After a 3.5 year hiatus, I Live In Dallas Radio is back! In this sixteenth episode of I Live In Dallas Radio, co-hosted by myself and Jason Channell, we interview Chef Jacob Weaver the new Corporate Director of Food & Beverage for Hotel Zaza’s collection of restaurants in Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Weaver comes to Hotel ZaZa with a resume that includes Asti Trattoria and Juliet Italian Kitchen, as well multiple honors, including recognition by “Best Chefs America.” He is a two time Lamb Jam Champion and Weaver has cooked at the prestigious James Beard House.

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The change comes as Hotel ZaZa readies to open the newest Austin location in spring 2019, where the need for consistency and quality is paramount. Weaver has completely overhauled the menus with an infusion of Gulf Coast options including crab cakes, crispy tuna tartare tacos and blackened red snapper.

Jason and I had the honor of breaking bread with Weaver over his new dishes while he filled us in on the details.

Listen as we talk about:

• • A brand NEW cocktail using Chartreuse reminiscent of the prohibition-era’s Last Word
  • 5 mouth-watering descriptions of new dishes by Weaver using local sourced products
  • The “Impossible Burger” patty that’s purely plant based, but even carnicorves question because it’s so good (including us)
  • Main differences between the Austin, Houston, and Dallas food scenes and how it reflects what sells
  • His personal background, who inspired Jacob to become a chef + a unique “push/pull” customer relations tactic (you’ll have to listen to get this pun)

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In the 2nd half of the podcast listen as we talk about:

• • • A fascinating story around cooking in the James Beard House with a “secret room” where Mr. Beard use to have extra casual private dinner parties (you have to hear this bit!)
    • Which whiskey of the 150 whiskies on the list does Dragonfly have the Texas exclusive (you’ll recognize the brand)
    • What items on the menu are locally sourced from great Dallas brands

For those in Dallas, you may already be familiar with Hotel Zaza. It’s nestled in the fashionable Uptown neighborhood and strikes the perfect accord between Mediterranean elegance and comfortable chic. The hotel offers offers exquisite guest rooms and concept suites and embodies themes from faraway lands and lifestyles, and is within walking distance to some of the city’s premier business centers, shopping and nightlife. For more information, check out https://www.hotelzaza.com