Author Archives: Steven Doyle

Clarity and Flavor: Reilly Brown’s Vision for Dallas Dining

food photographs by Joey Stewart

In Dallas, Frenchie has quietly established itself as a brasserie with a clear point of view under Executive Chef Reilly Brown. Brown, who previously worked at Georgie, took over after former chef Bruno Davaillon departed for Georgie in a tasty version of musical chairs, another restaurant within the same Travis Street Hospitality group, owned by Stephan Courseau. At Frenchie, Brown brings a refined but approachable sensibility, blending French technique with modern touches, while maintaining the vision of a polished, all-day brasserie. The result is a menu that feels thoughtful and cohesive, letting the ingredients speak for themselves without relying on excess or gimmick.

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Filed under Joey Stewart, Steven Doyle

When Scrooge Bought the Goose: Inside a Dickensian Christmas Table

After years of counting coins and tightening purses, Scrooge’s sudden generosity meant more than gifts; it meant a table brimming with abundance, a gesture as much about atonement as celebration. The house, once quiet and austere, now hummed with activity, and the dinner that followed was a spectacle of goodwill. Scrooge, in a rare show of indulgence, had purchased the fattest goose in the market, its golden body promising richness and warmth to everyone at the table.

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More Christmas Day Openings for Dinner

Dining out for Christmas doesn’t need to be arduous, but verify and make reservations where you can- and follow this list! Please remember the staff serving you forfeited their holiday and take great care of them.

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Oyster Happy Hours in Dallas: Where Fresh Shell Meets Sparkling Bubbles

Oysters and champagne are one of those effortless pairings that elevate an afternoon into a memorable moment. In Dallas, oyster happy hours have become a staple of the city’s drinking and dining culture — briny, chilled oysters on the half shell paired with crisp bubbles or a glass of sparkling wine create a combination of flavors that feels both celebratory and refreshing. Whether you’re easing into a weekday evening or marking the start of the weekend, these shellfish offerings reward exploration, and many local kitchens take pride in sourcing oysters that stand up to a flute of champagne or cava.

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Small Plates, Big Flavor: Dining at Cafe Madrid

Paella

Cafe Madrid has maintained a steady presence for decades. It serves Spanish cuisine in a way that feels deliberate and approachable, centered on tapas: small plates designed to be shared, sampled, and savored. Tapas began in Spain as simple bites served alongside wine or sherry, evolving over time into a style of dining that values variety, conversation, and the rhythm of the table rather than a single main course.

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Christmas Happy Hour Notes

As December settles in, the calendar fills with invitations that call for something more than the ordinary pour. This is the season of lingering dinners, late-night toasts, and small rituals that mark the passage from one year to the next. A well-made cocktail, thoughtfully chosen, becomes part of that ceremony—an expression of warmth, restraint, and quiet celebration. The following three drinks are designed to move gracefully from Christmas through New Year’s Eve, balancing winter’s deeper notes with brightness and lift, and offering the kind of elegance that feels timeless rather than trendy.

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Retro Movie Review: White Christmas (1954)

White Christmas (1954) is a film that turns nostalgia into spectacle without sacrificing its emotional core. Directed by Michael Curtiz and built around Irving Berlin’s most famous song, it remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring holiday entertainments—earnest, polished, and quietly persuasive in its belief that goodwill, when shared, can still carry the day.

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AM/FM a New Lounge and Diner Coming to Dallas in January 2026

AM/FM is opening in Dallas with early mornings, late nights, and a spirit that feels true to the city. Launching in January, the diner will open daily at 7 a.m., welcoming musicians coming off late sets, workers starting morning shifts, and neighbors looking for a place that feels familiar. Coffee refills come easily, the light is warm at sunrise, and as the day progresses, the room gradually shifts into a lounge with a pulse of its own.

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