You leave any era with some regret.
It can't be helped, really, for there are moments that pass and places that disappear. The vibe inside Sense when it first opened, before crowds moved elsewhere, that brief period of silliness when places from Paris Vendome to Nana began serving Kobe burgers, knowing you had the financial security to visit Aurora--every once in awhile you wish for the opportunity to experience it all again.
Actually, it would be nice to have enough stamina to stay out late. Anyway, a farewell to that and the other things never (maybe) to be seen again:
Some of the places/things we miss from 2009:
1. Lola
Van Roberts and his string of top notch chefs--most notably David Uygur--gave us almost a decade of memorable dining, from the wine to Uygur's cured meats to the creaky cottage itself. Unfortunately, the era ended this fall.
2. Zymology
This Lower Greenville pub was a surprise, serving far better food than
you expected--at least on your first visit. The mussels were
so...so...well, you'd be happy even if they forgot the shellfish and
just brought out a bowl of its broth. It opened and closed in a span of
months.
3. Civility
OK, so it's still around somewhere, slinking in the background.
Some of the places/things we miss from the 2000s
1. Ciudad
Monica Greene's vision of Mexico City dining on Oak Lawn was both
comfortable and interesting, at least when chef Joanne Bondy worked the
kitchen. Free parking, creative bartending--it was just a nice place.
2. The Green Room
Yeah, I know--someone wants to bring it back to life. But it's unlikely
to recapture the spirit of the restaurant in its heyday. Chef Marc
Cassel's 'feed me menus,' steady Bruce Baumann behind the bar, fine
dining surrounded by the binge drinking Deep Ellum hordes--great.
3. Credit
Some people still have it, certainly. But alas for the free-spending days.
