Here’s a clip from last year’s 2010 St Patrick’s Day celebration at J. Gilligan’s, located at 400 West Abram St.

We talked with happy customers, busy waitresses, owner Randy Ford, and the legendary Hill City Band.

Arlington’s biggest all-you-can-eat sampling of the best restaurants and beverages in town is celebrating its 28th year with the biggest, most exciting Taste yet! The evening includes a silent auction, a Big Board auction, live music by Anton Shaw & The Reason, sponsor displays, all surrounded by Arlington’s distinctive, unique restaurants.  

Taste of Arlington is much more than a great evening — you’re helping to raise money for thousands of kids in our community.

Kids who need fun, educational arts programs and a safe place to stay after school – Kids who need positive role models and a chance to learn and try new things - Kids who look forward to meeting new friends at summer camp – whether it’s camp at the YMCA or Theatre Arlington Camp – At-risk kids who couldn’t experience any of these opportunities without our help.

Arlington Convention Center   1200 Ballpark Way, 76011

Tuesday, October 26, 5:30 – 9:30 pm

Arlington business woman Connie Sheen is the owner of Mijo’s restaurant and catering service. Located on West Park Row, Mijo’s has been an Arlington favorite for 15 years.

Many of your traditional Mexican favorite dishes are available at Mijo’s, in addition to their custom creations. Their twist on a chicken-vegetable soup is out of this world, and the fajitas with grilled corn bits and superbly sauteed peppers and onions are the best around. The apricot chicken, though not always on the menu, is a Mijo’s hidden treasure not to be underestimated.

Connie is busy these days working on a second Mijo’s location in south Arlington, near I-20 and Green Oaks Blvd. The new restaurant is planned to open in October 2010.

The VIBE sends a special thank you to Connie for sponsoring the VIBE, and for providing great food and atmosphere for a recent VIBE get-together. Connie is a successful Arlington independent business woman whose success story is one we’ll continue to follow and share as the new Mijo’s location opens this fall.

To learn more about Mijo’s, visit http://www.mijosfreshmex.com/

This post, highlighting an Arlington woman, is part of a series commemorating Women’s Equality Day.

Shout-out to food-lover Shaleah Poster for letting us use his great photos of Mijo’s.

Mijo’s Restaurant in Arlington features Mexican food made with the freshest ingredients,
and a light touch that brings out bright flavor in every dish. They offer flavorful burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas…and reasonable prices too.

The Mijo’s “Fresh-Mex” Experience includes:

• Mijo’s fish tacos
• grilled Caribbean chicken salad
• homemade tamales
• chips and fresh salsa bar
• platters, starters, salads, nachos, desserts and lots more
• vegetarian meals

Mijo’s Catering adds the fresh zing of Mijo’s authentic Mexican food to any special event, corporate, school, church or family gathering.

Contact Information:
For more info on Catering Service and Menu, visit:
www.mijosfreshmex.com
or call 817-226-3001

The menu is simple, featuring an assortment of specialty drinks ranging from Arabic and American coffee, to be purchased by the pot, to a variety of fresh-squeezed juices, to the mint or sage teas.

Appetizers range from traditional salads, such as Greek and Caesar with Chicken, to native Lebanese dishes like Tabbouli (tomatoes, parsley, and onions) or Fattosh, to Custed Lintel Soup, or Hommous — a Mediterranean appetizer that consists of chickpeas pureed with tahini sauce, lemon juice, and a hint of fresh garlic, all of which is served with olive oil and pita bread.

More Mediterranean dishes present themselves, most noticeably in the Mixed Maza Combo Tray that contains of a mix-match of a little bit of everything — Hommous, Baba Gannosh, Tabbouli, Fattosh, stuffed grape leaves (Dolmades), mixed pies (containing both lamb and chicken), Kibbee, and Falafel. There are also Greek sandwiches, called Gyros, that are one kebob skewer of char-grilled cubes of tender seasoned meat (lamb, chicken, beef), tomatoes, pickles, onions and tahini sauce wrapped and toasted in pita bread.

For dessert there is the Baklava, a Lebanese kind of walnut and cinnamon pastry, and the most winning compliment to a great meal.

Christina Bily works at the Beirut Rock Café part-time while also being in the nursing program at UTA. When asked what she liked most about the restaurant she responded “I like the food, the customers and the atmosphere.” Bily also commented on the hard work of owner Kassam Benjar who works side by side with his employees 7 days a week, 12 hours a day.

The Beirut Rock Café stands out among other less unique fast food stops located around the UTA campus.

More info: Call Beirut Rock Café at 817-860-5499

Join the Optimist Club of Arlington for their monthly meeting!

Meetings are held at 6:30 pm at J. Gilligan’s.

The next dinner meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 14th.

Location: J. Gilligan’s, 400 West Abram Street.

To learn more about the Optimist Club, visit their website at optimistclubofarlington.org

These murder mystery dinners are an interactive experience designed especially for folks who love C.S.I and Law and Order type shows, but with a twisted sense of humor. You are right in the middle of a live-action, case-solving adventure, and you get to eat a great dinner too — a wonderful night out with friends or family.

Location: Christopher’s Restaurant, 700 Avenue H East-Crowne Plaza Suites, Arlington, 76011

Reservations are required, and can be obtained online at murdermysterytexas.com. Please note there is limited seating.

Tickets: $69.00 per person – ALL INCLUSIVE includes mystery, prizes, reception, 3-course dinner, all taxes, all gratuities + cash bar

For more information, and to see video clips, visit http://www.murdermysterytexas.com

Keith O’Leary and Margo Morrison, based in Hollywood, are the producers and creators of Murder Mystery Weekend, Inc. They bring their extensive individual backgrounds in theatre, television, and motion picture production to these interactive audience-participation events.

It’ll be fun for the whole family, and you’ll be helping out a very good cause. The event will feature live bands, raffles, dunk tanks, face painting, food, drinks and more.

Location: Lincoln Court’s No Frills Grill, 4914 Little Road, Arlington, TX (south of I-20)

For more info, call 817.478.1766.

David’s Barbecue is 100 years old this year!  Owner Jimmy Harris tells us why it’s lasted so long.

The restaurant is located at 2224 West Park Row in Arlington.

Tom of Tom’s Burgers, and so many others, keep enjoying David’s Barbecue!

The tournament will feature Doubles and Singles competition, as well as an Airmail Shootout. Don’t worry if you have never played — you’ll get warm-up time and pool play to get a few games under your belt. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people in Arlington, and have a fun filled day! There’ll be prizes, giveaways, raffles, and great drink and food specials.

Location: Boston’s Pizza, 2501 East Lamar Blvd, Arlington

For more information, visit their Facebook Event page

The VIBE was there for the 2010 St Patrick’s Day celebration at J. Gilligan’s, located at 400 West Abram Street in Arlington.

We talked with happy customers, busy waitresses, owner Randy Ford, and the legendary Hill City Band.

Were you there?  Have you been in past years? See anyone you know in this video?

Tonight, the Eastern European restaurant, grocery, bakery, and gift shop hosted an evening of dining and entertainment to highlight this really big holiday, which is essentially the Russian take on Valentine’s Day.  Traditionally, men give attention to their ladies, taking them out for dinner, giving them flowers, chocolate, jewelry and other gifts.

To celebrate, Taste of Europe featured beautiful performances by pianist Yulia Yarovaya and Russian soprano Ekaterina Stetsyuk.  Magician Mikhail Yarovoy also provided entertainment.  More than 30 people of all different heritages attended and a good time was had by all!

See more photos and video/music clips from tonight’s event on the VIBE’s facebook page as well as our photo gallery.

Taste of Europe is owned by Mikhail Frumkin, PE, and has been a proud Arlington establishment for over seven years. The store sells authentic Russian merchandise and European groceries.  The deli and restaurant offer sausages, meats, caviar, Russian cakes and candy, and delicious dishes like classic beef stroganoff with pasta or potatoes.  (I’ve eaten at Taste of Europe, and can attest that the food is quite yummy!) Visit their website – tasteofeuropetx.com – to learn more about their menu, products, and upcoming events!

Taste of Europe
1901 W. Pioneer Parkway
Arlington, TX 76013
phone (817) 275-5530
www.TasteofEuropeTX.com
Hours:
Tue-Thurs 11am-7pm | Fri-Sat 11am-9pm | Sun 11am-5pm | Monday – Closed