SL 6 Questions About

WHO: GCS Moms League is a nonprofit organization uniting DFW-area families through activities, education, support, and fundraising events. GCSML currently has 250+ active members and grows exponentially every year. There is no residential requirement to join, and their members reside in Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Keller, Fort Worth, and beyond! GCSML runs concurrently with the school year, and a variety of events are organized by a volunteer committee of more than 55 local moms!

WHAT: The GCS Moms League presents The Great Gala Met Couture benefiting the Stepping Stones Foundation.

• Met Gala-Inspired Couture Theme

• Cocktails

• Dinner and Dessert

• DJ & Dancing

• Fashion Show hosted by Celebrity Guest Melisa Rycroft-Strickland featuring handmade designs by Boujee Bee Luxee, children's couture by Butterfly Baby, and avant-garde hairstyles created by Ashley Stone Hernandez!

Raffle Prizes:

• $500 gift card for Greer Dermatology

• C3 Rover Hummer Cooler

• Creative Soul Music School Birthday Party

• Autographed Texas Ranger T-Shirt

• Chicken and Pickle Gift Certificates

• Kendra Scott Gift Basket

• Ferah Tex Med Chef Experience for Four

• Catered dinner by Personalized Grazing

• $500 gift card to Cake Pops by Alli

Silent Auction Vacation Homes:

• 5 Bedroom Extravagant Cedar Creek

Lakefront with Boat Dock

• 4 Bedroom Luxury Cabin in Broken Bow

• One Bedroom Dog-Friendly Couple

Getaway in the Smoky Mountains

• Live Auction Grand Vacation Home - TBA

WHERE: The Bowden Events and Weddings Venue

1775 Keller Parkway

Keller, Texas 76248

(817) 379-1775

Attire: Formal, Black Tie Optional

WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 6:30pm

WHY: Their mission is to connect local moms and their families for support, friendship, and fun by providing events, educational opportunities, and dedicated programs to give back to their community. Your support of The Great Gala will also benefit Stepping Stones Foundation and their mission to pave a path to a positive future. This nonprofit is dedicated to serving youth in crisis throughout North Texas by providing the right tools to make positive life choices. What began in 2009 as a grassroots effort by one woman, Christina Bynum-Breaux to feed, clothe and mentor over 150 children in a local trailer park, has grown into a full-fledged foundation that has provided programming and support to thousands of children and their families.

Stepping Stones Foundation has worked hard to create awareness in the community and establish relationships with Child Protective Services, school intervention counselors and local law enforcement to refer children in need. As we meet these elementary, middle or high-school children, we perform a needs assessment, and resources or services are provided based upon availability.

HOW: There is strength and support in numbers, and GCS Moms League is that dependable village to help you raise a child. As the saying goes, 'A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows that it is in the journey where she will become strong.' Join GCS Moms League!

Get Involved: Participation from generous attendees and local businesses allows GCSML to provide fun events, educational opportunities, and other dedicated programs to give back to our community by volunteering and fundraising.

• Attend events (The Great Gala event is sold out for 2023)

• Sponsor the event or other GCS Moms League events

• Donate a product or service for the evening’s auctions

• Share a one-time monetary donation

Whether you are a new mom or just new to the area you’ll find GCS Moms League is a place where you are always welcome!

AMERICAN / ECLECTIC ......................................

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House • Fried chicken as good as grandma’s, but she’s got better things to do, like chow down on unlimited sides. Warm biscuits with butter and honey are reason to go. • Roanoke and NRH babeschicken.com $ L D j Sports City Taverna • A menu strong on options—wood fired pizza, street tacos, burgers, brunch. Whether your team wins or loses, you’re a winner with the best food and drinks in the city • NFW sportscitytaverna.com $-$$ (Brunch) L D R

Sushi Sam • Lunch deals like loaded bento boxes. Management is always warm and personable, which is reflected in their friendly service. Amazing salmon skin rolls (not the easiest to pull off). • Southlake sushisam.net $ L D

Stone House Restaurant • Regionally inspired, locally sourced proteins and a chef’s garden. Sharables, craft beer, cocktails, wine, chops. Must-try 1200-degree broiled steak. • Colleyville stonehouse-restaurant.com $$-$$$ D

Thailicious • Authentic Thai in a contemporary, relaxed environment. Soft shell crab, creamy curries, Crying Tiger and pad Thai. Seek out tom yum-inspired martinis and mojitos. • Southlake ThailiciousSouthlake.com $$ L D

• Trophy Club blue22sportsgrill.com $-$$ L D R

Blue 22 Sports Grill • Locally owned, family gathering spot with a scratch kitchen offering prime sporting events—what more could you ask for? This is a perfect family friendly sports bar!

Chef Point Modern Bar & Restaurant • Fine dining redefined. With indoor and outdoor dining spaces, they accommodate private and semi-private parties. Catering available. • Colleyville chefpointcafe.org $-$$ (Brunch) L D

Chill Restaurant & Bar • Sports headquarters for business meetings, company parties, wedding receptions and rehearsals, birthdays and anniversaries. Outdoor patio, live music and ladies night. • Grapevine chillgrapevine.com $ L D R

Stunning indoor-outdoor watering hole. Everything from expansive beer and wine choices to a menu of shareable plates invites conversation. Happy hour with martinis craftandvine.restaurant $$ L D R

American grill comfort cuisine serving memories with a twist. A decidedly casual neighborhood spot where you get both a good burger and a dressed-up plate of mussels. The Keller fngeats.com $$ ((runch) L D R

• Healthy has never been more indulgent. Using all-natural, minimally processed ingredients, the menu satisfies almost anything, whether you’re on a restricted diet or throwing

• Trophy Club hgsplyco.com $$ L D

Order a burger served “bone-in” or topped with mac and cheese and bacon, or chicken pot pie made with fried chicken chunks and crowned with a crispy chicken tender. Build s’mores. • Fort Worth horizon76.com $$ L D

TruFire Kitchen & Bar • Consistent menu, exemplary burger of akaushi beef or truffle-scented mac and cheese. Banana split and handcrafted cocktails are a must. Gluten free and vegetarian menus. • Southlake trufire.us $$ B L D

ASIAN / SUSHI / THAI

....................................

Cowtown Sushi • Unexpectedly refined sushi and sashimi. They’ve had “hidden gem” status for way too long. Chefs are eager to impress diners, making this an environment to expand your palate. • Southlake cowtownsushi.com $-$$ L D

Foster’s Sushi, Seafood, Bar & Grill • Creative style to fill your appetite. Indoor and outdoor bar with friendly staff and total of 10 flat screen TVs to suit all sports fans, plus happy hour from 3-6pm. • Roanoke fostersushi.com $-$$ L D

Honey Teriyaki • Quality Japanese food—teriyaki and sushi. Many sauces made from scratch with honey—hence the name. Large portions, reasonable prices, friendly service, legit food. • Colleyville tinyurl.com/honeyteriyaki $-$$ L D j Hush Sushi • Posh location with elevated sushi and drink menu. Don’t miss their Wagyu burger. Foodies will flock to Hush for happy hour specials and their vast selection of Maki, Nigiri and Sashimi. • Keller hushkeller.com $$-$$$ L D

Maki & Poké • Sushi rolls and Hawaiian bowls—here you don’t have to choose! Incredibly fresh and generous sushi rolls. BYOB (build your own bowl) is a fav. Very deserving of their many 5-star ratings! • NRH tinyurl.com/nrhpoke $-$$ L D

V’s House • Family-owned Vietnamese restaurant offering upscale takes on classic dishes—plus surprises. You’ll find staples of Vietnamese cuisine, including pho varieteies—all made in-house. Creative cocktail menu. • NRH vshouse.net $-$$ L D

Wine:30 • Wine bar featuring Texas wineries/wine makers, complimented by wines from California, France, and Italy— also offering a handful of locally brewed craft beers, flatbreads and charcuterie board pairings. • Roanoke w30.wine $-$$ L D

BAKERIES / TREATS / COFFEE / TEA / JUICE .......

Axiom Coffee • Coffee house with purpose. Organic beans sourced from small Honduras producers from a farm run by World Gospel Outreach employing single moms to harvest and supports an orphanage. • NFW axiomcoffee.com $ B L D

Board + Brie • A curated array of noshables that pair perfectly with wine and talk. Cheese and charcuterie grazing boxes and boards, crowd-pleasing fare or feasts for one. Pick up or delivery. Catering for tables. • Roanoke boardbrie.com $$-$$$ L D

Brew & Batter • Locally owned, stand alone house serving good coffee! Not to mention waffles! There offer two bases— cornbread and a liege waffle (a european waffle made with yeast daily) • Grapevine brew-batter.business.site $ B L D

Buzzed Bull Creamery • Made-to-order, alcoholic and nonalcoholic frozen dessert and coffee company—harnessing the power of liquid nitrogen to bring a one-of-a-kind-experience to guests. • Grapevine buzzedbullcreamery.com $ L D

Leela’s Wine Bar

• Wine should be easy, eco-friendly and enjoyable—that’s why their wine is on tap. Tap is less bottles, less waste, consistent quality—glass after glass. Consider this your new wine bar. • Trophy Club leelaswinebar.com $$ D

Mason & Dixie • Celebrating all things Southern—a neighborhood gathering place. Take them up on their BYOB invite when shrimp and grits is on their specials board. • In Grapevine Antique Market facebook.com/masonanddixie $ L

Moxie’s Grill & Bar • Crowd pleaser serving globallyinspired fare like Thai curry bowls, tuna ceviche, steak frites. Fun, sophisticated setting that’s equal parts sports bar and eclectic brasserie. • Southlake us.moxies.com $$-$$$ L D

Next Wood Fired Bistro & Vino Bar • Intimate, and refined restaurant serving everything from simple roasted chicken or crab cakes, to lamb tagine or surf and turf. Acclaimed wine program. • Colleyville nextwoodfiredbistro.com $$$ L D

Oak Street Food and Brew • Food hall with chef-driven food—from fish and chips to overstuffed baked potatoes, to craft bbq. Expansive in and out—gathering place for groups.

• Roanoke oakstreetfoodandbrew.com $-$$ B L D

PIAF Kitchen+Wine+Bar • From power lunch to happy hour, to a romantic date night. Weekends start with buffet brunch and end with drinks on rooftop bar. Flatbreads, seafood, steak. • Grapevine piafkitchen.com $$-$$$ (Brunch) L D

Sky Creek Grill • In Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club—bistro dishes with contemporary western flair. Steak, salmon, pasta, salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, cold beer. Restaurant and bar open to public. • Keller skycreekranch.com $-$$ B L D

Sky Creek Kitchen + Bar • Sky Creek embodies casual elegance with sleek, understated décor—prime destination for a special celebration, family dinner, romantic evening, or afterwork drinks. • Southlake skycreekkitchen.com $-$$ L D j Social Oak Wine & Whiskey Lounge • 21+ lounge with a speakeasy vibe, comfy patio, state-of-the-art wine and whiskey pouring systems, amazing tapas style dishes—an experience like no other. • Trophy Club socialoaklounge.com $$-$$$ D R

Malai Kitchen • Thai-Vietnamese mash-up—with silky curries, sriracha made in-house. Imaginative beverage program with house-brewed beers. A rand finale, Mango Sticky Rice Smash. • Southlake malaikitchen.com $$-$$$ L D

My Lan Vietnamese Kitchen • Big, steaming bowls of pho, heaping rice plates and rows of crispy egg rolls. Vietnamese staples are soulful and flavorful with reasonable prices . • Colleyville my-lan-vietnamese-kitchen.business.site $ L D

NAPA Thai Asian Cuisine • Unique Thai restaurant that offers a glimpse of traditional Thai culture—where balance and harmony come together in a relaxing, yet elegant atmosphere. • Colleyville napathaicuisine.com $-$$ L D

Noodles @ Boba Tea House • Generously portioned, skillfully prepared Vietnamese, pan-Asian dishes. Try the spicy beef noodle soup, Thai beef salad and the Mocha Madness smoothie. • Fort Worth noodlesbth.com $ L D

Sabai Sabai Southeast Asian Kitchen • Expect pad Thai, massaman curry, pho, also explore Lao beef jerky, steamed fish or a marinated beef salad. Dine in or takeout. Food packs plenty of flavor. • Grapevine sabaisabaikitchen.com $ L D

Saikou Sushi & Ramen • Well-executed Japanese cuisine. Slurp tonkotsu ramen, pork-forward broth, superb vegetable ramen, classic miso, shoyu and shio varieties. Sushi and bento boxes. • Alliance saikousushiramen.com $-$$ L D j Sea Siam Thai • Food captures the essence of Thailand. Using the freshest ingredients with traditional Thai cooking techniques, you can sip tea while browsing menu of the finest Thai foods. • Keller seasiamrestaurant.com $$ L D

Sushi Dojo • Premier fast-casual sushi restaurant specializing in party trays, office/event catering, and food truck service. Known for sushi tacos and burritos. Delicious, affordable, high quality sushi. • Southlake sushidojodfw.com $-$$ L D

Sushi Nomi • Modern Japanese with inventive sushirolls, ramen, teriyaki and more, plus beer and wine. Choose from delicious lunch options like bento boxes, fried rice, sushi specials.

• Fort Worth facebook.com/SushiNomiTexas $-$$ L D

Alli’s Sweet Shop • Delicious cake pops for any event, celebration or just because! They deliver your bouquet just like a florist and brighten the day of any recipient! Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, treats. • Southlake cakepopsbyalli.com $ L D

Creative Memories Bakery • Cupcakes, smash cakes, wedding, birthday, graduation, shower, gender reveal and baby shower cakes, petit fours, cookies, brownies, cake balls/pops, ding dongs. • Fort Worth yourcakeplace.com $-$$

Crumbl Cookies • Giant cookies delivered! Chocolate chip, chilled sugar cookie and rotating flavors like key lime pie, salted caramel cheesecake, birthday cake or German chocolate. Open ‘til midnight! • Southlake crumblcookies.com $

DessertsRx Organic Café • High quality, organic, nonGMO, real food and drinks offered with the knowledge to empower you to make informed decisions when it comes to what goes into your body. • Colleyville dessertsrx.com $ B L D

Doughlicious • Offering scoops of raw, safe-to-eat dough in chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, sugar cookie, banana pudding and s’mores. Grab a multi-pack of mini scoops to share. • Grapevine doughlicioususa.com $

Dr. Sue’s Chocolate • Doctor by trade, master chocolatier at heart, Dr. Sue Williams crafts the finest chocolate specimens you’ve ever had. Delightful creations like chocolate bark, truffles, and chocolate bars. • Grapevine drsueschocolate.com $

Elegant Cakery • Beautiful designs that make magnificent centerpieces for any occasion—and the taste makes them unforgettable. Cupcakes, birthday and wedding cakes—made with quality ingredients. • Southlake elegantcakery.com $-$$

Hey Sugar Candy Shop • Bulk candies and popcorn, syrups and flavorings from an old-fashioned soda fountain. Chocolates by Nib Chocolates. Ice cream made in a machine from the 1920s. • Roanoke heysugarcandy.com $-$$

JudyPie • Time-tested recipes, anchored by shortbread crust, elevate flavors like apple, pecan, buttermilk, banana cream into their best versions. By the slice or whole (large or small rounds). Gluten free, vegan, paleo. • Grapevine judypie.com $ L D (continued on next page)

Juice Junkies • No need to be a health nut to appreciate juice blends, smoothies, whole food snacks and cold-brewed coffee drinks, but they just might convert you. Cold-pressed. Restocked regularly.

• Keller juicejunkies.com $ B L

Kindred Coffee Co. • A love for craft coffee and local community—they find the best coffee and roast it at their shop. Stop by for a cup, fresh salad, gelato or one of their pastries.• North Richland Hills kindredcoffeeco.com $ B L D

‘Lette Macarons • Elegant French sandwich cookies readymade for gifting. Endlessly customizable. Offers a selection of fine shortbread cookies and will soon offer macaron ice cream sandwiches. • Southlake lettemacaron.com $

Native Coffee + Kitchen • Refreshing, independent voice serving unapologetic interpretations of comfort food favs—pancakes, tacos, burgers and nachos—alongside coffee made with Texas-roasted bean. nativeck.com $ B L D

Nothing Bundt Cakes • Made fresh daily using eggs, butter and cream cheese. Bite-sized Bundtinis, single serving Bundtlets, 8” and 10” cakes and double-tiered cakes. Daily samples show how yummy it is! • Southlake nothingbundtcakes.com $

Personalized Grazing • Specializing in customized charcuterie boards and personalizing your culinary experiences, they offer classes, gifts, filled and unfilled boards, even custom boards. • Southlake personalizedgrazing.com $-$$$ B L D

Redefined Coffee House • Locals gather for birthdays, meetings, and conversation—and everyone sips macchiatos and iced lattes made with Avoca coffee beans. • Grapevine redefinedcoffeehouse.com $ B L D

Texas Harvest Pie Co. • Small pie shop feels like home. Lovingly crafted pies like apple, blueberry, buttermilk, key lime taste like grandmas if she’s an expert baker. Serving lunch. • Keller facebook.com/texasharvestpiecompany $-$$

BARBECUE

Back Forty Smokehouse • Brisket, ribs, full bar, outdoor patio, friendly service, locally owned—should we keep going. Back Forty is conveniently located next to the new Tex Rail train station. • NRH backfortysmokehouse.com $-$$ L D

Feedstore BBQ • Local fav with quality meats and the freshest veggies available. Ridiculously good chopped beef, chicken, sausage and fall-off-the-bone ribs, fried okra, spicy beans and amazing rolls. • NRH feedstorebbq.com $-$$ L D R

Hard Eight Pit BBQ • Authentic mesquite barbecue. Award winning cuisine. “Old World” slow cooking over pits adopted from German settlers who came to the Texas Hill Country long ago. • Roanoke hardeightbbq.com $-$$ L D R

Meat U Anywhere BBQ • “Meating” your BBQ and catering needs. Slow smoked with seasoned oak and hickory. Exclusive sides, special offerings, ultimate breakfast tacos • Grapevine and Trophy Club meatuanywhere.com $-$$ B L D R

Red Barn Bar-B-Que • Best all you can eat catfish on Friday nights, and sausage and turkey around town. Rustic counter service with generous plates and comfort grub in. • Colleyville redbarnbarbque.com $-$$ L D

BREAKFAST (+ lunch/dinner) .............................

Another Broken Egg Cafe • Twists on Eggs Benedict and Omelettes, Biscuit Beignets, Cinnamon Roll French Toast and much more. Brunch is the most important meal of the week! • Southlake anotherbrokenegg.com $-$$ B (Brunch) L

Bacon’s Bistro & Cafe • Breakfast diner with really good service, food and company—sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch. It’s common to have a wait on weekends because it’s just that darn good! • Hurst baconsbistroandcafe.com $$ B L

Black Walnut Cafe • Classic fare, upscale flair. Handcrafted sandwiches to chilled local craft brews to swirly rows of gelato. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. • Colleyville blackwalnutcafe.com $-$$ B L D

DeVivo Bros. Eatery • Rustic comfort food on Americanized menu with Italian flair. Bold flavor, large portions, meatloaf, pastas, sandwiches with rustic simplicity and refined elegance. • Keller devivobroseatery.com $-$$ B L D

Kassandra’s Mexican Kitchen • Hidden gem. Great lunch with well-priced specials. Tortillas live up to the name. Put it on your list for breakfast, served all day. Breakfast quesadilla, beans and potatoes—a good reason to get up early! • Keller $ B L D

Main Street Bistro & Bakery (Bistro M) • Local gem with foodie following (and a Gallic accent). Chocolate bomb cake that makes your toes curl. Best croissants. Must-try pastries and desserts • Grapevine themainbakery.com $$ B L D

Mangos Breakfast Brunch • French toast, chicken, waffles, omelets. Taking shots at convention with duck bacon burgers, s’mores waffles, skillets with chicken fried steak, stuffed avocados. • Southlake, Keller mangosbb.com $$ B (Brunch) L

Oldwest Cafe • Big menu, big portions, good value. Saddle up that horse and hit the trail for Oldwest Cafe... pretty darn sure ya’ might like it! Breakfast served all day long (or until we go home for the day)! • Grapevine oldwestcafe.us $ B L

Rush Bowls • Smoothies in a bowl with fruit and toppings. Featuring all-natural fruit and açai blended until thick and creamy, these are a healthy alternative dessert or a perfect meal. Perfect refueling stop. • Keller rushbowls.com $ B L D

Seven Mile Café • Fans flock for specialty pancakes, Gouda grits, egg dishes and Stumptown coffee. You cannot go wrong with benedicts or the pancake sampler. Vegan and gluten-free options. sevenmilecafe.com $-$$ B (Brunch) L

Stevie’s Diner • A unique, family-owned and operated throwback dining experience. Whether you’re in the mood for a delicious breakfast or lunch, head over to Stevie’s Diner. • North Fort Worth steviesdiner.com $ B L

Starwood Cafe • Specializing in breakfast and lunch at eight locations around DFW, and serving breakfast all day—this is your new brunch destination. Vast menu serving all your favs. • Trophy Club, NRH starwoodcafe.com $-$$ B L

Sunny Street Café • Serving hearty American fare—with gluten-free options. Dine-in or carry-out, this is your neighborhood destination for fresh, wholesome food and friendly service served daily. • Roanoke sunnystreetcafe.com $-$$ B L

Toasted Yolk • Perfectly poached eggs, strip after strip of crunchy bacon, layer upon layer of turkey and pastrami—these are delicacies we dream about at night, and they’re the ones we want to wake up to! • Keller thetoastedyolk.com $-$$ B L

Townhouse Brunch • Twists on omelettes, benedicts, pancakes, salads, sandwiches. Lean sweet (banana Nutella crepes) or savory (“everything spiced” avocado toast), your cravings is covered. • Colleyville townhousebrunch.com $$ B (Brunch) L

BRITISH ...........................................................

From Across the Pond • Get your British classics—fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and more—plus, burgers, sandwiches, pastas and salads from beyond the pond. • Colleyville acrossthepond.site $ L D

The Londoner Pub and Grill • Pub turning out English classics like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash with confidence. Their decor screams typical English pub. • Colleyville thelondonerpub.com $$ L D

BURGERS / SANDWICHES ................................

Bottlecap Alley Icehouse Grill • 100% Fresh Angus Beef, name brand quality meats, whole veggies chopped in-house daily and local artisan buns. A place where kids and adults co-mingle successfully. • Grapevine bottlecapalley.com $ L D

Chick & Biscuit • Southern food done right! Home-style comfort food—from spicy hot chicken to pulled pork, brisket, and sausage gravy, the menu honors the South. Inside Harvest Hall. • Grapevine chickandbiscuit.com $$ L D

Fred’s Texas Cafe • Nationally acclaimed hamburgers, fabulous chicken-fried steak, the coldest beer in town—that’s Fred’s—a beloved local dive that’s serious about food! • TCU, Fort Worth, NFW fredstexascafe.com $-$$ L D

Kincaid’s Hamburgers • Where friends meet to eat! Hypefree, good-old-burgers, ice cream shakes, deviled eggs, stuffed jalepenos, fried okra, chicken sandwiches, banana pudding. • Southlake and Alliance kincaidshamburgers.com $ L D

LA Burger • Beautifully seared meat, thoughtful layering, oozy cheese, toasty buns—burgers executed with California flair. Tacos, fries, hot dogs, salads and shakes served counter-style, all with a fresh multi-culti twist.

• Keller la-burger.com $ L D

Old Town Ice House • Burgers, po-boys, wings, tacos, salads, artisan brews—celebrating the ice industry in its heyday, as well as the founding of Keller during that era. Raise an ice-cold glass with us!

• Keller oldtownicehouse.com $ L D

Ferrari’s Italian Villa & Chop House • Beautiful banquet and private dining. Bountiful antipasti bar. The roasted entrées from the wood fired oven are standouts. Desserts prepared tableside. • Grapevine ferrarisrestaurant.com $$ L D

Fireside Pies • Swanky pizza served in a casual environment. Who knew my favorite veggie pie (Peta Pie) would come from the same place as my favorite meaty pie (Triple ‘Roni)? • Grapevine firesidepies.com $ L D

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria • Brooklyn’s iconic pizza has now arrived—crust is perfectly thin and crisp and cheese and toppings first-rate. Brooklyn charm here to go with some excellent pizza. • Grapevine grimaldispizzeria.com $ L D

• Keller thepourshack.com $-$$ L D

The Pour Shack • Comes alive as the sun sets! Cover bands and DJs pump up the scene and the music at this big indoor/outdoor bar serving up burgers and drink specials. Your neighborhood bar.

The Station Patio Icehouse • Gathering place to enjoy good food, good drinks and good music. It’s everything you’d want your own backyard to be, with all the people you love and none of the work!

• Keller stationicehouse.com $$ L D

CAJUN ..............................................................

Bayou Jack’s Cajun Grill • Part soulfuajun, part vibrant cocktails, two parts bon temps. Jambalaya, po boys, grilled oysters, étouffée. Drink swamp juice, Hurricane Kris and Abita on tap.

• Roanoke bayoujackscajungrill.com $-$$ L D

Copeland’s • Authentic taste of the Big Easy adjacent to the Hilton Southlake lobby. Soul satisfying eggplant pirogue and mind-blowing bananas foster French toast. • (In the Hilton Hotel) Southlake copelandsofneworleans.com $-$$ B L D

The Lost Cajun • Real and authentic Cajun food from the gumbo and jambalaya to the fried seafood—it’s like you’re in Louisiana! Awesome frozen drinks and food you can taste!

• Keller thelostcajun.com $-$$ L D

GREEK .............................................................

Café Medi • Devoted fans—they give as much attention to vegetarian dishes as their succulent grilled and braised meats. BYOB. Salads, hummus, falafel and fool. Their lamb shanks really shine. • Keller and Hurst cafemedi.com $-$$ L D R

INDIAN .............................................................

F2 Fusion Flavors • F2 combines the sensibilities of the Middle East with Asia, offering Indian flavored Kebabs, lamb and even goat dishes for a global tour of cuisines and cultures. Daily buffet. • Southlake fusionflavors.site $-$$ L D

Mughlai Fine Indian Cuisine • Courtly cuisine of Mughal royalty—familiar dishes like lamb roghan josh and chicken tikka masala served alongside more obscure dishes from authentic Indian street fare. • Southlake mughlaidfw.com $$ L D

ITALIAN / PIZZA ..............................................

Armend’s Restaurante • Laid-back, family friendly pizza place reminiscent of Naples. Plenty of hearty Northern Italian favorites with great prices and friendly, family-owned service. • Southlake armendspizza.com $ L D

Bosses • Brick oven pizza using the finest cheese and meats— and freshest veggies. They set out to make the best pizza in town and some say it’s “The Best Darn Pizza in Texas.” • Lake Worth, NRH, North Fort Worth bossespizza.com $ L D

Brio Tuscan Grille • Buzzing from the shaded outdoor patio to the courtyard bar. Upscale enough for the date-night crowd, but casual enough for locals wandering in from their shopping.

• Southlake Town Square brioitalian.com $-$$ L D R i Fratelli Pizza • Distinctive thin-n-crispy pizza, handmade sauces, dressings, dessert—favs for 30 years. Delivery committed to exceeding expectations with their exemplary service and fast delivery. • Southlake, Keller, NFW ifratelli.net $-$$ L D j Jonny’s Pizza • At Jonny's Pizza, they only use the freshest ingredients in their New York-style hand-tossed pizzas. All of their tasty Italian cuisine and other dishes are made in-house as well. • Fort Worth jonnyspizzany.com $ L D

Inzo Italian Kitchen • Old-world menu with a new-world accent. Using fresh ingredients and doing things the way Nonna did years ago. One taste is all it takes to be amazed. Buon appetito! • Roanoke inzoitalian.com $-$$ L D R

Loveria Caffe • Emilia-Romagna is Italy’s premier destination for food lovers—premium pastas, cured meats, cheeses, wines, meatballs, lasagna, eggplant parm perfected centuries before landing right here. • Colleyville loveriacaffe.com $$ L D

Napoli’s Italian Café & Creamery • Italian-America classics in cozy historic Grapevine Main Street setting. Linger in or drop by the creamery for freshly made gelato and Italian desserts. • Grapevine napolisgrapevine.com $-$ L D

Oliva Italian Eatery • Italian staples rendered with verve— spaghetti and meatballs, lobster ravioli, anticipated featured items. Expertly curated wines at a remarkable value. Popular wine dinners. • North Fort Worth olivaeatery.com $$ L D

Palio’s Pizza Cafe • Food tastes better, and they swear it’s better for you with fresh ingredients made-from-scratch. Pizzas with pesto, artichoke hearts, chicken and mushrooms. • Keller, Colleyville, Grapevine paliospizzacafe.com $ L D R

Stellini Trattoria • Shareable arancini (crisp risotto balls) or taglieri (meat & cheese board). Housemade pastas and pizzas. Steaks and chops with polenta, gnocchi and potatoes. Creative cocktails. • Grapevine stellinitrattoria.com $$ L D

Vinny’s Italian Restaurant • Good food, great people. Like being invited to your Italian uncle’s house for dinner— serving authentic New York style pizza and Italian classics. • Roanoke vinnysrest.com $ L D

Wise Guys Pizzeria • Exceeding expectations and providing Fresh food, family hospitality, hard work, and a hands on approach to pizzas, pastas, premium drafts—all made from scratch. • Roanoke & Grapevine wiseguystx.com $$ L D

Zeppole • Refined pasta dishes, seafood and soulful renditions of Italian specialties showcased in an open setting that feels like your favorite outdoor patio. • Located inside the Gaylord Texan Resort Atrium gaylordtexan.com $$$ D

LATIN AMERICAN .............................................

Calabrese Ristorante and Bar

• Authentic Italian fare with ingredients imported from Italy—modern and traditional Italian dishes to please every palate. Wine list as seductive as the atmosphere. • Southlake ilcalabrese.com $$ L D

Coal Vines • Pizza wine bar separating good pizza from great—a perfect crunch and just a speckling of char. This pie was made for good vino. Fortunately, they have plenty of that on hand as well!

• Southlake coalvinespizza.com $ D R

Delucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine • Slice-after-slice of gourmet pizza—garlic picanha, shrimp and fontina, Turkish lamb— along with cheese or pepperoni—brought to your table oven hot. All you can eat perfection! delucca.com $$ D

Boca 31 • Drawing from Mexico, Peru, Caribbean, Americas— elevating street food with creative flare—barbacoa tacos to pulled pork to guava and cream cheese empanadas, the menu is anything but standadr. • Keller boca31.com/keller $ L D

Del Campo Empanadas • Empanadas with savories like chicken, ham, spinach, picanha steak. Dipped in chimichurri it’s a no-fuss meal or grab-and-go snack. Pick up sweet treats here also. • Fort Worth delcampoempanadas.com $ L D

Gloria’s

• Fine Latin cuisine that hints at humble mom and pop roots. Sleek design draws crowds as much for their pupusas and margaritas as for the weekend salsa dancing. • Colleyville and Southlake gloriasrestaurants.com $-$$ L D R

MEXICAN ...........................................................

• Elegant but unassuming with solid food and wine to back up the atmosphere. Italian classics headlined by popular pizzas, are Farina family recipes.

Farina’s Winery & Café

• Grapevine farinaswinery.com $-$$ L D

Baja Cantina • Coastal Mexican with seafood and amazing steaks. Fajitas are a fav, also fish tacos, spinach queso, frozen margaritas that make you swear you’re on vacation! • Watauga, NRH, Roanoke, Keller bajagrilldfw.com $-$$ L D R

Cristina’s Fine Mexican • Lively setting, unique menu with Tex-Mex favorites, as well as unique central Mexican dishes. Must-have margaritas. • NRH, Trophy Club, Southlake, Flower Mound and Lewisville cristinasmex.com $ L D R

Elote Mexican Kitchen • Little taqueria with style. Slow roasted meats, fresh ingredients, marvelous margaritas. Entire menu is gluten free (except flour tortillas). Plus soy cheese and tofu sour cream. • North Fort Worth elotemex.com $ B L D

Enchiladas Olé • Specializing in enchiladas filled with chicken, cheese, veggies or beef, then topped with Perez’s famed sauces from a classic ancho chili to a rich queso. Tamales and happy hours. • NRH enchiladasole.com $-$$ L D

Esparza’s Restaurante Mexicano • Possibly the coolest patio scene in the area. Feast on Mexican classics, but don’t miss out on their famous margaritas, fajitas or their authentic Mexican favorites. • Grapevine esparzastexas.com $ L D R

Fresco’s • Vibrant joint serving traditional Mexican dishes and Tex-Mex using quality ingredients. Unmistakable flavor and freshness, and awesome margaritas. Fair prices. • Watauga frescosmexicanfood.com $ L D

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen • From warm Gulf waters, the icy Alaskan coast, the mighty Atlantic and Pacific, they go to any depth to bring you the finest seafood available—all year long. • Grapevine pappadeaux.com $$-$$$ L D

Rockfish • Local favorites like the shrimp basket, fish tacos, wild copper river alaskan salmon, rock-a-rita margarita, schooners, and Mexican shrimp martinis. Great seafood—not a lot of clams. • Southlake rockfish.com $-$$ L D

Shuck Me • Seafood spot with bountiful fried baskets, peeland-eat shrimp, crawfish, oysters, po-boys, gumbo. Big portions. Plenty to choose from—perfect seafood fix without breaking the bank. • Southlake and Alliance shuckme.net $-$$ L D

The Blu Crab Seafood House and Bar • Inspired by travel and culture—offers vast menu of culinary delights using the freshest ingredients. Come in to and celebrate your senses! • Colleyville blucrabseafoodhouse.com $$-$$$ L D

Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House • Iconic for stone crab claws—beloved for freshness! Chic dining room hosts sophisticated dinners with inventive foodie twists served in the mix. • Southlake Town Square trulucks.com $$-$$$ L D

STEAKS

Los Molcajetes

• Start with warm tortilla chips and red or green salsa. Enjoy a margarita and a sizzling plate of fajitas, top it off with sopapillas, flan or fried ice cream—the ultimate Mexican comfort food! • Roanoke losmolcajetes.com $ L D

Manny’s Uptown Tex-Mex • Dragon-ritas, brisket tacos, signature queso, fajitas and enchiladas—perfect with a Manny’s Taxi. Weekend breakfast is a fav, happy hours and catering.• Southlake mannysuptowntexmex.com $$ B L D

Martha’s Mexican Cocina • Reliable Tex-Mex in a relaxed, setting with a great patio. Try brisket tacos and pollo poblano. Vegetarian options with daily specials and happy hour. • Keller marthasmexicancocina.com $ L D R

Mesa • Elevated coastal cuisine in a bright, elegant restaurant to match its vibrant, upscale menu. A magic touch with seafood, including lobster enchiladas, Mexican gumbo and chipotle shrimp. • Grapevine mesagrapevine.com $$-$$ D R

Mesero • Beyond Tex Mex, but lives up to its promise of Mexican Spirit American Life. One taste of the iconic Queso Mesero and brisket tacos will keep you coming back... don’t skip their amazing drinks! • Southlake mesero.net $$-$$ L D

Mi Cocina • The original see-and-be-seen spot is still a crowd favorite. A sleek but festive interior draws locals for “modern” enchiladas and first-rate Tex-Mex. • Southlake and Alliance mcrowd.com $-$$ L D R

Mi Dia From Scratch • Traditional Mexico City recipes with modern Santa Fe and Tex Mex flavors. Experience a true fusion of the past and present. • Grapevine, Plano, Flower Mound midiafromscratch.com $-$$ L D

So-Cal Tacos • Former food truck is now a great taco joint with the same delicious food and laid back vibe. The truck, Woody, paved the way for fresh tacos, delicious margarita, and ice cold beer. • Grapevine eatsocaltacos.com $ L D

SEAFOOD .........................................................

Big Fish Seafood • Fresh seafood, including lots of Cajun options, plus great drink specials and frequent live music in a rustic and relaxed setting. Known for treating all guests like family. • Grapevine bigfishgrapevine.com $-$$ L D

Bonefish Grill • A menu full of fresh flavors of the season and innovative dishes—specializing in seasonal fresh fish. Taste today’s freshest catch and try something new on each visit. • Southlake bonefishgrill.com $$-$$$ L (sat-sun) D (daily)

The Crab Station • Promises the best seafood in a family oriented experience. Have fun cracking and peeling with your hands—getting messy while you’re at it! Entrees, wings, kettles, shareables, peel-n-eat • NFW crab-station.com $-$$ L D

Fish City Grill • Menu of crawfish, Gulf and east coast oysters, and other fresh seafood selections. Favs like fish tacos, Gulf shrimp, renowned oyster nachos. Chalkboard specials are a great deal. • Southlake fishcitygrill.com $-$$ L D R

Bob’s Steak and Chop House • Bob’s is ranked as one of the top steakhouses in the country—and for good reason. The steaks are prime, the portions are big and the drinks are stiff. • Grapevine bobs-steakandchop.com $$$ L D

The Classic at Roanoke • Unlikely fine dining destination. Nicely focused menu serving grilled steaks and seafood. Worldclass food, casual atmosphere, family friendly environment. A true classic. • Roanoke theclassiccafe.com $-$$ L D R

Del Frisco’s Grille • Spend the day shopping the square before meeting for dinner and drinks. Luxurious dining room or patio. Local flavor—diverse menu has something for everyone. • Southlake delfriscosgrille.com $$-$$$ (Brunch) L D

Dino’s Steak & Claw House • Serving a variety of seafood, steak and poultry dishes in a vintage bank building along historic Main Street. This romantic spot also offers live piano music. • Grapevine dinossteakandclaw.net $$-$$$ D

Keller Chophouse • Signature dishes like fried calamari with tomato risotto, sides of truffle Parmesan fries, a roster of seafood, chicken and steaks (New York strip, bone-in ribeye, and filet mignon). • Keller kellerchophouse.com $$-$$$ D

Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse • Prime aged beef, the freshest seafood and uncomplicated sides. No wonder it’s a favorite for impressing out-of-towners—their kitchen rarely (if ever) gets it wrong. • Southlake kirbyssteakhouse.com $$-$$$ L D

Mac’s on Main • Southwestern, cajun and global influences. Steaks, signature prime rib and seafood. Cocktails, beer, 30+ single malt scotches, wine list. Locally owned and operated, oneof-a-kind. • Grapevine macsteak.com $$ (Brunch) L D

Old Hickory Steakhouse • Savor premium Black Angus Beef seared to perfection, sample artisanal cheeses from around the world, indulge in the Texas inspired wine cellar. Inside Gaylord Texan gaylordtexan.com $$-$$$ D

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille • Vibrant twist on traditional steakhouse fare with unexpected specialties. Bar 79 offers handcrafted bites, fine wine, cocktails, beer, live music and patio seating. • Grapevine perryssteakhouse.com $$-$$$ D j Sweetie Pies Ribeyes • Sweetie Pies steaks are cooked “Old Style” meaning the steak is fresh-cut, seasoned and seared at 550 degrees—locking in natural juices! Big menu goes well beyond steaks or burgers. • NRH sweetiepiesribeyes.com $-$$ L D

Winewood • American fare with modern flair: Waldorf salads, Dagwood club, Niman Ranch pork chops and chicken Cordon Bleu. Ideal for family meals, business lunches or celebrations. • Grapevine thewinewood.com $$ L D tip: It’s berry picking season now in Texas so check out the list of farms on page 46 to find some strawberry fields to pick your own!

Submit your favorite dining spots for consideration for a Where Locals Go Review and to be listed here in our Top Tables section. Please submit the restaurant name and location to us so we can check it out at: societylifemag@verizon.net. Bon appetit!

This is the perfect garden party appetizer — ideal for any spring or summer party really! This is basically my dream summer snack. It’s a little sweet, a little savory, and packs a whole lot of flavor into an adorable package. It comes together very quickly too, making it an excellent (and impressive) dinner party starter for a busy hostess. This is one of those recipes that tasted even better than I thought it would. I made this beautiful plate of crostini for dinner with my parents a few days ago and I’m embarrassed to tell you that the three of us managed to polish off the entire plate and there were lots of “mmms!” around the room. If you can’t find mascarpone, you can of course get cream cheese. Goat or ricotta would be fun version as well, but I am a sucker for mascarpone! It’s creamier and quite a bit more spreadable than cream cheese, making it ideal to slather on crostini. ....................................................................................

I don’t have amounts in this recipe because I never measure when making something like this. I will tell you that for one small baguette, I used about 1/3 of my mascarpone container and half a box of strawberries so one standard box of strawberries will go a long way! One box of strawberries and one container of mascarpone should make at least two dozen crostini. Now, I keep a bottle of incredible balsamic reduction in my pantry, but if you don’t have some on hand, it’s easy to make! Just pour balsamic vinegar in a small sauce pan and cook until reduced by half. It’ll be nice and syrupy.

INGREDIENTS

Baguette

Mascarpone, room temperature

Strawberries

Fresh basil, julienned or torn

Balsamic reduction (store bought or homemade)

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(1) Cut baguette into thick slices, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and toast in the oven for a few minutes until nice and toasty. Anywhere from 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit works just fine.

(2) While baguette is toasting, rinse strawberries and pat dry with a paper towel. Hull and chop. Toss with basil.

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(3) When the baguette slices are ready, slather each crostini with a ton of mascarpone, top with strawberries and basil, and drizzle with balsamic reduction. Serve immediately.