TOP FIFTEEN Bar Openings in Dallas 2020

by Brian McCollough

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

The immortal words of one of the worlds most celebrated authors above can easily describe the feelings of the past year. As for bar operators its been a darker and more trying year than ever before. 

Opening a bar is a dream of a lifetime! It takes hard work, commitment, long hours, and passion! The same can be said in any industry, but I love bars. So what was it like to open a bar in 2020? What should be the best of times for eager and excited owners and staff in what will seemingly go on record as the worst of times. It Is Bittersweet that is for sure. Well, here is my list for the top new bars in 2020! Cheers!

What makes a great bar for me? Bartenders and atmosphere of course! (If the first two don’t work then the rest is for the dump sink.) Here are my TOP bars and bar openings in 2020:

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These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things: 2020

Ravioli at Homewood by Matt McCallister

Text + Photos by Joey Stewart

It’s a strange year to try and make any sort of “best of” list. We made it out several times before lockdown, then supported the scene by ordering take-out, and finally were able to venture out to a few patios when the weather would hold up. While there are dozens of options that we sadly missed, here are some favorites from our limited ventures out. (Or in).

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Cameron Diaz’s Wine — What is it All About?

Cameron Diaz believes empowerment involves being healthy — she leads a healthy lifestyle, only consuming foods that are sustainable, organic, and simple. While she’s been conscious about her eating habits, she didn’t always pay the same emphasis on her wine. She trusted that wines being advertised and marketed as organic would live up to that name. She believed, like most of us, that wine is simply fermented grapes.

But, she recently realized that most store-bought wines consist mostly of chemicals, preservatives, pesticides, fungicides, and other additives. She was horrified by this discovery, and so she set about investigating the matter. She learned that there’s a shocking lack of regulation and oversight in the wine industry. Manufacturers can basically slap the “organic” label on any bottle of wine, regardless of the production process.

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Where To Find Your Black-Eyed Peas For New Years Day

peasby Steven Doyle

Black-eyed peas have long been a traditional New Years dish with the thought that they bring the eater good luck. The tradition dates back to the Civil War, when Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General William Tecumseh Sherman, typically stripped the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock, and destroyed whatever they could not carry away. At that time, Northerners considered “field peas” and field corn suitable only for animal fodder, and did not steal or destroy these humble foods. It’s a southern thing.

There are a few great places to enjoy your personal pot of good luck in the Dallas area. Certainly look to the obvious spots such as Celebration on Lovers Lane in Dallas where they have been serving  southern hospitality since 1971. In addition to your black-eyed peas, you can also find a great chicken fried steak, catfish, meatloaf and other hearty dishes to start your year off right.   Continue reading

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Vidorra Makes its Highly Anticipated Addison Debut

The Addison community will get to experience “the good life” at Vidorra through inspired Mexican cuisine and over-the-top cocktails when it opens on Monday, Dec. 28.

Located at 5100 Beltline Road, Ste. #410 in Addison’s Village on the Parkway, Vidorra will serve hand-crafted Mexican dishes and curated cocktails, as well as a large tequila selection. The new 5,800-square-foot restaurant marks Vidorra’s second location in Dallas-Fort Worth and second systemwide.

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Finding Tamales in Dallas

Reata-Fort-Worth-Tamales

As the holidays continue and we ready for the new year, many will offer blessings for our heart and hearth.And nothing blesses my hearth more than a few dozen tamales lovingly hand-made in homes or selected from a steaming basket that an experienced tamale-maker offers as she passes from office to office. For those who do not possess the skills nor the energy to craft their own tamales, DFW  is rich with eager cooks willing to share their bounty.

Local chef Stephan Pyles co-authored a book on tamales and makes literally thousands of them for the holiday season. Says Pyles, “West Texas has heavy southern and Hispanic influences and one of my favorite early memories is my discovery of tamales. I was most intrigued by the fact that they came in their own special ‘gift-wrapping.’ That early fascination was enough inspiration for me to compose an entire book on the subject.”

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Covid Damage to Dallas Dining Scene

Let’s take a look at some of the havoc the pandemic has done with regards to Dallas area restaurants. The list isn’t pretty and left a hole on our dining scene. The list is far from complete and far from being over.

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Order Texas Treats Before December 21

There’s still time to dazzle your friends and family with this holiday season’s tastiest gift. Order the Ultimate Texas Treats gift box from Assembly and the Texas Food & Wine Alliance (TFWA) before 3 pm, Monday, December 21 for pre-Christmas delivery anywhere in Texas.

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