Tag Archives: McKinney Avenue

by | May 15, 2013 · 1:24 pm

First Look: Pozo Mercado

 

DSC07681by Steven Doyle

Tonight Pozo Mercado opens its doors to entertain the dining and sipping set on McKinney Avenue. The new venture from La Reve, the same folks who run Sfuzzi and Standard Pour, has some really nice Mexican food set in the gorgeous old house that was formerly St John’s Wood. And late at night they rock that house with cool tunes and superb cocktails.

When looking to the cocktail menu, think Bryan McCullough from Standard Pour which is situated exactly next door to Pozo. As president of the Bartender’s Guild, he is one of the most respected and talented cocktailers in Dallas. Some amazing drinks are being poured at Pozo, along with a boozy flight of frozen drinks that are every bit as creamy as they are dreamy. Normally we would abstain from frozen drinks due to their inane ability to cause brain breeze, but also for their undesired lack of alcohol. Not the case here. Proceed with caution.   Continue reading →

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by | March 21, 2013 · 12:15 pm

The Corner Bar Is Adding A Fine Dining Component

DSC06417by Steven Doyle

Steve and Brandy Spence met each other in their fourth year at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He always knew he wanted to own his own restaurant and went to the CIA to get the total understanding of how restaurants work. Brandy, on the other hand, wanted to be a surgeon and was pre-med at the University of Texas in Austin when the restaurant bug bit her. She went to her father and claimed she wanted to be a chef. Being the good father, he helped her find the best culinary school in the United States.   Continue reading →

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by | February 6, 2013 · 10:22 am

Belly & Trumpet Opens Feb 12

SONY DSCby Steven Doyle     photos by Joy Zhang

Been watching the former Bowery space on McKinney Avenue? It is now transitioning into a new restaurant the owners call Belly & Trumpet. Oak owners Richard & Tiffanee Ellman are teaming up once again with John Paul Valverde (who recently opened Outpost American Tavern in Oak Cliff) to create their take on small plates and they are bringing in big guns for the back of the house.

Look for Brian Zenner to take lead role as executive chef. Zenner most recently was chef de cuisine at Oak and worked at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. Zenner is bringing in another young gun from the Mansion, Rudy Mendoza who has been working at the upscale hotel restaurant since the Tesar era.  Continue reading →

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by | January 25, 2013 · 12:29 pm

Standard Pour Is Not Just For Incredible Cocktails

DSC04852by Steven Doyle

Standard Pour has fast become one of the best cocktail bars in the city of Dallas. Under the guidance of barman and general manager  Brian McCullough the McKinney Avenue hotspot attracts locals and industry people nightly. They are looking for well-crafted cocktails without the fuss that can be displayed at other bars. The steady hand of the bar staff is quite evident as they concoct every drink imaginable in split seconds, enabling the staff to move through lines of thirsty guests in a matter of minutes.

Pretty much everyone who reports on cocktails in Dallas agrees that Standard Pour is the standard pour, but there is more awaiting past that bright patina of libations. That is where the able bodied Chef  Peja Krstic steps up to the mound offering his version of genius bar fare.  Continue reading →

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by | January 9, 2013 · 12:28 pm

Quarter Bar Now Featuring Revolver Brewing

quarterby Steven Doyle

A recent visit to The Quarter Bar located on McKinney netted a great beer find. The Quarter is the little NOLA-style bar that is pretty much out of its element amongst the glitzier bars on McKinney, and sets pace of all its own to provide a more intimate and comfortable neighborhood environment. The bar food is sturdy and Wednesdays you will find many selections half price. Thursday the domestic beer and wells are a mere $2, which can give you a spiritual pre-weekend bartab relief. Continue reading →

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by | December 11, 2012 · 9:24 am

Meso Maya Will Have You Saying, “Masa Por Favor”

DSCF0304by Melissa Robert

Mexican food can mean something different to everyone here in North Texas. Don’t worry, I’m far too fearful of the comments that would ensue if I spent anytime discussing the differences between “Mexican food” and Tex-Mex, so we’ll save that for another day. It seems that we all have a different way to judge the quality of Mexican food. I’d like to say I am able to tell pretty quickly how I’ll get along with a new spot by their salsa, while others claim it’s the house margarita or even the enchiladas that set the tone. If you score a table at Meso Maya in the near future get ready to taste Mexican food differently, the Southern Mexican cuisine is a welcomed addition to the McKinney Avenue landscape.   Continue reading →

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by | December 10, 2012 · 12:37 pm

Max’s Wine Dive Brunch For A Quick Hangover Cure

DSC04354by Steven Doyle

A visit to Max’s Wine Dive will often net you a chance to embrace the inner oenophile, but they also have their bad boy side which serves up some interesting, if not bawdy,  menu items. There is certainly that late night rendezvous with fried chicken and Dom Perignon by the glass that gives Max’s a bit of the bad boy impression. But this makes perfect sense; bubbles are meant to make you smile.

Max’s has no pretention of staying classy as evidenced by their over-the-top brunch menu, and we set out to tackle a few of the more interesting items.  Continue reading →

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by | November 14, 2012 · 11:31 am

Bowery Has A New And Improved Menu

by Steven Doyle

There seems to be no stopping this hot dog movement in Dallas and we have our favorites, but this list is expanding to include some different takes on what can be an extremely pedestrian food. Soon there will be a large handful of hot doggeries scattered across the Metroplex, and the chef-driven dog is a true stand out.

When Bowery first opened on McKinney Avenue it had its share of difficulties, but many of these issues have been met with decisive action and Bowery is back on course. Today there is a new menu which leaves the better selling dogs intact and the addition of a few new items, including a pretty solid burger.   Continue reading →

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