Park Cities, TX October 2023

The Food & Drink Issue

FOOD + BEVERAGE

DURO HOSPITALITY’S SECRET TO CULINARY SUCCESS

PERFECT TAILGATE RECIPES FROM A DALLAS CATERER

ROUNDUP: FIVE CLASSIC PARK CITIES RESTAURANTS

WHERE TO GET A GOOD GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE

Are fine lines and wrinkles haunting your look? Don’t let them cast a spell on your beauty! Take advantage of our BOO-Tox special. It’s the perfect way to trick-or-treat yourself (or someone else) this month. We look forward to welcoming you to the Plastic Surgery Center of Dallas!

FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF OCTOBER, ENJOY 20% OFF NEUROTOXIN

(Exclusive to Park Cities Magazine subscribers)

A sample of recently sold properties in Park Cities.

This data is a sampling of sold properties from August 2023. Source: IRES MLS system.

THE OFFICIAL REAL ESTATE TEAM OF SMU ATHLETICS

A FoodLover’s Paradise

I am well-known among my friends and family for being a major foodie. If there’s a new coffee shop, restaurant, or ice cream shop in town, I’ve likely tried it and am prepared with a full review should anyone ask. I’ll drive 30 minutes to try a new yakitori or pizza or taco spot and will be waiting online to snag a table when reservations open for the latest big hit. Even for my recent honeymoon to Japan, I hand-picked all of our matcha and craft coffee stops geographically and made omakase reservations well in advance. I don’t mess around when it comes to food.

Having grown up in Dallas, I may be biased, but I think most people would agree that this city is a food-lover’s paradise. That fact has only become truer as the years have gone by. Now, it seems like new places pop up every week. You can find any type of cuisine you want, from holes-in-the-wall to posh fine dining. And it’s all really, really good.

Dallas restaurant group Duro Hospitality is a shining example of how the local culinary industry continues to boom. Over the past few years, Chas Martin and his team have opened household names like The Charles, Sister, Café Duro, and El Carlos Elegante. And they just opened trendy Mister Charles in the former Highland Park Soda Fountain location. All of their projects are architecturally stunning and offer even better dishes—and Duro is showing no signs of slowing down. You can read all about their secrets to success and longevity in this issue on page 24.

This issue also highlights Dallas caterer Cynthia Cathcart’s favorite football tailgate recipes—think pimento cheese and elevated tacos—(page 20); a roundup of Park Cities classic restaurants, including Dive Coastal Cuisine, Javier’s, and Al Biernat’s (page 32); and the best spots to get a glass of Champagne in Dallas—because there’s always something worth celebrating (page 38).

If you weren’t a foodie already, you will be after reading these stories. Bon appétit!

CHRISTIANA

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Rod Patten | rod.patten@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Christiana Stephens christiana.stephens@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Ann Marie Patten | annmarie.patten@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Muscari, Caroline Nielson, Cynthia Smoot

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Grant Miller

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

STEPHENS, EDITOR @PARKCITIESLIFESTYLE

Serving the FINEST

Mexico City - Style Cuisine

Since 1977

Javier’s will change the way you think of Mexican food.

Setting the bar for Continental Mexico City Cuisine for the last 46 years, Javier’s is not your typical Tex-Mex Restaurant.

You will not find tacos or enchiladas here, but you will find delicious dishes of tenderloin beef, fresh seafood, shrimp, chicken and quail dishes seasoned with traditional spices of Mexico, and influenced by its Spanish heritage.

We surround you with a classic colonial sophistication that you will not want to leave behind... and why would you?

After dinner, enjoy the wonderful ambiance of the famous cigar bar and select from the large selection of premium cigars, ports, and handcrafted drinks in an atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else in Dallas.

Football Fare

Hospitality’s Dallas Restaurant Empire

Chas

Photography: Evan Sung

Whether you’re celebrating or simply a sparkling wine connoisseur, these

places to get a glass of bubbly.

Duro Hospitality has garnered wide acclaim in the Dallas restaurant scene in recent years. With The Charles, Sister, Cafe Duro, El Carlos Elegante, and now the highly anticipated Mister Charles, they are poised to keep the hits coming.

city scene

1: David Andrews, Chef Abraham Salum, and Carlo Barone celebrated the grand opening of Salum, benefiting Bryan’s House. 2: KidneyTexas, Inc. President Nancy Greenbach accepted a Southwest Transplant Alliance Foundation 2023 Outlive Yourself Award on behalf of KidneyTexas, Inc. 3: KidneyTexas, Inc. celebrated those who advanced organ donations in meaningful ways during their 2023 Outlive Yourself Awards.

4: Junior League

Dallas board members volunteered at the 27th annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair in August. 5: Members from the Junior League, Dallas Park and Recreation, Dallas City Council, and Dallas ISD supported Mayor Eric Johnson at the Back to School Fair.

6:

Vance Miller participated in the annual Honor Guard Polo Cup hosted by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League.

of

Honor Guard member

7: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Debutantes and Honor Guard partnered with the Prestonwood Polo Club for the annual Honor Guard Polo Cup.

CITY SCENE

DANNY CAMPBELL

DANNY CAMPBELL

DANNY CAMPBELL

TAMYTHA CAMERON

TAMYTHA CAMERON

JAMES FRENCH

JAMES FRENCH

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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8: Claire Wooley, Finley Nelson, Elizabeth Madison, and Megan Underwood attended this year’s Honor Guard Polo Cup. 9: Ann McKinley was surrounded by family to celebrate her retirement party as the Chief Advancement Officer for Juliette Fowler Communities. 10: This year’s Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit raised $110,000 for the Grant Halliburton Foundation to recognize the signs of mental illness and prevent suicide. 11: Eric Johnson, Kimmy Wright, Eric Nadel, and Eddie Cervante were at the 11th anniversary Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit, presented by Bell Nunnally. 12: Amy Beale, Dr. Christina Pohranychna, and Dr. Evan Beale were at LEAP Global Missions 2023 Gala to raise funds for free specialized medical services. 13: Design Within Reach at NorthPark Center hosted Dallas CASA’s Closing Party to wrap up this year’s Parade of Playhouses. 14: Retta Miller, Cynt Marshall, and Linda Swartz attended the closing party celebrating Dallas CASA annual Parade of Playhouses.

JAMES FRENCH

LISA STEWART

EMILY MAMONE

EMILY MAMONE

ROB WYTHE

RAY CARLIN

RAY CARLIN

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

ML Interiors Group Hosts “Rolling in the Dough” Workshop

Join Michelle Lynne and her team of experts in a free five-day virtual workshop for interior designers— launching October 16. Learn how to invest in yourself through Michelle’s four-step process for how to qualify, quote, and close high-end clients so your profits are “baked into the project.” Not only will you have access to her successful sales process but also the opportunity to engage with the design community at large. Sign up today! mlinteriorsgroup.com

Photography: ML Interiors Group

Get Your Fall Flu Shot from Clinic Concierge

October means flu shot time, and there’s no easier way to get yours than with Clinic Concierge. Clinic Concierge is a house-call service offering a customized at-home care experience with their team of highly trained advanced practice providers. Rather than go somewhere and wait in line for your flu shot, you can get yours in the comfort of your own home. Let Clinic Concierge’s fantastic providers come to you. clinicconcierge.com

Photography: Clinic Concierge

Save the Date: NEWH Fundraiser and Scholarship Dinner

The NEWH Dallas Chapter would like to thank the top sponsors of this year’s black-tie gala, “NEWH Airlines: Flight 2023,” to be hosted on October 20 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The continued support of these sponsors allows NEWH to present scholarships to students aspiring to enter the hospitality industry.

Diamond Sponsor: Smith Brown

Platinum Sponsors: Crypton, represented by Paravars; Herzog Hospitality; and Fairmont Designs, represented by Wabi Sabi Hospitality LLC

Gold Sponsors: Hill & Associates, Furniture Atelier, Akula Living, Outpost Hospitality, and Kaiser Hospitality

Photography: Jonathan Zizzo

AquaTerra Outdoors Partners with Spirit of a Hero

In recent months, AquaTerra Outdoors joined forces with local DFW nonprofit Spirit of a Hero. Focused on aiding wounded veterans and their families, SoaH believes that every hero deserves a chance to heal and lead a fulfilling life after facing physical or mental challenges in the line of duty. Through initiatives like backyard parties and their Cowboys and Angels gala in September, we’ve supported and raised awareness for their noble cause. Discover more about SoaH’s impactful mission at spirtitofahero.org .

Photography: AquaTerra Outdoors

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local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

Our community is brimming with incredible food and drinks to indulge in and we’ve selected some of our picks that you must experience for yourself. Bon appétit and cheers!

Our Picks for Foods to Feast On

GEMMA: Henderson Avenue’s beloved neighborhood bistro celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, and it’s better than ever. Don’t miss the duck frites. 2323 North Henderson Avenue

CROWN BLOCK: High above the Dallas skyline atop Reunion Tower, Crown Block offers a culinary experience that balances steak, sushi, and seafood with signature cocktails and an extensive wine list. 300 Reunion Boulevard East

MERIDIAN: Discover exquisite Modern Brazilian cuisine by James Beardnominated chef Junior Borges, inspired by seasonal ingredients and his chef’s garden. 5650 Village Glen Drive

PARTENOPE RISTORANTE: Enjoy world-class Neapolitan pizza (ranked No. 16 in the U.S.), along with pasta and more in Dino and Megan Santonicola’s lovely downtown dining room. 1903 Main Street

BILLY CAN CAN: Victory Park’s modern Texas dining saloon is quintessentially Dallas, featuring spectacular steaks, chops, seafood, and seasonal fare. A global wine list spotlights Texas vintages. 2386 Victory Park Lane

Scan for more photos and the full list.

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Gemma

We design, build & manage award winning outdoor environments. DESIGN . LANDSCAPE . POOLS . OUTDOOR LIVING

Foodies & Friends!

Chelsea Corner events, where flavor and fun collide in every bite and sip.

Whether you're celebrating in one of our unique event spaces at the restaurant or off-site with our Food Truck, you can guarantee that we're not just serving amazing food and drinks, we're crafting experiences. Our food and beverage menu is designed to cater to every craving. Whether you're enjoying a classic margarita on the rocks, or diving into the excitement of a Rose Gold Sangria, here every sip is a celebration!

SCAN TO LEARN MORE!

www.CHELSEACORNERDALLAS.COM

ARTICLE BY CHRISTIANA STEPHENS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRANT MILLER

Cynthia Cathcart’s Favorite Football Fare

THE DALLAS CATERER’S PIMENTO CHEESE, BBQ BEEF TACOS, AND BLOODY MARY WILL TAKE YOUR TAILGATE TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

Football season is in full swing, and so are the tailgates and watch parties. While many tailgates offer the usual storebought suspects, yours doesn’t have to.

Dallas caterer and event planner Cynthia Cathcart, owner of Café Danielle Catering and Events, is here to help you host the ultimate shindig with her top picks for dishes that will have your guests asking for the recipes. Here’s how to recreate her famed pimento cheese dip with toast, BBQ beef tacos, and festive Bloody Mary. Enjoy!

Pimento Cheese

INGREDIENTS/DIRECTIONS:

•  2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup pimentos, chopped

•  1 ½ tbsp. red bell pepper, chopped

• 4-5 tbsp. good quality mayo, preferably Hellman’s or Duke’s

• ¼ tsp. garlic powder

• ¼ tsp. onion powder

• Combine all ingredients

Baguette Toasts

INGREDIENTS/DIRECTIONS:

• 1 stick of butter, melted

• 2 tbsp. mayo

• A few tablespoons oregano

• A few tablespoons parsley

• Combine all ingredients, then dip each baguette slice in the mixture

• Heat in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until toasted

• Serve pimento cheese with the herbed butter baguette toasts

Cynthia Cathcart is the founder and owner of Café Danielle Catering and Events in Dallas. She uses her food and design expertise to create memorable events for private functions, businesses, fundraisers, and charitable organizations. cafedanielle.com

BBQ Beef Tacos

INGREDIENTS/DIRECTIONS:

• 2 ½ lbs. beef brisket

• Creamy coleslaw

• Cynthia’s pickles

• BBQ sauce

• Street-size flour tortillas

• Add brisket to the tortillas, top with slaw and chopped sweet pickles, drizzle BBQ sauce

Brisket

INGREDIENTS/DIRECTIONS:

• 1 whole brisket, 17 lbs. before trimming

• ¼ cup kosher salt

• ¼ cup coarse ground black pepper

• Trim fat to ¼-inch on brisket

• Mix salt and pepper together in a shaker bottle or dredge, Season all sides of brisket with salt/pepper mixture

• Prepare smoker for indirect heat at 250 degrees, Place brisket on smoker and add pecan wood chunks to fire

• Smoke for five hours, maintaining constant temperature and adding pecan wood as needed

• Wrap brisket in double layer of butcher paper and return to smoker

• Insert probe thermometer into middle of flat section and continue to cook until internal temperature reaches 200 degrees

• Remove brisket from smoker and rest in a dry cooler (no ice) for two hours

• Separate the flat and point, slice the flat against the grain into ¼-inch slices. Cut the point in half and chop until the edges can be cubed into burnt ends

• Chop beef

• Once brisket is rested and cooled down a bit, use a sharp knife to separate the flat part of the brisket from the bigger, thicker end or the point. Use best judgment to find that imaginary line and simply separate the two. Remove the fat cap from the top by sliding your knife parallel to the brisket top between the fat and the meat. It will naturally follow this path if you allow it.

• Using a cleaver or other hand chopping device, chop the meat into pieces but don’t overdo it. Ideally, you will have some chunks as well as some smaller pieces all mixed together.

Bloody Mary

INGREDIENTS

• 16 oz. tomato juice

• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

• 1 tbsp. lime juice

•  ½ tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

• A few shakes of Tabasco

• ½ tbsp. prepared horseradish

•  2 tsp. pickle juice

• 1 tsp. olive juice

Coleslaw

INGREDIENTS/DIRECTIONS:

• 16 oz. shredded cabbage/carrot blend

• 1 cup good quality mayo, preferably Hellman’s or Duke’s

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 1 tbsp. sweet pickle juice

• 1 ½ tsp. yellow mustard

• 1 ½ tbsp. apple cider vinegar

• 3 tbsp. granulated sugar

• 1 tsp. celery seeds

• 1 tsp. fresh dill

• 1 tsp. onion powder

• ¾ tsp. sea salt

• 1 tsp. pepperoncini juice

• A few shakes black pepper

• 1 tbsp. Old Bay seasoning

• 4-6 oz. Vodka

(I use Duckworth Vodka)

• Garnish ideas: brown sugar bacon strip, pickle spear, celery stalk, green olives, lemon slice, or a lime slice

• ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• Place shredded cabbage and carrots in a large bowl and sprinkle a teaspoon of salt over them. Toss to combine. Let this sit for at least an hour to draw out excess water. Rinse and thoroughly drain. Return cabbage to the bowl.

• Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Pour it over the cabbage mixture and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

DURO HOSPITALITY’S DALLAS RESTAURANT EMPIRE

ARTICLE BY DAVID MUSCARI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN, MANNY RODRIGUEZ, AND EVAN SUNG

It’s no secret that Dallas is a foodie’s dream destination.  Bon Appétit magazine named Big D its Restaurant City of the Year in 2019. Since then, things have only rolled forward at lightning speed. One of the premier restaurant crowns in town currently belongs to Duro Hospitality, a team of seasoned hospitality veterans with a number of success stories. They’re responsible for hits like The Charles, El Carlos Elegante, Sister, Casa Duro, Cafe Duro, and the recently opened Mister Charles on Knox Street in the heart of the Park Cities. All of their properties are distinctive

Chas Martin and the team behind concepts including The Charles, Sister, El Carlos Elegante, and Mister Charles are just getting started.

Mister Charles Lumache Arrabiata at Mister Charles

but carry the same attention to detail throughout their food, service, and design—cornerstone elements of Duro restaurants.

Enter Chas Martin, one of five Duro owners with a unique depth of experience in a variety of businesses. He’s an ebullient man who laughs easily and is never at a loss for words. A self-described “front-of-house guy” who grew up in Arlington, he cuts a memorable path wherever he goes. Duro Hospitality is comprised of five partners: Martin, J. Chastain, Benji Homsey, and brothers Corbin and Ross See. Martin and Homsey’s association began while

working at Hotel Zaza. They clicked and became close friends, often talking about concepts for restaurants. Around 2012, the pair took a trip to Italy and were struck by an epiphany.

“We’re walking the streets of Florence, eating everything we saw, and realized, Dallas has no game when it comes to Italian food,” Martin says.

That’s when the central idea of The Charles, Duro’s inaugural venture, took root. When the pandemic struck, Homsey left Zaza

and joined Martin and the other partners to officially form Duro. Today, Martin, Chastain, and Homsey are all heavily involved in hospitality, operations, conceptualization, and development on a day-to-day basis, while the See brothers, a design team originally based in Oklahoma City, add a valuable creative perspective to what the other three do.

“There are people out there who are great visionaries and operators all in one—I’m simply not that guy,” Martin says. “I think we all work better on teams. If we want to build something big and impressive, we need each other to do it.”

Martin enthusiastically describes Duro’s restaurants, starting with The Charles, a sophisticated space in the Design District. “We call it Italian-inspired,” he says. “None of us are of Italian descent, but we are all turned on by the cuisine, culture, style, design ... and that’s how we birthed The Charles.”

For decades, The Grape on Lower Greenville was a local favorite. Two years ago, Duro took over the space to open Sister, a clean-cuisine option with Mediterranean swagger that specializes in wood-fired meats, pasta, and fresh fish. “We also have Cafe Duro, our adorable little wine and coffee shop next to Sister, and Casa Duro, above Cafe Duro and Sister. Casa Duro is three suites that are epically decorated,” Martin says.

Another of Duro’s celebrated restaurants is El Carlos Elegante, also in the Design District. Rooted in Mexico City cuisine, the space reflects the vibrant food and lifestyle south of the border.

Finally, there is Mister Charles. It opened this summer on the site of the former Highland Park Soda Fountain, a sacred ground for many who grew up in the Park Cities. When you walk into Mister Charles, the architecture sets a stunning, almost regal tone with marble floors, high ceilings, and linen tablecloths. The restaurant is dotted with sculptures, columns, and plenty of interesting artifacts. “We call it an irreverent play on the classics,” he says.

Mister Charles offers continental French- and Italian-inspired cuisine, with Indian flavors and English inspiration, all connected in a fun and playful way. Martin says it’s already a hit and characteristically credits the restaurant staff with the success. “It’s going to be legendary,” he predicts.

As for Duro’s future plans in the city and beyond, Martin says the group has had plenty of

CONTINUED >

“I think we all work better on teams. If we want to build something big and impressive, we need each other to do it.”

- Chas Martin

El

Carlos Elegante

The Charles

Mister Charles

opportunities outside of Dallas, but has politely declined them for now, choosing to improve on what is already in place. “DFW has so much meat on the bone,” he says. “There is a reason major market restaurants are looking at Dallas. Austin and Houston have incredible restaurant scenes, but if you fast-forward 25 years, Dallas will be the most metropolitan of the three great metroplexes in Texas.”

For now, Duro is focused on continuing to blend service and hospitality. Martin says they’re thrilled when customers fawn over the food and design. But when

they praise his staff, “That’s the best compliment we can receive.” When people ask him about the company’s secret sauce, Martin has a simple answer: “We’ve got the best people in the business.”

The success associated with The Charles and companion speakeasy Bar Charles, as well as the other Duro restaurants, continues to gain momentum. Now, Mister Charles, in its historic location with elegant finishes at every turn, is full of memories for generations of residents—who are ready to create new ones.

Rutherford’s Design is a multifaceted design studio and retail showroom specializing in an artful and unexpected approach to classic interiors.

Quintessential Park Cities Cuisine

THESE FIVE NEIGHBORHOOD CLASSICS HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME—AND TASTE BUDS.

ARTICLE BY CAROLINE NIELSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLSTONE RESTAURANT GROUP, KATHLEEN KENNEDY, GRANT MILLER, AND GUS SCHMIEGE

Al Biernat’s

Oak Lawn mainstay Al Biernat’s celebrated their 25th anniversary this year, cementing the restaurant as a classic in the Park Cities. But Director of Operations Brad Fuller prefers to describe his uncle’s restaurant, considered by many to be Dallas’ premiere steakhouse, as a “hot spot.” Over the years, the restaurant has evolved to stay relevant with current trends while offering a trusted venue for customers to relax, celebrate, and enjoy life through good food. Brad states that “relationships and listening to our customers has been our greatest success, along with building a team and culture that truly understands and buys into how important each and every guest is that dines at our restaurants.” The upscale dining institution, led by Executive Chef Miguel Cauich, offers a wide selection of meats from land and sea, as well as several vegan options, that pair beautifully with an array of delectable side dishes. Al Biernat’s continues to celebrate their tried-and-true menu throughout this anniversary year, and they invite you to join in the celebrations by signing a memory book, shopping for anniversary hats, aprons, and tumblers, and partaking in the food and atmosphere that has drawn much acclaim from Dallas residents over the past 25 years.

Dive Coastal Cuisine

For 13 years, Dive Coastal Cuisine has brought Dallas closer to the ocean. Situated in vibrant Snider Plaza, Dive serves fresh seafood and organic ingredients in a fast and casual setting, a groundbreaking idea when they opened. Led by chef and owner Franchesca Nor, Dive’s flavorful dishes include their Ahi Tuna Burger and classic Dive Surf and Turf. The menu also boasts different specials each month, and this fall, they feature dishes like dairy-free butternut soup, pozole, and seasonal veggies (they have extensive holiday catering, too). Hearty vegetable dishes can be enjoyed all year, including grilled artichokes, from the “Artichoke Mama” herself. When Nor’s son, Archer, was little, the restaurant staff called him “artichoke” instead, and the name stuck. “I also feel like it works for me,” Nor says. “Like an artichoke, I have a lot of layers that I love fiercely—food, people, family, travel, happiness.”

These passions strengthen Dive’s commitment to sustainability, as they join 4DWN, a local skate park with an inspiring mission of service, to create the DiveDWN Future Farm, a high-tech container garden. The garden helps the restaurant use sustainably sourced produce as they continue to educate, cultivate, and conserve. They’ve also partnered with Turn Compost for several years to reduce food waste, and they composted nearly 14 tons of waste last year alone. For the family-friendly Park Cities staple, this initiative is “just another way Dive is good for you, good for your family, and good for the environment.” These efforts, coupled with Dive’s healthy, delicious food, demonstrate their commitment to being a positive force in their beloved Dallas community:

“Our goal at Dive is to ultimately make the world a better place, and I hope that’s what people think of when they think of our restaurant—constantly evolving, growing, and striving to be better.”

“Our goal at Dive is to ultimately make the world a better place, and I hope that’s what people think of when they think of our restaurant—constantly evolving, growing, and striving to be better.”

- Franchesca Nor

Javier’s

In a city that boasts no shortage of good Mexican food, Park Cities staple Javier’s has been serving up continental Mexico City cuisine for over four decades. Located in the heart of Highland Park near the Knox/Henderson district, the classic restaurant has focused on consistency in its service of food and drink to new and repeat customers, as well as tourists from all over the country. When Javier Gutierrez opened his namesake restaurant in 1977, he had no prior experience in the restaurant industry but knew he wanted to introduce Dallas diners to authentic Mexico City cuisine, in contrast to already popular Tex-Mex eats. “We rely more on fresh seafood, tenderloin beef, chicken, and shrimp dishes. It was a little different at first, but it took off.”

As more Mexican restaurants in Dallas have followed suit, his investment in bringing his hometown cuisine to Dallas has proven to be both a rousing success and an agent of change in the Dallas food scene. Their dedication to excellent service, reasonable prices, and ambiance, as well as a restaurant expansion when demand increased, certainly hasn’t hurt. Consistency is also key with executive chef Ruben Jimenez, who has been with the restaurant since 1989. So, whether you’re feasting on fresh ceviche, garlic shrimp guaymas, and cajeta crêpes, or relaxing with a drink and cigar in the lounge, your taste buds are certain to be satisfied while you enjoy the company of family and friends. Forever an astute restaurateur, Javier’s mission remains clear: “The restaurant has become a staple in hosting special moments in people’s lives. Whether it is a birthday, graduation, anniversary, promotion, or business transaction closing, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to make peoples’ special moments even more special.”

“The restaurant has become a staple in hosting special moments in people’s lives. Whether it is a birthday, graduation, anniversary, promotion, or business transaction closing, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to make peoples’ special moments even more special.”

- Javier Gutierrez

Honor Bar

Since their opening in November 2016, Honor Bar has become a classic restaurant in the Park Cities. Executive chef Julian Leal says the restaurant, which is part of the Hillstone group, focuses on “doing a few things very well. Classic ideas have a sense of timelessness about them.” Situated in historic Highland Park Village, Honor Bar is now a go-to eatery for Park Cities clientele, where customers enjoy their meals in a welcoming and fun environment. In a city with so much good food, Honor Bar stands out for their delicious favorites such as Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich, as well as their Ahi Tuna Tartare, Macho Salad, and deviled eggs. To round out a memorable evening, Honor Bar’s drink menu boasts stalwart cocktails with their own unique twist, cementing the eatery’s success as a classic in a modern, energetic Dallas restaurant scene. Even more than the delicious food, Julian Leal attributes the success of Honor Bar to the staff’s friendliness and excellent service, which helps keep repeat clients and build community: “Knowing people helps create a sense of belonging and it gives the restaurant a personality.”

Café Pacific

With its warm ambiance, humble sophistication, and outstanding culinary fare, Café Pacific’s label as a Park Cities classic is hardly a surprise. The neighborhood seafood and steak restaurant, located in iconic Highland Park Village, has delighted Dallas customers for over 40 years. The café is helmed by Owner Jack Knox, Executive Chef Terry Cook, and General Manager Dieter Krappl, who believe that the high quality of food and service has kept customers coming back all these years. As the weather cools down, the restaurant features their signature braised short ribs and seasonal soups, as they grow their exclusive Wagyu beef program of domestic and international cuts (join their VIP program for insider information). Considering the restaurant’s age, it’s clear to Krappl why their multi-generational clientele continually returns: “We consistently offer the best experience available in the Park Cities for the price you spend.” He also notes that what makes Café Pacific successful is its focus on great quality and service over the latest trends. “Our place is a classic and consistent experience in an upscale dining atmosphere.” Whether you enjoy Crab Remoulade, a signature steak, or Ora King Salmon (don’t forget about the Nova Scotia Lobster Omelet at Sunday brunch), you are sure to feel welcomed—and be well-fed—at the classic Café Pacific.

Best Spots to Get a Glass of Champagne

Nothing quite elevates the mood like a glass of Champagne or sparkling wine, and Dallas is filled with fun spaces for unforgettable toasts. Here are five of the best—some elegant, others relaxed, and all ideal for saying “cheers.”

COUPES

Coupes, which opened last year, is a romantic Park Cities spot. But the bubbly is the real star of the show—with 15 Champagnes and sparkling wines by the glass and 50 labels by the bottle from familiar vintners, including Perrier-Jouet and Taittinger, plus Texas wines.

ARTICLE BY DAVID MUSCARI PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RESTAURANTS

LOUNGE 31

Highland Park Village is home to Lounge 31, a delightful bistro that serves sushi and a variety of sakes, Champagnes, and sparkling wines including Roederer Cristal Brut, Moët & Chandon Imperial, PerrierRuinart Blanc de Blanc, Dom Perignon, and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label.

Whether you’re celebrating or simply a sparkling wine connoisseur, these are the places to get a glass of bubbly.

SIXTY VINES

Sixty Vines at the Crescent Court is home to an enviable selection of sparkling wines and Champagnes. It features Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rose, Lanson Le Black Label Brut, Pierre Sparr Cremant d’Alsace, and Zerbina Prosecco.

LEELA’S WINE BAR

Some claim tap wines have certain advantages, as cozy Leela’s Wine Bar in Uptown (and Lower Greenville) knows. With 16 spigots behind the bar, tap wines are available, plus signature Champagne cocktails and espresso martinis to wash down thin-crust pizzas.

LEXY’S

Trinity Grove’s Lexy’s has a menu that includes Dom Perignon, Ruinart Rosé, GH Mumm Rosé, Veuve Cliquot, and Lallier—a bubbly list suitable for any toast. There is even a Champagne vending machine stocked with Moët products.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 1ST - 22ND

The State Fair of Texas

FAIR PARK | 10:00 AM

There is something for just about everyone at America’s biggest and best State Fair, including thrilling rides, legendary fried delights, top entertainment on several stages, the annual Texas-Oklahoma football game, and much more.  BigTex.com

OCTOBER 1ST -

NOVEMBER 5TH

Autumn at the Arboretum

DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN | 9:00 AM

Marvel to the sight of thousands of fall pumpkins, gourds, and squash sprinkled throughout the sprawling Dallas park, nestled on the shores of picturesque White Rock Lake. DallasArboretum.org

OCTOBER 1ST

DFW Dragon Boat, Kite, and Lantern Festival

LEVY EVENT PLAZA | 8:30 AM

Skies filled with colorful kites, fiercely competitive dragon boat races, and a delicious variety of traditional Asian cuisine, arts, and authentic performances take center stage at the exciting annual event. DfwDragonBoatFestival.com

OCTOBER 3RD

Chris Urmson, Tate Lecture Series

MCFARLIN MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM | 8:00 PM

A fascinating speaker, the renowned engineer-entrepreneur is recognized internationally for his innovative work and instrumental role in pioneering and advancing the development of autonomous vehicles. SMU.edu/TateSeries

OCTOBER 7TH - 8TH

Q BBQ Fest Dallas

AT&T STADIUM | 11:00 AM

Cowboys football is on the road, opening up an opportunity for the mountain of meat festival that features famous pitmasters competing against one another, complemented by loads of great music and family-friendly fun.  QBbqDallas.com

OCTOBER 13TH, 15TH, 18TH, & 21ST

Tosca, The Dallas Opera

WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE | 8:00 PM

Puccini’s high notes and high drama dominate the stage when a popular singer fights to save her beloved, even if it means sacrificing herself—or whoever gets in the way. AttPac.org

OCTOBER 20TH - 21ST

Ben Folds, Dallas Symphony

MEYERSON SYMPHONY CENTER | 7:30 PM

Widely regarded as one of the unheralded influencers of his generation, his genre-benders include pop, jazz, and classical music, and a variety of important collaborations with other artists. DallasSymphony.org

OCTOBER 21ST

Turn Up the Lights

WYLY THEATRE | 7:00 PM

Tingle your senses with a stellar lineup of talented performers, including dancers, singers, and bands, all designed to keep fans on their feet and having fun. AttPac.org

OCTOBER 27TH

Johnny Cash, The Official Concert Experience

STRAUSS SQUARE | 7:30 PM

Using state-of-the-art technology, the legendary Man in Black’s iconic baritone rings, outdoors under the stars, performing classic hits with a live band and narration by his son, John Carter Cash. AttPac.org