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THIS ONE’S DESIGNED FOR YOU
The Winter issue of Fort Worth HOME is on newsstands now.
Want to be one of the first to get the next issue of Fort Worth HOME? Subscribe to Fort Worth Magazine at fwtx.com/subscribe to receive both publications before they hit newsstands. Already a subscriber? Look for Fort Worth HOME in your mailbox in March.
Escape! 10 Secret Texas Getaways
Haciendas. Vineyards. A Bavarian haus. No, we’re not talking Europe. We’re talking Texas. These and other destinations are hidden right here in our great state, and all of them are five hours from the Fort — or less. Now flip on over and start planning your trip.
by Shilo Urban
The 75 dishes every Fort
needs to try. by
66 Complementary Medicine Becoming Mainstream Local doctors find middle ground between Eastern and Western medicine. by Courtney Dabney
The Foodie Awards
Worthian
FWTX Staff
American comfort food served with European flair is the signature of Vaudeville, one of many restaurants on Fredericksburg’s Main Street.
Photo by Jason Risner.
The Herd The Cowtown Marathon goes over the hill.
18
New Life for Como?
A housing project could mean the start of change in the area.
22
Fort Worthian Meet the man who keeps the Panther Island Project afloat.
Still Talking About Art Michael Auping is coming back to The Modern.
30
Fort Worth’s Prince A local musician is making it rain purple.
34
New England’s Menu
Where to go for the best clams, cranberries and crustaceans.
eat
Aloha, Fort Worth A Hawaiian food truck gets ready to surf it up in the Medical District.
94
Due South A “biscuit renaissance” is happening in Fort Worth.
98
The Feed A roundup of what’s cooking, along with some sad news from the barbecue world.
100
Bakery and Brunch Spot
Finds Its Footing It’s known for brunch, but how’s its lunch?
102
Restaurant Listings
A comprehensive guide to area restaurants.
78. Jewel Charity Ball
80. Top Attorney/Entrepreneur of Excellence Cocktail Party
82. Ten Things to Do
This Month Classical meets rock — in a jazz lounge.
112. Seeing the Fort through the fog.
Photo by Logan Crable.
On the Road Again
» I went on a break with the state of Colorado about three years ago. (OK, one time since then I slipped up and went to the southernmost part of the state.)
Our first fight was exactly four years ago. I had visited numerous times before to visit friends, go to weddings, etc. But then in February 2014, I boarded a Colorado Mountain Express for the approximately two-hour drive to the Denver airport and instead found myself stuck on Interstate 70 for more than eight hours. On the back bench of a four-row van. Between two large grown men. Who argued with each
ON THE COVER: Photographer
Aubrie Gerber
captured this shot of a Sunday haus cottage at Fredericksburg Herb Farm. See more of Gerber’s travel images on Instagram @aubsgerbs. Read more about Fredericksburg Herb Farm on page 42.
other loudly while we waited for Vail Pass to reopen. And my phone died. Long story short, I missed my flight and had to purchase a new one, plus a hotel room to avoid sleeping at the airport. I decided to give it another chance a little over a year later. It was summertime after all, and there was a much lower chance of road condition problems. But instead, I ended up with a severe case of altitude sickness and an IV in my arm. That was it for me.
I’ve since found that disliking Colorado is wildly unpopular and akin to telling someone you’re not a dog lover (so I probably shouldn’t tell you that I’m a cat person). But I stand by the fact that if just being in a state makes me physically ill, then perhaps I’m not well-suited for that place.
That’s when I started really embracing the diversity of Texas travels. Want mountains? Head west to Chinati Peak. A
river to raft? Drive south to the Guadalupe. Ranches? Pick your direction. But first, start with this issue of our magazine. We’ve picked 10 under-the-radar travel spots that will take you outside the box without taking you outside of the state (page 40).
After you work up an appetite for travel, turn to page 54 for our Foodie Awards. The Fort Worth Magazine staff joined forces with a panel of expert food columnists to bring you the 75 best dishes in the city. The best part? This list won’t even take you east of Arlington. You know, for those times when staying home is better than anything else.
Kendall
Louis
Executive Editor
Have any corrections? Comments? Concerns? Send to Executive Editor Kendall Louis at klouis@fwtexas.com.
COMING NEXT MONTH »
Wild Fort Worth. The best local ways to get outdoors. Plus, meet some of the zoo’s most popular residents.
Top Left: Mount Bonnell, Austin, Texas. Bottom Left: Paddleboarding on Lake LBJ. Right: Horseback riding in Bastrop, Texas.
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» It only made sense that Shilo Urban wrote our cover story on page 40 — she’s literally been everywhere. And we mean everywhere.
What’s the last place you traveled to? China, Mongolia and Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
What’s the longest you’ve been away from home? And where’d you go? I lived in New Zealand for six months. I worked as a bartender in Auckland and traveled all over, from Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island to Paihia on the bottom of the South Island — and everywhere in between.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you while traveling? After a long day exploring the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in the Guatemalan jungle, we arrived at the hotel, and the power was
That pretty shot of a house at Fredericksburg Herb Farm on the cover is the work of Aubrie Gerber, a full-time freelance food and travel photographer and writer. She’s also contributed to Rachael Ray Every Day, Luxe Getaways and United Hemispheres,
out. I was filthy and exhausted, but I couldn’t shower in the pitch-black room or sleep in the sweltering heat. So, a friend and I slipped into our sarongs to cool off and chatted on the patio. Several young men came to repair the electricity. When it came back on, I was thanking one of the guys profusely, really going on about it — when my sarong slipped down to my waist. I rushed into my room completely embarrassed; by morning my friend had told our entire group. For the rest of the trip, I was teased every time I said “gracias” about my very special way of expressing gratitude.
The most extravagant trip you’ve ever taken? I traveled to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Istanbul and Romania with my mother. I always “level up” on the class of service when I travel with her!
Have you ever been just straight-up lost? Many times. Once I was snowshoeing at night in Maine with a friend and two professional guides. Despite the full moon, we lost our way for several hours before stumbling onto a back road and being saved by a snowplow driver.
Pack light or pack heavy? Pack light, always!
among other publications. You can also find her working with restaurants from Florida to Colorado to capture dishes for their websites and social media platforms. See more of her shots in our feature story, Escape!, on page 40.
A musician who used to play in rock bands in Puerto Rico, Dallas-based photographer Karlo X Ramos now spends time capturing
concerts and culture, along with advertisements for clients like Red Bull, Boost Mobile and Budweiser. See his photo of local musician Ronnie Heart — who’s lending a hand, literally, in a new TV miniseries about Prince — on page 30.
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 02, FEBRUARY 2018
owner/publisher hal a. brown
associate publisher diane ayres
editorial
executive editor kendall louis
creative director craig sylva art directors spray gleaves, ayla haynes
advertising art director ed woolf
associate editor samantha calimbahin
contributing writers shilo urban, jennifer cassedayblair, courtney dabney, malcolm mayhew
Fort Worth Magazine (ISSN 1536-8939) is published monthly by Panther City Media Group, LP, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 130, Fort Worth, TX 76116. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fort Worth, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Worth Magazine, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 130, Fort Worth, TX 76116. Volume 21, Number 2, February 2018. Basic Subscription price: $23.95 per year. Single copy price: $4.99
contact us
For questions or comments, contact Kendall Louis, executive editor, at 817.560.6178 or via email at kendall.louis@fwtx.com. For subscription questions, please call 800.856.2032.
Shilo Urban at the Taj Mahal
Craig Rogers President & CEO
Our Favorite Texas Escapes
We asked our staffers, Where do you go when you want to get away without leaving our great state?
» Rachael Lindley, Account Executive
“Mineola, about an hour and a half away. The nature preserve is gorgeous. There’s also a charming little restaurant on the main drag called Kitchens that is half restaurant, half hardware store. On Saturdays, they do wonderful steak dinners. On the way there, there’s a multitude of fruit and vegetable stands, most notable are Hams Peach Orchard and Graham’s Edgewood Market — those could probably be day trips within themselves.”
» Spray Gleaves, Art Director
“The International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd. So many people don’t know about this place. The big cats are beautiful, and it’s so nice to see them in a pleasant environment. The gift shop even has big cat urine for sale, which is great for scaring off critters
that you don’t want in your yard. On the way, you can stop in Aurora and see the grave of an alien that crashed there.”
» Ayla Haynes, Art Director “Brookside Camp in Bluff Dale. We used hipcamp.com and found this gem less than two hours from us. It’s the most private little camping spot, cattle walking all over the property, and a watering hole just feet away.”
» Ed Woolf, Advertising Art Director “Weatherford’s Quanah Hill is a great spot for mountain biking. The location is convenient to Fort Worth for a day trip; it has good parking and isn’t too crowded. The group that’s doing upkeep on the trail system is doing a great job, and the cyclists using it seem to be treating it with respect. The trail system has a good variety of features, and most of it can be enjoyed by seasoned and novice riders.”
» Scott Nishimura, Executive Editor of FW Inc.
“Glen Rose. The opening of the Chisholm Trail Parkway slashed the time it takes to get to this Texas town. Take a picnic to Big Rocks Park, or take in downtown Glen Rose’s nearby restaurants and shops. Just a little farther down U.S. 67 to the west, you hit Loco Coyote and its great barbecue and suds.”
» Hal Brown, Owner/Publisher “Rough Creek Lodge in Glen Rose. Great resort with amazing food, service and atmosphere. There’s lots to do outside of the standard activities, like swimming. The resort has shooting sports (pistol, longrange rifles, and shotgun sports like sporting clays and 10 stand), catch-
and-release fishing, ATV sports, horseback riding, and spa services. For children, there’s a zip line, rock climbing, biking and paintball.”
» Diane Ayres, Associate Publisher “[My husband] Bill and I love to go to Salado. It’s a town where you feel like you know everyone after one visit. It’s very quaint — lots of shopping, restaurants, wine bars and B&Bs. We try to get down a minimum of four times of year. They have a large arts festival in the summer and Christmas in July. You can spend the night, but it is also an easy drive — it’s 30 miles south of Waco.”
BEST OF
It’s that time of year again. Get on our website to vote for the best food, services and more in Fort Worth. fwtx.com
YOUR PICS, PUBLISHED
Tag us on Instagram @fwtxmag or use the hashtag #fwtxmag for a chance to be featured in the magazine.
In Case You Missed It
If you aren’t following the fwtx.com blogs, why not? Here are a few of the exclusive online stories you missed this month:
bonappétit
Boozy Brunch Spot Plans Left Bank Opening
fwvoice
The Foundry District Adds More to Its List of 2018 Openings
fwculture
Popular Fort Worth Musician to Open Art Gallery Near West Vickery
Brookside Camp in Bluff Dale
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» The Herd. This is what 40 pairs of running shoes looks like — our ode to the Cowtown Marathon, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary when it kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 23.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 »
know
CITY | BUZZ | PEOPLE | TRENDS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 » Now imagine 5,000 pairs of running shoes. That’s approximately how many low-income North Texas school children received shoes, thanks to Cowtown’s C.A.L.F. (Children’s Activities for Life and Fitness) program in 2017. Here’s one more number — $10.4 million — the amount of money the Cowtown pumps into the Fort Worth economy every year. This year, executive director Heidi Swartz says they expect between 26,000 and 28,000 participants and anticipate that all 50 states will be represented.
IT FIGURES
FORT WORTH MAGAZINE FREELANCE WRITER SEAN
CHAFFIN won a Hugh Aynesworth Excellence in Journalism Award from the Press Club of Dallas in December for his December 2016 story, “Seeking Justice,” which sheds light on cold cases in Tarrant County. He beat out fellow finalist Keri Mitchell of The Advocate. The award is named for veteran reporter and longtime press club member Hugh Aynesworth – a four-time Pulitzer Prize finalist. Chaffin is a longtime freelance writer who writes about crime, poker and gambling. His new podcast, “True Gambling Stories,” which Chaffin describes as a true crime podcast with a gambling twist, debuted on the PokerNews Podcasting Network on Jan. 31.
1979 The year of the first Cowtown Marathon 28,000 participants expected in 2018 460 The number of runners in the 1979 marathon 5,748 The amount of grants C.A.L.F. awarded in 2017 2:28:00 Marathon time for men’s 2017 winner Justin Gable 3:01:29 Marathon time for women’s 2017 winner Amy Puzey
Go to fwtx.com for more city news. HERE, HERE
BRIGHT EYES »
THE 2017 SCHOOL YEAR STARTED OUT A LITTLE BRIGHTER FOR STUDENTS AT VAN ZANDT-GUINN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. The Fort Worth ISD elementary, located on more than
4.5 acres southeast of downtown Fort Worth off of Missouri Avenue, opened in 1979 as one of two Fort Worth ISD underground schools — built to reduce noise and heating and cooling costs. After voters approved a $409 million
NEW LIFE FOR COMO?
capital improvement program in 2012, the city tapped the Dallas design group of Perkins + Will to design a new facility that provides ample daylight into every classroom, the cafeteria and the media center.
The city approved one of the first projects under the Lake Como Sunset Heights Strategic Plan, a plan to revitalize the Como area, on Jan. 9. Single-family and multifamily zoning was changed to include urban residential to allow townhomes to be built.
InTown Homes will work alongside TownSite Co. to develop townhomes across from Lake Como along Diaz Avenue. The plan is to build 22 attached townhomes and 25 single-family homes on a 7-acre property that’s currently undeveloped parkland. Mary Nell Poole of TownSite Co. says the architecture will be Texas farmhouse vernacular with front porches. Plans include keeping some of the parkland to ensure green spaces around the homes and a small pocket park. The Como neighborhood is located just south of Interstate 30 across from Arlington Heights. In the late 1800s Lake Como was a recreational resort with a pavilion, casino and amusement rides. The developer named it for Como, Italy. It was connected by a streetcar line to a luxury hotel called Ye Arlington Inn at the corner of Merrick and Crestline.
Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary
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Executive Director of the Trinity River Vision Authority
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
When you’re in charge of one of the biggest projects on one of the biggest landmarks of Fort Worth — the Trinity River — there’s no doubt you’re busy. Couple that with being a dad, a frequent traveler and, not to mention, the son of a U.S. representative.
Such is the life of JD Granger, executive director of the Trinity River Vision Authority (TRVA). Aside from managing flood control and host-
ing events like Panther Island Ice and Rockin’ the River, one of the biggest things on TRVA’s plate right now is the Panther Island project — an estimated $910 million development that intends to bring housing, restaurants, entertainment and a San Antonio-style riverwalk to the northside of downtown. All in all, the development will span 88 miles down the Trinity.
This year, the nitty-gritty begins. With much of the prep work finishing up, Granger says more vertical construction is set to take
place — think breaking ground on a multifamily and the beginnings of the riverwalk. Granger handles all that and still finds time to drive his kids to sports activities and go tubing down the river (incognito, might we add). He took some time out of his jam-packed schedule to chat with us on how the vision is coming along and what life is like on the river.
Q. What’s your favorite thing to do along the river?
A. Along? My favorite thing is to be in our river tubing at Sunday Funday at Panther Island Pavilion. I’ll float and chat with people far and near. I hold back telling them what I do. I soak in their thoughts about our river, the event and Fort Worth at-large. They always say, “I never thought about getting in the Trinity River. This is great.” I know I look like a madman smiling ear to ear.
Q. How is the Panther Island project coming along?
A. Killing it. We’re about one-third of the way through the project. We are about to wrap up the phase that provides little reward — clearing the way for vertical construction. Now, the excitement begins. Bridges are well underway. The bypass channel is in final design. The first multifamily project and riverwalk section begins this spring. And, we are working with several more developers on some great projects that would extend the Panther Island River Walk in the near future.
Q Your mom is Kay Granger
How closely do you follow each other’s career?
A We do more than follow. We partnered to complete the delivery of the river project. She committed to coordinating all federal needs. I committed to coordinating all state and local needs. And, we promised each other that neither could leave until everything is on autopilot. But, don’t get me wrong — she is still Mom. She calls me at least twice every weekend for me to come over and “fix” her TV remote, iPad, thermostat, phone ... Please. Please. Take her electronics from her. She is in denial.
Q. What else do you talk about?
A. Our brains multitask at all times, and we are the restless sort. We think it’s normal. However, it can be exhausting to others, especially loved ones. We relax by enjoying a glass of wine, while playing gin rummy, and talking nonstop about our community’s needs and what we could do to help. My kids think our conversations
are very boring. My friends say they are stressful. But we love them, and that it is how we relax.
Q. What keeps you grounded?
A. People. I love them. All of them. I eat out almost every meal — in large part because I crave the conversations and input of people outside my circle. From the waitstaff, to the bartender, or the couple sitting next to me, the conversations always challenge me. Listening to others describe where they are from, why they chose their neighborhood, or thoughts on different Fort Worth districts provide wonderful honest input. Those conversations are brain candy.
Q. When not working, what are you doing?
A Traveling. Every trip teaches me new things to bring home and affirms why I love Fort Worth.
Q. What should we expect to see from Panther Island in 2018?
A Almost full completion of the White Settlement Bridge. Great progress on the Henderson and Main Street bridges. Wrapping up the first phase of Riverside Park and Gateway Park. The groundbreaking of Panther Island’s first multifamily project. The first section of River Walk. And, we hope to announce another mixed-use project that truly captures the vision the community described for Panther Island.
1. Inner tube. The inner tubes at Rockin’ the River come from none other than Margaritaville king Jimmy Buffett, who also has a pool float business.
2. Oktoberfest stein. These bad boys retail for $75 at Fort Worth’s Oktoberfest.
3. Sunscreen. JD prefers Australian Gold Exotic Blend because it smells the best.
4. Flip flops. Because flip flops “make me happy.”
5. Passport. JD travels often to waterfront cities.
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BOOKS | MUSIC | STYLE | TRAVEL
» Tadao Ando didn’t choose concrete for The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth because of the design. He used the material, which he sourced from the Texas landscape, because it’s accessible and affordable.
CONTINUED
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
» “It’s like capturing the local DNA,” Ando says. That’s one of the many things revealed to Michael Auping in his new book, “40 Years: Just Talking About Art.” Auping, who was chief curator of The Modern for more than 24 years, is credited with helping to transform the museum into an internationally acclaimed institution, thanks to securing artists like Frank Stella, whom he convinced to do Stella’s only non-New York retrospective in Fort Worth. Auping has recorded artists’ words since his time as a graduate student in the mid-1970s, believing it’s an essential part of art history. His book is a collection of nearly 80 conversations with more than 40 artists. Books are available for purchase at The Modern Art Museum Gift Shop. Auping will sign books on Tuesday, Feb. 6, beginning at 5 p.m. before the Tuesday Evenings at the Modern presentation, “40 Years: Talking and Thinking about Art,” a biographical sketch of Michael Auping’s four-decade career as a renowned curator.
Fort Worth’s Prince
Local musician turns stunt musician to play Prince’s hands in docudrama.
BY SHILO URBAN
by
Photo
Karlo X Ramos
Fort Worth’s Ronnie Heart brings authentic funk musicianship to the role of Prince in a new docudrama for the Reelz Channel. It’s the film debut for the local artist, who was sought out by the production company for his musical talents and Prince-like vibe.
Filmed in Dallas by AMS Pictures, the movie-length production is part of a mini-series called “The Price of Fame.”
The Prince episode will shed light on the artist’s life through interviews and reenactments of significant events from his childhood onward. AMS had already hired another actor for the character of Prince, but they needed someone for the musical scenes who could play all the instruments with credibility. And that’s when they called up Ronnie Heart, stunt musician.
Heart has been playing music for about 15 years and producing for six. He plays the guitar (his best instrument) as well as the keyboard, drums, and bass. He also DJs — chances are you’ve seen and heard him around town at parties and events — he played The Greatest Show on NYE in The Foundry District on New Year’s Eve, and often spins at the new Twilite Lounge in the Near Southside. Friends have been comparing Heart to Prince for years for his mannerisms, performance style, and affinity for funk music.
“I have always liked his music, but I didn’t really know too much about Prince until people started comparing me to him a lot,” Heart explains. He learned about the Prince docudrama on Facebook after a friend tagged him in a post by AMS calling for actors. He checked in on the role before initially shrugging it off. But the production company kept hearing about Heart — and they tracked him down.
His part in the docudrama includes close-up shots in musical segments that feature Prince’s songs, from his first album through the ’90s. Although Heart had no acting experience, the role came naturally. “Once they put me in the role, somehow it just felt so easy and simple. The scenes and the shots weren’t too crazy. After the actor played his part, I’d go in and put on his outfit. Then I would sit at the piano or
“It got to the point where the musicians would just look up at me before the scene began to make sure they looked okay.”
Ronnie Heart
grab a bass or grab a guitar. We’d take one or two shots, and that was it. It was really pretty seamless.”
Prep time was minimal for Heart, who has an incredible ear for music. “I brought my laptop with my music software and a little midi controller, just a little piano. They didn’t need any crazy soloing done; the scenes mostly showed me working through the chords or writing a song. I would show up, and they would tell me what song they would need me to learn that day, so I didn’t even have time to practice some of the music other than right beforehand. It was actually really fun.”
While on set, Heart also became the crew’s de facto musical consultant. “I helped out with scenes that I wasn’t even in, telling the actors how to position themselves and hold their instruments. It got to the point where the musicians would just look up at me before the scene began to make sure they looked okay.”
Does Heart see a future for himself on film or on stage? Perhaps. He was
« Actor Lance Williams sits at the piano on the set of “The Price of Fame.” Ronnie Heart acted as Williams’ stunt musician, playing the role of Prince’s hands to make musical numbers look authentic.
recently asked to audition for a Peter Pan role at Casa Mañana.
While Heart’s stage career is uncertain, he’ll definitely be writing and performing music with his solo project in the near future. Local musicians Austin Kroll (bass) and Valenti Funk (drums) are mainstays in his band, which sometimes also includes backup singers or other instrumentalists. “We’re playing SXSW for the fourth time this year, and we’ve done a little bit of touring. We’ve performed as far as Moscow already.” A new album is in the works for release sometime in 2018. In the meantime, find Heart in Fort Worth throwing parties, DJing, and hanging out at MASS and Shipping & Receiving. Watch for Heart’s film debut as Prince on the Reelz Channel on Sunday, Feb. 25.
“It was cool to feel needed and to be able to deliver on that. It’s what I felt most proud of.”
Ronnie Heart fans can buy his apparel on the “Ronnie Mart” on his website. ronnieheart.com
New England’s Menu
Clams,
cranberries,
lobster and sweets. Presenting, your guide to Northeast eats.
BY KYLE WHITECOTTON
From the natural beauty of mountain towns like Stowe, Vermont, and North Conway, New Hampshire, to the serene white sand beaches of Cape Cod and Connecticut’s Hammonasset Beach, New England’s list of reasons for visiting runs deep. There is adventure in hiking the 100-Mile Wilderness, sea kayaking Casco Bay and skiing the Beast of the East in Killington. There are the friendly island communities of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Mount Desert Island and the charm of small towns like Rockport in Massachu-
setts, Sugar Hill in New Hampshire, and Craftsbury Common in Vermont with their own variety of colonial churches, covered wooden bridges and period architecture. Mingled throughout, however, is the region’s food. New England’s rich farmland, its bountiful coastal waters and its centuries-old immigrant influence create a unique and tasty menu that includes signature servings of johnnycakes, stuffed clams, Boston baked beans and brown bread, and the unexpected goodness of fluffernutter sandwiches, mixing peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. It’s no
wonder that Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream was born in Burlington, Vermont, that the very first chocolate chip cookie was created at Whitman, Massachusetts’ Toll House Inn, or that the official state beverage of New Hampshire is apple cider.
At the end of the day, though, New England’s infinite list of reasons for visiting and the fear of missing out on something great make it nearly impossible to choose just where to go. Fortunately, the region’s tasty fare is served all over, and the finest of it is never far away.
Cantey FerchillKandy MaberryBlake Elliott
Clams
Since 1920, Rhode Island residents have counted on Aunt Carrie’s for mouthwatering seafood and the cool ocean breezes of Narragansett in the heart of Point Judith. Order the Rhode Island shore dinner to experience the region’s best South County-style clam chowder, clam cakes made from scratch, and steamed clams plucked straight from local waters. In Guilford, Connecticut, The Place Restaurant is an open-air clambake where the tables surround a smoky wood fire. Bring your own beer, pull up a tree stump for a chair, and enjoy freshly opened, fire-roasted clams with butter and hot sauce. And north of Boston in historic Ipswich, The Clam Box has been serving the tastiest fried clams for 80 years. Truly adventurous clam connoisseurs can stop in at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Connecticut, for the legendary coal-fired white clam pizza with mozzarella, garlic, oregano and olive oil.
Lobster
The only thing better than New England lobster is the quintessential New England lobster shack. The best of these coastal staples includes the Five Islands Lobster Co. on the edge of Sheepscot Bay in Maine, Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank, Connecticut, where lobster is steamed in giant cast-iron vaults, and Brown’s Lobster Pound in Seabrook, New Hampshire, serving fresh-boiled lobster for half a century. For straight-from-the-water whole steamed lobster in a picturesque Maine setting, it’s difficult to beat McLoons Lobster Shack on Spruce Head Island, where guests can take in the sights and sounds of local lobstermen in the harbor and the area’s oldest working lobster wharf. And on more than one occasion, the lobster rolls at The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport, Maine, have been called the best New England has to offer. Big chunks of fresh soft-shell lobster meat, a hint of mayonnaise or warm butter and a toasted hamburger-style bun from a local bakery make these summer treats well worth the wait.
Fruit
According to the Cape Cod Growers’ Association, cranberries are Massachusetts’ No. 1 agricultural commodity crop. The state also has more than 14,000 acres of cranberry bogs, meaning a Massachusetts bog tour is practically a requirement. Learn all about the history of cranberries and tour the harvesting equipment at Mayflower Cranberries in Plympton, step inside the screen house to sort cranberries at Flax Pond Farms in Carver, then step into a pair of waders and harvest your own cranberries at Stone Bridge Farm in Acushnet.
The month of August in Maine is the season of wild blueberry festivals. The Rangeley Lake Blueberry Festival hosts a frogjumping contest, the Union Fair & Maine Wild Blueberry Festival crowns a Blueberry Queen, and the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival offers a blueberry-themed play, but they all have berry pies, cakes, muffins, breads, tarts, jams and jellies.
Desserts
From rhubarb pie and apple cider doughnuts to maple-flavored ice cream and Grapenuts pudding, sweets abound in New England. In Maine, the official state treat is the large cake-like cookie with marshmallow filling known as the whoopie pie. In Portland, try the plain chocolate or gingerbread flavors at Bam Bam Bakery and peanut butter and blueberry flavors at Big Sky Bread. Topped with melted ice cream or just whipped cream, Indian pudding is another classic New England sweet made with cornmeal and molasses. Try it at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, in Boston, golden sponge cake, pastry cream and chocolate ganache come together to create a New England dessert classic — Boston cream pie. At Flour Bakery, the sponge cake is soaked in coffee; while at Legal Sea Foods, they add rum caramel sauce and toffee almond crunch, and at Modern Pastry Shop in the Italian District, patrons can take their Boston cream pie cupcakes to go.
Five Islands Lobster Co.
Abbott’s Lobster
Bam Bam Bakery’s whoopie pie
Mayflower Cranberries
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As a Tarleton student, Dr. Karla Dick majored in pre-med and played basketball for the TexAnns. She credits her college student-athlete experience with teaching her the time management skills and self-discipline necessary to graduate in the Top 10 of her medical school class and earn a spot in the prestigious John Peter Smith residency program.
Her career in family medicine allows her to diagnose and treat ailments that affect young and old, as well as incorporating education and all-important prevention strategies into her patient care.
Escape!
10 Secret Texas Getaways
BY SHILO URBAN
You don’t need a plane ticket to make your escape — just an adventurous spirit and a tank full of gas. All of these hidden gems are less than a five-hour drive away from Fort Worth, and many are only a couple of hours. That’s a short ride for most Texans. But you can still get away from it all at these luxurious farms, Spanish haciendas, and farout ranches. Wake up in a Hill Country Sunday house or in a cozy Bavarian cottage. Dream sweetly in a Queen Anne Victorian or saw logs in a bed made of logs. Have you ever wanted to sleep in a treehouse, a train car, or a jail cell? From handcrafted and quirky to all-out fabulous, discover your perfect Texas escape.
Wildcatter Ranch
Graham, Texas
Vibe: Rustic Luxury Retreat on the Open Range
» Immerse yourself in the spirit of the Wild West and channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl at this wide-open ranch resort.
Listen to true stories about Texas outlaws around a crackling campfire. Wake up for a morning trail ride through the wildflowers and mosey along the Brazos River. Practice your lasso skills and feed the longhorns. Return from your adventures on the range and relax in the rock-rimmed infinity pool. Be pampered with a massage at the spa. Stretching over 1,500 acres on a gentle plateau, Wildcatter Ranch is blessed with views of the Brazos River Valley that go on
forever. You’ll find the resort about 90 miles west-northwest of Fort Worth, just south of the city of Graham in Young County. It’s about 20 miles from Fort Belknap and the famous Goodnight-Loving cattle trail (of “Lonesome Dove” fame).
A trip to Wildcatter Ranch is a true escape to a remote, rustic landscape known for its stunning physical beauty and colorful frontier history. Comanche and Kiowa, cowboys and covered wagons, bandits, bank robbers and cattle barons — all have contributed to this prairie land’s storied past. Oil was discovered in Young County in 1917, creating overnight boomtowns and attracting industrialists who continue to shape local culture. The current owners of the petroleum company Echo Production
are also the founders of Wildcatter Ranch. Bringing the area’s rowdy history to life is a priority at the resort. Salty staff members tell stories and lead hands-on activities, often right at the location where the drama occurred. Books, films and videos are available in the library to further illuminate the past.
The ranch’s tasteful, Western-style accommodations are inspired by historical events that took place nearby. Décor includes buffalo heads, Native American headdresses, and beds made from logs and converted wagons. Back porches with wooden rocking chairs and sunset views make the cabin-suites highly desirable, but there are also hotel rooms and guest homesteads.
While you’re at Wildcatter Ranch, you can try canoeing, kayaking, skeet shooting and archery. Hike along 25 miles of trails or hop in a Jeep for a historical off-road tour. For supper, head to Dinner Bell for a mesquite-grilled ribeye, chicken-fried steak, or chuckwagon chili with cornbread. The ranch’s steakhouse has been named as one of the best in the state by Texas Monthly.
Travel Tip: Spr ing bluebonnet season and autumn are the most popular seasons at Wildcatter Ranch; book well in advance (especially for weekend stays) dur ing this time.
Fredericksburg Herb Farm
Fredericksburg, Texas
Vibe: Organic Spa & Garden Hideaway
» Wander through gardens of lavender, rosemary, and basil. Bliss out with a thyme massage and cherry facial. Wake up to an almond waffle with whipped cream and a flight of mimosas.
Welcome to Fredericksburg Herb Farm, a comfy Hill Country getaway whose classic farmhouse charm belies its generous amenities — including a 5,000-square-foot destination spa. Situated just four blocks away from Main Street in Fredericksburg, the peaceful retreat is away from the hustle and bustle but still close enough to walk to shops and restaurants. But many guests find everything they need within the garden grounds.
Owners Richard and Rosemary Estenson began renovations on the property soon after they purchased it in 2008. Their fine attention to detail is evident at every turn, as is their commitment to preserving the heritage and character of the farm. The oldest part of the property is a rock house built in the 1890s, which now forms the core of the Farm Haus Bistro. It’s a cozy restaurant with exposed stone walls, a fireplace, and windows overlooking the gardens. The fruits, vegetables and herbs grown here are used in the restaurant and in the products sold at Poet’s Haus Gift Shop.
For sleeping, the farm’s woodsy cottages are authentically styled after the Hill Country’s historic Sunday houses. Bungalows like these were built by German settlers to use on weekends when they came into town to stock up on provisions and go to church. The 14 “Sunday Haus Cottages” at Fredericksburg Herb Farm are based on three of the most popular traditional designs. Each one is unique. Inside, the cabins feature modern creature comforts that the German farmers never knew, like king-sized beds and flat-screen TVs. White jasmine flowers bloom by the rocking chairs on the porch.
Guests can also get a taste of Germany at nearby Das Peach Haus, a retail store and wine room at the edge of a scenic peach orchard, founded by the Wieser family in 1928. Visitors can shop the jams, jellies and preserves in the on-site warehouse, sample wine while sitting on the edge of a pond, or
take a class at the new cooking school. Stroll to Fredericksburg’s bustling Main Street to explore quaint boutiques and memorable restaurants, including Tubby’s Ice House and Vaudeville. It’s easy to spot Vaudeville’s iconic three-story building, which is home to an art gallery, wine cellar, gourmet market, design showroom and event venue. Browse the boutiques and then stay for lunch or dinner at Vaudeville’s bistro, where classic American comfort food is reimagined into something new and served with European flair. Crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced in the Hill Country, the menu features to-die-for French dip sandwiches, organic salads and wood-fired artisanal pizza.
Travel Tip: Spr ing and fall are the busiest times of the year at Freder icksburg Herb Farm; book well in advance, especially for weekend stays. Reservations are recommended for dinner at Farm Haus Bistro, which also serves walk-ins for breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch.
fredericksburgherbfarm.com, rates start at $159
A room at Wildcatter Ranch
Fredericksburg Herb Farm
The pool at sunset at Wildcatter Ranch
Tres Lunas Resort
Mason, Texas
Vibe: Off-the-Beaten-Path With Magnificent Hilltop Views
» Escape into the middle of somewhere. Relax high on a hill overlooking the rugged landscape and rejuvenate your soul. See miles and miles of Texas from the hot tub and the vanishing-edge swimming pool. By day, the views stretch over a timeless scene reminiscent of a Western movie; by night, eyes turn upward as the Milky Way flaunts its spectacular sparkles across the sky. Perched on a historical hilltop in the Loyal Valley, Tres Lunas Resort is halfway between Fredericksburg and Mason for easy access to Hill Country wilderness, wildflowers, and wineries.
“The property is located on Meusebach Mountain, which was the retiring homestead area for the founder of Fredericksburg,” shares Kelly Kemp, who owns the property with her husband Brian. “It had been a working family cattle ranch for many years before being remodeled for the enjoy-
Tubby’s Ice House is a casual restaurant just a block off of Fredericksburg’s Main Street.
Photo by Aubrie Gerber.
Das Peach Haus.
Photo by Aubrie Gerber.
The bistro at Vaudeville
Fredericksburg Herb Farm
ment of guests.” Like the 112-acre ranch, the Kemps’ roots in the area grow deep. “My husband and I were born and raised in Fredericksburg. My ancestors were one of the founding families that came with John Meusebach to settle Fredericksburg.”
The old ranch home has been artfully remodeled into a boutique “Casita,” with three bedrooms and special touches like hammocks and an outdoor fire pit. Two “Zen Suites” have been added on either side of the pool. Rounded archways, Spanish villa vibes, and southwestern décor give the suites the feel of a 19th-century Texas ranch house. Platform beds and free-standing, cast-iron slipper tubs enhance the luxury. Thoughtful details add big character, from the vintage chairs to the wooden Old-World shutters.
Altogether, it’s an alluring place to decompress. Or elope. A mission-style stone chapel stands against the sunset, a striking setting for a wedding ceremony — and the ideal companion to the resort’s Elopement Package. Packages with fourcourse dinners are also available, with specialties like wood-fired pork, “kitchen sink” pizzas, and signature Mexican bread pudding. Everyone gathers around the campfire on Saturday mornings for a big cowboy breakfast with homemade biscuits served from a chuckwagon.
If you can peel yourself away from the infinity pool, head to the Llano River to kayak or to Enchanted Rock for a quick hike up the pink granite. Pick up a bottle of wine in the Castell General Store and chat with the locals. Zip into Mason to find cool art galleries and into Fredericksburg for quirky history museums. Find fantastic restaurants all around.
Make your way back to Tres Lunas and embrace the true magic of peace and quiet.
Travel Tip: Book reservations 30-60 days in advance in the busy season. ! treslunasresort.com, rates start at $239/Zen Suites, $249/Casita
Relax high on a hill overlooking the rugged landscape and rejuvenate your soul. See miles and miles of Texas from the hot tub and the vanishing-edge swimming pool.
The pool at Tres Lunas Resort
The pool overlooks the sunset at Tres Lunas.
The stone chapel at Tres Lunas Resort
A poolside Zen suite at Tres Lunas
Sabor a Pasion Estate & Vineyard
Palestine, Texas
Vibe: Global Cuisine, East Texas Charm
» Follow a narrow, winding road to a secluded hideaway of oak trees and easy hills just outside of Palestine in East Texas. Effortless Tuscan elegance blends with rugged Texas beauty at this B & B and winery, which is also home to the acclaimed Restaurant Aubergine.
It’s all about personalized service at Sabor a Pasion. Owner and chef Simon Webster arranges wine tastings, hog hunting trips, and family-style pizza dinners from the outdoor
oven. He even delivers desserts by plane.
“I live here, so you’re getting personalized service from the minute you arrive,” says Webster. “We can tailor anything to what people want.”
Webster has an award-winning resume and more than four decades of experience in the culinary industry. Born in England and raised in New Zealand, he found his way to Texas via England, Virginia and California. He’s worked for five-star restaurants, wine bars, pubs, and even an airline as a first-class chef. Webster brings unique international flair to Restaurant Aubergine, where the cuisine skews creative: Italian-New Zealand.
“I was told if I didn’t do a chicken-fried steak, I wouldn’t be here very long,” he
Chef Simon Webster and Christine Gardner teach cooking classes.
A view of the vineyard at Sabor a Pasion Estate & Vineyard
All rooms have queen-size beds.
Accommodations include four cabins.
says. But Webster has been running Sabor a Pasion since 2004, attracting a steady stream of foodie fans from Houston, Austin and Dallas. The focus is on fresh. “We have nine raised vegetable plots where we grow vegetables in the spring and summer. As much as we can, we produce our own food. It’s pretty close to farmto-table. We also have probably the only outdoor wood-fired pizza in East Texas.” Guests can arrange leg of lamb feasts, Italian-themed cooking classes, and even “Chopped”-style competitions (modeled after the TV show on the Food Network).
For dessert, Webster loves to serve New Zealand pavlova, a dreamy meringue cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. “No one gets it anywhere. Everyone when they’ve had it, they just crave for it. So, they’re always calling me, and I’m baking pavlova and delivering it to people. I’m actually a pilot as well, so I deliver food by plane. It’s kind of crazy. People have ranches around here, so I’ll fly and drop off the food for them.”
Sabor a Pasion’s winery is still young, producing just 60 gallons per year. It’s enough for an annual grape stomp every fall and for the brides who take their wedding pictures strolling through the vines. Besides wining and dining, guests can tee off nearby at Pine Dunes golf course, rated No.1 in Texas by Golfweek Magazine. Weekend warriors can also book hoghunting and gar-fishing adventures. For an old-fashioned ride through the Piney Woods, board the Texas State Railroad for a four-hour journey between Palestine and Rusk in a refurbished vintage train car.
Back at Sabor a Pasion, sleep well in one of the cottage-style rooms or quaint cabins, complete with porches and rocking chairs. Customized packages are available, including a two-night romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day with flowers, Champagne, and a couple’s massage.
Travel Tip: Make reservations at least a month in advance during the busy season for the B & B and several weeks in advance for Restaurant Aubergine on the weekend. !
saborapasion.com, rates start at $150
Escondida Resort
Medina, Texas
Vibe: Unplug at a Hidden Hill Country Hacienda
» Hushed and secluded, the ambience at this intimate boutique hotel near Kerrville is one of total relaxation. Cradled in a quiet box canyon, the Hill Country retreat backs up to the wooded rise of Medina Mountain. Escondida means “hidden” in Spanish, and indeed it feels as if you’ve stumbled upon a secret treasure. Built as a private residence in 1969, the adults-only hacienda evokes an elegant hideaway in colonial Mexico. It almost seems like you’ve crossed the border. Springs bubble up among the limestone bluffs and rock formations, feeding the crystal-clear creek that runs through the property.
The hotel is built around a dramatic courtyard with colonnades, palm trees and a carved stone fountain. If you’re looking to party – this isn’t the place. While there’s complimentary wine and beer at dinner (and you are also free to bring your own), the mood is romantic and serene. Put your smartphone away, because there’s no cell service or Wi-Fi here. It’s the perfect place to unplug and destress for those who dream about untethering themselves from today’s 24/7 connection (a landline is available for emergencies).
The 125-acre property was purchased in 1999 by Bob Phillips, executive producer and host of the iconic Texas television show “Texas Country Reporter.” Phillips originally intended to retire here, but plans changed. A spa was added, the hacienda was extended, and the estate was converted into a luxury hotel that opened in 2006. Casual and unpretentious, the rooms feature warm colors and Saltillo tile floors. Their rustic-chic design skews masculine, with metallic tones and heavy wooden furniture. Bathrooms are beautifully customized with intricate, hand-painted Mexican tiles in the shower and bath. You can also rent out the Owner’s Retreat, a private wing of the original hacienda with a full kitchen and Jacuzzi patio. Accommodations include daily breakfast, plus happy hour and supper on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Follow a stone footbridge to find the outdoor swimming pool. Steep yourself in the hot tub or warm up by the crackles of the outdoor fire. Wander the property and watch for wild sheep, turkeys and whitetailed deer. Climb to an abandoned hilltop cabin for unbelievable views. Bliss out at The Spa at Escondida with a customized package of treatments, including sea salt body scrubs, fire-and-ice stone massages, and signature Pevonia caviar facials. Once you’re feeling rejuvenated, cruise
Escondida Resort is an adults-only retreat.
out on the twists and turns of scenic Highway 16. Go kayaking or rafting on the Guadalupe River, just 14 miles away. Explore nearby Hill Country towns like Bandera, Comfort, and Boerne. Find bluebonnet trails in the spring and blazing red foliage at Lost Maples State Park in the fall.
Travel Tip: Reservations are a must at Escondida, which is a gated property that requires a code to enter. Book at least six weeks in advance during most of the year, especially during special events like the Murder Mystery Weekend in April. ! escondidaresort.com, rates start at $199
The Antlers Inn
Kingsland, Texas
Vibe: Authentic Railroad Resort
With Train Car Accommodations
» Be transported to the heyday of the railroad era at The Antlers Inn in Kingsland, where you can sleep in a converted train car or caboose that once cruised the rails across the country.
The railroad has long defined this Hill Country town, which was put on the map in 1892 when the Austin and Northwestern Railroad connected through Kingsland to Llano. Boasting a beautiful location at the confluence of the Llano and Colorado rivers, Kingsland soon became a travel destination in its own right — and it needed a hotel. The Antlers Hotel was opened by the railroad in 1901 to accommodate the new tourists arriving by train. An icon of fashionable modernity, the elegant, Victorianstyle resort offered conveniences like gas lights and even a telephone in the lobby.
By 1923, automobile vacations had eclipsed rail travel and The Antlers Hotel was shuttered for use as a private home. Austin couple Dennis and Barbara Thomas purchased the property in 1996 and resurrected it to its former glory after two and a half years of renovations. Today, The Antlers Inn is listed as a Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Now a centerpiece of Kingsland’s historic railway district, the resort is surrounded by contemporaneous railroad structures including a crew bunkhouse and the Section Master’s House. Other genuine railroad elements have been brought to the property and restored, including a depot and four colorful train cars.
Guests can stay in antique suites with original wood flooring or in private cabins with screened-in porches — but the true attractions here are the train car accommodations. Three cabooses and one wooden train car have been refurbished into snug, modern retreats with air conditioning, TVs, private baths, and small kitchens. Each caboose is brightly painted and includes one queen bed, two child-size bunk beds, and the original cupola — a fun perch for watching the sunset. The McKinley Coach wooden rail car is larger and includes one king bed, two twin beds, and 1 1/2 baths.
The Antlers Inn rests on the waterfront of Lake LBJ, which was created by the construction of a dam at Granite Shoals in 1950. Shady woodlands, calm gardens and grassy lawns surround the vintage resort. Launch your fishing boat from the dock or borrow the property’s row boat, paddle boat, or kayaks. Nearby, you can sunbathe with the locals where the Llano River runs over granite boulders on “The Slab,” and explore the Hill Country’s numerous wineries, golf courses and hiking trails.
Be sure to stop by the hotel’s Grand Central Café, which is located in another Victorian home right by the train tracks with a spine-chilling past. It’s the house where the 1974 movie “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” was filmed, which was brought to Kingsland from Round Rock and renovated into the restaurant.
Travel Tip: The train car accommodations tend to book up before the suites and cabins, so make reservations in advance, especially on summer weekends ! theantlers.com, rates start at $112
Guests can reserve their own wing of the original hacienda.
The pool at Escondida
The Antlers Inn
Elm Creek Manor
Muenster, Texas
Vibe: Old-World Farm-to-Table Getaway
» Discover a fairytale slice of Bavaria at this true farm-to-table inn, where 100 percent of the cuisine is produced on-site by owners Brad and Marcia Scarborough.
Once upon a time, this romantic retreat was their private home. Towering pecan trees, two gurgling creeks, and 14 acres of gently rolling landscape made it the perfect escape. Inspired by Europe’s old medieval inns, the couple created a secluded sanctuary for themselves just outside the German community of Muenster (about an hour north of Fort Worth). Then tragedy struck.
In December 2003, a fire destroyed half of the building. “We were going to tear the remaining structure down and just sell the property,” Marcia Scarborough explains. “But then we had the idea to restore the remainder and build it back as an inn.” The new inn opened in 2004.
Fourteen years later, Elm Creek Manor is a renowned spa and culinary getaway. A master Italian culinary chef with awardwinning dishes, Marcia handcrafts every bite. In addition to extensive gardens and an aquaponic greenhouse, the estate is home to honeybees, dairy goats, chickens, rabbits, tilapia and cattle.
Towering pecan trees, two gurgling creeks, and 14 acres of gently rolling landscape made it the perfect escape.
“I love to see people surprised by a wild greenbrier and dandelion salad with my curried pear vinaigrette,” says Marcia. “I want people to eat things they have never tasted before.”
European antiques and architectural rarities give the inn a distinct personality, including 16th-century Italian doors and 18th-century British stained glass. Each boutique-style suite and cottage features a unique regional flair: Tuscany, Alsace, Austria, Provence and the Scottish Highlands.
“Having lived in Europe as a child, I am a stickler for authentic buildings and not the faux look that often occurs,” Marcia says. Great effort has been made to ensure all rooms are authentic to their region. The color on the plaster in the Tuscan cottage was created by mixing crushed rock and water (the way it was done 300 years ago).
Guests can arrange artisan cheesemaking classes, gather vegetables for supper, or seek out one of the shady pocket gardens. You’ll also find a swimming pool and outdoor amusements like the French ballgame pétanque.
The Scarboroughs still live on the property on the second and third floors. After discovering structural damage in November 2017, the couple took another leap of faith inspired by their honeymoon in Germany and Marcia’s German heritage.
“We decided to jump ‘all in’ and completely redo the exterior to an ‘authentic’ Bavarian Haus. Brad says the authenticity is in the details. He hand-cut and chiseled the corbels. We used 100-year-old beams and posts and hand-carved German balusters. Brad and I did all the work ourselves in 26 days.”
Sayles Landmark
Abilene, Texas
Vibe: Historic B & B with Chic, Postmodern Style
Travel Tip: Book early, especially on the weekends. Reservations are accepted two years in advance.
elmcreekmanor.com, rates start at $279
» Forget the dusty doilies and fussy florals. Airy and inviting, this Abilene B & B is a design-driven getaway with impressive updates that enhance its original historical character. It’s also absolutely gorgeous. Every room of the Queen Anne Victorian has been meticulously reimagined. Vintage clawfoot tubs share space with modern subway tiles and Carrara marble vanities. Crystal chandeliers shimmer above creatively repurposed antiques. Each of the six guestrooms in this sophisticated boutique hotel features a private bath and a special theme that speaks to the history of the home. A stained-glass headboard
Elm Creek Manor
The Monarch room
The Bootmaker room at Sayles Landmark
adorns a bed crafted with church pews in the “Heavenly Rest” guestroom. The “Judge’s Chambers” is a manly oasis of rich woods and supple leathers. A Civil War-era canopy soars 14 feet over a bed with ultrahigh thread count sheets in the bridal suite “Luxe,” which is billed as “the nicest hotel room between Fort Worth and El Paso.” Contemporary comforts include keyless entry locks, USB ports, and flat-screen TVs. Built in 1889 (just eight years after the town of Abilene was founded), this flashy Victorian was the prominent home of Judge Henry Sayles and his family. Even though electricity and indoor plumbing hadn’t made it to Abilene yet, the luxurious home was hailed as a masterpiece and featured in several publications including the Dallas Morning News. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the
3,500-square-foot house was thoroughly revamped in 2014 by its current owners, Terry and Laura Browder. The Browders also own the Sayles Ranch Guesthouses, an enclave of private cabins and upscale homes to rent in the Abilene area.
Sayles Landmark showcases the couple’s love of West Texas and its history — and their dedication to aesthetics that speak to the soul. Discover cozy lounge spaces to chill out and chat with other guests, including a formal parlor in the front of the home and a gentlemen’s parlor in the back. Introverts can relax, because there’s no obligation to socialize with strangers over your morning coffee unless you want to. Opt for a private table at breakfast, which is served between 7:30-9 a.m. (instead of one set time for everyone like many B & Bs). Extroverts can make new friends at the
larger communal table.
Steal away through gothic French gates to the heirloom rose garden, and sit for an easy swing under the pergola. Sip wine with a friend on the front porch, which overlooks Sayles Boulevard. Go for a swim or cool down on the shady patio of the 100-yearold, tin-roofed carriage house. With décor made of 18th-century jailhouse keys, book bindings, and an iron cemetery fence, Sayles Landmark is truly a unique Texas treasure.
Travel Tip: There’s no front desk or checkin here; everything is handled prior to your arrival. With only six rooms, be sure to book in advance during the holidays and graduation season. !
sayleslandmark.com, rates start at $195
Gates lead to the Antique Rose Garden.
The Luxe room
The Judge’s Chambers room
Gloves hang above the bed in The Judge’s Chambers.
The Cell Block
Clifton, Texas
Vibe: A Funky Clink in Clifton
» Escape to a place that most previous guests have wanted to escape from. Send yourself to the slammer at The Cell Block in Clifton, a one-of-a-kind, one-bedroom hotel converted from a city jail. Built in the 1930s during the era of Bonnie and Clyde, the lockup was a holding tank for disorderly ruffians and town drunks. Now you can snooze in the space where they once slept it off, listening to the same lonesome rumble of trains rolling through in the night.
Revamped with high-end style in 2014, the mini-hotel oozes undeniable character between its original steel doors and heavy window bars. Two cells have been transformed into the bedroom and bath, connected by a cozy living area. There’s also a cool “Prison Yard,” a rooftop patio with lounge chairs, a gas fire pit, and twinkle lights above. The Cell Block’s location adds to its hideaway feel; it’s tucked away on a backstreet painted with colorful murals known as the Clifton Art Alley. Both The Cell Block and Clifton Art Alley were the brainchildren of local entrepreneur and former high school English teacher Kay Calloway. Some of her students have work featured in the Alley.
“Kay has always looked for creative ways
to renovate her hometown. She came across the old jail cell and an idea blossomed, “The Jailer” Kristen McKinney explains.
Fun little touches bring the vintage jailhouse experience to life. Indulge your inner jailbird and play a round of 42 with the handmade wooden dominoes; you’ll find them in the cigar box. Throw some vinyl on the retro record player from the collection of prison-inspired albums. Snap your mugshot on a Polaroid camera and pin it to the wall, then add your crimes to the comment book. Contain rowdy traveling partners with authentic police-issue handcuffs (just don’t lose the key). And in case you forgot, the shower soap is branded as “Don’t Drop.”
No breakfast is included, but how about booze? Guests can imbibe complimentary alcoholic libations, including an unmarked flask of single malt whiskey from Waco’s Balcones Distilling. If the hooch is too heavy for your taste, try the bottle of Tempranillo from nearby Red Caboose Winery.
Situated about 90 minutes south of Fort Worth, Clifton is a historic railroad town known as “The Norwegian Capital of Texas.” It’s also a vibrant artistic community with a quaint, nostalgic vibe. The Cell Block is situated in the heart of the downtown neighborhood for easy exploring. Catch a movie at the oldest continuously operating cinema in Texas, the restored 1916 Cliftex
Theatre. Browse cute shops on Main Street and linger over a lazy brunch at Corner Drug Cafe, a former drugstore known for homecooked comfort food like biscuits and beef stew. For dinner, enjoy modern steakhouse fare with a Nordic twist at the restaurant Sinclair, which is also owned by Johnson and housed in a former Sinclair gas station. She renovated the building and transformed it into a farm-to-table restaurant she coowns with her husband and well-known Chef Sonya Cote — owner of Eden East and Hillside Pharmacy. Cote serves creations like chicken-fried quail legs and tenderloin, shrimp and jalapeño cheesecake.
Travel Tip: The Cell Block books three to four weeks in advance normally and even further in advance during Clifton’s numerous cultural events, including the Norse Smorgasbord, Boots and Brew, and Clifton Swirl wine festival !
stayatthecellblock.com, rates start at $225
The Cell Block. Photo by Curtis W. Calloway.
A patio at The Cell Block.
Photo by Curtis W. Calloway.
River Road Treehouses
New Braunfels, Texas
Vibe: Childhood Dreams in the Cypress Trees
» Discover a Swiss Family Robinsonstyle escape above Jacob’s Creek — a wet weather creek located just across from the Guadalupe River — complete with hammocks and elevated walkways. Six custom cabins are peacefully perched between New Braunfels and Canyon Lake, with towering cypress trees running through decks built 20 feet above a seasonal creek bed.
To be fair — the cabins are not complete treehouses; only one side is attached to the trees high above the ground. But this makes them accessible for all, and the mood of a quirky forest retreat is still there. Wild mustang grapevines, raised footbridges, and a leafy overhead canopy add to the quiet, hideaway feel. Deer wander by in the morning. Soaring windows bring the outdoors into the treehouses, which are set up for familystyle vacationing with open floor plans and full kitchens. Each cabin features a king bed in the master bedroom plus two queens in the loft, and most include a private outdoor deck with grill. Unlike the Swiss Family Robinson, guests here enjoy air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and satellite TV. While all six treehouses feature a similar design, “Mockingbird Lodge” offers the most secluded experience. “The Whippoorwill Haus” and “The Morning Dove Haus” share a deck and are best for small groups or families. Just across the road is a grassy, 1-acre
waterfront park with exclusive access to the Guadalupe River. Roast marshmallows by the fire pits and relax with a riverfront barbecue. Feel like a kid again on the rope swing. Borrow kayaks and tubes for river adventures; you’ll find plenty of nearby outfitters to arrange trips. Don’t forget the ice-cold Shiner Bock.
When you’re ready to venture further afield, hit the scenic roadways to explore the charms of the hilly river region. Drive the twisting route to Gruene to eat at The Gristmill and the Gruene River Grill. Rent a boat on Canyon Lake and catch an outdoor blues jam at the River Road Icehouse.
Travel Tip: Staying in a treehouse for tubing on the Guadalupe River adds a new twist to an iconic Texas adventure — just be sure to make your reservations early. During the summer season, it’s recommended that guests book as far ahead as possible. !
riverroadcabins.com, rates start at $99
River Road Treehouses
An elevated walkway leads to a treehouse
A cabin at River Road Treehouses
The Faces of Luxury
Cheeseburger, Kincaid’s Hamburgers
BY FWTX STAFF
Our annual Culinary Awards have undergone a change. They’ve been whipped, blended, shaken, stirred and transformed into The Foodie Awards. Gone are categories and titles. Instead, there are just dishes. The best dishes, that is, in the city. The best appetizers, entrees, cocktails and side dishes on the menus of local spots. The Fort Worth Magazine staff collaborated with our frequent food columnists to award this year’s winners. Consider this the ultimate Fort Worth menu.
Blue Balls, Blue Sushi
Don’t let the name fool you. This tempura-fried spicy crab mix, an appetizer favorite from this West Seventh Street sushi chain, will satisfy. 3131 W. 7th St. bluesushisakegrill.com
Burrata, Cane Rosso
A fresh hand-pulled mozzarella shell surrounds creamy buffalo milk cheese and is served with
roasted tomatoes and eggplant, green beans, zucchini and pesto.
As food writer Courtney Dabney says, “It will make you wonder why you ever liked fried mozzarella sticks.” 815 W. Magnolia Ave. canerosso.com
Pork & Leek Dumplings, Cannon Chinese Kitchen
Cannon Chinese Kitchen gets a lot of things right. Shared plates,
a fun bar, an evolving menu and wallpaper — really good wallpaper. But, the Pork & Leek Dumplings are one of the things they do best, and a must for every time you visit. 304 W. Cannon St. cannonchinesekitchen.com
Foie Gras Torchon, Clay Pigeon
The menu at Marcus Paslay’s flagship Fort Worth restaurant is not large, but it doesn’t need to be because everything on it is good, especially in the starters section. Last year, the Fire Roasted Bone Marrow was the standout, but now it’s the Foie Gras. The specifics of how it’s served often changes, but the current combination, served on a black pepper chive biscuit and topped with fig jam, makes it the star of the show.
2731 White Settlement Road claypigeonfd.com
Scott Farm Fried Okra, Ellerbe Fine Foods
Ellerbe purchases fresh okra from Scott Farms in Cisco, Texas, every year before it lands on the menu. Then this large whole okra is lightly battered and fried and served as a starter or side dish. They’re so delicious that you won’t
Pork & Leek Dumplings, Cannon Chinese Kitchen
Foie Gras Torchon, Clay Pigeon.
Photo by Brian Hutson.
need to dip them. But, you should anyway. The jalapeño buttermilk dressing is downright drinkable. Since it’s so fresh, you might have to wait; okra season isn’t until late summer and early fall. 1501 W. Magnolia Ave. ellerbefinefoods.com
Louisiana Maque Choux and Bay Shrimp, Ellerbe Fine Foods
The best thing about the Louisiana Maque Choux and Bay Shrimp at Ellerbe’s is that you can put it on anything. Literally. It’s on the menu as a side item just begging to be served atop anything you order. It’s a dreamy Cajun mixture of grilled corn kernels tossed with small Texas bay shrimp and red pepper.1501 W. Magnolia Ave. ellerbefinefoods.com
Bacon Burnt Ends, Heim Barbecue
Even vaunted Texas Monthly food critic Daniel Vaughn wrote about these delicious chucks of pork belly and badgered the Heims for the recipe, but they will not budge. Order by the quarter-pound ($6) for the table. 1109 W Magnolia Ave. heimbbq.com
Green Chile Macaroni and Cheese, Heim BBQ
One of our staffers called out this dish for what she refers to as an “ideal cheese to noodle ratio.” If there is anything more important in a mac and cheese,
I don’t know what it is. Just the right hint of kick comes, thanks to the green chiles, which are also dished out with a perfect ratio. 1109 W Magnolia Ave. heimbbq.com
Bob Armstrong Dip and Chips, Horseshoe Hill Café
If you order the Bob Armstrong dip from the menu at Horseshoe Hill expecting the famous (formerly off-menu) item from Matt’s El Rancho in Austin, you will either be wildly disappointed or wildly excited. The Horseshoe Hill version is served 7-layer-dipstyle, with layers of refried beans, queso, chile con carne, crema and pico de gallo, in a mason jar with guacamole flowing out. But, as exciting as it is that this graces the menu, it’s equally as baffling that it isn’t served on the brunch menu — everyone knows queso is a Texas brunch staple. 204 W. Exchange Ave. horseshoehillcafe.com
Gorgonzola Fries, Lili’s Bistro
Lili’s is a three-time winner this year, and the Gorgonzola fries are arguably the most popular menu item. Because what can go wrong when you put green onions and crumbled Gorgonzola on waffle
fries? Order them as soon as you arrive and share them with the table. 1310 W. Magnolia Ave. lilisbistro.com
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, Press Cafe
To be honest, Press Cafe’s atmosphere and location on the Trinity River is so good, it could probably serve fish straight from the Trinity and still attract a crowd. But, it doesn’t. Instead its menu is stoked with standouts like the caramelized Brussels sprouts, an $8 starter that’s the perfect introduction to any meal.
Whipped tuna is served with tomato, Port Salut cheese and a side of fresh fruit for a refreshing yet still interesting salad that encompasses what this Trinity River spot is all about.
Sure, there are more authentic sushi spots in the city, but Piranha is one of the most reliable and con-
sistent, thanks to standouts like the Wasabi Crusted Salmon Roll, with cream cheese and scallion wrapped in a panko crusted roll. Place an order of the always-fresh salmon sashimi to balance the strong cream cheese flavors. 335 W. Third St., check website for additional locations piranhakillersushi.com
Blueberry Banana French Toast, Righteous Foods
Why hasn’t anyone else thought about French toast as an appetizer? Righteous Foods serves its delicious blueberry banana French toast as a sharable starter on the brunch menu so you don’t even need to make an excuse for ordering two meals. Topped with raspberries, blueberries, walnuts and an absolutely delicious lemon mascarpone, it’s the perfect beginning to an otherwise savory brunch. 3405 W. 7th St. eatrighteously.com
Marshmallow Soup, Rise No. 3 Rise No. 3, inside The Shops at Clearfork, became popular so fast it seemed like Fort Worth had been waiting on a souffle spot for years. But it’s the soup at the top of the menu that steals the show. Large pieces of goat cheese
Tokyokonomiyaki, Tokyo Cafe
Green Chile Macaroni and Cheese, Heim BBQ
(made to look like marshmallows) float in a mixture of tomato and carrot bisque. The drizzle of pesto on top brings it all together. 5135 Monahans Ave. risesouffle.com
Beer Braised Pork Buns, Shinjuku Station
Fluffy bao buns are filled with housemade pickles, carrot mash and Sapporo-braised pork in this Magnolia Avenue izakaya-style restaurant where everything — literally, everything — on the menu is good. 711 W. Magnolia Ave. shinjuku-station.com
House Smoked Salmon
Appetizer, The Tavern
Buttery, smoky, perfectly cooked salmon is served with housemade toast and remoulade sauce for an
appetizer that will get your meal started off right. 2755 S. Hulen St. thetavernftworth.com
Tokyokonomiyaki, Tokyo Cafe
Tokyo + okonomiyaki = Tokyokonomiyaki. Tokyo Cafe’s take on the traditional Japanese savory pancake is served with a generous drizzle of Japanese mayo and a hearty helping of dried bonita flakes. Chef Kevin Martinez’s version of the Japanese street food includes noodles, egg, green onions and Tokyo Cafe’s killer teriyaki sauce. 5121 Pershing Ave. tokyocafefw.net
Steamed Buns, Tokyo Cafe
The menu touts the bao buns as a “daily creation,” but every time we’ve gone, the filling has been the same delicious helping
of shredded pork. Served in a bamboo steamer, the no-frills authenticity of these buns is evident from arrival to last bite. 5121 Pershing Ave. tokyocafefw.net
Tok Fries, Tokyo Cafe
Yes, some of the city’s best french fries are served at a Japanese restaurant. Order the tok fries, and dip each one in both the chili mayo and the Japanese spice blend for one of the city’s best starters. 5121 Pershing Ave. tokyocafefw.net
Oysters Sundance, Waters
When Waters Restaurant moved to a new spot with a killer patio in downtown’s Sundance Square, the menu underwent a few changes. Thankfully, the Oysters Sundance
is the same delicious baked oyster dish from the former location, just with a new name honoring the new location. Oysters are lightly baked in a lemon butter sauce and coated with a Parmesan panko crumble. 301 Main St. waterstexas.com
Heirloom Tomato & Fried Goat Cheese Salad, Waters Oh, my, goat cheese. Large chunks of warm fried goat cheese are served on a bed of arugula and accompanied by heirloom tomatoes, topped with garlic ranch and a red pepper vinaigrette. This dish will leave you wondering what other kinds of salads John Bonnell has hiding up his sleeve. 301 Main St. waterstexas.com
Bolognese, Fireside Pies
Dare I say that Fort Worth, Texas, has a wide array of good Bolognese options? I’m going there. Last year, The Tavern made this list for its rendition of the dish. But, Fireside Pies gets top billing this time — egg noodles, topped with a
meaty ragu sauce and Parmesan, yet still somehow convey a lighthanded touch. 2949 Crockett St. firesidepies.com
of whom have been patronizing Angelo’s since 1958. 2533 White Settlement Road angelosbbq.com
Chopped Beef Sandwich, Bailey’s BBQ
“It’s the least assuming, lowestprofile, no-frills best barbecue spot in Fort Worth,” according to food writer Jennifer Casseday-Blair, who nominated the chopped beef sandwich from Bailey’s. That nomination, coupled with writer Malcolm Mayhew’s Bailey’s callout in The Ultimate Guide to Fort Worth BBQ in our January issue, was enough to get this sandwich a spot in this year’s Foodie Awards. “Owner Brenda Phifer asks you what kind of sandwich you want, and seconds later, there it is, stuffed into a brown paper bag, accompanied by a side of sauce, chips and a cold canned drink; you’ll be out less than $10,” Mayhew says. The
Fancy Grilled Cheese, Bearded Lady
oak-smoked brisket is served on a trusty Mrs. Baird’s bun. 826 Taylor St.
Fancy Grilled Cheese, Bearded Lady
Melted Gouda, cheddar and goat cheese are stuffed in between
Rib Plate, Angelo’s
pieces of thick, sliced sourdough for a grown-up version of everyone’s favorite childhood indulgence. Add pulled pork, bacon, avocado, or homemade bacon and mac and cheese. The price piles up with the sandwich – extras are $1 each. 1229 7th Ave.
Find The Bearded Lady on Facebook
Chicken with Adobo Sauce, Benito’s Mexican Cuisine
Chicken swims in a dark and rich adobo sauce for an authentic Mexican dish at this Magnolia Avenue eatery. 1450 W. Magnolia Ave. benitosmexican.com
Honey Basil Chicken Thai
Style Fried Rice, Bethany Café
Don’t let the hole-in-the-wall façade fool you. Bethany Café, usually crawling with UTA students, is clean, cute, and recently remodeled and expanded. The Thai fried rice is a twist on the Asian favorite with sweet flavors and hints of basil. Bonus for boba lovers: Entrées come with a small milk tea with boba.
705 W. Park Row Drive, Arlington bathanyarlington.com
Honey Chipotle Chicken
Burger, Bird Cafe
A chicken thigh patty is joined by arugula, tomatoes, feta cheese, honey chipotle aioli and Nueske bacon for a Bird Café lunch item that will put those other chicken
sandwiches to shame. 155 E. 4th St. birdinthe.net
Green Stripe, Blaze Pizza
There are people who like chicken on their pizza, and there are people who don’t like chicken on their pizza. If you’re one of the former, try this cult favorite from Blaze Pizza. The California-based, fast-casual chain (that marks Lebron James as one of its investors) has more than 200 restaurants and set up shop in Waterside last year. This 11-inch pie also happens to be just 120 calories a slice. Pesto is drizzled over grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, chopped garlic, mozzarella and arugula. 5925 Convair Drive blazepizza.com
Honey Bastard, Cane Rosso
When you go to order pizza at Cane Rosso, you need not look at the menu, because the Honey Bastard isn’t on it. This off-menu pizza is no secret to foodies, thanks to mozzarella topped with soppressata and sweet and savory bacon marmalade. Cane Rosso says its thin Neapolitanstyle pizzas are meant to be eaten with a knife and fork. But, you might as well skip the pleasantries with this one.
815 W Magnolia Ave. canerosso.com
The Rutherford, Carshon’s Deli You can’t go wrong with any sandwich on the menu at Carshon’s — Fort Worth’s only kosher-style deli. But, the Rutherford lands
Green Stripe, Blaze Pizza
Honey Bastard, Cane Rosso
Fried Chicken, Drew’s Place
on our list, thanks to mounds of delicious smoked turkey, topped with melted Swiss and served on an open-faced English muffin.
Pair it with buttery bagel chips and a side of macaroni salad, and you’ll get the full Carshon’s experience.
3133 Cleburne Road carshonsdeli.com
Lobster Tacos, Cat City Grill Food writer Jessica Llanes says you should never pass up these tacos when they’re on the menu (which isn’t always). Tortillas are filled with crispy tempurafried lobster bites and a tangy remoulade. Order with a cup of black bean soup for a perfectly satisfying lunch.
1208 W. Magnolia Ave. catcitygrill.com
Capellini Nero, Grace “Chef Blaine Staniford is the mastermind behind this amazing dish. House-crafted squid-ink pasta is layered with chunks of delicate Maine lobster, earthy trumpet mushrooms, buttery toasted bread crumbs and marinated chilies — simply amazing,” says food writer Courtney Dabney of this dish from the downtown mainstay. 777 Main St. gracefortworth.com
Big Cat Sandwich, Heim BBQ Why get the macaroni and cheese on the side when you can get it on your brisket sandwich? That’s just the case with this Heim BBQ favorite. Brisket and green chile macaroni and cheese are served on a jalapeñocheddar bun.
Bone-in Filet, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse Fort Worth Magazine publisher Hal Brown is known for loving the bone-in filet at Del Frisco’s. He describes it as the best in the city, and his love for it cannot be shaken. Many a steak restaurant has tried. 812 Main St. delfriscos.com
Fried Chicken, Drew’s Place
This cooked-to-order fried chicken comes out hot, juicy and fresh. The chicken is in such high demand that Drew’s, a small family-owned, mom-and-pop shop that has stood in its Comoarea location since 1987, recently launched an app so patrons can order ahead and skip the line. As Drew says, it’s all good.
5701 Curzon Ave. drewssoulfoodfw.com
Ceviche Tostadas, Gloria’s Before you write off Gloria’s as a big chain, consider its roots — El Salvadorian owners Gloria and Jose Fuentes took over Gloria’s sisters’ small Salvadorian eatery in Dallas’ Oak Cliff more than 30 years ago. They eventually added a Tex-Mex twist, and it’s since grown to 19 locations across Texas, but good food remains. The ceviche tostadas — two large tostadas topped with guacamole and shrimp and scallop ceviche — fall into the Latin category on the menu. 2600 W. Seventh St. gloriascuisine.com
1109 W. Magnolia Ave. heimbbq.com
Duck Fried “Rice,” HG Sply Co. No, cauliflower will never be rice. But if you must make the substitution, this is the way to do it. Small pieces of cauliflower masquerade as rice and are served with a heavy helping of fresh vegetables and a tender leg of duck confit. Order this on the killer Trinity River-side patio with a Beet Margarita, and your day is made. 1621 River Run, No. 176 hgsplyco.com
Chicken Fried Steak the Frontera Way, Horsehoe Hill Café “Only a rank degenerate would drive 1,500 miles across Texas and not eat a chicken-fried steak” — that quote from Lonesome Dove author Larry McMurtry (in his book In a Narrow Grave: Essays on Texas) graces the Horseshoe Hill menu, revealing how seriously Cowboy Chef Grady Spears takes his signature dish. But all you really need to look at to realize how serious things are at this Stockyards restaurant is the size of the portions — they’re so enormous (served with a side of mashed potatoes and a grilled green onion) at Horseshoe Hill a normal plate will not do. It’s more like
Duck Fried “Rice,” HG Sply Co.
Chicken Fried Steak, Horsehoe Hill Café
a steel saucer. We recommend sharing this with at least one other person. There are six iterations of chicken-fried steak on the menu, and the Frontera Way, served with a chile relleno on top, has made this list two years in a row.
204 W. Exchange Ave. horseshoehillcafe.com
Bomber Sub, Jo-Ed’s Bomber You’ve probably never heard of Jo-Ed’s. But this underrated little sub shop in Pantego (a small “town” in southwest Arlington) churns out delicious subs like The Bomber, with ham, turkey, pastrami, roast beef, Swiss and American cheese. Feeling hungry? Make it a Double Bomber. Feeling adventurous? Add the Bomber Meatball sauce.
1924 W. Pioneer Pkwy, Pantego Find Jo-Ed’s Bomber on Facebook
Cheeseburger, Kincaid’s Hamburgers
Not much can be said about the cheeseburger at Kincaid’s because it is so damn simple. And that’s what makes it so delicious. A half-pound Black Angus patty is topped with mus-
tard, iceberg lettuce, vine-ripe tomatoes, pickles and yellow onions. The burgers from this Camp Bowie Restaurant, which opened in 1946, always taste the same. And, that’s a good thing. 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd., check website for other locations kincaidshamburgers.com
Three Cheese Burger, Lili’s Bistro
Cheese-lovers rejoice at this Lili’s staple. Swiss, cheddar and American cheese are served melted on a juicy patty and topped with lettuce and tomato.
1310 W. Magnolia Ave. lilisbistro.com
Asian Pasta and Greens, Lili’s Bistro
This dish took us by surprise when we ordered it from Lili’s earlier this year. It is, after all, an Asian-inspired dish at a spot that’s more commonly known for burgers and fries (as this list can confirm). But, Lili’s does claim that it serves global cuisine, and it nails this one — chilled soba noodles, cabbage slaw, and edamame are tossed with an Asian
citrus vinaigrette. You can choose to top it with grilled chicken or salmon. If you order the salmon, it will come out perfectly cooked.
1310 W. Magnolia Ave. lilisbistro.com
Wagyu Texas Beef Stir-Fry, Little Lilly Sushi
Camp Bowie sushi spot Little Lilly Sushi might be selling itself short when it calls itself “your neighborhood sushi bar.” It can perfect everything that’s cooked
and everything that’s uncooked. The wagyu Texas beef stir fry is a stand out — a large portion of sliced wagyu beef, asparagus, carrot, red bell pepper, and onion are sautéed with pepper soy and served with steamed rice.
6100 Camp Bowie Blvd. littlelillysushi.com
SBLTA Grilled Salmon, Local Foods Kitchen
Local Foods Kitchen turns the classic BLT on its side with grilled salmon, avocado and lemon aioli served on a grilled sourdough bun. Don’t let this cute eatery fool you; the portion size of this sandwich is big enough for two meals. 4548 Hartwood Drive localfoodskitchen.com
Rocky Mountain Elk Loin, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
One of the staples of Chef Tim Love’s menu, the Rocky Mountain Elk loin stands the test of time. Those not used to wild game meals might be initially surprised by the flavor of the elk, but the entire dish is cohesive, thanks to Hen-of-the-Woods mushrooms and candied grapes.
2406 N. Main St. lonesomedovebistro.com
Roasted Garlic-Stuffed Beef
Tenderloin, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
We win no points for originality with the inclusion of this dish, but good dishes cannot be ignored. It really just begs one question — why don’t more places stuff their steak with garlic?
2406 N. Main St. lonesomedovebistro.com
Salmon de Coco, Meso Maya Meso Maya hit Fort Worth with not one (Tanglewood) but two (downtown’s Kress Building) locations this year, and residents have been quick to embrace the Dallas-based Mexican restaurant — interior Mexican that is. You’ll fall for the coconut rice in the Salmon de Coco — a hefty dish with wood-grilled Scottish salmon, creamy coconut rice,
SBLTA Grilled Salmon, Local Foods Kitchen
Roasted Garlic-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
Mexican calabacitas, queso fresco and salsa verde.
3050 S. Hulen St. 604 Main St., No. 100 mesomaya.com
Brisket Tacos, Mi Cocina North Texas nails brisket tacos like nowhere else in the state, and part of that is thanks to the way Mi Cocina does the dish. Brisket is oven-roasted overnight before gracing warm corn tortillas, garnished with grilled onions and jack cheese, and served with rice and avocado.
4601 West Freeway, 509 Main St., 9369 Rain Lily Trail micocinarestaurants.com
Béchamel Lasagna, Nonna Tata
This Near Southside Italian restaurant is so tiny, it feels like you’re dining in the kitchen or on the patio of Chef Donatella Trotti’s home … in Italy. Originally from Varese, Italy, Trotti’s authentic Italian dishes always wow, but it’s the bèchamel, a French white sauce, that takes the lasagna with homemade pasta noodles up a notch. 1400 W. Magnolia Ave. Find Nonna Tata on Facebook
Kyushu Tonkotsu, Oni Ramen
There are no bad ramen bowls on the menu of this West Seventh Street spot, but this one is perhaps the best. Although, those might be fighting words with the Oni faithful. Pork belly, green onion and an egg swim in
a peppery pork broth. 2801 West Seventh St. oniramen.com
Trucha a La Veracruzana, Paco’s Mexican
This fish dish from Paco’s Mexican Cuisine on Magnolia (one revamped half of what was formerly Paco y John’s) gets it right. Delicate fish is cooked in a tomato sauce and topped with peppers, onions and olive.
1508 W. Magnolia Ave. pacoscuisine.com
Baja Fish Tacos, Peace Burger
Although Peace Burger is often known (and named) for having the best burgers in Grapevine, it’s the Baja Fish Tacos (which can be ordered fried or grilled) that stood out to our staff, thanks to a delicious “baja sauce,” pico and cabbage. This dive is one of the few places in Grapevine that stays open until 2 a.m., plus it offers free baskets of peanuts that patrons can serve themselves out of a barrel.
1228 William D Tate Ave. peaceburger.net
Spaghetti Pomodoro, Piattello Italian Kitchen
Piattello made our list of the Best New Restaurants in November 2017, and that’s largely thanks to simple dishes like this. Pomodoro (or tomato) sauce and basil, surround thick, homemade spaghetti noodles.
toasted flour tortilla with melted Oaxaca-Jack cheese, pickled cabbage, and the perfect amount of onion and cilantro garnish.
3005 S. University Drive, 4200 S. Freeway, No. 1099, 550 Throckmorton St., 5012 White Settlement Road salsalimon.com
Carnitas Tacos, Taco Heads
The menu gives the options of adding meatballs, but they’re so good it should be required.
With your first step inside this Lebanese cafe, near the Camp Bowie traffic circle, you might think you’re in a resale shop; ignore that or embrace it, as it only adds to the authenticity of what you will experience in this familyrun restaurant. The Mediterranean Platter is a good way to experience as much as possible, thanks to a serving a hummus, roasted eggplant, baba ghanoush, and lemon parsley tabbouleh salad. 7860 Chapin Road Find Qana Café on Facebook
Carre D’Agneau Dijonaise, Saint-Emilion
Lamb chops, cooked rare, are coated in Dijon mustard and broche crumbs. “This classic French take on rack of lamb never disappoints, even after more than 30 years,” says food writer Courtney Dabney. 3617 W. 7th St. saint-emilionrestaurant.com
El Capitan Tacos, Salsa Limón
The El Capitan taco at Salsa Limón is the ideal vessel for your meat of choice. Asada, pastor, barbacoa — you can’t go wrong when it’s placed in a buttery,
Fort Worth is lucky to have Taco Heads. Fort Worth native Sarah Castillo did it right with her taco truck (that still exists today). She did it right transitioning to a sleek and fun brick-and-mortar on Montgomery Street. One more thing she gets right? The simple and delicious carnitas tacos. We’re anxiously awaiting her Near Southside offshoot, Tinie's Mexican Family Style, planned for this year.
1812 Montgomery St. tacoheads.com
Chorizo and Egg Taco, Taqueria Melis
This tiny but permanent taco truck on West Vickery has held steady despite a taco spot renaissance in the city. That’s partly thanks to the simple chorizo and egg tacos that are near perfection. Add a side of avocado (they are generous with the addition) and perfection is reached. Don’t forget to bring cash. 4304 W. Vickery Blvd. 817.377.8484
Seared Tenderloin with Butter Poached Lobster Tails, The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille’s take on surf and turf swims in a pool of butter for a dish, one of its most popular, that’s out-of-this-world good. 800 Main St.
thecapitalgrille.com
The Roosevelt, The Original Mexican Eats Cafe
The Original’s signature dish was famously inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s frequent visits to the Camp Bowie restaurant in the 1930s (his son, Elliot, lived in Fort Worth). And, the combination of cheese enchilada, beef taco and
Kyushu Tonkotsu, Oni Ramen
El Capitan Tacos, Salsa Limón
chalupa stands the test of time. 4713 Camp Bowie Blvd. originalmexcafe.com
BBQ Shrimp, Tributary Cafe
This Race Street Cajun restaurant, named for the Trinity River,
is one of the few places in town to do peel-and-eat shrimp. And they do it right in many forms. Exploding with flavor, the New Orleans-style BBQ Shrimp is served butterflied, shell on, over rice with butter.
desserts &
2813 Race St. tributarycafe.com
Crawfish Roll, Waters
The Crawfish Roll gives all Fort Worthians an excuse to indulge in Waters at lunch. Crawfish is
surrounded by a lemon celery aioli topped with romaine and served on a French roll. 301 Main St. waterstexas.com
Nueske Bacon Sticks and Funnel Cake, Bird Cafe
Akin to a State Fair of Texas food item, this shared plate straddles the line between dessert and appetizer. Thick-cut bacon is served on a stick with funnel cake and maple hollandaise sauce. Just because it’s on the shared menu, doesn’t mean you have to. 155 E. 4th St. birdinthe.net
Shakerato, Craftwork Coffee Co.
Burnt honey, ginger, Chinese fivespice powder and a touch of vanilla are shaken, martini-style with iced espresso and cream, then served without ice in a chilled glass, to create the Shakerato at Craftwork Coffee. Each sip of this inventive drink reveals a new depth of flavor with just the right touch of sweet. 4731 Camp Bowie Blvd., 1121 W. Magnolia Ave. craftworkcoffeeco.com
Del’s Delight, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
The Fort Worth location might not be the flagship of the Del Frisco’s chain, but we think it’s by far the
best — thanks in large part to the long and handsome bar. It might be just the best place in the city to enjoy a drink. Shaken, stirred or blended. If you go to Del Frisco’s and don’t end your night with a Del’s Delight, something has gone terribly wrong. 812 Main St. delfriscos.com
Baklava, Istanbul Grill
One of the newcomers to the Fort Worth dining scene, this downtown Mediterranean restaurant (an offshoot of the Arlington location) impresses with a sleek setting, great lunch items and unique entrees. But it’s the post-dinner baklava that makes its way to our list — baklava has a notorious reputation for being too sweet. Not so at Istanbul. Layered, flaky, buttery — it’s a mix of sweet and almost savory flavors.
401 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth 6204 S. Cooper St., Arlington istanbulgrilltx.com
Local's Granola, Local Foods Kitchen
One of the few, somewhat healthy options on this list, the housemade granola at Tanglewood’s Local Foods Kitchen will have you swearing off the storebought version for good. 4548 Hartwood Drive localfoodskitchen.com
Blum’s Coffee Crunch Cake, Local Foods Kitchen
“Chef Katie Schma introduced
me to her favorite childhood birthday cake a few years ago, and even though her ever-changing case has many surprises to explore, I keep coming back for this layered angel food cake which is iced and decorated with amazing burnt sugar and honeycomb candy crumbles,” says food columnist Courtney Dabney. 4548 Hartwood Drive localfoodskitchen.com
Bloody Mary, Lucile’s Stateside Bistro
One of the few drinks that made this year’s list, the Bloody Mary at Lucile’s is one of the many reasons the Camp Bowie diner is always buzzing around brunch hour (and every other hour for
that matter). It was also the staff pick for Bloody Mary in this magazine’s 2017 Best Of list. 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd. lucilesstatesidebistro.com
Jenny’s Cake, Press Cafe
Food writer Jennifer CassedayBlair describes this Press Cafe dessert as “a slice of heaven,” thanks to this cake’s homemade mademoiselle jam, which blends lemon, strawberries and Grand Marnier. 4801 Edwards Ranch Road, No. 105 presscafeftworth.com
Molten Chocolate Cake with Drunken Berries and Vanilla Cream, Reata Restaurant It’s quite possible that there is
Shakerato, Craftwork Coffee Co.
Jenny’s Cake, Press Cafe
OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:
CELESTINA BLOK
A third-generation Fort Worth native, Celestina Blok is a graduate of TCU and the Culinary School of Fort Worth. She’s also a fitness instructor who navigates the tricky waters of writing, eating and exercising for a living. Her first book, Lost Restaurants of Fort Worth, was released in late 2017.
JESSICA LLANES
JENNIFER CASSEDAY-BLAIR
Jennifer Casseday-Blair has been a writer and editor in her hometown of Fort Worth for more than 15 years. She has also written a series of children’s stories set to be published in the next year. Her obsession with the international culinary world has afforded her many tasty travels, and she’s ever engaged into what’s happening on the local food scene.
COURTNEY DABNEY
Tuile Aux Mures, Saint-Emilion
no such thing as a bad molten chocolate cake. But this one from downtown staple Reata is one of the best. Sit in the rooftop dining area, start with Tenderloin Tamales, move on to the Bacon-Wrapped Lamb Loin and finish with a molten chocolate cake for one of the most ideal meals in the city. 310 Houston St. reata.net
A baked wafer surrounds a piece of delicate butter cake and then is filled with creamy fromage blanc and topped with warm sautéed berries. This dessert at Saint-Emilion is one of the many things that makes the Seventh Street French country bistro such a Fort Worth gem. Here’s hoping more of the same will grace the menu at Paris 7th, the new restaurant in the former Le Cep space that owner Bernard Tronche plans to open later this year. “Trust me, you won’t want to share this one with your dinner partner,” says food columnist Jessica Llanes. 3617 W. 7th St. saint-emilionrestaurant.com
Black Forest Cake, Swiss Pastry Shop
The Black Forest Cake put Swiss
Growing up in New Orleans, Jessica Llanes learned to appreciate good people and great food at an early age. She knows the way to the heart of any city is through the stomach, and she continues to fall in love with Fort Worth one dish at a time.
Courtney Dabney is a hometown girl who graduated from Arlington Heights, TCU and Dallas Theological Seminary. She’s a veteran Fort Worth food writer who regularly contributes stories and dish reviews to Fort Worth Magazine.
Pastry Shop, in a strip center on West Vickery Boulevard since the 1970s, on the Fort Worth food map. But, owner Hans Peter Muller is quick to point out that it’s not a cake at all — he refers to it as The Uncake, due to the fact that there
is no gluten. Egg white, pure cane sugar and crushed almonds are baked crisp and topped with a simple combination of generous whipped cream and chocolate shavings. 3936 W. Vickery Blvd. swisspastryonline.com
Black Forest Cake, Swiss Pastry Shop
Tuile Aux Mures, Saint-Emilion
FORT WORTH CONSISTS OF
PEOPLE WITH GOOD TASTE!
Complementary
Alternative Medicine
Becoming Mainstream
East meets West as ginseng, turmeric, acupuncture and spiritual healing find a place alongside traditional Western medicine.
BY COURTNEY DABNEY
ALTERNATIVES ABOUND IN MODERN CITIES.
Bike lanes shoulder up to car lanes. Farmers markets are held in fields adjacent to grocery stores. Gluten-free items belly up to bowls of pasta on menus. What once were considered alternative options are actually becoming mainstream.
And, while the term “alternative” means an either/or equation: Either traditional medicine or something outside of traditional medicine, a new term has taken its place — “complementary medicine,” with its both/and approach and cooperative tone.
Patients are now freer to explore the possibilities and incorporate the right method for themselves. No longer are the two paths set up in opposition to one another. Now, complementary medicine is embraced.
There are many forms of healing and a variety of options that put health care back in the hands of the patient.
EAST MEETS WEST
Kim Perrone’s embrace of Eastern practices and her desire to use them to complement Western medicine has become her life’s passion. But, the journey had a painful beginning. “My sister got cancer and Western medicine couldn’t help her. So, we traveled to Mexico and spent three weeks exploring other options. That is what really opened my eyes to so many other available approaches to healing,” Perrone said.
She began acupuncture school in 1994, a week after her sister died. Perrone graduated from Dallas College of Oriental Medicine, (only three schools like it remain in the state of Texas, two in Austin and one in Houston) and went on to found The Center for Healing Arts in 2004.
A registered pharmacist, Perrone began her career working in her family’s Perrone Pharmacy, which is now one of the oldest familyowned pharmacies in town.
She is also a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. “Eastern approaches made sense to me,” she says. “It’s been around for thousands of years and incorporates the use of herbs. Being a trained pharmacist, it really resonated with me,” she says. “In China, it’s not either/or; it’s both Western and Eastern medical approaches combined. Each has its different strengths,” she says.
A number of physicians refer patients to The Center for Healing Arts, Perrone says. “We look at things differently. I think Western medicine treats acute medical needs well, while we specialize in treating chronic illness and focus more on prevention.”
Many of the treatments Perrone uses are what she calls energybased medicine. She uses the latest technology like Light Box (Life Vessel) treatments (cocoons that work to reset your autonomic nervous system) alongside 5,000-year-old remedies, like acupuncture.
THE SPIRIT/MIND/BODY CONNECTION
Dr. John Sklar, a board-certified M.D., who practices as a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, stopped prescribing pain medicine about seven years ago. He believes that drug companies do a great job of promoting their products, and often to the detriment of patients. “The resulting opioid epidemic has been in the news a lot lately,” he says. “I don’t prescribe any pain medications any more.” He says it wasn’t helping his patients heal.
“Most neck and back pain problems don’t have any structural cause,” Sklar says. “So, they are mistreated to an alarming degree with drug therapy and by limit-
NATURAL HEALING
We asked Sunflower Shoppe Associate Monte Diaz for his favorite natural remedies for common symptoms.
digestive issues / ginger
gas & bloating / fennel
inflammation / turmeric memory loss / lion’s mane mushrooms
lack of energy / ginseng
» cold & flu / echinacea
ing mobility.” The physical pain a patient is experiencing is really just a symptom of stress, Sklar believes. He says it’s ultimately a spiritual issue, and the pain itself is not the root cause that should be treated.
“Most therapies, either drug or surgical, produce no results at all. They are only selling hope to patients, with no actual improvement in pain symptoms and outcomes,” he says.
Simply put, Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) is the understanding that few neck and back pain issues are actually the result of trauma, tumor or any structural issue. Instead TMS finds that the pain is caused by repressed emotions (stress). Understanding the true cause of the pain significantly changes the treatment of patients.
Once patients are told they have a “bad back,” they begin to act like it, and they limit their range of motion, which only compounds the problem and actually makes the pain increase. Sklar believes it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. But, when he explains that they have unrecognized psychological/spiritual conflicts (stress) which is manifesting itself as pain, he finds that his patients begin to resume their normal activity and become stronger and healthier in the process.
Sklar recognizes that there are acute causes such as injury (trauma) or disease (such as tumor) in a few patients that do require medical interventions. But, the vast majority of chronic back and neck pain sufferers, he says, will get no remedy from drugs and surgeries. And, in many cases, those traditional therapies will only make the matter worse.
He pioneered The Sklar Approach which focuses on mental stress triggers. “Tension in the mind becomes tension in the muscles,” he says. “Stress is ultimately a spiritual problem at its core.”
Patients who seek out TMS treatment by Sklar are told to resume
normal activity, eat a proper diet and learn techniques to de-stress, like meditation.
“People want a diagnosis to know the cause of their pain. It doesn’t mean you are crazy. In fact, science supports the spirit/mind/body connection,” Sklar says.
THE OSTEOPATHIC METHOD
Fort Worth has long been the training ground for osteopathic doctors. When Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) began training Doctors of Osteopathy (DO) in 1970, there was already an osteopathic hospital here. But, few people really know the difference and what goes into the DO designation.
There are some clear differences between an MD and a DO. But, according to Dr. David Mason, interim senior associate dean of academic affairs at TCOM, the differences are less about training and more about philosophy.
There are two pathways a physician can choose for training. “Most typical medical schools are fouryear programs, with the last two years focusing on more clinical aspects,” Mason says. “And, both paths are now followed by a threeyear residency program.”
While MD’s are geared more toward research and tend to focus on a specialization — trained to identify and treat disease, osteopaths tend to be more primary care physicians — focused on treating the patient as a whole. There is a good reason for that. The osteopathic method really began in 1892 and was championed due to a severe lack of care in especially rural settings. “There was a need to train more family practice doctors that could focus on a more holistic approach in their practice,” Mason says.
There are four basic tenants of osteopathy. First, osteopaths treat the mind, body and spirit of a
patient. Second, they believe the body has the ability to heal itself and focus on bolstering the immune system. Third, osteopathic medicine believes that anatomy and physiology are related, so they are trained in hands-on medicine. And finally, they try to treat every patient as an individual, taking the time to listen well before beginning treatment.
“We are open to working with herbalists and acupuncturists to treat our patients,” says Mason. “We guide our patients and let them know what alternatives are safe for them and which might be beneficial to their treatment.”
Another major difference is the addition of hands-on treatment to traditional medicine. In fact, all regular exams include a musculoskeletal biomechanics screening. Osteopathic doctors are trained in what is called osteopathic manipulative medicine. The therapy can relieve pain and pressure, promote healing and increase mobility without medication. They incorporate techniques like stretching, gentle pressure and resistance to treat musculoskeletal abnormalities.
“I was trained in New Jersey and found the DO’s approach seemed more comprehensive,” he says. “I think it’s a better way to approach patients and really listen to them.” Osteopaths examine patients by fully integrating the psychosocial aspects of their lives and incorporating their work, family and life into their treatment.
There are now some 40 osteopathic medical schools training physicians nationwide.
THE FIRST RULE IS DO NO HARM
“We don’t have all the answers in traditional medicine, and where it is beneficial to our patients, we should be open to complementary therapies,” says Dr. Robert Watson, who recently transitioned from his OB-GYN practice after over 30
years. He now serves as both medical director for the Women’s Health Line at Baylor Scott & White and medical director for Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance.
Throughout his career, Watson has seen a shift. Patients now have access to more information via the internet and word-of-mouth than ever before. But not all of that information is credible, and doctors must spend time reeducating their patients. “There is a lot of misinformation out there, and a lot of what you find online are flat-out marketing ploys,” Watson says.
“I don’t think alternative therapy is bad as long as it doesn’t pose a health risk to the patient,” he says. “The downside is that there is just no proven benefit to some of these therapies and no scientific studies to support them.”
In an effort to live a “natural lifestyle,” people have begun opting for natural therapies and shunning pharmaceutical ones. But, natural therapies are often not the best, safest, or most cost-effective treatments. Take bio-identical hormones for instance. “That is not a scientific term; ‘bio-identical hormones’ is a marketing term, and I have seen the harm they can do firsthand in my patients,” Watson says.
One of the other big issues is cost-effectiveness. “For example, some compounding pharmacies actually charge per ingredient, so some of those ‘natural’ medications can cost thousands of dollars,” he says. And, he has seen patients overbilled for unnecessary testing and lab work as well.
So, buyer beware. Not all complementary medicine is beneficial. Some can actually be harmful to your health. “In our society’s desire to feel younger and have more energy, some people have taken advantage and have actively preyed on the public,” Watson warns. “It’s always best to use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it most often is.”
THE MAP TO HEALTH
Kim Perrone, from Center for the Healing Arts, describes the body like a map. “There are 12 main meridians. It’s like looking at a map and choosing the city you want to travel to, then choosing the correct highway to get there, before picking the spot you plan to stay when you arrive at your destination,” she says.
»
Lung / Controls breath and energy.
Large intestine / In charge of the waste system for the entire body. It’s connected to the lung meridian and can be used to relieve aches associated with colds and flus like a stuffy nose, head cold or cough.
Stomach / Affects the ability to take things in — from food, to love, to the absorbing of information.
Heart / The king of all the meridians, the heart is considered the protector of shock, hurt, anxiety and fear. It’s the controller of emotions.
Kidney / The kidney meridian stores sexual energy and regulates the growth and development of the reproductive system. An imbalance can cause urinary disorders and backaches. It also controls willpower and determination.
Pericardium (circulation/ sex) / Provides the heart with physical protection. The pericardium is not recognized as an organ by Western medicine, but in Chinese medicine, it’s considered an important fire-energy organ that serves to protect the heart.
Triple Warmer / The Triple Warmer is thought to control the whole body. Maintains and regulates body temperature and emotional temperature.
Bladder / An imbalance in the bladder meridian can lead to headaches,
back problems and urinary problems. It’s also connected to a lack of energy and negative attitude.
Liver / Responsible for filtering, detoxifying, nourishing. “With something like depression, one area we focus on is the liver being out of balance. So, I would work along the liver channel and activate the emotionally-based points along that meridian,” says Perrone.
Gallbladder / Metabolizes fats and oils, provides muscular strength and vitality. It’s responsible for making judgments, as well as providing courage and initiative.
Small intestine / Governs the sorting of food. An imbalance can lead to pain around the shoulder and neck. It can influence someone’s mental clarity and decision-making skills.
Spleen / Transforms food and drink and houses our “thought,” influencing our ability to think and concentrate. It can also be associated with a bad temper.
NEUROSURGEONS & ORTHOPEDIC/ SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALISTS
WORTH KNOWING
The doctor-patient relationship is one of life’s most important partnerships, and choosing the right specialist can make all the difference. To help narrow your search for a neurosurgical or orthopedic specialist, the following doctors want to tell you more about themselves, their specialties and how partnering with them will improve the quality of your life.
The information in this section is provided by the advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.
port folio
portfolio Neurosurgeons & Orthopedic/Sports Medicine Specialists
Bruce A. Bollinger, M.D. Custom Joint Center
SPECIALTY: Custom and Revision Joint Replacement of the Knee and Hip, Arthroscopy, Peripheral Neuropathy Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Undergraduate/Medical School, St. Louis University; Orthopaedic Residency, Washington University/ Barnes Hospital; Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. MEMBERSHIPS: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, AMA, TMA, TOA, TCMS, American Association of Lower Extremity Peripheral Nerve Surgeons. ACHIEVEMENTS: Personal - Being a husband and father. Professional - Chief of Staff at Baylor Surgical Hospital Fort Worth. Also, he was one of only twenty surgeons in the country chosen to initially use the custom knee for two years prior to wide release to other surgeons. He is a nationally recognized expert and instructor of custom total knee and hip replacements.
INNOVATIONS: His practice provides custom knee replacements based on pre-op CT scans to make patient specific replacements, thereby allowing better outcomes for all patients. IN THE COMMUNITY: He supports the arts in North Central Texas, in particular, Texas Ballet Theater. FREE ADVICE: “Never be afraid to seek a second opinion.” WHAT SETS HIM APART: The ability to offer custom total knee and hip replacements in addition to conventional joint replacements, thereby offering patients a greater range of treatment choices.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
DFW Center for Spinal Disorders, PLLC
FOCUS: Spine Surgery. EDUCATION: Tinley – M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Fellowship, HH Bohlman Spinal Surgery Fellowship, Cleveland. Shah – M.D., Texas A&M College of Medicine; Orthopaedic Spine Surgery Fellowship, Stanford University. Happ –D.O., Midwestern University; Fellowship, Texas Back Institute. Patel – M.D., University of Toledo; Adult and Pediatric spine surgery fellowship at William Beaumont Hospital, Michigan. Toy – M.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. MEMBERSHIPS: Tinley – Cervical Spine Research Society, North American Spine Society, Tarrant County Medical Society, Texas Orthopedic Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Shah – North American Spine Society, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Medical Association. Happ – North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and American Osteopathic Academy of Ortho-
pedics. Patel – American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, and New York Medical Association. Toy –North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. INNOVATIONS: Performing minimally invasive spine surgery with a focus on the least amount of post-operative pain and all efforts concentrating on eliminating the need for further procedures
PATIENT CARE: Not all patients require surgery. Our team uses a multidisciplinary approach to improvement. PICTURED: (left to right) Christopher Happ, D.O.; Jason Toy, M.D.; Jason Tinley, M.D. (Founder, DFWCFSD); Neil Shah, M.D.; Vishal Patel, M.D.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 817.916.4685
DFWSpineCenter.com
portfolio Neurosurgeons & Orthopedic/Sports
Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute
SPECIALTY: Orthopedic Surgery; Sports Medicine and Arthro-scopic Surgery of the Knee, Shoulder and Hip. CERTIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS: Board Certified ABOS, Fellow AAOS, Member AANA. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Surgicare Fort Worth, Park Hill Surgery Center, Fort Worth Surgery Center, Baylor Surgical Hospital Fort Worth, Texas Health Southwest, Texas Health Azle and Texas Health Cleburne. INNOVATIONS: Mastery of minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of knee, shoulder and hip injuries in adults and adolescents.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: OSMI Team expansion includes Dr. G. Todd Moore, fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, and physician assistant, Rachel Romack. FW Inc. presented the 2017 Entrepreneur of Excellence in Health Care award to Dr. Michael Boothby. Orthopedics Today, a walk-in clinic for
same-day treatment of orthopedic injuries is located onsite at OSMI. No appointment needed for your sprains, strains and fractures. X-rays, splinting and casting all done right here. OSMI Physical Therapy is state-of-the-art and expertly administered. It is a truly beautiful place to improve your physical function. In a room with a view this great, you won’t want to do your rehab anywhere else. It is even equipped with a HydroWorx pool and underwater treadmill. BEDSIDE MANNER: At OSMI, we listen and patients come first. PICTURED: G. Todd Moore, D.O.; Michael H. Boothby, M.D.; Bret Beavers, M.D.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Southwest Orthopedic Associates
Joseph Daniels, DO
SPECIALTY: A highly skilled surgeon who specializes in nonsurgical and surgical treatment of patients of all ages. In addition, the practice offers interventional pain management. Licensed physical therapists work on-site with physicians to help patients recover to optimal outcomes. INNOVATIONS: In an effort to better serve patients, Southwest Orthopedic Associates has created a pricing structure for a new cash option for surgical procedures. These prices will include the surgeon’s fee, anesthesiologist fee and the facility fee. This will give the patient who does not have health insurance or a deductible that is too high the chance to have surgical procedures at an obtainable cost. MISSION: To utilize a team approach to provide the highest level of medical care by devoting our complete
attention and compassion to help patients achieve their orthopedic objectives. AFFILIATIONS: USMD Hospital Fort Worth, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest, Medical City of Fort Worth, Baylor All Saints, Baylor Surgical Hospital, Weatherford Regional, Daytime Outpatient Surgery Center.
CONTACT INFORMATION: sworthopedic.com
NOWHIRING PROVENSALES ASSOCIATES
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page. Come join Panther City Media Group and be a part of the team behind Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth HOME and FW Inc.
Jewel Ball
The 63rd Annual Jewel Charity Ball was held on Dec. 16 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. President Angela Donahue and Ball Co-chairs Michelle Marlow and Lisa Queralt honored Jewel Charity members and Angels with an artful, elegant evening with surprises in every corner. Guests were entertained by living art pieces and were given the chance to gaze at Neiman Marcus Fort Worth’s finest jewels and furs.
Kyle Sederstrom, Brooke McLeod
Demetri Jobson, Suzanne Whitbourne, Jeannette & Jose Iglesias
Matt & Kim Johnson, Kristin & Jay Stark
Tom Price, Hanna Behrens, Betsy Price
Rozi & Gregg Stone
Top Attorney
Fort Worth Magazine celebrated its 2017 Top Attorneys with a reception at the Fort Worth Club on Nov. 28.
Entrepreneur of Excellence Cocktail Party
FW Inc. Entrepreneur of Excellence 2018 finalists gathered at the Frank Kent Cadillac dealership on Jan. 4 for a celebratory cocktail party.
Photos by Honey Russell.
Photos by Honey Russell.
Michelle Delotto, Chris Neal, Lisa Hoppes, Anita Cutrer
JC & Kim Johnson
Scott Lynch, Chad & Nelda Cacciotti
Vince & Mona Puente
Laura Casciano, Jason Forrest, Mary Marshall
Harold Muckleroy, Sherry Green, Bob McCarthy
Sean Russell, Jamey Ice
Getting consistent year-round home comfort you can count on doesn’t happen by accident. Trane systems endure rigorous testing to ensure reliability and long lasting performance for you and your family. Combine that with No Interest if paid in full within 72 Months on qualifying purchases made between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2018 and you have an offer that’s too good to let pass and it’s only available through Trane Comfort Specialist dealers!
FEBRUARY
1Brooklyn Rider
Feb. 13
They’re a string quartet, but they’re not the dainty group that played at your cousin’s wedding. The gentlemen of Brooklyn Rider are known as the “rock stars” of string music, playing an eclectic and energetic set of repertoire from Schubert to Philip Glass, and charming audiences at both South by Southwest and Carnegie Hall alike. They come to Fort Worth promoting their latest album, Spontaneous Symbols, performing at Scat Jazz Lounge as part of The Cliburn Sessions series. Scat Jazz Lounge. 111 W. 4th St., Ste. 11. cliburn.org. 817.738.6536.
Synthetic Grass in Fort Worth
Caravaggio, 2014
40” x 30” Watercolor on paper Collection of Lester Marks / LCM Partners, Houston, Texas
2 The Telling and the Told: David McGee – Works on Paper Through March 10
Put together hip hop music, Greek mythology, Cuban poetry and pop culture references and you get David McGee — a Houston-based modern artist whose work is on display at The Gallery at UTA. Here, he showcases 30 thought-provoking watercolor paintings, often paired with a single written word, that reflect his diverse interests. The exhibit is free.
The Gallery at UTA. 502 S. Cooper St. uta.edu/gallery. 817.272.3110.
3
ConDFW XVII Feb. 16-18
All right, nerds — ConDFW is back. This small but lively sci-fi and fantasy convention features vendors, a room stocked with an unreasonable number of board games, and panel discussions with local and regional authors. This year’s guests of honor are Charlaine Harris, the author whose books inspired HBO’s “True Blood” and NBC’s “Midnight, Texas,” and sci-fi and fantasy artist John Picacio, whose work has appeared in George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, as well as the “Star Trek” and “X-Men” franchises.
Radisson Hotel Fort Worth Fossil Creek. 2540 Meacham Blvd. condfw.org.
4
First Come, First Served
Feb. 7-March 17
It’s anybody, everybody at Fort Works Art’s latest exhibit — at least, the artists who submitted their work first. Last month, Fort Works Art put out an open call for artists to submit work to be showcased at the gallery. Works were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis — until the gallery filled up. See all that made it in starting Feb. 7. An opening reception will be held Feb. 10. Fort Works Art. 2100 Montgomery St. fortworksart. com. 817.759.9475.
Fort Works Art
5
River East Mardi Gras
Feb. 10
Mardi Gras comes early this year, Feb. 13. For Fort Worth’s Race Street, it’s even earlier — Feb. 10 — as the burgeoning corridor just northeast of downtown between North Sylvania Avenue and Airport Freeway gets ready for River East Mardi Gras. Hosted by Race Street Fort Worth and the neighborhood’s own Louisianainspired eatery, Tributary Café, Race Street will transform into a mini-New Orleans with vendors, Cajun food and a Mardi Gras parade complete with floats and cool cars.
Race Street. See event Facebook page for details.
6
The Clearfork Farmers Market Saturdays
There’s plenty of local food at The Clearfork Farmers Market, open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon in the winter. Vendors have included names like Bolo Patisserie, Dough Boy Donuts, Sweet Lucy’s Pies and Cuppa Craft Coffee Co. — okay, fine, there are fruit and vegetables too. And it all comes from growers and artisans right here in the area. Find the market right next to Press Cafe at The Trailhead at Clearfork. The Trailhead at Clearfork. 4801 Edwards Ranch Road. trailhead1848.com.
7McKie Trotter III: SCAPES
Through Feb. 8
The Moudy Art Gallery at TCU pays homage to a hometown artist at its latest exhibit, McKie Trotter III: SCAPES. Trotter, who would have turned 100 this year, was a mid-20th-century colorist known for his abstract paintings, prints and works on paper — but he was also a professor and taught at TCU from 1954 to 1988. He referred to many of his works as “scapes,” displaying both representational drawing and experimental techniques that he used to create abstract art.
Moudy Art Gallery at TCU. 2805 S. University Drive. finearts.tcu.edu. 817.257.2588.
McKie Trotter
Harborscape, 1050 Oil on canvas
Courtesy of Ryan and Julie O’Connor
8Tell Them We Are Rising
Feb. 8
Screening films on the topics of race, culture and human rights, the City of Fort Worth’s Movies
That Matter series is free — or, as the city likes to put it, “the price of admission is an open heart and mind.” This month’s screening takes place at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The film — “Tell Them We Are Rising,” a documentary on the impact of historically black colleges and universities in the U.S. The screening follows with a moderated discussion on the topic.
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 3200 Darnell St. fortworthtexas.gov/moviesthatmatter.
9
4th Annual VW Swap Meet & Campout
Feb. 10
Every February, off Highway 287, Volkswagen enthusiasts gather with parts, accessories and other items for a swap meet on the grass. The party starts early at 8 a.m. and lasts into the night, ending with an overnight campout and bonfire. Food vendors — and, typically, vintage Volkswagens — will be on-site. And while it’s $20 to get a designated spot, spectators can enjoy the event for free.
14075 Highway 287. See event Facebook page for details.
10
Bike-n-BBQ Wednesdays and Thursdays
Eat your barbecue and burn it off. Pedego Electric Bikes, the newly opened electric bike shop in the Near Southside, hosts Bike-n-BBQ tours every Wednesday and Thursday (but can also set up other dates if you call in advance). The guided tour starts at the shop, then travels through downtown, the Trinity Trails and the Fort Worth Stockyards before stopping at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que for some grub. Tickets are $88 and include the meal. Pedego Fort Worth. 129 W. Leuda St., Ste. A. pedegofortworth. checkfront.com/reserve. 682.305.8304.
Pedego hosts electric bike rides around the city.
A Special Valentine’s Day at The Kimbell Art Museum, Renzo Piano Pavilion
With special Guests Lorenzo Micheli and Mateo Mela Artistic Director, Christopher McGuire and SoloDuo
February 14, 2018 - 7pm to 9pm
Presented by the Fort Worth Classic Guitar Society
$100 per person/$175 per couple
GuitarSociety.org or 817-498-0363
In Support of the Allegro Outreach Program
Enriching the lives of 18,000 Fort Worth Students Every Year
Media Sponsor: Fort Worth Magazine
Photo: Riley Nicholson
FOOD | NEWS | REVIEWS
» Cuckoo for Coco Shrimp. Isaac Hadley went from prepping 80 pounds of shrimp a day in Hawaii to opening a popular food truck in Fort Worth. »
Aloha, Fort Worth
Coco Shrimp, a Watauga-area food truck with a cult following,
will
bring
its
Polynesian flavor
and Hawaii’s laidback culture to Cowtown when it opens a brick-and-mortar at Main and Broad streets in the Medical District this year.
BY JENNIFER CASSEDAY-BLAIR
Isaac Hadley, founder and co-owner of Coco Shrimp Hawaiian Food Truck, wasn’t born near the ocean, but it seems engrained in his soul. Hadley grew up in Fort Worth and left for college at 17 to play tennis at Brigham Young University in Laie, Hawaii. He was quickly bit by the surfing bug and says his love for the ocean distracted him from meeting his full potential as a tennis phenom. It was at college that he met his wife, Lau-
ren. While she finished school, Hadley began a life as a surfing instructor at a Hawaiian resort. On the side and to make ends meet, he was a shrimp prepper at a North Shore shrimp shack. Not long after, the couple’s first daughter, Mea, was on the way. While they loved their laid-back lifestyle, Hadley decided he needed to do something more for the security of his family. He and his wife moved to Fort Worth, where Hadley’s parents reside, but they couldn’t leave the
island life behind. Soon their second daughter, Maili, was born.
For this 28-year-old, adventure-seeking adrenaline junkie that once broke both knees cliff diving and recently dislocated his shoulders making an epic jump on a rope swing, a new lifestyle in his hometown had to be anything but boring. Tapping into the same fearlessness and fortitude as when he sought out the perfect wave, Hadley now chases a dream
Lauren Hadley, Isaac Hadley, Mary and Jordan Barrus with their children.
of making Coco Shrimp a wild success. Not only is Coco Shrimp rolling out food truck No. 2 this year and opening a brick-and-mortar in the Medical District, Isaac and Lauren are expecting daughter No. 3 in March.
Surf, Shrimp and Soul Hadley has done his fair share of prep work in a commercial kitchen. A buddy of his managed a local, casual shrimp eatery, and he gave Hadley the keys to come and go as he pleased. This allowed Hadley the ability to work flexible hours so he could still make it to the beach in the early morning to teach his surf lessons.
Coco Shrimp Location: 4440 Basswood Blvd.
For Info: 808.371.1760, cocoshrimp.com »
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
“In Hawaii I used to prep about 80 pounds of shrimp a day. It was a tedious, boring and horrible job, but I grew to love it. I recruited my brother and some friends to help me, and while we worked we blasted music and made it a party. In the back at the shrimp shack, the Macadamia and Coconut Crusted Island Shrimp dish would print up just as “Coco Shrimp.” We kind of made a joke about it and said that should be our name. We talked about bringing a simplified version of the food back home to Texas,” Hadley says.
And that’s just what he did. Hadley’s first step was to purchase an old Chevy P30 box van, sight unseen, from Craigslist, and it was in pretty rough shape. Hadley says, “It was about a third of the size of most food trucks. Seriously, it’s really small. I didn’t know much about engines when I bought it, but I sure do now. I had to gut it and put up new walls. I did it all in my parents’ backyard. The day I was going to get it inspected, it threw a cylinder. I had to completely swap out the engine.”
Next Hadley began hashing out the menu. Offerings include various styles of shrimp — think spicy, butter and lemon — served on a bed of seasoned rice and paired with a fresh garden salad and creamy ginger dressing. For dessert, flavors of mochi (a
thin, chewy dough filled with gourmet ice cream) are served.
“The menu is simple and pretty much everything I know. I drew from the Hawaiian food trucks I visited on the North Shore. My uncle, who is in the restaurant business, helped us with the perfect consistency of the batter,” Hadley says. Some of his customers have suggested that he provide a chicken option on the menu for those with an aversion to Coco’s crustaceans. To that Hadley says, “I guess my thought is, don’t go to a shrimp truck if you don’t like shrimp.”
Family Driven Today the Coco Shrimp crew consists of Hadley, his wife, sister and brother-in-law. Lauren runs all of the social media. Hadley recruited his sister, Mary, when she was home from college for the summer, and she now handles all the graphic design. Jordan, Hadley’s brotherin-law, left a good-paying corporate job in California to join the crew as a co-owner.
Hadley says, “A lot of people say that you shouldn’t go into business with family, but it’s the combination of our personalities that makes this work. We may disagree, but because we are family, I can be blunt. Like if I don’t agree with what my sister mocks up and posts on Facebook, I can say, ‘Mary … that looks so dumb’ because she’s my sister. I like that I don’t have to dance around it.”
Aside from taking a risk by opening a shrimp truck in a city that loves its beef, Hadley continually seeks thrills anywhere he can. He says that it’s most dangerous when he and his brother get together. “We’ve done stuff like makeshift bungee jumping, and we like to ride the spillway overflow in a dinky raft on local lakes. My father is always trying to talk sense into me. I don’t know how many times he has warned, ‘People die doing this all the time.’ I say, ‘Father, don’t you know that I’m invincible?’ ”
Due South
Fixe executive chef preaches the gospel of memories, love and biscuits.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
» As the former executive chef at Eddie V’s in the Museum District, Fixe co-owner and chef James Robert has spent enough time in Fort Worth to know two things: We’re friendly folks and we like Southern food.
We’re the perfect fit, in other words, for the second location of Fixe, his Austinbased ode to amped-up Southern food. With dishes such as lobster and crawfish potpie and deviled eggs with smoked trout roe, Fixe goes beyond standard Southern fare. But tell us about those biscuits, man.
Chef James Robert. Photo by Logan Crable.
Fixe isn’t exactly your grandmother’s chicken and dumplings, right? This is next-level stuff. What we are up to at Fixe is taking those very nostalgic dishes like fried chicken, pot pie and biscuits and putting a modern spin on them. It may be new ingredients sourced locally, new cooking techniques, or simply a progressive aesthetic.
What are some of the inspirations behind Fixe? My biggest inspiration is, hands down, growing up in a Cajun home where our whole family sat down for supper together every night, always prepared by my mom — the greatest cook I’ve ever known. Food was the focal point, but it was so much bigger than that. Family, togetherness, love and kinship. We try to communicate these feelings in everything we do at Fixe. We very much want it to feel like a Southern home.
Biscuits are a big deal at Fixe. What makes them so special? As with any great dish, we start with great ingredients. After that, a whole lot of care and love is put into their preparation. One thing that sets ours apart is the fact that every single order is cooked-to-order, 100 percent of the time. This means every guest will have the same experience — breaking open this goldenbrown, crusty-on-the-outside, soft-and-pillowy-on-the-inside little piece of goodness, watching the steam billow out before slathering with whipped butter, local honey or housemade preserves. This, to us, is what a biscuit experience should be.
Fort Worth is in the throes of a biscuit renaissance. What is it about biscuits that people love so much? The feelings and memories that are evoked. I would venture to guess that everyone has some memory from childhood that involves biscuits, if you are from the South, anyway. Whether that memory is of Mom cracking open a can of Pillsbury — my sisters and I would call these “little biscuits” — or watching her bring dough together, roll by hand, then punch and bake from scratch — we’d call these “big biscuits” — chances are those memories are happy ones.
Fixe is scheduled to open late January/early February at The Shops at Clearfork. fixesouthernhouse.com
The Best of the Biscuits »
Biscuits have long been a part of Fort Worth’s culinary landscape, but 2018 is the year in which the biscuit will rise to epic proportions, thanks to the arrival of Fixe, as well as a handful of other forthcoming, biscuit-forward restaurants: Fixture chef
Ben Merritt’s Ben’s Triple B: Biscuits, Burgers and Brews on the east side; Grady Spears’ chicken and biscuits stall Graze at the upcoming Crockett Street Food Hall; and Stacks Biscuit House in Roanoke.
While we wait for these new biscuit spots to drop, let us count the ways in which Fort Worth’s biscuit scene already delivers the (baked) goods, courtesy of these local biscuits and biscuit dishes.
Cane Rosso You’ll need a knife and fork, or politiciansize mouth, to topple Cane Rosso’s brunch-only chicken biscuit sandwich, stuffed with fried chicken tenders, layers of hot soppressata
and bacon marmalade jam, all drizzled in habanero maple syrup and squeezed between a house-made bacon marmalade biscuit.
Hot Box Biscuit Club
The pop-up dinners from Fort Worth chefs du jour Matthew Mobley and Sarah Hooton always feature their namesake items, baked in various incarnations, from cheddar and hatch chile (ohmagosh) to scallion (whoa) to sweet potato (died, went to biscuit heaven). Homemade spreads accompany, such as apple butter and Paloma citrus jelly.
Jazz Café Nick Kithas’ charmingly funky lunch and weekend breakfast spot serves some of the best biscuits in the city. They’re different than most, in that they’re a little sweet and sport a crunchy, mountainous exterior; no two are ever the same.
Montgomery Street Café Fort Worth’s highways
and back roads are lined with mom and pop cafes with terrific biscuits, from Paris Coffee Shop to West Side Café. But most longtime Fort Worthians pledge their allegiance to the pillowy, buttermilk beauties found at this 30-year-old café. You’ll want a side of peppered gravy, too, for dunking.
Old Neighborhood Grill
The fluffy biscuits at this southside homecooking institution may look innocuous enough, but one bite in and you’ll be hooked. Their secret ingredient: Miller Lite beer.
Trio New American Cuisine
The hike to this forward-thinking café in Colleyville is worth it for three very good reasons: Duck. Fat. Biscuits. Wielding a twinge of tang, they’re best consumed as part of Trio’s brunch-only New Orleans Benedict, in which they’re smothered in tasso ham, popcorn shrimp and housemade hollandaise. - Malcolm Mayhew
Fixe. Photo by Logan Crable.
Hot Box Biscuit ClubCane Rosso
After months of delays, the second location of Billy’s Oak Acres BBQ will hopefully, maybe, knock on wood, fingers crossed, be open by the time you read this, at 7709 Camp Bowie Blvd. West in a former nightclub. The menu will include ’cue staples found at the original Las Vegas Trail locale (which owner Billy Woodrich recently closed after severe weather caused extensive electrical damage), plus Woodrich’s spectacular chicken-fried steak, along with weekend specials such as prime rib. Woodrich is also planning a breakfast menu.
Poke has been popping up on local restaurant menus and at grocery stores such as Central Market. But the city now has its very own restaurant devoted primarily to the popular raw fish and rice dish. Manned by longtime chefs and pals Dat Bui (whose family runs Vietnamese hot spot My Lan) and Thai Nguyen, their recently opened Poke Stop at 8605 North Beach St. offers a half-dozen signature poke bowls or a build-your-own option with ingredients such
The Feed
A taste of what’s new and notable.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
as mango, kimchi, fried garlic and asparagus. The tiny spot has a big menu, also offering sushi, five types of ramen and a half-dozen appetizers such as chicken karaage and squid salad. pokestopdfw.com
The team that brought us Americado — then took it away, then gave it back — has opened a new restaurant/coffee shop/bar combo on the Near Southside. La Zona takes over two historic buildings on Magnolia Avenue for its unique, split-personality concept. The larger of the two structures, built in 1924 and most recently home to a barber shop, serves small plates
and appetizers such as Neapolitan-style pizzas, salads and light sandwiches. Next door, in the smaller building that used to house a used car lot office, housemade churros and coffee drinks are on tap; both buildings went through extensive and attractive nip/tucks. In between the two is a patio area where owner Tyler Casey says old films will be shown when the weather’s nice. “We want it to be a cool little hangout,” he says. “Come have dessert, a light snack, hang out and watch a movie. Just a real laid-back, cool place.” 1264 W. Magnolia Ave., lazonafw.com
The Left Bank development scored the first Fort Worth location of Taiwanese bakery 85C Bakery Café, named after chain founder Wu ChengHsueh’s insistence that 85 degrees is the best temperature to brew coffee. So, of course, there are coffee drinks such as a sea salt latte, along with sweet-andsavory European and Asian-inspired pastries, breads and sandwiches. 628 Harrold St., 85cbakerycafe.com.
Enchiladas Ole on the city’s east side will celebrate its fifth anniversary in February. To commemorate, owner Mary Patino Perez says she’s introducing new menu items throughout the month. A big anniversary shebang with door prizes and menu specials is happening Feb. 28. enchiladasole.com.
Tickets to the 2018 Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival are now on sale. This year’s fest kicks off April 5 with a new event, a tacos and tequila tasting at BRIK. The barbecue competition that typically starts the
four-day fest will now close it, on April 8, at the Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork. For tickets and a full list of events, visit fortworthfoodandwinefestival.com.
Local food writer Malcolm Mayhew can be reached at malcolm.mayhew@hotmail.com or on Twitter at @foodfortworth.
M Bistro, one of several restaurants to fall in the cursed Montgomery Plaza corner spot, wasn’t the last we heard of local chef Steve Mitchell. He’s opened a new restaurant downtown called 3rd Street Bar & Grill, in the old Frankie’s Sports Bar at 425 W. Third St. Name says “bar and grill,” but menu says “sounds better than bar and grill food.” Dishes include salmon piccata, a tobacco onion Reuben and red snapper with crawfish beurre blanc. Those opposed to eating things they can’t pronounce can go for the nachos, chicken-fried steak or pizza. Live music on weekends – a plus. thirdstreetrestaurant.com.
Some sad news in the local barbecue world: Angelo “Skeet” George, owner and pitmaster at Angelo’s, passed away in December. The long-running barbecue joint now rests in the hands of his son Jason, himself an experienced pitmaster, having grown up working in the restaurant. George’s father, Angelo George Sr., opened Angelo’s in 1958. He passed away in 1997.
Bakery and Brunch Spot Is Finding Its Footing
BY COURTNEY DABNEY
When Dallas-based Bread Winners opened its first Fort Worth location in the former Blue Mesa spot at University Park Village last June, it didn’t immediately meet expectations. The Fort Worth location underwhelmed with its service and overwhelmed with its higherthan-average prices.
After several months, service is still a little hit and miss at times. When we stopped in for a weekday lunch, there was a healthy crowd, but things weren’t off to a good start when our server informed us she was still in training. Luckily, her trainer was on top of his section and able to keep a close eye on ours as well. We had no service issues. We started with a Pear and Gorgonzola Salad ($12 or add chicken for $3 more). A mound of field greens, cherry tomato, candied pecans and gorgonzola blue crumbles was lightly tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette and crowned with thinly sliced, crisp Bosc pear. It made a lovely presentation, and we found plenty of cheese and
pecan in every bite.
While Chicken and Waffles is a house specialty, unless you have plans for a lazy afternoon and your stretchy pants on, I wouldn’t suggest it. That’s why I chose the Grilled Vegetable Melt ($12) instead.
Served on a fresh ciabatta roll, with its chewy crust and tender interior, the grilled veggies were lackluster, with mozzarella melting on top. A blend of indistinguishable portabella mushrooms, red pepper, yellow squash and red onion made up the filling. A chipotle mayonnaise was substituted for the promised garlic aioli, but the sweet potato fries that I chose for my side arrived crispy and hot. All in all, there was nothing wrong with the sandwich, but I probably wouldn’t come back to order it again.
Bread Winners is known for its full bakery menu. All
What We Liked: The bakery case is always filled with fresh baked indulgences, ready for take out or to order ahead for special occasions.
items are baked fresh daily in-house, so be sure to save room for dessert. The eye-popping bakery case is front and center, filled with cakes, pies, cupcakes, cheesecakes and cookies, which are reasonably priced compared with the nearby competition. The Strawberries and Cream Cake (Slice $6, Round $38, Sheet $76) has long been one of Bread Winners’ most popular. Each hefty slice is enough to satisfy a table of two to four. Three layers of moist cake are scented and flavored with real strawberries. Each layer has fresh whipped cream icing and strawberries in between. The cake is iced all around with the same and then painted with an apricot glaze.
What We Didn’t: The Grilled Vegetable Melt was basic and missing the fresh grilled flavor we were hoping to find. Recommendations: Weekend brunch is really what made it famous, and its classy brunch menu is still appealing. »
Bread Winners is still working a few kinks out but seems to be slowly finding its footing and a following of its own
Photo by Austin Marc Graf
Join us at our new venue: City Club of Fort Worth Saturday, April 14, 2018
6:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Current Underwriters:
Diamond Patron - Radiology Associates
Platinum Patron - Frost
Gold Patrons - Sewell; Texas Health Resources; Dr. Jerry and Layna Chase
It is with great excitement that the Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance Foundation is planning for our only fundraising event of the year. Join us as we return downtown for Medicine Ball 2018. The evening will be a sparkling extravaganza including a cocktail reception, raffles, dinner, dancing, and a Casino Royale with poker tournament.
Shaken and Not Stirred Cocktail Reception presented by DFW Center for Spinal Disorders
Many in Tarrant County are unable to afford quality healthcare. The Alliance Foundation is dedicated to providing education and crucial healthcare to those in need in our community. Proceeds from the event support our Community Health Projects.
Be Wise Immunize provides education and immunizations to thousands.
Project Access Tarrant County provides critical specialty medical procedures to the working poor. Hard Hats for Little Heads properly fits bike helmets preventing traumatic brain injury.
Allied Health Scholarships are awarded to qualified and motivated students with financial need.
For information on how you can be a Community Health Hero through event and project underwriting, contact Linda Kennedy, medicineball2018@gmail.com
Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Media Partner
to list a restaurant
The Listings section is a readers service compiled by the Fort Worth Magazine editorial staff. The magazine does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for the listings. Listings are updated regularly. To correct a listing or request a restaurant be considered for the list, contact Kendall Louis at kendall.louis@fwtx.com.
pricing: $ - Entrees up to $10, $ $ - Entrees $10-$20, $ $ $ - Entrees $20-$25, $ $ $ $ - Entrees $25 and over
American
ARLINGTON/MID-CITIES
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House 230 N. Center St., 817.801.0300. Lunch Hours 11am-2pm Mon.Fri.; Dinner Hours 5pm-9pm Mon.-Fri; All Day 11am-9pm Sat. and Sun. $
BJ’s Restaurant And Brewhouse 201 E. Interstate 20, 817.465.5225. 11am-midnight Mon.-Thur.; 11am-1am Fri.; 11am-1am Sat.; 10am-midnight Sun. $-$$
Chef Point Cafe 5901 Watauga Rd., Watauga, 817.656.0080. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.; 7am-10pm Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. Breakfast Saturdays. $-$$
Houlihan’s 401 E. 1-20 Hwy., 817.375.3863. 11am-midnight, bar 1am Mon.-Thu.; 11am1am, bar 2am Fri.-Sat.; 11am-10pm, bar midnight Sun. $$-$$$
Humperdink’s Restaurant And Brewery 700 Six Flags Drive, 817.640.8553. 11am-midnight Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $$
J Gilligan’s Bar & Grill 400 E. Abram. 817.274.8561. 11am-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-midnight Thu.Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun.; drafthouse open nightly 11am-2am $
Mac’s Bar & Grill 6077 W. I-20 Frontage Rd., 817.572.0541. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-2:30pm and 3pm-10pm Sun. $$ No Frills Grill 4914 Little Rd., 817.478.1766. Other locations: 801 S. Main St. #109, Keller, 817.741.6344. 2851 Matlock Rd., Ste. 422, Mansfield, 817.473.6699. 1550 Eastchase Pkwy., Ste. 1200, Arlington, 817.274.5433. 11am-2am daily. $ Rose Garden Tearoom 3708 W. Pioneer Pkwy., 817.795.3093. 11:30am-3:30pm Mon.-Sat.; closed Sun. $
Restaurant 506 at The Sanford House 506 N. Center St., 817.801.5541. Closed Mon.-Tues.; 11am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm Wed.-Fri.; 10:30am2pm, 5:30pm-9pm Sat.; 10:30am-2pm Sun. $$
Smokey’s Bbq 5300 E. Lancaster Ave. 817.451.8222. 11am-”until we run out” Mon.Fri.; 8am-”until we run out” Sat.-Sun. $ The Smoke Pit 2401 E. Belknap St., 817.222.0455. 10:30am-3:30pm Mon.; 10:30am-7pm Tues.Wed.; 10:30am-8pm Thurs.-Fri.; 10:30am-6pm Sat. $-$$
It’s hard to let the good times roll when you’re vegan and all your friends are feasting on andouille sausage and crawfish. Whether you’re vegan or just looking to eat healthier, Spiral Diner — Fort Worth’s resident vegan restaurant — will take care of ya. In February, the diner will serve a full Mardi Gras menu with items like po’boys made with spicy breaded zucchini, gumbo made with vegan sausage, and desserts like Maple Bourbon Pecan I-Scream and a King Cake Shake — all plantbased, with no animal products. spiraldiner.com
La Madeleine 2101 N. Collins St., Arlington, 817.461.3634. 6:30am-10pm daily. Other location: 4201 S Cooper St., Arlington, 817.417.5100. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $
FORT WORTH
La Madeleine 6140 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.654.0471. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. Other locations: 4626 SW Loop 820. 817.717.5200.; 900 Hwy. 114 W., Grapevine, 817.251.0255. 6:30am-10pm daily $ Saint-Emilion 3617 W. 7th St., 817.737.2781. 5:30pm-9:30pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$$
Ruth’s Chris 813 Main St., 817.348.0080. 5pm-10 pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 4pm-9pm Sun. $$$
Silver Fox Steakhouse 1651 S. University Dr., 817.332.9060. Other location: 1235 William D. Tate, Grapevine, 817.329.6995. 4pm-10pm Mon.-Sat. $$$
GRAPEVINE
/ SOUTHLAKE / COLLEYVILLE
J.R.’s Steak and Grill 5400 State Hwy. 121, 817.355.1414. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$$
Kirby’s Steakhouse 3305 E. State Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.410.2221. 5pm-10pm Mon.Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Sun. $$$
Old Hickory Steakhouse Restaurant Gaylord Texan Hotel & Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, 817.778.2215 (after 5pm, 817.778.2280). Nightly, 5:30pm-10pm. $$$$
close
» Eight years ago this month, North Texas experienced a particularly cold winter, and on Valentine’s Day, a particularly thick fog fell over Fort Worth. So, naturally, local photographer Brian Luenser had to capture it. Brian took this shot from his downtown condo on the 34th floor. As he puts it: “My cat woke me up. The fog (or clouds) were moving really fast, and she may have been a bit disturbed. Me? It was like Christmas morning even if it was Valentine’s Day.”
PHOTO BY BRIAN LUENSER
CONTACT US For questions or comments, contact Kendall Louis, executive editor, at kendall.louis@fwtx.com. For subscription questions, please call 800.856.2032. To subscribe visit fwtx.com/subscribe
DREAM
Rides
Everybody dreams. For Arlington locals Jerry and Martha Loyd, driving their dream car came true with their recent purchases of not one but two Mercedes-Benz vehicles from Park Place Motorcars Arlington. “It was on both of our bucket lists to own and drive a Mercedes-Benz,” says Jerry Loyd, retired federal criminal investigator and current instructor/site coordinator at a federal training center.
The Loyds looked to the expert sales team at Park Place Motorcars Arlington to guide them to a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43, affectionately called “Bad Boy,” for him and a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, nicknamed “Good Girl,” for her. The couple is quick to commend the Park Place experience. “Their
employees are so competent, knowledgeable and friendly. They always go above and beyond!” says Jerry Loyd.
While they enjoy cruising, the Loyds say, “Road trips in the GLE 43 are so comfortable and fun to drive, it is hard to resist driving it.” Whether a daily commute or a weekend adventure, Martha Loyd, retired AISD teacher and current UTA adjunct professor, loves the smooth handling of her luxurious Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. “The GLE 350 is so functional and comfortable to the point Martha feels much like a queen while driving it,” her husband says. “And the GLE 43 superb performance, ride and, most of all, the sound, make us feel young.”
