The Hague Sports AKA The Ranger Report, Holds Its First Live Event

July 26th, 2011

Here at Tyler TX Directory we maintain an informal connection with growing on- line, sports news magazine, and podcast site, The Hague Sports. In fact, a link to that site can be found to the right on this page. The site is operated by Nathan Hague, (also known as Neigh- neigh), and contains articles, headlines and links from the world of sports, particularly, but not exclusive to, Texas. Nathan, a journalism major from SFA, (and TJC prior to that), has been a sports writer for the Baytown Sun, and has worked around radio and broadcasting off and on for a number of years.

Just over two years ago Nathan decided to attempt something new, a sports talk podcast. It was mostly an opportunity for him to hone his understanding of broadcasting, but over the last couple of years the show has garnered something of a following. The format of the show is pretty simple: Nathan, accompanied by a few, mostly well informed friends discuss, complain about, debate and even occasionally mock, major events and individuals from the sports headlines. Ben Dieter host of his own baseball website and podcast, entitled The Ranger Report, is an almost weekly co-host. In fact, the two hosts have worked so closely together, that about six months ago they essentially merged their shows into one. Regular listeners can find the program at either www.thehaguesports.com or www.therangerreport.com .The name depends largely on which site listeners use to download the latest episode. Over the last two years, Neigh and Ben have interviewed numerous professional athletes and sports journalists including: Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Derek Holland, Darren Oliver, Tom Grieve and numerous others.

For the first time, Nathan and Ben will be holding an on location, live broadcast at The Art of Coffee Café in Lindale Texas, starting at eight o’clock pm on Friday the 29th. Other regulars from the show will be present in person and on the phone. The Art of Coffee is located at 2808 S. Main Street, Suite G, in Lindale. For more info on the café, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/artofcoffee?sk=wall . To learn more about The Hague Sports go to www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hague-Sports/133934019959450 .

Tags: art of coffee, art of coffee lindale texas, Baseball Website, Baytown Sun, Co Host, Darren Oliver, Derek Holland, Hague, Josh Hamilton, Lindale coffee shop, Lindale Texas, Lindale TX coffee shop, Line Sports, O Clock, Oliver Tom, Professional Athletes, Sfa, Sports Headlines, Sports Journalists, Sports Writer, the hague sports, the ranger report, Tom Grieve, Tx Directory, Tyler Texas, Tyler TX, World Of Sports
Posted in Coffee, Tyler Businesses | No Comments »

Chez Bazan

March 1st, 2010

Chez Bazan Bakery and Coffee Shop

Chez Bazan

5930 Old Bullard
Tyler
75703
903 561 9644

Chez Bazan is just what it’s name suggests – a fancy bakery and coffee shop with a French flavor. It is quite upmarket and the prices, whilst not outrageous, reflect that.

The atmosphere is very nice –Chez Bazan is spacious and well lit with flagstone floors and brick walls. The wooden tables and chairs are arranged neatly with plenty of space between them. Music plays quietly in the background.

On the left is the bakery section. I have never seen such a variety of cakes, pies, cookies and pastries as they have here! The cakes look delicious, if not sinful – they are 4 layer cakes and with flavours such as Boston cream, carrot, German Chocolate and cheesecake there is something for everyone. You can order a slice for around $3.50 or a whole cake/gateaux for between $20-40. They will even supply a ‘party kit’ with forks and napkins (for a fee) in case you wish to take a cake to the office for someone’s special occasion.

The pastries, croissants and pigs in blankets are pretty good and the pastries are fairly authentic (I am European) but quite expensive. I thought $2.15 was a lot to shell out for one pain au chocolate. Chez Bazan also has specialty breads which are around $4 a loaf and genuine baguettes at $2.95 – which are nothing like the so-called French bread sold in supermarkets here. The cookie selection will blow you away. 20 different types are available here and you can buy them singly or by the half dozen. Most are just under a dollar each but are French, rather than American super-sized.

Chez Bazan can provide catering packs to suit your needs. They are quite used to making breakfast trays, box lunches and party trays of sweets and have a menu for each of these services. They are also accustomed to hosting parties and baby showers on the premises. There is a lovely party room which seats around 30 and this can be hired for $25 plus a food order of $125. It can be decorated to suit your needs. They will obviously make your cake too if you want. Wedding cakes can also be made by the staff at Chez Bazan – these are custom made and can be as simple or exotic as you want them to be.

The Café is open for lunch between 11am and 2pm and for just drinks until 5pm – in fact drinks are $1 off the usual price after 3 pm. Specialty coffees and teas and fruit smoothies are available plus salads, soup and sandwiches. The sandwiches are slightly exotic and include smoked turkey and avocado or Jamaican chicken. There is also quiche and wonderful Chicken Florentine crepes, served with salad. Lunch will set you back around $10.

Chez Bazan is a rare find in Tyler – a unique place to eat with gourmet food. As I have already mentioned though, the experience does come at a cost. I hope that it is popular enough to remain in business and prosper as it would if it was located in Dallas.

Tags: Baby Showers, Baguettes, bakeries, Box Lunches, Breakfast Trays, Brick Walls, Bullard, Chez Bazan, Coffee Shop, Croissants, Flagstone Floors, French Bread, French Flavor, Gateaux, German Chocolate, Layer Cakes, Party Trays, Pastries, Pigs In Blankets, Tables And Chairs, Wooden Tables
Posted in Coffee | No Comments »

Starbucks Coffee Shop

February 8th, 2010

Starbucks Locations

1817 East SE Loop 323, Tyler
(903) 939-8941

4925 South Broadway Avenue, Tyler
(903) 581-0072

113 Texas 323 Loop, Tyler
(903) 595-3748

On South Broadway and Rice in Tyler, TX there rests a Starbucks. I love Starbucks. I’m not really sure why, but I do, I follow suit with most everyone else. And usually everyone is nice and inviting. No problems, easy come and go visit. But there was one occasion this past Halloween that didn’t meet my expectations. My friends and I had decided to dress up as the 12 disciples and Jesus and pose as the Last Supper painting that Da Vinci painted. We had a table, a huge picture frame and all were dressed for the part. It was quite wonderful and everyone thought it was great. WE have a reputation for doing things lavishly.

The year before we had dressed up as Noah’s Ark. 22 people, just as many different animals and HUGE cardboard Ark, painted and cut out. We had made up a song and everything. The year before that we were the nativity scene. Anyways… So here we are as The Last Supper. I guess the weekend before that part of out group had been at this Starbucks doing a pumpkin carving contest and everyone was dressed in costume. It was quite wonderful and fun. So these same friends thought it would be great to visit them again in our group costume.

Well… we drove up, got out of our cars, I must admit this might have looked scary with three cars pulling up and 14 Jesus looking people with boxes (our table) and a huge picture frame walking toward the door. But as we approached someone from the store met us at the door and told us we couldn’t come in, that we couldn’t bring boxes into the building. We were so confused because it was so random and they had just had a huge costume party basically so what was different about today? She kept saying it was company policy, no boxes could be brought in. All we could do was turn around and leave, we were so confused.

Well there is another Starbucks location on the way home and we had already told our friends working there that we would come in to show them our costume. So we headed over there. We went in, planted our selves in front of the registers and sang our song and everyone clapped and cheered. They loved it, customers and all. We asked them if there was such a rule as the other store so adamantly proclaimed but they had no idea about it, so we laughed it off.

I must say that every time I’ve been in the first location since I’ve had a guilty a conscience. I haven’t even done anything wrong, but I feel like they will make up another excuse to kick me out or something. Even though I know that isn’t true. The second Starbucks remains my favorite, they are the most easy going.

Unfortunately next year I’m not going to be living here anymore and I won’t be able to be in another group costume. I’m a bit sad about that. But I can’t wait to see the pictures! We rock Tyler.

Tags: 12 Disciples, Boxes, Cardboard, Coffee Shop, Costume Party, Da Vinci, Halloween, Jesus, Last Supper Painting, Love, Nativity Scene, Noah S Ark, Picture Frame, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Reputation, South Broadway, Starbucks, Starbucks Coffee, Starbucks Locations, Tyler TX
Posted in Coffee | No Comments »

Caffé Tazza

January 13th, 2010

Caffé Tazza is an Italian coffee shop centrally located in a precinct behind Tyler Mall. They serve delicious, authentic European coffee in hand-painted mugs and cups. They also have cakes, panini, and gelato (to die for!) plus healthy options like bran-filled muffins. On the weekends they have an omelette bar where the chef cooks up your breakfast in front of you and you can choose your ingredients – my tip, don’t forget the homemade salsa! For lunch there are soups and sandwiches, oh and there are iced teas, granita and herbal teas too.

My café latte was beautifully finished with a heart shaped flourish in the froth by the skilful barista. My daughter enjoyed a hot chocolate and a Belgian waffle that I wished I’d ordered myself!

Caffe Tazza also has the benefit of being licensed to sell alcohol. How nice to be able to sip a glass of Italian wine after work with a friend and not have to buy a meal or have to go a wine bar.

The atmosphere is classy and slightly arty. One of the highlights for me is that there is a lovely outside patio area with little tables and generous overhead umbrellas and plant-filled window boxes. They have also have live music every Thursday evening and frequent art exhibitions.

Prices are very reasonable for the quality of beverage, food and service provided. To purchase the gorgeous imported china to take home will cost you an arm and a leg though!

One negative is that it doesn’t open late enough in the evening on the weekends – I’m hopeful that the hours will be extended as it’s popularity increases so that I can relax there chatting to a friend over a drink or bowl of gelato while the sun goes down in summer!

Having a coffee (or something more) at Café Tazza makes you feel special. It is quite affordable and a real treat. Go on – visit Cafe Tazza regularly– you deserve it!

Tags: Art Exhibitions, Barista, Belgian Waffle, Cafe Tazza, Coffee Shop, European Coffee, Frequent Art, Froth, Gelato, Healthy Options, Herbal Teas, Homemade Salsa, Hot Chocolate, Italian Coffee, Italian Wine, Panini, Patio Area, Tazza, Tyler Mall, Tyler TX Coffee, Tyler TX Coffee Shop, Window Boxes, Wine Bar
Posted in Coffee | No Comments »

Starbucks in Tyler TX

January 13th, 2010

Well what can I say about Starbucks that you haven’t already heard. Starbucks is a wonderful place especially early in the morning when you are having a hard time waking up and have to go to work or school. Starbucks is open early for business if I am not mistaken. I think they open up around 6:00 a.m. in the morning. I don’t think that most people go to work any earlier than that. I especially love the Starbucks that is located around Highway 64 because the people are very friendly and make sure that you are satisfied with their service.

I know that Tyler has several other locations around town, but the one on Hwy 64 is close to where I live and is also near a gas station, Jack in the Box, and Brookshires. If you have to go shopping you can stop in and get a cup of coffee. They have so many selections on coffee that even if I could list them all I would not want to. My point is that they have lots of varieties to choose from. If you like it hot they have it hot or if you prefer it on ice they can do that also and if you prefer frozen they also can do that.

If you are not a coffee drinker they have teas and smoothies. Their smoothies are not that good and I believe they should stick to the coffee business when it comes to drinks. They also have a variety of food that you can order from that are all pretty tasty. Muffins, coffee cake and other snacks are available. They often have a coffee tasting, where they allow you to taste their coffee for free so they can get your opinion on their flavors.

This past Halloween they had a pumpkin carving contest and they gave out candy, did face painting, and other cool stuff. The winner of the carving got a free coffee for getting first place. Well they all got a little something even second and third place. I know that lots of people love to go hang out at Starbucks with their friends while enjoying a cup of coffee. The coffee price could be a little cheaper, but I guess that is the price you pay for the quality of Starbucks.

The cost does not seem to stop people from going and buying a cup of coffee. So I guess it’s worth the money. I must admit that I enjoy going once in a while and getting a cup of coffee. I call it my treat. I can’t afford it that often, but once in a while it’s a must do. Some things are worth paying a little more for. So be nice to yourself and treat yourself to a Starbucks cup of coffee. They also sell gift cards which make excellent birthday gifts and holiday gifts. You could also buy a gift card just to say thank you to someone special in your life. Starbucks also sells their coffee and other items such as coffee cups, mugs, etc.

If I haven’t sold you yet on a cup of coffee, then better not get a job as a sales person or marketing. Now all jokes aside, we all know that Starbucks is awesome and people love hanging out there because it’s the place to be.

Tags: brookshires, Coffee Business, Coffee Cake, Coffee Drinker, Coffee Price, Cool Stuff, Cup Of Coffee, Drinks, Face Painting, Flavors, Free Coffee, Gas Station, Hard Time, Jack in the Box, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Snacks, Starbucks, Tasty Muffins, Teas, Tyler TX Halloween, Wonderful Place
Posted in Coffee | No Comments »

Recent Posts