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J. Gilligan’s “St. Patrick’s Day Block Party & Street Dance”

March 13, 2010 by arlingtoninsider

J. Gilligan’s “St. Patrick’s Day Block Party & Street Dance”

J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill
Wednesday, March 17th; 4pm to ????
$6 cover charge starting at 6pm
400 East Abram
(817) 980-4255
www.jgilligans.com

Hey, the folks at J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill have been throwing a St. Patrick’s Day bash for the past 30 years. They want you to know that you’re invited to the 31st annual “St. Paddy’s Day Block Party & Street Dance” this Wednesday, March 17th. Live music, dancing, green beer, and….of course…J. Gilligan’s World Famous Irish Nachos are all part of the holiday celebration.

The event begins when the gates open at 4pm and there’s no cover charge until 6pm. After 6pm, there will be a $6 per person cover charge.

The McTeggart Irish Dancers will perform at 5pm. From 6:30pm on, bagpipes. Musical acts appearing outside include: Stingrays, Clearfork, 17 Hands High, and the Josh Michaels Band. Inside the original building, Larry Heath & Hill City will perform.  Inside the draft house, the musical act is Morning People. 

Anyone under 21 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. But families are always welcome at J. Gilligan’s. Kids’ menu items, which include a drink and cup of Blue Bell ice cream, are: grilled cheese, hamburger, chicken strips, cheese nachos, or kids’ Irish nachos (cheese & bacon bits only).

If you’re new to the area, or a visitor, you’ve got to try the Irish Nachos. They are J. Gilligan’s claim to fame. Irish Nachos are served in an iron skillet. The dish includes natural cut cottage fries w/skins (cut thick) and topped with melted cheddar cheese, bacon bits, chives, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos (you can add grilled chicken). Irish Nachos are like regular Mexican-food nachos, but with potatoes on the bottom instead of tortilla chips. The price is $6.49 for a full order or $5.49 for a half order.

If you don’t want to share your Irish Nachos which is normally served as an appetizer, you can always upgrade your entrée’s side dish to the Irish Nachos.

Other favorites on the menu are: Chad’s Chicken Salad (my suggestion is to substitute spinach for the regular lettuce); veggie quesadillas; and the “Gilligan’s House Special” (half-pound cheeseburger that’s won several local awards).

My favorite, however, is the “Best Dressed Chest in the West” ($6.29) which is a grilled chicken breast sandwich served on a Kaiser roll with mayo and monterrey jack cheese. Be sure to order the one which includes the guacamole and hot sauce.

If you can’t make it to the evening’s block party, you can still celebrate St Patrick’s Day at J Gilligan’s during the lunch hour from 11am-3pm.

J. Gilligan’s is located at 400 E. Abram (between Center St. and Collins St) on the eastern edge of downtown Arlington. Click here for a Mapquest link to the location: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Arlington&state=TX&address=400+E+Abram+St&zipcode=76010-1107&country=US&latitude=32.73555&longitude=-97.103429&geocode=ADDRESS

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Texas Rangers: Single-Game Tickets Now On Sale

March 8, 2010 by arlingtoninsider

Texas Rangers: Single Game Tickets
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
(972) RANGERS
www.texasrangers.com

Single-game tickets are now on sale for all Texas Rangers home game at Rangers Ballpark for the 2010 season! Highlights of the 2010 schedule include: Opening Day on Monday, April 5th; a July 4th home game; a visit from the Chicago Cubs (May 21-23); plus series versus the powerhouse Yankees and Red Sox.

During 2010 the Rangers are offering special promotions including: ticket discounts; “Dollar Hot Dog Nights”; fireworks shows after Friday night home games; Dr Pepper Autograph Wednesdays; pregame/postgame concerts; and promotional giveaways. For a complete list of promotions, click here: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/schedule/promotions.jsp?c_id=tex&y=2010

When you purchase on-line through the Rangers’ Web site, you can find even greater values through special e-savers promotions. Click here to link to e-savers: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/ticketing/specials.jsp#esavers

Some of the money-saving promotions in 2010 include:

* “OPENING WEEK SPECIAL”: tickets regularly-priced up to $25 will be $10 for Opening Week 2010 (excludes Opening Day on Monday, April 5th), subject to availability. Use coupon code OPENINGWEEK or request the offer via phone or in-person at box office.

*“DR PEPPER HALF PRICE TICKETS in APRIL/MAY”: during April & May (excludes Opening Day on April 5th and May 21-23), any Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper can may be redeemed at Rangers Ballpark box office for half-price tickets in Upper Reserved, Upper Box, Lexus Club Terrace, or Lower Reserve. If purchasing on-line, use DRPEPPER as the coupon code.

* “COCA COLA FAMILY TICKETS”: Four Pack includes four game tickets, four jumbo hot dogs, four Coke soft drinks, $20 in Sports Park tokens and one general parking pass. Price for Four-Pack varies by seating areas: $60 for Upper Reserved, $80 for Lower Reserved, and $100 for Corner Box. Additional persons (over minimum of four persons) may be purchased. Excludes the following: Opening Day on April 5; May 21-23 vs Cubs; July 4th vs White Sox; August 10-15 vs Yankees & Red Sox; and Sept 10-12 vs Yankees.

* “FIREWORKS FRIDAYS”: in addition to a postgame fireworks show, tickets are only $10 in select areas (plus parking only $5) for 10 Friday home games. Excludes May 21 vs Cubs; Aug 13 vs Red Sox; and Sept 10 vs Yankees. Enter FIREWORKS as the coupon code when purchasing on-line.

* “MILITARY MONDAYS”: active or retired military ID may be presented at Rangers Ballpark Box Office for one free ticket with each regularly-priced ticket purchase in most seating sections for Monday home games (excludes Opening Day; not valid for ‘All You Can Eat Seats’ or Home Plate Seats).

* “FREE KIDS TUESDAYS”: tickets for kids 13-and-under are free in most seating sections for Tuesday home game; one free child ticket with every full-price adult ticket purchased (subject to availability, excludes August 10th vs Yankees).

* “OZARKA WEB SITE WEDNESDAYS”: half-price tickets in Upper Reserved, Upper Box, Lexus Club, Lower Reserved, Corner Box, and Lexus Club Box sections when purchased on-line. Excludes Aug 11th versus Yankees.

* “ACTIVE SENIORS THURSDAYS”: fans 65-and-up will receive one free ticket with each regularly-priced ticket up to $40 when proof of age is presented at box office. Tickets are good for Corner Box and Lower Reserved seating areas which feature 12 completely shaded sections.

* “ALL YOU CAN EAT SEATS”: located in Upper Home Run Porch high above right field, these seats include all-you-can-eat grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn and soft drinks served in the enclosed, air-conditioned Upper Home Run Porch Grill. Beer/alcohol is not included in price. Tickets regularly priced at $34 with premier game at $39. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.

* “DIAMOND CLUB COMBO”: Enjoy a pregame buffet-style dinner inside the air-conditioned Diamond Club for only $10 extra with the Diamond Club Combo Ticket. Prices start at $35 and go up depending on your seating sections for the game (Lower Reserved, Lexus Club Terrace, Corner Box, Lexus Club Box, Lower Box). Premiere games start at $40. Combo tickets are not available for: Opening Day on April 5th; May 21-23 vs Cubs; July 4th vs White Sox; Aug 10-15 vs Yankees & Red Sox; and Sept 10-12 vs Yankees.

* “RANGERS/SIX FLAGS DOUBLE PLAY”: save 50% when you buy a combo ticket for a Rangers game and single-day ticket to Six Flags Over Texas. Each Double Play Combo includes one Lower Box to a non-premier Rangers game and one adult ticket to Six Flags Over Texas. It’s a $100 value for only $50! Combo can only be purchased on-line or by calling 972-RANGERS. Not available at Rangers Ballpark Box Office or Six Flags box office.

For more info on individual game tickets or special discounts/promotions, call the Rangers at 972 RANGERS. You can purchase tickets by phone at that same number. You can also purchase tickets in-person at the Rangers Ballpark Box Office. The hours for the First Base Box Office (which faces Randol Mill Road) are: (non-gamedays) Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 12pm-4pm. On gamedays, the box office opens at 9am Monday thru Saturday and 12pm on Sundays.

“Mobile Ticket Delivery” is another convenient option when buying tickets. Tickets will be sent directly to your cell phone. The image on the phone will be scanned at the gate! The ticket on your phone will have all the normal info that’s on a regular paper ticket, such as game time & opponent and section/row/seat. You’ll also receive a receipt which you can use as your seat identifier once you are inside the stadium. Click here to learn more about “Mobile Ticket Delivery”: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/mlb/tickets/mobile.jsp?c_id=tex

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Six Flags Over Texas: Spring Break Week is March 13-21

March 2, 2010 by arlingtoninsider

Six Flags Over Texas
Address: 2201 Road to Six Flags
Tickets: on-line specials for $31; Year-Long “Play Passes” only $49.99
Guest Relations: (817) 640-8900
www.sixflags.com/overTexas

Six Flags Over Texas is celebrating Spring Break by opening daily from Friday, March 13th through Sunday, March 31st. Park operating hours vary depending on the day of the week, so check dates/hours listed below.

Six Flags Over Texas has three categories of rides: thrill, family & kids. So whatever your level of adventure (or your age), there’s something for everyone. During Spring Break, bands from across the country will perform at the park.

Here’s a great way to save money if you’re coming to Six Flags: the on-line ticket special in which everyone pays kids’ prices. Daily general admission tickets are normally $49.99 ($31 for kids 48” and smaller), but if you buy on-line at the Six Flags Web site, everyone’s price is $31 which saves adults/teenagers $19. Click here to link to the site: http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/tickets/index.aspx. Parking is $15 and season-long parking passes are $45. Advanced parking may also be purchased on-line, or you can just pay cash when you enter the parking lot.

But before you buy daily tickets….EVEN MORE SAVINGS!!!!! The much better value is to buy a 2010 Season Pass ($59.99) or the new Play Pass ($49.99) which gives you unlimited visits to all Six Flags theme parks!!! . Click here for more info on Season Passes or Play Passes: http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/tickets/seasonpass.aspx

You can also purchase season-long Combo Passes for $89.99 which includes unlimited visits to Six Flags Over Texas as well as Hurricane Harbor.

Here are the dates/hours for the months of March (including Spring Break), April and May, 2010:
*Sat, 3/13: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 3/14: 11am-10pm
*SPRING BREAK: Mon, 3/15 thru Sat, 3/20 from 10am-10pm; Sun 3/21 11am-8pm

*Sat, 3/27: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 3/28: 11am-8pm

*Fri, 4/2 & Sat, 4/3: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 4/4: 11am-7pm

*Sat, 4/10: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 4/11: 11am-7pm

*Sat, 4/17: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 4/18: 11am-7pm

*Fri, 4/23: 10am-8pm
*Sat, 4/24: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 4/25: 11am-7pm

*Fri, 4/30: 10am-8pm
*Sat, 5/1: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 5/2: 11am-7pm

*Fri, 5/7: 2pm-10pm
*Sat, 5/8: 10am-10pm
*Sun, 5/9: 10:30am-9pm

*Fri, 5/14—Beginning Friday, May 14th, the park begins Summer Operating Dates/Hours and will be open daily through the summer.

Click here for directions to Six Flags, conveniently located in Arlington on I-30:   http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/info/directions.aspx

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MANDOLA’S ITALIAN MARKET

March 2, 2010 by arlingtoninsider

Mandola’s Italian Market
Arlington Highlands Shopping Center
241 I-20 East (northeast corner of intersection of I-20 and Matlock)
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri & Sat 11am-11pm
(817) 468-4444
www.mandolasitalianmarket.com

Mandola’s Italian Market opened at Arlington Highlands Shopping Center in December and is a combination: restaurant (offering varieties of pasta, pizza, panninis, salads, soups); deli (specializing in sausages and cheeses); bakery; coffee/espresso counter; gelato; and market (shelves of pastas, olive oil, tomato sauces, sardines, breads, etc).

So whether you’re planning on creating your own Italian meal at home (yes, you can buy a $29 giant jar of mushrooms), stopping in for a quick coffee & cannoli, or picking up a prepared family meal of lasagna, you’ve found the right place. But don’t miss the opportunity to return for lunch or dinner to try some of the Mandola family recipes.

The building itself is about 75% restaurant and 25% market/deli/gelato/coffee/bakery. When you enter, you walk past shelves of the market to get to a counter where you order your meal. The deli/bakery/coffee counter is opposite the kitchen where you can watch the cooks prepare the meals. You order lunch/dinner at the counter and get your own sodas/tea/water, but servers will bring your meals to you. They will also bring you complimentary foccacia bread.

This is the first Mandola’s in North Texas and if the concept catches on, the company plans to expand through the metroplex.  The other two Mandola’s are in the Austin area.  The restaurant is family-friendly and has a few specially-made smaller tables for kids to sit around.

As for the restaurant menu…The pasta selections include the obvious like Spaghetti Carbonara ($9.99), eggplant parmigiana ($11.99), lasagna ($12.49), ravioli ($9.99 to $12.49), fettucine alfredo ($8.99), and cannelloni ($9.99). But there’s also Gnocchi al Sugo ($9.99) and Tortelloni Moda Mia (pasta stuffed with chicken/pork/ricotta/mortadella/parmigiano in a cream sauce with peas, mushrooms & prosciutto, $11.99).

The spaghetti sauce is Mamma’s Sunday sugo which is tomato puree, pork rib meat, pancetta, ground pork, white wine, onions, garlic & basil.

Panini (sandwiches) are categorized into Freddi (cold) and Caldi (hot). Prices range from $7.99 to $10.99. The bread is especially good. On our most recent visit, my husband enjoyed the Italian Chicken which is served on a fresh ciabatta. For something really light, you can go with the Caprese (tomatos and mozzarella simply servied with basil & olive oil) which is also good when toasted onto the foccacia. One of the family recipes is Mamma’s Post Roast Panino which is top sirloin and includes caramelized onions. I’m trying that on my next trip!

The antipasti (appetizers) range in price from $3.99 (garlic fries) to $12.49 (selection of deli meats) and definitely serve two or more. The Fritto Misto ($7.99) is a sampling ‘mixed fry’ of arancini, mozzarella and zucchini. Yes, there’s definitely bruschetta ($7.49). Salads range from $5.99 to $9.99. The “insalata cotta e cruda” ($9.99) has eggplant, fennel, mushrooms, zucchini, potatoes, red pepper, green beans, and parmigiano).

If you like soups, I hope you try the Minestra Maritata which is traditional Italian wedding soup. There is also a daily soup special (vegetarian, on my most recent visit).

For pizza lovers, these pizzas are the thinner crusts. All are the same size (easily feeds 2 people). The prices range from $8.99 to $10.99, depending on the ingredients. You can go with something normal like Quattro Formaggio (four cheeses, including mozzarella, fontina, romano & asiago) or Margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil)…or go with something more exotic like the “Diavola” (hot capicola, hot cherry peppers, caramelized onions, mixed hers, romano & mozzarella cheese) or “Fiorentina” (spinach, artichoke, garlic, asiago & fontina & romano cheeses, balsamella sauce).

I especially liked the “Pugliese” pizza which is sausage, mushroom, thin strips of red onions, and mozzarella.

If you decide to build your own pizza, in addition to the standard toppings (pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, etc,), you can choose among: black olive tapenade, arugula, prosciutto, zucchini, eggplant, artichoke, pancetta, eggplant, etc. The toppings ($1 each) literally range from A to Z: anchovies to zucchini.

I’ve saved the best for last: DESSERT. From the bakery counter, you can choose cookies or cannoli or homemade Italian cakes. But I love ice cream, so that’s why I like the gelato counter. Flavors include hazelnut, pistachio, tiramisu, pineapple, etc. But if you prefer the more American-style flavors like thin mint, there’s also a “gelato of the day” (cookies & cream on my most recent visit).

As for the deli, sausage is the specialty. Some of the family recipe versions of sausage are Sicialian-style fennel sausage and a special spicy sausage. There are many cheeses to choose from, too.

Mandola’s offers family-size “To Go Packs” which includes mixed salad and the fresh foccacia bread. Choices include: spaghetti sugo ($40), spaghetti w/meatballs ($50), rigatoni Bolognese ($55), lasagna Bolognese ($60), and fedelini pachino ($40).

Mandola’s also caters. Whether your party is for 10 people or 1,000 people, you can call the catering coordinator for more information at (817) 468-5353. You can download a PDF of Mandola’s catering menu by clicking here: http://www.mandolasitalianmarket.com/images/images_A7238/Mandolas_Catering_menu.pdf

Located in the Arlington Highlands Shopping Center, look for the big green (with red brick) stand-alone building that faces I-20. The shopping center is on the northeast corner of the intersection of I-20 and Matlock.

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Theatre Arlington presents “Seussical Jr.”

February 22, 2010 by arlingtoninsider

“Seussical Jr.” All Youth Production
Theatre Arlington
Fridays thru Sundays, Feb 26th thru March 14th
305 W. Main Street
(817) 275-7661
www.theatrearlington.org

All of Dr. Seuss’ colorful characters come to life in this all-youth production of a fantastical and fun musical extravaganza. Favorites such as Horton the Elephant and all the Who’s of Whoville are depicted on stage. Seussical Jr features music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Eric Idle of Monty Python fame co-conceived the musical.

Theatre Arlington presents Seussical Jr on Friday and Saturday evenings plus Saturday and Sunday matinees from February 26th through March 14th. Here are dates/times of the production:

Fri, Feb 26th ; 7:30pm
Sat, Feb 27th at 2pm & 7:30pm
Sun, Feb 28th; 2pm

Fri, March 5th; 7:30pm
Sat, March 6th; 2pm & 7:30pm
Sun, March 7th; 2pm

Fri, March 12th; 7:30pm
Sat, March 13th; 2pm & 7:30pm
Sun, March 14th; 2pm

Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased at the Theatre Arlington Box Office or on-line. The box office is located at 305 W. Main Street and is open Mon-Fri 10:30am-5:30pm and, on Saturdays the day of a production, from 10am to 1pm. As for on-line purchases, click here for a link ($1 service charge per ticket will be added on-line): https://buy.ticketstothecity.com/purchase.php?event_id=551 Discounts are available for groups of 10-or-more. Call the box office to ask about group discounts (817-275-7661).

Theatre Arlington is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Arlington at 305 W. Main Street (between Center Street and South Cooper St), just a block west of City Hall and the public library. Click here to link to driving directions: http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&iwstate1=dir:to&daddr=32.7367%2C-97.1096+%28Allan+Saxe+Mainstage+305+W.+Main+St.%29

Special ‘field trip’ performances will be presented at Texas Hall on the campus of UT-Arlington on Wednesday, March 24th and Thursday, March 25th at 10:30am. Seussical Jr. is an Arlington Independent School District approved activity. Tickets are only $5 and groups of 10-or-more can get a discount for $4 per ticket. Texas Hall is located at 701 W. Nedderman. For information on the field trip performances at Texas Hall on the campus of UTA, click here: http://www.theatrearlington.org/0910/TexasHall.asp

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