you’d like your smoked whiskey in Richardson.

Want to see the process in action? CityLine recently posted our bartender in action:

 

 

To try a glass of smoked whiskey, visit us at Tricky Fish this week! We are conveniently located in the heart of Richardson’s new CityLine development and are open for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late night cocktails.

 

Brewery Spotlight: Community Beer Company

Tricky Fish is all about the simple life and bringing a local flavor and charm to everything we do. A big part of that mission includes creating an atmosphere where you can try new craft brews and spirits, made right here in North Texas.

Community Beer Company is one of our craft brew favorites offered here at Tricky Fish, both because we love the beer and the mission behind it.

Beer with a Mission

Community was founded on the principle that any good, local business gives back and supports the other business and artisans in their area. It’s what builds communities and makes even big cities - like Dallas - feel small. Community’s motto is “Beer for the Greater Good” because being involved in the community, hosting events, supporting artists, and giving back to local charities is what it’s all about. Cheers to bringing people together with beer and fun, local events!

Speaking of events, Community has a taproom located in their brewery, just off of I-35E in the Dallas Design District. It’s a place to experience new beers, enjoy live music, and just be a part of your community. Taproom hours vary; check back here regularly for details.

 

Our Favorite Brews

Tricky Fish carries Mosaic IPA, Community Beer’s signature beer. Mosaic is named both for the diversity it takes to build community and for the particular hops used in creating this perfect beer. It’s hoppy and intense, but also mellowed by a malty backbone that balances the flavor. Flavors of citrus and toffee greet you with each sip, and you’ll love the intensity of the Mosaic hops.

Join us at Tricky Fish this week to experience the simple pleasures of Community Beer Company’s Mosaic IPA, or any of our other signature craft beers.  Pair it with one of our signature entrees, po’boys, salads, or sandwiches and you’ve got a match made in Southern heaven.

Tricky Fish at Home: Loaded Parmesan Grits

At Tricky Fish, we like to keep our menu simple – just like the food we prepare. Uncomplicated, no fuss dining is what we’re all about. We're your Richardson scratch kitchen.

 

And because we love simplicity, it means we can’t put all of our favorite entrees on the menu. I’m sure from time-to-time we’ll rotate out a few new offerings, but for now, we’re keeping everything simple as pie.

 

One such favorite is our Loaded Parmesan Grits. Make it at home for the perfect accompaniment to a Sunday brunch or a hearty dinner. Enjoy!

 

Loaded Parmesan Grits

(makes 4-6 side dish servings)

 

Ingredients

·      1 cup yellow corn grits

·      ½ cup heavy cream

·      ½ cup chicken stock

·      2 cups whole milk

·      ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

·      1 cup corn kernels, cut from 2 small ears corn

·      1 Tbsp oil

·      ½ cup red bell pepper, diced

·      ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced

·      ½ cup green onions, sliced very thin

·      Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

·      4 slices bacon, cooked, drained, and chopped

·      Parsley, minced, for garnish

 

Directions

1.   Pour heavy cream, chicken stock, and milk in a saucepan and heat until it’s reached a soft boil.

2.   Whisk in the grits. To avoid clumping, whisk once per minute for about 5 minutes.

3.   Gently fold in the Parmesan cheese, then cover and remove from heat.

4.   Let the grits rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes until the desired consistency is reached. If they get too thick, use a little hot water or chicken stock to thin.

5.   Heat oil in a skillet and add corn kernels. Cook for 2 minutes. Gradually add red and green peppers, then green onions, salt and pepper, tossing to cook as you go.

6.   To serve, spoon the grits into bowls and top with the corn mixture, bacon, and parsley.

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