Ever wonder what that giant eyeball sculpture downtown is looking at? Our theory: It’s staring longingly at Americano, the Joule hotel’s newest restaurant, wishing it had taste buds. If that thing ever sprouts legs (help us all), its first mission will surely be to step inside the former Charlie Palmer…
Checking in at The Theodore’s film-inspired hostess stand, you imagine checking in at a hotel. You half expect to be given a key to access the lodge-like dining room, which features a vaulted ceiling modeled after Theodore Roosevelt’s summer vacation home. With a fire roaring in the psychedelic fireplace and…
Revered for his focus on local, seasonal ingredients, Chef Graham Dodds carries on this focus at his new restaurant, Wayward Sons. Joyfully, this “best of the season” approach extends to the dessert menu as well. For proof, look no further than the chocolate semifreddo. Wait, what? This is supposed to…
That’s right. We said “Doughnuts,” not “Donuts.” We could argue about this all morning, but by then all the doughnuts would be sold out. We’re not taking that risk. Admittedly, this list is completely unnecessary—ALL doughnuts are the “best,” by their very nature. Would we let that stand in…
You can drive past Margarita’s only so many times before curiosity gets the best of you. The bright pink door beckons. Open it, and discover a tiny sweet shop that sings “celebration” from ceiling to floor. Stuffed into every corner, treasures like roasted pepitas and crystallized fruit await. Although the…
If you count Smoke and Bolsa among your favorite restaurants, or you’re a Wes Anderson fan (or both), you’ve been eagerly awaiting the opening of The Theodore. As of November 16, the wait is over. The newest addition to NorthPark Center showcases re-imagined American classics in a quirky yet elegant…
Since opening in the Shops of Highland Park this September, Madrina has confidently elbowed its way onto most every “hot new” restaurant list. Why? Part of the draw has to be chef Julio Peraza’s French-inspired Mexican cuisine, which has been pared down to the catchy term “French-Mex.” It’s an intriguing…
Rex’s Seafood and Chop House, the much-anticipated expansion of the original Rex’s, opened in Lakewood last week. If you’ve been to the Lovers/Inwood location, you pretty much know what to expect. The new location features similar chalkboard specials, the same Fridays-only lobster rolls, a small market where you can purchase…
The folks at Braindead Brewing in Deep Ellum have unveiled new fall menu items. Here’s a glimpse for those looking to capture fall-icious flavors at their peak. The list is long and tempting. The roasted acorn squash stuffed with wild rice risotto and Spanish chorizo promises to warm and comfort…
Just beyond a miniature herb garden in the Inwood Village, under a stretch of a royal blue awning, you’ll find an ornate, heavy wooden door. Open it and reveal an ethereal world of twinkling, skyward-stretching branches. It is in this magical space where the most amazingly fluffy soufflés imaginable are…
“Never talk money, politics or religion” in polite conversation, they say (whoever “they” are). Add “cake” to that list — opinions on the subject quickly fire up debate on opposing sides. For some, it’s all about the icing. Whether you prefer a thick, grainy buttercream, an airy, whipped frosting, or…
Most diners visit steakhouses for, well, steak. But typically, such establishments also offer rich desserts sliced as thick as their rib eyes. Del Frisco’s Grille in Uptown is no exception. Problem is, after tucking into all that meat and potatoes, who has room for dessert? Some desserts are spectacular enough…
Recklessly eyeballing the showcase at Haute Sweets Patisserie, how do you choose just one beauty from the splendid array of desserts? The delicately adorned pastries are all equally stunning. Answers to such questions are elusive, but a simple truth can be distilled from years of life experience: choose the shiniest…
Not to be left behind in the mobile kitchen craze, Richardson finally has its own food truck park. After overcoming numerous obstacles (including Oncor showing up late to the electricity party), the soft-opening date became a moving target. Although months behind schedule, the little food truck park that could swung…
Whether your aim is to satisfy a fiendish cacao craving or impress a date, a trip to Chocolate Secrets will do the trick. A stunning array of hand-painted bon bons will dazzle you at the door, but the real secret is that this Oak Lawn chocolatier offers much more than…
Garlic isn’t the first thing that jumps to mind when you think “dessert,” but it will sneak its way into just about everything at Central Market for the next week or so, including sweets. Contrary to what you might expect, black garlic (which is fermented, making it darker, softer, and…
A mouth-watering collection of refreshing treats to help you stay cool. 1. Mot Hai Ba’s Coconut-Lemongrass Panna Cotta Chill out in the soothing atmosphere of this tiny Vietnamese restaurant with a bowl of their mood-lifting panna cotta. The subtle notes of coconut and lemongrass balance the tart, concentrated raspberry flavor…
If Addison seems to you to be a soulless place — a vast parking lot flanked by restaurants and bars of no particular charm or character — you haven’t been to Neighborhood Services. Their newest outpost is a standout for its warm service, bluesy rock vibe and upscale menu. Dream…
Open for about two months now, Uchi is a hot ticket. To secure a seat at this Austin-bred sushi spot, you’re going to need to book reservations about a week in advance. Without them, you’re not getting in without a long wait — unless you know how to outsmart the…
Cake Bar sold out of cake on their opening weekend. Many a cake-seeker knocked at their door only to be met with a sign that meant they were S-O-L. That was almost a year ago. Surely by now, the enthusiasm has died down, right? Wrong. Even on a Wednesday night,…
If you stalk the upscale barbecue restaurant Smoke on Facebook (not that I do), you noticed they recently posted a come-hither pie photo, along with this post: “Three words: Pie for dinner. Even better when it’s our mescal key lime pie with meringue as high as an East Texas hairdo!”…
To a self-confessed white flour addict with no dietary restrictions like me, Snap Kitchen’s health-conscious approach is a little scary. Studying the phrases printed on my take-away bag (“No butter ever” and “You’ll never find a speck of white flour in our house”), I braced myself for an epic lunch…
