Category Archives: Melissa Robert

Driftwood’s Fall Menu Is No Fish Tale

driftwoodby Melissa Robert

The temperatures are dropping and coats are finally being donned in Dallas, which can only mean one thing, Fall menus are upon us. Lucky North Texas diners are seeing new plates surface at their favorite eateries across the Metroplex. I had the pleasure of sharing a meal with colleagues Tuesday night at Driftwood near the Bishop Arts area of Oak Cliff. If you didn’t know why they created the DLink bus before, the seafood cuisine at Driftwood will leave no doubt in your mind that they are a fixture in the destination dining landscape.

With right around fifty seats, the dining room is intimate, and even on a Tuesday evening the patrons are plentiful and energetic. The outdoor space accommodates an additional twenty guests and features a fireplace as well as a second side to the main bar which is fully exposed when the accordion-style glass is folded back. While at the bar, inside or out, order a cocktail off the Fall drink menu. Behind the bar, Michael will whip up a Holy Grail with fresh cranberries and chai that will quench your liquid holiday needs. Also, look for a new bar bites menu to be available in the next week or two.    Continue reading

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Brewvolution Showcases Texas’s Most Loved Breweries

beer3by Melissa Robert

Saturday kicked off the third annual North Texas Beer Week with its commencement event, Brewvolution. Centennial Hall, the 95,000 square foot venue in Fair Park, was filled with beer-lovers young and old – all legal drinking age of course. Event-goers were greeted at the door with the 2013 Treasure Map which did indeed mark the spot where the favorite brews could be found. Those in the know arrived early, adorned with pretzel necklaces and silly hats only a beer-lovers mother could love. The organizers of Untapped Festival and Big Texas Beer Fest teamed up to ensure this ale extravaganza would go off without a hitch.

While the most popular taps ran dry as the hours passed, food trucks and vendors on site kept bellies full. Live music from local bands such as the Roomsounds and Hanna Barbarians provided another element of fun which guests could enjoy while letting their beer and brats settle. Sampling cup-holder necklaces from Oskar Blues were a hit. I’ll definitely come equipped with a cup holding necklace contraption next year since holding my sample cup, tasting card and nibbling on my pretzel necklace all at the same time proved entirely too difficult.   Continue reading

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First Look: Taverna Rossa

image_1by Melissa Robert

Picture this – you’re a Plano resident that enjoys the terrific school district, Willowbend Mall and pretending that the Dallas North Tollway is somehow less traffic-y than I75 or 635. Yep, you live in the suburbs. When people want to go out to eat you immediately think of Shops at Legacy. While the Shops is lovely, though no less congested than Uptown on a Saturday night, and Jasper’s is delicious, you want a cool, neighborhood gem that’s enjoyable for your whole family. Well, good things came to those who waited. Taverna Rossa is now open off Preston Road between Parker and Spring Creek Parkway.     Continue reading

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Fearing’s Celebrates 6th Anniversary with a True BBQ Bash

DSC09306by Melissa Robert                    photos by Steven Doyle

Sunday night brought cooler weather with a pleasant departure from the scorching heat that Dallas residents anticipate through the end of August. But, if you happened to be enjoying that lovely weather at Fearing’s inside the Ritz-Carlton, you were also in attendance at a truly wonderful barbecue event to commemorate the restaurant’s 6th anniversary. Like any good birthday party, some fantastic guests were in attendance. Deep Ellum Brewing Company was on-hand to present several local ale offerings. And well, doesn’t a Dallas Blonde pair well with BBQ?

The co-host of the evening was none other than Chris Lilly, barbecue legend in his own right. Hailing from Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama, Chris told me he’s inspired by all types of food and wants to bring diners, “not just your ordinary barbecue, and hopefully something Texas has never seen before.”

So I had to ask what enticed him to cook in Dallas. “Fearing’s and Dean are all about bold flavors… Dean has these, rich, bold, in-your-face flavors” Lilly exclaimed. With a rich family history in barbecue, multiple championships, and a secret white barbecue sauce, it’s clear that Chris Lilly was the right man to help ring in another year of celebrated food here at Fearing’s.   Continue reading

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Food for the Whole Family: Taste of Dallas Recap

lockhart todby Melissa Robert    photos by Mary Szefcyk

No matter what type of foods tickle your taste bud fancy, if you stopped by Fair Park this weekend you didn’t walk away disappointed. Friday through Sunday DFW residents filled their bellies with culinary delights from over 60 local restaurants. 150,000 square feet of indoor, air-conditioned space hosted cooking demonstrations, Taste of the Town, Taste Tavern, kids areas and even a petting zoo. Outside the Fair Park exhibit halls were a plethora of tasting tents, food trucks and an impressive live music stage. With general admission at only $10 and children 5 and under getting in free, the event was bustling with folks enjoying local food and vendor booths. Continue reading

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Barlow Wines And The Second Floor Bistro: A Perfect Pairing

barlow1by Melissa Robert

As spring in Texas refuses to make a choice between the chill of winter and the warmth of summer, now is the perfect time to gather with friends to discover new wines and enjoy an excellent meal. Last night I was fortunate to do both at the private dining room, Prive, located next to The Second Floor Bistro inside the Westin Galleria Dallas. Chefs Scott Gottlich and Daniel Tarasevich brought in Barr Smith of Barlow Vineyard for a memorable dinner and wine experience comprised of four courses and four featured Barlow wines.

If you haven’t seen the Prive space yet, it’s beautifully appointed. From the chic hanging lighting fixtures, which I’d love to have one or two of, to the elegant high back white leather chairs, this private dining room was the ideal location for the evening. As guests arrived, they were greeted with a glass of Spanish cava and an affable hello from Gina Gottlich, sommelier to both Bijoux and The Second Floor Bistro. Eager food and wine lovers chatted around the sleek bar area and absorbed the ambiance of smiling faces and aromas beginning to waft in from the kitchen; an enticing menu awaited diners at their seats.    Continue reading

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