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    Foodie News

    Are beer floats a perfectly good waste of beer? And other questions from an ale lovers dinner

    Jason Eichorst
    Aug 3, 2011 | 2:57 pm
    Ama Dai sashimi

    Wine dinners are nothing new, but I was excited when Benjy’s on Washington continued its experimentation with local Texas breweries this summer, pairing up with Real Ale Brewing Co. for a recent six-course dinner by executive chef Mike Potowski and Real Ale owner Brad Farbstein.

     

    Before the dinner started, I got a sneak peek at Real Ale’s 15th Anniversary Ale, on tap at Benjy's. This is a fantastic beer that could replace a ten o’clock scotch. With a hint of molasses texture, it had to be chewed to get down. It’s an excellent, full-bodied ale similar to a port or stout. A few slices of smoked cheese would pair perfectly. Needless to say, the evening started off on the right foot.

     

     

      Beer floats remind me too much of my few attempts at sneaking beer past parents in my teenage years. Now that I’ve reached a legal age, I find it unnecessary to hide my beer in ice cream. 

     
     

    As the event, began we were welcomed to our seats. Being seated is an uncomfortable experience for me — I’m always concerned about being placed at the head of the table. The position demands responsible behavior. One must stimulate conversation, liaise between staff and guests. Not everyone is capable of such demands, so of course this was my burden to bear. Thankfully my pre-dinner beverage loosened my inhibitions just enough to accept the challenge.

     

    By the end of the night, all were conversing and laughing, and although the alcohol might have played a role, I truly believe that it was due to positive leadership at the head of the table.

     

    The biggest culinary disappointment was the amuse bouche, a cheese "lollipop" encrusted with espresso grounds. Unfortunately the tangy, syrupy Sisyphus Barleywine pairing failed to cut the bitterness of the coffee and the muted flavor of the soft Polo cheese was somewhat odd in the mouth, similar to biting into a ball of butter.

     

    However the local ama dai (a.k.a. red snapper) sashimi with jalapeño oil and citrus vinaigrette had a nice mix of salty and tangy tones, with Rio Blanco Pale Ale as a nice, light, slightly bitter foil. Next was the forest mushroom thin-crust pizza with fontina, pine nuts and a mercifully light dash of truffle oil alongside a Full Moon Pale Rye Ale, which was a bit richer and bolder, with a nice balance of bitter and sweet flavors.

     

    Of course, how can you go wrong with pizza and beer?

     

    I was impressed by the Black Hill Farms pork rillette with Lost Gold IPA, and by the mini-cauldron of jumbo lump crab with unusual black fried rice that was served with a Firemans #4 Blonde Ale. But my personal favorite was the coco-crusted Akaushi beef braised short ribs. The meat was insanely tender (and fell apart in my mouth) and I loved the balance between savory and sweet in the short ribs. The combination with the Brewhouse Brown Ale nicely complemented the heartiness of the dish.

     

    I would have preferred an alternative dessert to end the meal rather than the coffee porter float with bourbon walnut ice cream. The Real Ale’s coffee porter, is one of my personal favorites but it's simply best as a stand-alone beer with maybe a side of cheese and fruit, or even some dark chocolate truffles.

     

    Beer floats remind me too much of my few attempts at sneaking beer past parents in my teenage years. Now that I’ve reached a legal age, I find it unnecessary to hide my beer in ice cream.

     

    I left satisfied and impressed, with two new beers on my favorites list —Rio Blanco Pale Ale and 15th Anniversary Ale. What more could I ask?

    Fireman's No. 4 Blonde Ale from Real Ale

     
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    FM Kitchen closes

    Inner loop pickleball bar expands into neighboring burger joint

    Eric Sandler
    Jul 17, 2025 | 6:00 am
    PKL Social exterior
    Photo by Becca Wright
    PKL Social has expanded into FM Kitchen & Bar.

    One of the inner loop’s most popular pickleball destinations is getting a makeover. PKL Social is expanding its footprint by claiming the space formerly occupied by FM Kitchen & Bar.

    Since both PKL Social and FM Kitchen share ownership and management, the name change unites the property under one brand. It focuses on PKL Social’s success in its first year-plus of operations and sheds the FM Kitchen brand that’s been serving up burgers, comfort food, craft beer, and cocktails since 2017. Although the change won’t officially take place until July 26, the building’s exterior is already sporting a fresh coat of paint with PKL Social’s branding.

    “It’s a direct response to the demand for more,” operating partner Jason Mok said in a statement. “We’ve conceptualized everything people have loved about FM Kitchen & Bar and PKL Social by creating a single concept and venue that brings it all together in an exciting, more seamless way.”

    Open since March 2024, PKL Social has four pickleball courts, big screen TVs for watching sports, and two, 140-inch LED video walls for big games and other events. The rebranding brings upgrades in the form of Full Swing golf simulators that will allow people to play golf and other games for an hourly rental fee.

    Some things will remain the same. The new PKL Social will still serve many of FM Kitchen’s most popular dishes, including its signature cheeseburger, smash burger, and weekend brunch items. Additions include on-trend items such as a chopped chicken Caesar wrap and a Buffalo chicken wrap, a fried shrimp basket, and a California-style burrito.

    Beverage options include cocktails, craft beer, and wine. Non-alcoholic options include beer, cocktails, oat milk lattes sourced from Tenfold Coffee, and a frozen strawberry lemonade.

    In terms of the venue’s layout, the patio bar and restaurant area that had been home to FM Kitchen will remain family-friendly. The court area around PKL Social’s original footprint will remain adults-only.

    “PKL Social is becoming so much more than a pickleball destination. It’s a sports bar and event-centric destination with high energy and excellent food,” Mok added. “With our new upgrades, we can offer customers everything from corporate events and happy hours to social events such as our game day and reality TV watch parties, popular bingo nights, and cold plunge socials. We are excited to expand these options even further to be a true social destination for all.”

    PKL Social will celebrate its expansion on July 26 with drink specials, raffle prizes, giveaways, a DJ, sips from brands including LALO Tequila, Athletic Brewing Co., Beam Suntory, and more.

    PKL Social exterior
      

    Photo by Becca Wright

    PKL Social has expanded into FM Kitchen & Bar.

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