Today Dishing: Dallas, More Places to Eat

In the biting, unrelenting cold that was this past winter, I vowed to never again complain about summer heat, and then I visited Texas in July. Are you kidding me? The humid heat that is summertime in Florida, is just plain heat in summertime Texas.

The following is a list of more places to eat and things to do in Dallas to add to the list offered in March.

The Belmont Hotel-901 Fort Worth Avenue
While ascending the steep driveway up to the Belmont Hotel, if you didn't know you were in Texas, you'd swear you had gone back in time to the 1940's Hollywood Hills. This boutique, throw back hotel owns one of the best views of downtown Dallas, while being steeped in history it's also a tad bit creepy at the same time.

Photo courtesy of Google Images.

"Pathways connect various peaceful gardens to the patio... where John F. Kennedy spent the night with Marilyn Monroe" was written in the Dallas Observer as the Belmont's greatest claim to fame.

SMOKE, the restaurant next to the Belmont brings us back to 2014 offering up-scale barbecue and creative mixology. In general, they take their drinks very seriously in Dallas and this establishment is just one example of that fact.

BOLSA MERCADO, 614 W. Davis a foodie spot with a lively patio and American cuisine. And did I mention, they take mixology seriously here.

Hey, Y'all, drinks for the guys and the gals at Bolsa.

                                          
SODA BAR, 1325 LaMar, located in the NYLO Hotel is a roof-top bar which features an outdoor pool and provides panoramic  views of the Dallas skyline. Night or day, the view from Soda Bar does not disappoint. (Photos courtesy of Google Images)

                                                                             

 

SAVOR, 2000 Woodall Rogers Freeway in Klyde Warren Park. Amid a menagerie of food trucks and flying frizbees stands Savor. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow patrons to dine in elegance while enjoying the activities in the park. This swanky spot offers classic cocktails in sleek surroundings. In Dallas, the ladies who lunch, seem to lunch at Savor.

The outdoor seating area at Savor allows a view through the entire restaurant.

                                       
CBD PROVISIONS  located in the Joule Hotel at 1530 Main Street. This after work meeting spot proved too bustling for our laid back vacation mode but it is a happening place with good appetizers.

WOOLWORTH'S, 1520 Elm Street. If you don't believe how serious they are about their cocktails in Dallas visit Woolworth's. The Old Fashion-ed Vanilla contains rye whiskey, brown sugar, madagascar bourbon, vanilla extract, bitters and is garnished with a cinnamon stick. Can you say, yummy?
But the cocktail to top all cocktails, in my opinion is Smoke and Spice. This concoction contains tequila with jalapeno and cumin, infused simple syrup, fresh squeezed lime juice and is garnished with a cayenne sugar rim. Smoke billows from the drink. How? I don't know but a drink with a kick plus entertainment.... how do you top that?

The Smoke and Spice cocktail at Woolworth's

                                         
HATTIE'S, 418 N. Bishop Avenue in the Bishop Arts District was closed during my last visit. This restaurant delivers impeccable service in an up-scale modern setting. The low-country cooking, comfort food and hospitality boosts this place to my second favorite spot.

The subtle, delicate appointments add to the sophisticated feel at Hattie's

        

                                                           

                                                                         Linen tablecloths highlight the distinctive plating  at Hattie's

                                                                                       
BOULEVARDIER, 408 N. Bishop Avenue This place bears repeating. For the food, the service, the ambiance, this is my favorite restaurant in Bishop Arts and perhaps in Dallas. It is a French Bistro and it acts like one. What they do, they do very well. This is a spot not to be missed.

Enjoy a shrimp cocktail at the bar at Boulevardier.

       

Cold water oysters are not to be missed.

                                                                        

Crawfish beignets are a house specialty.

KATY TRAIL a 3.5 mile jogging, waking, inline skating and bicycle path runs through the Uptown and Oak Law n areas of Dallas and it follows the path of the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad which was known as the MKT or the Katy. The path includes several rest stops along the route including the Ice House. Amid the hustle and bustle of the city this serene path is a welcomed 

get-away. If you try it, I guarantee you will like it.


This Texas trip also included a stop in Austin. Things to do and places to eat in Austin to follow.

Today Dishing: Fig and Walnut Julep

Faced with a true summer weekend, a refreshing drink is a must. Although our experience at Fig and Olive disappointed, their Fig and Olive Walnut Julep is a hit.

FIG AND WALNUT JULEP
                                          
INGREDIENTS
2 ounces Four Roses Bourbon ( we used Maker's Mark)
.75 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liquor (at $40 a bottle for St. Germain, we opted for Thatcher's
      at $19 a bottle)
.5 ounce lime juice
.25 ounce Taylor Tawney Port
.25 ounce Simple Syrup
2 Black Mission Figs, muddled
3 Mint Leaves
2 Slices of fig, 1/4 inch thick
Grated Walnut
1 Mint Sprig
Ice

DIRECTIONS
Using a 2 piece shaker, combine Black Mission Figs, Port, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice and muddle into a paste. Add 3 fresh mint leaves, bourbon and Elderflower liquor. Add ice and shake vigorously for about 8-10 seconds to allow the ingredients to infuse. Strain the contents over ice in a rocks glass. Quarter and skewer a fig and lay it over the drink. Grate some walnut over the drink and add a mint sprig.

Partner this aperitif with a cheese board to ensure a low-key, relaxing summer afternoon.

This board contains Manchego cheese, Triple Cream French cheese, kalamata and dried black olives, fig jam, flat bread crackers, Packham pears, Marcona almonds, strawberries, crostini and prosciutto. Create your own board using your favorites.
                                                                                   


 
Now grab a chaise, raise your feet, then raise your glass and enjoy.