Fort Worth Magazine - July 2008

900 Los Altos Trail

Own the 2008 Fort Worth, Texas magazine Dream Home. This gorgeous 6,100square-foot Mediterranean-style home, built by Jefferies Custom Homes, sits atop a 1.1 acre tree-covered lot nestled on a hilltop adjacent to a 3-acre heavily wooded green space in the prestigious Palomar Estates development in Southlake, Texas. The spacious floor plan offers an impressive foyer with a grand staircase. The gourmet Wood-Mode kitchen, designed by The Kitchen Source, features two islands, a butlers pantry, double ovens and a wine cellar. The opulent master suite is complete with a cozy fireplace and a luxurious master bath. Entertain year round in the well-appointed outdoor pavilion equipped with a fireplace and an award-winning pool.

Agent • Randy White

C A B I N S FROM THE MID $600’S.

48

Outdoor Living: Al fresco in Fort Worth

24

Minding Their Business

With a combined longevity of more than nine centuries, these 10 extraordinary Fort Worth-based companies have each been family-owned and -operated for at least 82 years, surviving through two to five generations. Certainly, they have defied the odds. by Gail Bennison

40

Inside Design: Rory and Amy Sabbatini

With a stylish sensibility and eclectic glam that’s anything but par for the course, the Sabbatini residence is the antithesis of pretense and the very definition of divine design. by Alison Rich

48

Outdoor Living: Al fresco in Fort Worth

Behind the fences of the homes you pass every day are some of the city’s best-kept secrets: The private retreats and personal hideaways of fellow Fort Worthians. by Cortney Strube

A group of 115 heavy-hitters in Tarrant County empower real estate professionals through Greater Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). by Celestina Phillips

8

FW Feedback

No one’s opinion is more important to us than that of our readers ... we want to know what you think.

14

Worth Cooking

This simple pineapple dessert fits right in with Fort Worth’s outdoor dining. Dulce de leche is an intensely sweet caramel sauce made with cream and sugar. For an added flair and a nice counterpart to the rich sauce, sprinkle on finely minced fresh jalapeno peppers. by Judie Byrd

16

Worth the Drive

Take a Spin around the Eiffel Tower at the 24th Annual Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally. by Alison Rutledge

18

Worth Reading

Joanie Sanchez reveals the most beloved hiking trails in Tarrant County; Kincaid’s goes national in George Motz’s state-bystate hamburger guide. by Glenn Dromgoole

20

Worth Repeating

Get the latest and greatest scoop on the happenings of Fort Worth in this month’s Worth Repeating.

59

Worth Framing

Peruse our party pics and see who’s out and about this season.

110

Worthy Cause

Girl Scouts is about more than just cookie sales; it provides opportunities for girls to develop integrity and confidence in a fun and safe environment. by Alison Rutledge

115

Worth Doing

Thinking about dancing a two-step at Billy Bob’s, strolling through an exhibit at the Modern Art Museum or even visiting one of Bass Performance Hall’s award-winning musicals? View our Worth Doing section for a complete guide of Fort Worth’s events.

121

Worth Tasting

With dishes ranging from fried green tomatoes to smothered pork chops, the cuisine at Vidalia’s is unequivocally Southern.

122 Dining Guide

132 Spotlight

When witnesses began reporting sightings of strange lights in the skies over Stephenville, Ken Cherry, a fifthgeneration Texan, Fort Worth native and graduate of Paschal High School, knew it was time to go to work.

[ Columns ]

86

According to Heywood

The attempt to achieve the illusion of youth is generally achieved in one of two ways these days: By changing appearance or by changing behaviors. See why our columnist would rather embrace being on the back nine of life—or putting on 17 as he would put it.

108

Anchors’ Outtakes

In a time when parents berate officials and challenge umpires, Channel 11’s Babe Laufenberg encourages parents to remind themselves of the true essence of youth sports and sportsmanship.

112

Parental Guidance Suggested

With cracker crumbs and grapes in the bed, spilt Worcestershire sauce, broken glass and a hypothetical bunny rabbit, see how our mother of four suppresses the beast in her. by

Shauna Glenn

wow!! it looks fabulous!

Ihad dinner in Fort Worth this evening with my wife and, afterward, stopped by the Barnes & Noble on University. My wife began browsing the “New Fiction” section at the front, but then she spotted something over in the magazine rack that really caught her attention. That is when she started motioning for me. I was surprised to see Fort Worth, Texas magazine’s June issue already in print and on newsstands.

WOW!! It looks fabulous!

I was so excited I think I snapped three or four photos and texted everyone in my Blackberry. I, of course, also immediately called my mom and dad. I ended up buying five copies right there on the spot.

Anyway, I wanted to be sure to let you know how much I personally appreciate you thinking of Best Maid for the cover. Without trying to sound biased, I think it really does stand out!

Thanks Again, Brian Dalton President, Best Maid Products, Inc.

Brian,

I am so pleased to hear that you are proud of the June issue, and I hope your mother and father feel the same. What better way to showcase the best Fort Worth has to offer than with one of its most cherished businesses grown right here in the heart of Cowtown. Thank you for supplying us with the logo and allowing us to make this year’s “Best Of” issue truly a memorable one.

Thank you, Amy Hallford

Managing Editor, Fort Worth, Texas magazine

talk to us!

We welcome all suggestions, comments and questions about Fort Worth, Texas magazine and the articles we publish for the Fort Worth community. Send comments by visiting us online at www.fwtx.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

correction:

The incorrect organization was listed under the Diamonds and Denim event in the June 2008 issue’s Worth Framing section. It was the American Diabetes Association, not the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, that held its annual Diamonds and Denim event at The Fort Worth Club.

publisher / editor hal a. brown

associate publisher diane stow

[editorial]

managing editor amy hallford

assistant editor cortney strube

senior art director craig sylva

art directors spray gleaves, roy milton

food editor judie byrd

columnists glen dromgoole, shauna glenn, heywood

staff writer gail bennison

writers celestina phillips, alison rich

editorial interns sonya cisneros, jaimie grotjan, allison johnson, alison rutledge

staff photographer jason kindig

photographers andy moore, sandy tomlinson

director of promotions gail cannon

communications consultant betty harvey

[advertising] main line 817.560.6100 advertising director diane stow x131 senior account executive gina burns-wigginton x150 account executive marion c. knight x135 account executive miguel howard x126 account executive candis low x155

[circulation]

assistant evelyn shook

founding publisher mark hulme

To subscribe to fort worth , texas magazine, or to ask questions regarding your subscription, call 800.856.2032.

fort worth , texas : the city’s magazine is published monthly by Fort Worth , texas M agazine Venture , LP, 689 Airport Freeway, Hurst, Texas 76053.

Basic subscription price: $23.95 per year. Single copy price: $3.95. Application to mail at periodical postage rates is pending at Fort Worth, Texas. P o ST m AST er : Send address changes to fort worth , texas , 689 Airport Freeway, Hurst, Texas 76053.

©2008 Fort Worth, Texas Magazine Venture, LP. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

cover finishing by The Fontana Group, Inc.

how to contact us

For questions or comments concerning editorial content, contact Hal Brown, publisher & editor, at 817.560.6115 or via e-mail (hbrown@fwtexas.com).

nothing more than a popularity contest

Iam sure that I am not alone in taking offense to what is nothing more than a popularity contest not unlike voting for high school cheerleaders.

This issue, like the ones published by D and Texas Monthly, perpetuate a popular misconception that the practitioners listed, be they physicians or dentists, possess superior clinical skills over their “lesser” colleagues. This list is contaminated by lopsided cronyism that typically spotlights those practitioners who have the biggest marketing budget and loyal network of fellow doctors. If you want “top” docs, ask their patients! I know, too, that magazines don’t have the integrity to print a bold disclaimer that inclusion in the issue does not necessarily constitute an endorsement and that it is nothing more than one, big, glossy advertisement. It’s sad, really. I have known a number of great clinicians whose names will never grace your pages, because they work “in the trenches” and their caring and skill goes unnoticed by the media. But, they have touched many lives in so many positive ways that no magazine or TV ad can match. So, I won’t vote for anyone nor do I expect anyone to vote for me. I know who my top docs are and so do their patients.

Sincerely, Mark Studer, DDS.

Dr. Studer,

Your e-mail regarding our Top Dentist list was forwarded to me by my associate publisher, Diane Stow. I do appreciate your feedback.

Let me begin by saying that we do not believe doctors who work in the trenches are “lesser colleagues.” In fact, we have been encouraging doctors and readers alike to submit the names of the doctors whose generosity and care goes unnoticed.

One of the primary purposes of Fort Worth, Texas magazine is to highlight the individuals in Tarrant and surrounding counties who are going above and beyond to better the community and its inhabitants. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate it if you could submit the names of the doctors who are performing the aforementioned.

I would also like to address a particular sentence in your e-mail: “I know, too, that magazines don’t have the integrity to print a bold disclaimer that inclusion in the issue does not necessarily constitute an endorsement and that it is nothing more than one, big, glossy advertisement.”

In the introduction to our April 2008 Top Doc List (pg.102), you will find a prominent sentence that states: “By including a doctor on the list, Fort Worth, Texas magazine in no way recommends or endorses his or her services.”

In response to the “one, big, glossy advertisement” comment, we provide a bold statement at the top of the Profile section, which is different from the Top Doc List, that reads “SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION.” That can be found on pg. 111.

We pride ourselves in performing unbiased and honest publishing with the utmost journalistic integrity.

I do hope that you will help us recognize the doctors who fly under the radar as a result of utter selflessness.

I do appreciate your feedback and welcome you to contact me directly via e-mail or phone if you have further concerns or comments.

Thank you again,

Amy Hallford Managing Editor, Fort Worth, Texas magazine

We find rewards where others forget to look.

A t X t O E n E rgy , we believe hidden opportunity is abundant — but you’ll never find it if you’re not looking. Our investment is built around talented people who are constantly searching for ways to add more value to our properties and our company.As a result, our stock price has increased 60 fold and we have grown to become one of the largest owners and producers of energy resources in America. We are proud of our successes and our team. As we forge ahead, we’ll continue our commitment to do what we do best:

al fresco in fw

It’s mid-afternoon

on a Wednesday in May and I receive this text message, “Hey dude, you’re coming to my annual Colonial party on Friday, right? It wouldn’t be the same without you.” Though I had already been invited to the party and was planning on attending, I appreciated the personal follow-up from the host—especially his reference to my presence making the party. It was nice to hear that he thought so much of my attendance. Knowing the sender of this text like I do, however, I’m confident that he sent the same message to 200 of his other closest friends. Nonetheless, it was a very nice touch and was certainly appreciated. It’s the little things like this that can really make a party successful. The rave reviews of last year’s soiree certainly did not diminish my desire to attend this year.

This annual indoor/outdoor summer celebration of the famed Colonial Golf Tournament, with upwards of 400 in attendance, definitely lived up to its reputation. From the overly staffed servers and attendants sporting Colonial caddy jumpsuits embroidered with players’ names, to the 1,500 Whataburger taquitos served on silver platters at midnight, this party was definitely the social event of the summer. So what does this social gathering have to do with our July issue? The hosts were John and Nicole Zimmerman, whose backyard is featured in the “Al Fresco in Fort Worth” feature story beginning on page 50.

The Zimmermans, who moved into their new house in April, no doubt had this party in mind when they designed their backyard. I agree with the writer of this story who, in reference to the Zimmermans’ backyard, writes, “This multidimensional masterpiece in the rolling hills of Fort Worth’s premier Montserrat neighborhood gives new meaning to outdoor living.” All of the backyards featured in this issue are an inspiration to anyone who enjoys outdoor entertaining.

In addition to the outdoor living spaces featured in “Al Fresco in Fort Worth,” writer Alison Rich takes us on an Inside Design tour (page 40) through Rory and Amy Sabbatini’s stylish and sensible residence, and gives us a peek into their resort-style backyard, which is featured on the cover. Between features of the Zimmerman’s and the Sabbatini’s indoor and outdoor masterpieces, the July issue is sure to satisfy your appetite for design.

Also featured with the July issue is the new Fort Worth, Texas magazine 2008-2009 Social Datebook. This must-have Fort Worth calendar, which is updated twice a year (January and July) and is created to help you navigate the crowded Fort Worth social scene, is now available. If you would like a copy, please call our office and subscribe to the magazine, and we’ll gladly mail one to you free of charge.

Speaking of the Fort Worth social scene, I would like to thank all of those who helped make our inaugural “Best Of Fort Worth” party, benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth, a huge success. Having already referenced the aforementioned Colonial party as the best outdoor party of the summer, by the power vested in me as publisher of Fort Worth, Texas magazine, I herby deem our “Best Of Fort Worth” party as the Best Indoor Party of the Year. Please refer to your Social Datebook for the date of next year’s party and start working on your babysitters now. You won’t want to miss it!

Hal A. Brown publisher/editor

Outdoor Dining

This

Grilled Pinea PP le with d ulce de l eche

Yield: 4 servings in G redients:

1 fresh, juicy golden pineapple

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 to 1 1/2 cups jarred dulce de leche*

1 large fresh jalapeno, cored and finely minced (optional)

directions:

Use a sharp knife to cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Cut off the skin all the way around and then vertically cut the pineapple into quarters. Cut away the tough center core. Brush all sides with canola oil.

Preheat grill and cook pineapple quarters until nice grill marks show on all sides and pineapple is warmed throughout. Remove from grill, place on a cutting board and cut each quarter into 1/4-inch slices.

by Judie Byrd

Place the dulce de leche in a microwave-proof bowl and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes, stirring twice, or until sauce is warm.

Arrange the sliced pineapple on dessert plates and drizzle with warm caramel sauce. Top with minced jalapenos.

* Found locally at Fiesta Mexican supermarkets.

Take a Spin in Paris

The 24th Annual Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally offers a cycling adventure.

ince texas native lance armstrong first won the tour de france in 1999, cycling has become the sport of choice for many north texans. If you’re a cycling enthusiast and you can’t make it to the premiere event in Paris, France, why not ride in the Tour de Paris in Paris, Texas?

On July 18-19, the “Second Largest Paris” will host the 24th Annual Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally. Last year, over 700 riders converged on this small Texas town to test their stamina on the trail that runs through the Lamar County countryside. Paris was founded in 1839 in the Red River Valley of Northeast Texas and was recently rated “The Best Small Town in Texas.”

To get there, take I-30 East through Dallas. Take Exit 101 for TX-24/TX-50 toward Commerce/Paris. Merge onto TX-24 North and follow for about 50 miles. Then turn right on Evergreen Street/FM-1507 and follow the road to Paris High School, where registration will be held.

The trip takes about 2 1/2 hours so you may want to plan ahead and arrive on Friday evening. Several hotels in the area offer special rates for the Tour, so you’ll be rested and ready to start the rally at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Friday evening will also feature live entertainment for the whole family. If you’d like to grab a bite to eat, try Capizzi’s Italian Kitchen (903.785.7590), where you can stock up on carbohydrates for the big rally with a steaming bowl of your favorite pasta.

Don’t be discouraged if you’re not an experienced cyclist—the Tour de Paris is a rally and not a race, so riders of all ages and abilities are welcome. The Tour offers four route lengths: 15K, 40K, 70K and 100K. The rally also welcomes families and tandems, so even young children can participate in the event.

Concerned about braving the summer heat? The route will feature 12 rest stops. At the finish line, you’ll be treated to free hamburgers and smoothies made fresh by the local Lions Club. If you’d rather watch, the parking lots of Paris High School and the Love Civic Center are prime locations for spectators. Both visitors and residents are encouraged to arrive early with blankets and lawn chairs to cheer on the rally participants. This year, the Tour hopes to have a section of their route run through downtown. As a Texas Main Street city, downtown Paris boasts a variety of local shops, cafés and galleries. Culbertson Fountain on the downtown Plaza is a great place to relax after a full day of cycling. Originally installed after the fire of 1916, the fountain was refurbished to commemorate the city’s Bicentennial.

A visit to Paris is not complete without a stop at the Love Civic Center to view the world’s second largest

by Alison Rutledge

Eiffel Tower. It stands 65 feet tall and is topped with a cowboy hat to showcase the community’s Texas pride. For the historically inclined, the home of Confederate general Sam Bell Maxey (903.785.5716) is open to the public with tours available on the weekends.

With attractions to interest a variety of personalities, Paris is a small town with a lot of heart. Whether you’re a beginner looking for an outdoor activity or a seasoned rider seeking a challenge, the Tour de Paris brings a taste of the world-class cycling within a short drive of the Metroplex. fw

24TH ANNUAL TOUR DE PARIS BIKE RALLY REGISTRATION:

Early Bird Registration: $20 until June 20

Regular Registration at Paris High School: $25 on July 18; $30 on July 19

Children ages 12 & Under: Half price

*Early Bird registrants will also be entered to win a bicycle from Plano Cycling & Fitness

TOP-DOWN LUXURY / The eyes of Texas are definitely upon you when navigating the sharp turns of city streets or the curves of an open road in a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster..

Hikes and Hamburgers

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: by

Joanie Sanchez

If you love getting out and hiking, Menasha Ridge Press has produced a book just for you. Written by Joanie Sanchez, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Dallas-Fort Worth ($16.95 trade paperback) reveals where to find the best hiking trails in the Metroplex.

The 60 hikes include at-a-glance information, such as length, time, surface and difficulty, as well as directions, GPS coordinates, a map, a photograph and a descriptive narrative.

The author also summarizes her recommendations in such categories as Best for Certain Distances, Best for Children, Best for Solitude, Busiest Trails, Easiest Hikes, Hikes for Runners, Best for Dogs, Most Scenic Hikes, Steepest Hikes, Wheelchair Accessible Trails, Wildlife Hikes and Birding Hikes.

Two trails in the Fort Worth Nature Center get special mention: Canyon Ridge Trail as one of the Most Difficult Hiking Trails in the area, and Prairie Trail as an Easy Hike, especially suited for children. Hikers often get a glimpse of prairie dogs, buffalo and deer along these trails.

The 5.88-mile trail in the Mid-Cities area connecting Little Bear Creek Park, McCormick Park and Bob Eden Park includes “dozens of markers labeling the various plants, trees and shrubs along its route,” the author notes.

Other trails mentioned in the Fort Worth area are the Benbrook Dam Trail, the Colleyville Nature Trail, Horseshoe Trail in Oak Grove Park, Knob Hill Trail, North Shore Trail around Grapevine Lake, River Legacy Trail in Arlington, Rocky Point Trail, Sansom Park Trail, Trinity River Trail (Northside) and Trinity River Trail (Oakmont Park).

Menasha Ridge has published similar hiking guidebooks for other urban areas in Texas and the U.S. For more information, visit the publisher’s Web site at menasharidge.com. fw

Joanie Sanchez reveals the most beloved hiking trails in Tarrant County; Kincaid’s goes national in George Motz’s state-by-state hamburger guide.

by Glenn Dromgoole

Hamburger America by George Motz

The venerable Fort Worth burger haven Kincaid’s Hamburgers gets almost three full pages in Hamburger America: A State-by-State Guide to 100 Great Burger Joints by George Motz (Running Press, $19.95 oversized trade paperback with DVD).

“A visit to Kincaid’s is a must on the burger trail in America,” writes Motz. “The elements of this burger are so well-balanced that, taken as a whole, they create a nearly perfect burger experience and, in turn, a euphoric first bite.”

The author notes that “curiously, the burger’s condiments are placed underneath the burger instead of the standard above-the patty placement.” Although co-owner Lynn Gentry admits that part of the reason for the inverted arrangement is speed, she also says, “We think it makes the burger taste better.”

Gentry’s father-in-law, O. R. Gentry, was a meat cutter and manager at Kincaid’s Grocery on Camp Bowie, and “it was O.R.,” the author writes, “who created one of the greatest burgers in America—a burger whose fame is so widespread that it can claim fans from every corner of the globe.”

Most of the burger places in the book, like Kincaid’s, are familyowned businesses and have been around for years. Seven other Texas burger joints are mentioned, including Burger House in Dallas, which the author calls a “tiny, beloved burger stand,” referring to the original location on Hillcrest. Burger House, like Kincaid’s, has expanded beyond its home base to offer burgers in other parts of the Metroplex. fw

Glenn Dromgoole is an author, editor and columnist who writes about Texas books and authors. His e-mail address is g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.

Worth Repeating

Whether it’s Broadway or the Big Screen, see how Tarrant County citizens are making headlines.

One Tony Producer

Fort Worth native Michael Skipper, a director and producer of Broadway plays, is no stranger to being in the spotlight, and his recent accomplishment should come as no surprise. “In the Heights,” a new musical on Broadway in New York and one of Skipper’s works, was announced as the leading nominee for the upcoming 62nd annual Tony Awards. Directed by Thomas Kail, “In the Heights” was up for an overwhelming 13 nominations in such categories as Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design of a Musical and Best Direction. The musical, which premiered this spring, is about a community in Manhattan and features hip-hop and jazz choreography and music.

Skipper and his wife, Anne Street Skipper, reside in Graham, Texas, and New York. They are also owners of the Wildcatter Ranch & Resort at Graham. Skipper attended Richland High School and Texas Wesleyan University, and worked with Casa Manana before making a career in show business. fw

Posh Pet Resorts

Talk about a new approach to boarding a pet. Plans are in the works to open a top-notch pet resort in Tarrant County. The resort, Pete and Mac, will contain more than 100 suites for dogs and 40 suites for cats ranging in size and price. The 12,000-square-foot pet resort will feature dog suites complete with couches, beds, wall décor and flat-screen televisions and will offer grooming and training for cats and dogs. Pets can be monitored via Web camera by their owners. The resort will also include a veterinary clinic and properly ventilated rooms for both dogs and cats. The Arlinglocation is expected to break ground soon—other possible locations include west Fort Worth and Colleyville. fw

by

Cowtown Hits

Big Screen

Fort Worth is set to star in a movie based on a football tale that took place many years ago right here in Cowtown. The movie is based on Jim Dent’s 2007 book “Twelve Mighty Orphans,” an inspiring story of the orphans from the Masonic Home and their football team that stormed the state and beat the odds. The book is based on the true story of the Mighty Mites, the Masonic Home High School football team that played for the state championship during the Depression. Fort Worth plays a main role in the book, mentioning many historic places in the city.

The movie is currently in preproduction and the directors and producers have yet to cast the actors or choose a production company. Mike Barr, who is in charge of the film, said it will definitely cast a spotlight on Fort Worth and its role in the story of the Mighty Mites. fw

Aledo’s Angel

If you drove through Aledo on Friday, May 9, you probably found yourself submerged in a sea of pink—bright balloons and pink ribbons were on every street corner, students from Aledo ISD lined the streets in pink shirts and a rally was held in honor of a very special pink princess. Deemed “Jessie Hall Day” by Mayor Kit Marshall, this festive day was dedicated to 6-year-old Jessie Hall, a kindergartner at Stuard Elementary in Aledo who suffers from a rare brain disease called Rasmussen’s encephalitis. The disease attacks the brains of young, otherwise healthy, children, causing violent epileptic seizures. On June 11, because there is no known cure for Rasmussen’s encephalitis, Jessie underwent a hemispherectomy—surgical removal of one half of the brain—at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Doctors expect Jessie to eventually lead an active life, although she may not regain function of her left arm. Jessie’s parents, Cris and Kristi Hall, said the community of Aledo has offered tremendous support for their family and their daughter, a spirited young girl who loves to dance, play T-ball and cheer on the Aledo Ladycats softball team. In fact, when the Ladycats recently took home the Class 4A state championship trophy they wore pink armbands and dedicated their hard work to Jessie’s honor.

For the story of Jessie’s journey and an update on her post-surgery recovery, visit our Web site at fwtx.com. FW

Eye on the Market

The Fort Worth Public Market on Henderson Street has served as a historic landmark for more than 70 years and, although the building was recently named on the Historic Fort Worth’s list of endangered properties for 2008, plans to renovate the landmark are in the works. The Spanish colonial revival structure opened in 1930 to provide space for market owners before closing its doors in 1941. The building was bought in 1944 by the late R.C. Bowen, and was sporadically leased to businesses. Current owner of the building and grandson of Bowen, Edmund Frost, said the Public Market will undergo renovations and open again in a few years—most likely as office space. Frost assured the Fort Worth public that the building’s architecture and history will be preserved. The Public Market has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. FW

Dinosaurs in the District

Texas paleontology is making its dinosaur debut in Cowtown this summer. The remains of a 111 million-year-old dinosaur discovered in Parker County in 1988 is now available for public viewing in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s “Dinosaur Roundup.” The exhibit lasts through Sept. 27 and features dinosaur remains found in Texas, including the species Paluxysaurus jonesi, which is expected to be named the Texas State dinosaur. The exhibit will feature the remains of prehistoric dinosaur and will host hands-on activities throughout the summer. For more information on exhibit events and times, visit fortworthmuseum. org. FW

Southlake gets Artsy

With $250,000 set aside to spend on public art, plans are being made to show a more creative side in the new Department of Public Safety facility that is under construction in Southlake. The three-story, 87,000-square-foot building will replace the old East Station building. The Southlake Crime Control Prevention District is allowed to use 1 percent of the $28 million budget to go toward art in the building. The Southlake Arts Council came forward with their best effort to increase public art submissions, so they held a contest to give local and national artists the chance to be displayed in the DPS facility. The contest ended in May, with the submissions ranging from paintings to sculptures. The only rule: The art had to have a public safety theme in regards to the police department, fire services or the EMS. The winners of the contest will be announced in October, while construction of the DPS facility is expected to be complete in November 2009. FW

Minding Their BusinEss

The history of 10 Fort Worth family-owned businesses

BY GAI l Be NNISON

On the following pages, you will read about 10 extraordinary Fort Worth-based family-owned businesses. With a combined longevity of more than nine centuries, all have been family-owned and -operated for at least 82 years, surviving through two to five generations. Certainly, they have defied the odds.

From making biscuits and pies at 3:30 a.m., to cutting boot tops at midnight, to realizing a profit in today’s economy, our family-owned businesses have common threads. Each generation has learned valuable lessons from those who came before them. They work harder and longer hours than non-family employees, and they don’t seem to mind a bit. They possess an entrepreneurial

“Give Them Quality Whether They Want It Or Not”

Jim and Tom Peters started Peters Brothers in 1911. They were Greek immigrants who began their business shining shoes in Waco during the Cotton Palace Celebration. With $600 in savings, Jim and Tom moved to Fort Worth and rented a 17 ft.-by-10 ft. wood building in the downtown area near 9th and Houston streets. They renovated the building, put in a shoeshine parlor, and hired four men to assist.

With the beginning of World War I, the business in downtown Fort Worth was so great that the store had to be expanded to accommodate 36 men to shine shoes on two shifts. In addition to shining shoes, Jim and Tom operated a hat renovation department. “You might say they worked their way to the top,” said Joe Peters, third-generation owner. As a child, Tom Peters dyed hats in Greece. With this experience he began cleaning hats for customers. In 1921, Tom left Fort Worth to work for John B. Stetson in Philadelphia. Tom returned to Fort Worth with his new knowledge and started making hats at the downtown location.

Star-Telegram Publisher, Amon Carter, Sr., was so intrigued with the Peters Brothers hats that he gave them away to presidents and celebrities when they visited Fort Worth. Carter named the hats ‘The Shady Oaks,’ and they are still made by Joe to this day.

Jim Peters died in 1933, leaving the business to Tom, who moved the business to its current location of 909 Houston St. The last shoes were shined

spirit and pride that will not allow them to give up. They are visionaries in every sense of the word, have been taught optimism all their lives, and all agree that teamwork makes the dream work.

97 years

at Peters Brothers in 1973. Tom divided the building and rented the other side to a restaurant. He stayed with his first love, which was hats, and ran the shop until he was 98 years old. Tom died in June of 1991, just missing his 101st birthday by a few weeks.

Joe joined the family business in 1986. He had worked the Fort Worth Stock Show’s Peters Brothers exhibitor’s booth since 1972 selling and shaping hats.

“Our most important innovation is our Web site, pbhats.com,” Joe said. “We get online orders from all over the world, in addition to telephone orders, and customers who just walk in, they have already shopped our store online and know exactly what they want.”

Joe’s wife, Nelda, takes care of the day-to-day management.

Joe said he follows his grandfather’s advice: “A day that goes by without learning something new is just a day wasted. Give the customers quality whether they want it or not.”

“Good Work at Reasonable Prices” Pulliam Pools 92 years

“My dad was more of a role model than a mentor,” said D. Barry Pulliam, president and third-generation owner of Pulliam Pools in Fort Worth. “He was really hard on me. Dad didn’t give me anything. He offered criticisms mostly. If you did something good, well, that was expected. If it was bad, you got chewed out. But he, and many other employees, gave me the confidence to try new things.”

Barry’s grandfather, Theodore

“The Taste That Makes You Smile” Best maid Products, inc.

Cresswell Pulliam, opened a swimming pool contracting store on 8th Avenue in Fort Worth in 1916, where the business remained for over 55 years. Theodore’s experience in cement and plastering led to the construction of some of the first swimming pools in Texas. Theodore’s business cards read: “My MottoGood Work at Reasonable Prices,” a motto that Barry Pulliam said he follows today. His grandfather died when Barry was 10, but Barry recalls a “hard-working, crusty old fellow who poured a lot of concrete.”

“When our business started, you

Best Maid Products, an 82-year-old Fort Worth-based manufacturer of pickles and condiments, sells products under the brand names Best Maid, Del-Dixi and Chef Supreme. It was founded in 1926 by Mildred “Millie-Mama” Dalton and her husband, Jessie “J.O” Dalton, under the name Mrs. Dalton’s Mayonnaise Company. The couple had three children: Daughters Nita and Margie, whose picture originally was featured on the product label, and son Garland, nicknamed “Son,” now 90 and retired. All were involved in the business. “Son” was the CEO of Best Maid during the mid ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

Regarding taking over the company after his father’s death in 1966, “Son” said: “ I didn’t change things much. The company did well to survive. The value was extremely small, and we were under-financed and ill-advised. I found out real quick that I knew nothing about business. I thought I was very bright, but I found out the hard way that I had a lot to learn. We just put our heads down and worked, and we survived. I’ll take luck any day.”

Garland had four children: Gary, Beverly, Dan and Patricia. All but Beverly were involved in the business. Gary became CEO in the early 1990s; Patricia, who was CFO, retired in 2000; Beverly and Dan are both deceased; and Gary remains CEO while his two chil-

just hired a concrete man to pour a pool,” Barry said. “Back in the old days, you had to know how to do everything by yourself. Now, with subcontractors, it’s more people-skills than anything.”

When Theodore died in 1957, his son Doren Bates Pulliam, was running the family pool business. Under Doren’s leadership, Pulliam Pools built hundreds of pools with little more than a handshake and its integrity to guarantee performance and warranty, Barry said. His father’s projects included four Fort Worth public park pools and two Tarrant County Junior College pools. Doren Pulliam died in 1998, leaving the legacy to Barry.

Barry has been responsible for the construction of more than 4,000 custom swimming pools. At any given time, the company is involved in the construction of 100 pools. In 1987, Barry was featured in SUCCESS magazine as an outstanding example of how to apply organizational sills in a customer service business.

82 years

dren, Chris and Brian, fourth-generation family members, are involved today. Brian, the company’s president and CFO, invested in the company in 2002 through shares purchased from his grandfather.

Chris manages the Mansfield location as lab technician and performs pickle tests and quality control tests.

Mayonnaise and sandwich spread were Best Maid’s staple items until it began packing pickles in the 1930s. The company prospered through the Great Depression and World War II and incorporated in 1952 when it moved to a new packing location in one of Fort Worth’s south side neighborhoods. Over the years, the company has slowly expanded, building a 40 million-pound capacity tank storage facility in Mansfield and making numerous plant expansions to accommodate continued growth in the process. The company distributes a variety of pickles and dressings via grocery, mass merchandising, supermarkets, restaurants, food service channels, and to industrial customers for repackaging. Best Maid employs approximately 200 people.

“I’ve learned that making and selling a quality product is the most important thing we do,” Brian said. “I’ve also learned in the highly competitive grocery business, that you have to say ‘no’ more than you say ‘yes.’”

Pulliam also services each pool it builds. “This gives the customer security,” Barry said.

Pulliam Pools has won many awards, including the Industry Choice Award as National Builder of the Year and the Texas Family Business of the Year award presented by Baylor University. A few years ago, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce named the company the Small Business of the Year—an award given to a company with 11 to 50 employees. Pulliam Pools is also an Aquatech Member, a prestigious category in the pool industry.

Barry’s daughter, Marissa Greathouse, and his aunt, Shirley Nelson, also work in the family business. Barry’s cousin, Tim Pulliam, continues the legacy of Pulliam Concrete.

In addition to the Alta Mesa location in Fort Worth, Pulliam Pools has an office in Weatherford and in Granbury.

“My dad said that if you treat the customer right and fulfill their needs, then the word would get

PaRis Coffee shoP

around and you’d have all the business you needed,” Barry said. “Put the customer first and the money takes care of itself unless you squander it. That was ingrained in me from an early age.”

“Where Quality and Service is a Tradition” Luskey’s/Ryon’s 89 years

Luskey’s Western Stores was founded in Fort Worth in 1919 as a dry goods store. Abraham Luskey, with his son Jake, operated the downtown

“If family business was easy, everybody would do it,” said second-generation Paris Coffee Shop owner Michael “Mike” Smith. “My dad always said that if it’s too easy, you’re on your way down. I will always remember that.”

Paris Coffee Shop has been in the Smith family since 1926. Mike’s father, Gregory K. Smith, owned Bon-Ton’s restaurant in downtown Fort Worth before he bought the coffee shop from Vic Paris. “My father was uneducated like so many were in those days, but he loved to cook, and it made him successful,” Mike said.

In the early days, the coffee shop was located just south of downtown at the corner of Hemphill and Magnolia. When his father became ill in 1965, Mike, the youngest of seven boys and the only one left at home at that time, was left to take over. “My dad had me in the kitchen every summer when I was a boy peeling apples or cleaning okra. That was the one job I hated worse than anything because it made me itch all over,” Mike recalled. “I didn’t know what I was doing when I took over the business. I made a lot of mistakes, but I think you learn better from mistakes.”

You’ll find Mike at the shop almost every morning at 3:30 a.m., turning on ovens and grills, mixing biscuit and cinnamon roll dough, making pies and cookies, and getting everything ready to accommodate the breakfast and lunch crowds who make this small café a daily stop for many Fort Worth residents.

The restaurant has changed with the customers, the neighborhood and the city over the years. Paris Coffee Shop quit serving dinner in 1971 and, in 1974, doubled the restaurant’s space by moving from the northeast corner to the north-

store while Jake’s five sons, Louis, David, Gary, Edward and Butch, served their time in the military. As the boys began returning from their tours of duty, they noticed how cowboys would bring their cattle to Fort Worth to sell, and would purchase new boots, hats and Western clothing with the money they earned. That’s when Jake decided to add a little Western wear to their inventory. A hot commodity at the time, eventually the store was converted to a full-service Western store, carrying everything from boots and hats to

82 years

west corner of Magnolia Street. The 1927 building once housed a Safeway grocery store. Mike purchased the property in 2002 and said the coffee shop is here to stay—even though there’s no third generation in place.

Mike’s daughter, Shelle Barber, is a family practitioner. His son, Troy Smith, is interested in computers, not pies. “I’m not worried about it,” Mike said. “Times have changed. It’s not like the old ma and pa operations used to be. You’ve got to invest a lot of money just to meet regulations. You’ve got to be able to protect the customers. And you have to be willing to work really hard.”

Aside from the long hours, Mike’s success comes from being able to change with the times, he said. The trend to healthier eating influenced a light menu. Mike, a longtime tennis buff and health freak himself, makes a practice of walking around the building at least 10 times a day in all kinds of weather. He offers advice on eating healthier to anyone in his broad range of clientele, which includes construction crews and bankers, actors and sports figures.

As for his secret recipes, don’t even ask.

western legacy / Luskey’s Western Stores was founded in Fort Worth in 1919 as a dry goods store and was later converted to a full-service Western store.

handmade saddles and tack.

The original store was at 113 Houston St., and in 1969, was moved to 101 North Houston St. Luskey’s also branched out to West Texas with other locations. In 1982, Luskey’s purchased Ryon’s Saddle & Ranch Supplies in the Stockyards, expanding their “Cowtown” home-base. The company currently employs about 75 people.

Louis was president and CEO until the 1980s; David was treasurer through the 1980s; Butch was president through the 1980s and 1990s;

“Never Give Up” Hickman companies

and Gary and Edward were vice presidents through the 1990s.

Current partners include fourthgeneration family members. Gary’s son, Alan, is the current president. David’s son, Mike, is treasurer and secretary. Mike and Alan work at the Stockyards location and also manage mail-order and Web site operations. Edward’s son, Keggan, oversees the store in Lubbock, while Gary’s other son, Larry, is a family business partner.

“Our No. 1 priority is customer service,” Alan said. “We watched how

Nine decades ago, a bit of bad luck started a family-owned battery repair business. Today, more than 75 Hickman companies operate in the areas of real estate, farming, oil and gas, manufacturing and entertainment.

“My Uncle Austin, a railroad worker, was hit by a runaway train in Oklahoma,” explained Holt Hickman, CEO of Fort Worth-based Hickman Cos. “He survived, and the railroad gave him a small settlement. He and my daddy, Cecil, started a battery-repair business with the money. And that’s how the Hickmans got into business.”

When the battery station in Oklahoma went under, Holt’s parents moved to Fort Worth, where Cecil opened the Fort Worth Battery Co.

In 1957, at the age of 25, Holt joined the business; six years later, he bought it. “My father influenced me in his management style by hard work in his early years and working smart in the later years,” Holt said. “He taught me to save, be generous to others less fortunate, and to never give up.”

In 1964, with $12,500 in his pocket, Holt founded Lone Star Manufacturing, an automotive air-conditioning factory. This company became the largest such independent manufacturer in the world.

Hickman sold Lone Star to Wynn’s International in 1978. One year later, with son Brad and two other investors, Holt founded Specific Cruise

our fathers respected all of their customers and employees, and currently, we have employees who have been with us for over 40 years.”

Growing up as cousins, Mike said, they kept very close ties in all family matters. “When it came time for us to manage the business it was second nature,” he said. “The ties were already strong. We respect each other’s positions and realize how each of us has our own specialty in the business.”

Alan added: “All of our family members were taught from the same book. Be responsible, be honest, treat the customer with respect, and work hard.”

Mike and Alan said the current business challenges are the cost of merchandise and changing transportation costs. “The product mix is ever-changing. We constantly are striving to be on the cutting edge of style and design in Western wear,” Mike said regarding innovations. “We have focused mainly on custom boots and saddles in order to be different than other Western stores.”

90 years

Systems (SCS), which developed systems to equip automobiles with electronic cruise control and keyless-entry systems. SCS bought an air-conditioner company known as Frigette in 1990. The combined SCS/Frigette deals in air-conditioning systems for vehicles, along with cruise-control technology, remote starters and keyless-entry devices, security systems, and power windows and locks.

“Dad and my mother taught me to leave the world better than you found it, develop good work habits, stick with a positive attitude, and be energetic and enthusiastic,” said Brad, who heads the manufacturing companies, which were sold in October 2006. “Nobody works harder, has a better attitude or is more energetic than my father.”

The Hickman Cos. organization owns most of the city’s historic Stockyards, as well as huge land tracts with shopping centers and warehouses throughout Fort Worth. Holt said the deals he loves most have involved the development of his partnerships’ 108 acres within the 125-acre Stockyards Historical District.

Holt’s daughter, Brenda Kostohryz, who runs the family’s real-estate division, started out packing cruise-control systems and answering the office telephones at the family company during a summer job during her high school years.

In the past, Trey Kostohryz, Brenda’s son, worked in the real estate division for five years. Bradley Holt Hickman Jr. and Margaret Hickman-Lane, both fourth-generation family members, work in the real estate companies.

As to family transitions at Hickman Cos., Holt said it hasn’t been hard. “I [trained] my son and daughter for a minimum of two years for their positions,” he said.

handmade tradition / Third-generation coowner of M.L.

and

with

of the 86-yearold company.

“As a family, we have worked hard all of our lives,” Alan said. “This is what our fathers and uncles taught us, and we continue that tradition today.”

“Made To Last” Williamson-Dickie manufacturing company

86 years

C.N. Williamson and E.E. “Colonel” Dickie began their business careers in the “vehicle and harness” business in Bryan, Texas. In 1918, they made what turned out to be a momentous decision when they and a few friends established the U.S. Overall Company.

Then, in 1922, C. Don Williamson joined with his father and cousin to buy 100 percent of the overall company on a one-third-each basis and renamed it Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company.

From its early years, WilliamsonDickie enjoyed steady growth. Slowed

“A Handmade Texas Legend”

. leDDy’s

only by the Great Depression and World War II, the company was sequestered to produce millions of uniforms for the nation’s armed forces. In converting to civilian production after the war, C. Don Williamson began a strategy of geographical expansion and established new production facilities, warehouses and sales territories throughout the United States.

In the late 1950s, WilliamsonDickie became an international company by expanding into the European

“Other than having to show up earlier, work harder, longer and for less money than all other employees ... there were no difficulties about working in a family-owned business,” said Wilson Franklin, third generation co-owner of M.L. Leddy’s.

Leddy’s was founded in 1922 by Martin Luther “M.L.” Leddy in his hometown of Brady, Texas. As a young farmer, M.L. sold the first bale of cotton produced on his land, losing $5 on the transaction. Deciding that farming was not for him, he took a job at the local saddle shop. The following year, he bought the shop. He developed a reputation for quality and, as business picked up, taught eight of his brothers to help with production. M.L. moved his business from Brady to downtown San Angelo in 1936. Wilson’s sister, Beverly Franklin Allen, currently works at the San Angelo store.

M.L. had a daughter, Joyce, and two sons, Dale and Hollis. Joyce married Jim Franklin in 1947. All three men were a part of the Leddy business. Jim had a “larger than life personality,” according to his family, and he kept the store focused during the tough times the drought in West Texas brought during the 1950s. “We all still love to hear customers tell stories about him,” said Wilson’s wife, co-owner Martha Franklin. “We are currently taking care of fourth-generation Leddy customers!” Over the years, ownership has been shared, but in 2001, Wilson and Martha purchased any remaining stock.

Leddy’s in the Fort Worth Stockyards opened in

market and the Middle Eastern market, where Texas oilmen introduced Dickies to Middle Eastern oil fields.

During the late 1950s, the company expanded its marketing efforts in Europe and the Middle East. American oilfield workers who were contracted for jobs in the Middle East introduced clothes manufactured by Williamson-Dickie to the entire region. In 1960, the company opened a manufacturing plant in Belize; one year later, however, Hurricane Hattie

86 years

1941. The Stockyards store remains at its original location, 2455 North Main St., although the family has bought the businesses on either side over the years to expand its showrooms. Leddy’s sells custom handmade products including boots, belts, buckles, hats and clothing, and custom saddles. Wilson’s oldest daughter, Josilyn Franklin, works at the Stockyards store. “I feel very blessed to be a part of this business,” Josilyn said. “It makes me feel like I have a special connection with my grandfather. I get to work with my dad, and he makes it fun, not just work. I look forward to many more years of working with him and carrying on the traditions of the Leddy family.”

A new store, Leddy’s Ranch, opened in Sundance Square in 2003. “Leddy’s is striving to take care of the customer who may want more of a cutting- edge cowboy or cowgirl fashion choice,” Martha said. “It’s so easy and fun to sell a product that you really believe in and are confident that every effort has been made to assure its quality and the customer’s satisfaction.”

Wilson learned from his grandfather and father to “never, ever compromise quality for price.” “Our current challenges are in boot production,” he said. “Because we are a small company and only make nine pair of boots a day, it takes most customers 10 months to receive their order. We have the genuine, burning desire to please the most important person in the world—the Leddy customer.”

destroyed the entire operation. After the factory was rebuilt, jeans and work clothes from the Belize factory were exported to England. Later, as the plant grew and became more efficient, clothing items manufactured in Belize were sold in the United States.

During the 1970s, WilliamsonDickie dominated the work clothes market. The company expanded its

product line to include matching shirt and pant work clothes, jackets, overalls, painter pants, jeans, caps, work boots, flannel shirts, work gloves and belts, to name a few. The company opened a number of stores in the southern United States that sold uniforms and matching accessories, including postman and policeman uniforms, holsters, footwear and

“Start with the Finest” Pendery’s World of Chilis and sPiCes

Traveling from Cincinnati, Ohio in 1870, DeWitt Clinton Pendery arrived in Fort Worth in a horse-drawn carriage—a rare sight in Cowtown at the time. Local cowboys laughed at his long frock coat, and shot his tall silk hat as he stepped onto the dusty street in an untamed section of town known as Hell’s Half Acre. As the family recounts, DeWitt picked up the hat and continued on his way, earning immediate respect. He joined his two brothers in business and began the heritage that is now in its fifth generation.

By 1890, DeWitt was selling his chile blends to cafes, hotels and local citizens. He described Chiltomaline, his original blend, as a combination of ground select chile pods, cumin, oregano and other spices, and wrote of its medicinal benefits: “The health-giving properties of hot chile peppers have no equal. They give tone to the alimentary canal, regulating the functions, giving a natural appetite, and promoting health by action of the kidneys, skin and lymphatics.” The original store, according to the family, was most likely near 5th and Commerce streets.

DeWitt moved the business to Belknap Street in 1907. His son, Arthur “Artie” Ludlow Pendery, succeeded him as manager. Third-generation Clinton Conant Pendery was born in the family home on East Belknap Street, just a couple of blocks east of the store. He was a frugal man who carefully watched over his business. In the late 1980s, Clinton’s daughter, Mary Pendery Haggerty, who is currently chairman, and her husband, Pat

special uniform underwear.

The advent of the 1990s saw increased competition within the international apparel industry, with many American clothing manufacturers, including Williamson-Dickie, threatened by international imports. At the same time, these companies benefited from a new and unexpected demand for their products by young urban customers who made work clothes a fashion trend. With the realization that the Dickies brand was successfully crossing over from the work crowd to the leisure crowd, the company expanded its line of jeans wear, capturing a segment of the market that it had previously been losing to manufacturers such as Levi’s, Wrangler and Lee.

In 2000, the company added E.J. Footwear to its list of licensees, allowing the Tennessee-based company to produce and market a Dickies line of boots and shoes. In 2001, it awarded its largest licensing program ever, with apparel maker Dino di Milano. The Miami-based manufacturer planned to produce a line of knit and woven shirts featuring the Dickies logo.

138 years

Haggerty, who acts as president, took the helm and remain there today. “When he was a little boy, my father would come barefoot to the store,” Mary said, recalling the family history. “There were belt-driven machines that had vertical blades rising and falling in a wood-and-iron rotating open cylinder chopping chiles. His feet were stained by the richly colored powders surrounding the choppers. You could truly say he had chile in his blood!”

Mary and Pat’s son, Clinton “Clint” Haggerty, who spent time as a management consultant prior to coming aboard, is Pendery’s general manager.

On working in a family-owned business, Pat said “nothing’s easy.”

“If you think it is, it will bite you and you will fail,” he added “Believe me, no one wants to be the guy who blew a 138-year-old multi-generational business.”

In 2007, the store was moved to its present location on 8th Avenue.

Regarding generational transitions in the business, Clint said: “We are still transitioning. I am the one responsible for making things happen, but major decisions still require consultation. The more things change, the more they stay the same, and time puts everything in true perspective. We have relationships with customers that don’t simply pass through the years, but generations. That’s how a small company like ours survives in the world of corporate giants and international competition.”

Today, the company remains Fort Worth-based, and family-owned and operated under the leadership of Philip C. Williamson, chairman, president, and CEO of Williamson-Dickie.

“Your Vision, Our Mission” Brants realtors, Inc. 82 years

Brants Realtors has been a fixture in the Fort Worth landscape since 1926, when Harry E. Brants formed an insurance, mortgage and Fort Worth real estate partnership. Harry was later joined in the company by several brothers, including Burdette Brants and Howard Clayton Brants. Finding homes for clients was a concierge service the company offered—a role that expanded as the years went by.

In the 1930s, The Brants Company, as it was called in those days, represented one of the first Fort Worth homes for sale in a new ‘incorporated village’ called Westover Manor in Westover Hills.

A decade later, the company provided loans for wartime housing through Burdette Brants, one of five Brants brothers who arranged development and mortgage financing for A.C. Luther’s Ridglea and Ridglea Hills subdivisions.

Clayton Jr.’s son, Clayton Brants III, current president and owner of Brants Realtors, said his father greatly influenced his management style. “Dad wore a lot of hats both in real estate and in other business ventures,” Clay said. “Everyone seemed to seek out his advice, and he would help people solve their problems in business or otherwise. Real estate is about people and finding solutions, so there’s the match.”

The company opened its first independent brokerage office in 1962 and, 10 years later, Brants Realtors emerged as a separate partnership from the parent company. The company incorporated in 1978.

“Two years ago, Laurie and I were able to purchase the remaining shares and consolidate 100 percent ownership of the firm within the family,” Clay said. “This was a goal my father had long strived for, but the timing was never right.”

Brants Realtors is the Fort Worth exclusive affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates, the largest network of real estate brokers dedicated to marketing exclusive properties. As a member of RELO Leading Real Estate Companies of the World since 1990, Brants provides clients with

access to another luxury network of more than 120,000 sales associates nationally and internationally. The company is also a Charter member of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, creating international exposure for its clients.

Clay’s wife, Laurie O’Neil Brants, is the director of operations/business development and also sells real estate. Marianne Brants, daughter of Harry Brants, the original founder of The Brants Company, has been with Brants Realtors since the mid ’70s, giving her the honor of being the most tenured employee in the family. Other members working for the family business include Clay’s brother, Frank Brants, who is head of technical support, and Anna O’Neil, Laurie’s cousin, who is a sales associate with the firm.

Regarding the company’s transition from one generation to another, Clay said that it can be challenging but is also refreshing. “I was a minority stockholder when my father passed away without any last minute advice or words of wisdom,” Clay said. “I think you have to get out there, do your best and take some chances prior to taking any credit for making a transition successful.” fw

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Ins I de d esI gn w I th Ro Ry and a my sabbat I n I

The Great Sabbatini Clubhouse

by Alison Rich

If Rory Sabbatini’s professional life is the epitome of formality, then his home life is anything but. When the golf phenom—his many victories include the prestigious plaid at last year’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and second place at the ’07 Masters—and his wife/career manager, Amy, moved last November, they had many décor decisions to make. But duty called, and just 10 days after they crossed the threshold of their new residence and commenced getting comfy in their quarters, the Sabbatinis hit the highway for three straight months to traverse the country for the PGA Tour. Which means they’re still fine-tuning their two-story French Provincial and reimagining it to match their

lifestyle. From the furnishings to the finishes to all the embellishments in between, the couple is adding the final flourishes and making the Montserrat manse their own. And the transformation? It’s to-die-for.

“We love our house,” Amy said. “We feel like we’re living in a resort. But it’s so quiet; it’s like living in the country.”

So, naturally, when they invited us over to check out their new digs, we got, well, right on the ball. And what we saw wasn’t just a spacious abode filled with eclectic treasures collected from the various national and international locales they’ve visited over the years. Even more intriguingly than that, we beheld a laid-back, lived-in, lowkey locale where Amy and Rory encourage guests to don their most cas clothes

multifarious milieu / With its graceful arching doorways and airy spaces the house practically implores people to park themselves for a relaxing stay

informal living / Outside, swing sets, toys and a fleet of pint-sized vehicles are obvious signs that children frequently are at play. Rory said, noting that despite all the bells and whistles they can provide, he and Amy work hard to raise Harley and Tylie with normality.

and make themselves at home. In other words, swimming suits—not monkey suits—are de rigueur in this informal getaway. Sure, it has luxe amenities certain to set tongues wagging. But at the heart of this unfussy haven is a family-friendly focus where friends hang, kids squeal, canines roam and flip-flops rule.

And that’s the exact course of Amy and Rory’s master plan.

Originally from South Africa, Rory went to the University of Arizona, where he was a golfing wunderkind. Then, during his fourth year on the PGA Tour, mutual friends introduced him to Amy Meyer, an outgoing gal from Mineral Wells. Married five years ago on New Year’s Eve in Maui, the couple has two children; son Harley, 4 ½, and daughter Tylie, 2 ½. Before relocating to Fort Worth, the Sabbatinis lived on five acres in Southlake. Ready for a change of scenery, the family pointed their radar where the West begins.

The Sabbatinis moved to Montserrat because of the house, they say. As soon as they saw it, they knew it had to be theirs. “We bought what we liked,” Amy said, “and are making it our own and putting our flair on it.”

They couldn’t be more thrilled with their decision.

“Montserrat is like its own little community. It’s very secure and amicable, and everyone seems to know each other,” Rory said. “And Fort Worth is very grounded. It feels like home.”

Amy concurred: “The hospitality of the people in Fort Worth is unmatched. They have an amazing ability to make you feel welcome. Our neighbors have made us feel like family. They’re so sweet.”

“Laid-back” is how she describes their lifestyle and their decorating philosophy. “We’re not formal people,” Amy said, noting her and Rory’s proclivity for constantly joking and pulling pranks on each other. “We want you to be comfy ... But I tend to be more formal than Rory. He resists.”

“I do resist,” Rory agreed, adding that he’s eager to shed his professional pants-and-polos persona when he hangs up his clubs at the end of 18 holes. When he’s home, Rory said, he’s all about comfort. Lucky for him, his residence is, too.

“It’s always going to be a warm environment,” he said of the ambiance they’re fashioning. “There’s nothing that’s formal. It’s a very relaxed setting.”

“We decorate the way we like, with things we’ve picked up on our travels,” Amy said. The couple’s “eclectic style” includes elements from such global spots as Italy, Paris, Amsterdam and, of course, Texas.

“I’ve done 85 percent of everything in the house,” continued Amy, who serendipitously discovered a knack for all things décorrelated after diving into this project. “We hired a decorator, but it’s something I enjoy.”

To stay focused, she employs a one-project-at-a-time strategy. “I get more accomplished if I focus on one thing at a time,” she said, explaining that decorating isn’t difficult but does require a lot of time—something she hasn’t had much of lately, thanks to Rory’s grueling schedule. She also said that making a design statement doesn’t mean breaking the bank. She picks up lots of little pretties at Ross, Stein Mart, Garden Ridge and Target, she said. “If I see something at Target, I’ll buy it,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be expensive [to look great].”

friendly head-butting between her and her decorator. Amy will commonly say no-no to a $1,000 item when something of similar good looks can be had for $100. “I’m thrifty, as crazy as that sounds,” she said. (Heck, just another reason to adore you, Amy!)

It’s always going to be a warm environment. There’s nothing that’s formal ... For us, formal living rooms are a waste of space. Amy Sabbatini

In fact, she said her frugality is the source of some

Her penny-pinching is paying off, though, in the form of a fabulous interior composition. With its graceful arching doorways, airy spaces and up-to-date but oh-so-cozy furniture, the house practically implores people to park themselves for a relaxing stay. Downstairs, the oversized kitchen opens up to a den and overlooks the backyard and the pool area beyond. Formerly a living room, a front-facing space to the left of the grand entryway is the couple’s office. “For us, formal living rooms are a waste of space,” Amy said. Featuring a dual-sided desk and a smattering of Rory’s memorabilia (the home definitely is not a shrine for all things golf; Rory most definitely loves the game but doesn’t flaunt it one iota), the room is a tangible testament to Rory and Amy’s successful dynamic.

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“Family photos are important to us,” Amy said, gesturing to the montage of black-and-white portraits lining the walls next to the wrought-iron staircase leading upstairs. On the second floor are the bedrooms—Harley’s all-boy room has a tunnel slide through the wall, tin ceilings and a loft, while Tylie’s girly getaway is sugarand-spice pink. Her loft is adorned with a disco-ball that doubles as a night light. That same level also includes a media room featuring a snuggly built-in couch that seats seven adults comfortably and an oversized sitting area leading out to a huge balcony.

What really exemplifies the Sabbatinis’ multifarious milieu: whimsical Michael Godard “olive paintings” that are reflective of the various aspects of their life. There’s one with a trailer (they travel in an RV), another with a Harley-Davidson (symbolizing their son) and a third with a golf theme. Amy currently was seeking a fourth—to represent Tylie.

When she wants to enjoy the fruits of her labors, where does Amy go to relax? Her own personal “beach” off the master bath—a private patio filled with powdery white sand.

“It’s my Zen garden,” she said, “my place to get away.”

Outside, swing sets, toys and a fleet of pint-sized vehicles are obvious signs that children frequently are at play.

“Our focus is very much on the kids,” Rory said, noting that

sabbatini serenity / The 2.5-acre property is alive with greenery, including Lone Star-sized oaks and flowers of all styles and species. And of all the nooks and crannies, the poolside fire pit is Rory’s favorite.

despite all the bells and whistles they can provide, he and Amy work hard to raise Harley and Tylie with normality.

Across from the tots’ terrain, the all-weather kitchen, shimmering waterway and slew of accompanying accouterments are obvious signs that adults are also very much at play in this resort-style space. The 2.5-acre property is alive with greenery, including Lone Star-sized oaks and flowers of all styles and species. In one corner, a gated-in patio provides the perfect place for nighttime star-gazing and a midmorning meal (Amy is known to whip up a stellar Sunday brunch), as well as a stunning vista of meandering Mary’s Creek below. The fenced-in yard also makes for a perfect pooch playground—the family shares their surroundings with a trio of daschunds.

Of all the nooks and crannies in the home, the poolside fire pit is Rory’s favorite. “I like to throw things in it,” he said, laughing—a fact that Amy speedily confirmed.

Off the main house is a home gym and a roomy twolevel guest house, which is the idyllic spot for friends and family to hang their hats. (At the moment, Amy was readying the residence for her parents, who were set to move in full-time.) “It’s nice to have them here on property,” she said. “They understand the stress and craziness of our lives and are here to support us.” Amy also plans to have a golf studio built on the property. “Somewhere I can send Rory to go practice,” she said, playfully ribbing Rory for his insatiable desire to play and compete.

And when play and competition beckon, the Sabbatinifour pile into the family’s 500-square-foot RV and travel together. “It’s our home away from home,” Amy said. “The RV is all we need. It definitely makes me realize we have way more than we need. It’s humbling but I think ‘humble’ makes a great person.”

Rory added: “It’s very convenient for us. And it gives the kids some consistency in the environment they’re in.”

When they return from their RV journeys, the Sabbatinis enjoy some much-needed downtime. And when decompression really calls, they escape to their Possum Kingdom lake house. But Fort Worth is—and will continue to be—the place they call home.

“This is our dream house,” said Amy of their dressedup-yet-dressed-down Montserrat domicile. “We don’t need anything else. We’re blessed.” fw

In Fort Worth

by Cortney Strube

Behind the fences of the homes you pass every day are some of the city’s best-kept secrets: The private retreats and personal hideaways of fellow Fort Worthians.

Just as you might suspect, the perfect patio, whether large or small, is all about detail. Incorporating an overall theme from the inside out is a common trend in outdoor living. Colorful landscaping, outdoor kitchens, dining areas and peaceful nooks make a backyard feel like a true extension of the home.

In the following pages, four families divulge the quality and characteristics of their livable backyard retreats. These backyards were built with impressive architecture and functional living space—a true combination of beautiful and useful. From fabulous swimming pools, to top-of-the-line outdoor kitchens and lavish living areas complete with flatscreen TVs and fireplaces, the owners of these backyards are making a statement and changing the way we think of outdoor living.

Lanny

Lancarte, II, Executive

Chef

/Owner, Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana Fort Worth

When it comes to outdoor entertaining, Lanny P. Lancarte, II, has all the right ingredients. His eclectic abode on Fort Worth’s west side boasts authentic Mexican décor, a bright landscape and an atmosphere that feels like home.

Lancarte is the great-grandson of Fort Worth Mexican restauranteur Joe T. Garcia, so it’s no surprise he chose a colonial Mexican-style theme when he began renovating his property. Aside from adding extensive landscaping that includes seasonal blooms, large yucca plants and cacti, renovations included tearing out a wood deck, replacing the roof of his home with red stucco tiles, adding pathways around the backyard, water misters for hot summer days, a stunning fire pit for winter gatherings and a snug outdoor kitchen. Lancarte

What StandS Out

Lancarte’s backyard houses a combination of modern conveniences and age-old antique treasures. From authentic tiles from Puebla, Mexico, to water misters for summer cooldowns, this cozy hideaway is not your average backyard. Here are some highlights:

» Outdoor kitchen complete with grill and dining area

» Fire pit for winter entertaining

» Talavera tiles from Mexico

» Cantera stone statues

» Backhouse complete with hand-made bar and entertainment room

» Bench made with authentic Mexican antique doors

» Water misters

also redesigned the old backhouse, adding cedar double doors to the front, French doors to the side, a living area for entertaining and a contemporary bar made of mosaic glass tiles and cedar.

Lancarte said his backyard is unique because the tile used to build the outdoor kitchen was imported from Mexico. “The Talavera tiles came from the Mexican state of Puebla, as well as the stone on the ground,” he said. “The floor tiles are Mexican limestone.” Lancarte said several of his outdoor Cantera stone statues and three benches, which were converted from antique doors, were also imported from Mexico.

As executive chef and owner of his West 7th Street eatery, Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana, hosting family and friends wouldn’t be complete without signature reci-

pes and culinary delights. Regardless of the season, Lanny said, his backyard is great for entertaining guests.

With beautiful authentic décor, plenty of lush landscaping, a privacy fence and everything (yes, everything) needed for year-round entertaining, Lancarte said his backyard “feels like a little getaway.”

Deb and Brian Sneed

Fort Worth

For Deb and Brian Sneed, outdoor living is all about comfort, atmosphere and accessibility. A true extension of their home, the Sneeds’ tree-shaded backyard boasts natural beauty and landscaping that is nothing short of breathtaking.

When they bought their home four years ago, Deb said, it had recently been remodeled, so only small additions, including an outdoor dining area, were needed. “The most important thing was that [the outdoor kitchen] looked like it was there from the beginning,” she said.

“We liked the feel of the backyard as it was, so we wanted the kitchen to disappear with the landscape and look very natural.” Deb said she and her husband, Brian, used the same stone on the outdoor kitchen that was originally used to design the backyard. Additions also included a grill, refrigerator, sink and icebox, among others.

It was important to the Sneeds to maintain the natural beauty of their backyard, and the property itself is lush with beautiful landscaping and large, looming trees. In fact, Deb said, the intriguing backyard and surrounding

property is what hooked them into buying their home. With redbuds, Japanese maples, Cyprus trees and an array of colorful, blooming flowers, the Sneeds’ backyard is a breath of fresh air. “It’s very natural and melds with the landscape and the surroundings,” she said. “You feel like you’re in a little hideaway.”

From swimming with their children, to cooking out and entertaining friends and family, the Sneeds spend much of their time in their backyard. Because of the abundance of shade, Deb said, they are able to enjoy the

What StandS Out

The Sneeds’ beautifully-shaded backyard melds into the property’s lush landscape and offers natural beauty with a true sense of relaxation. In addition to the outdoor kitchen that was built upon their purchase of the home, the Sneeds have added trees and landscaping and call their backyard a true extension of the home. Ambrosial landscaping includes:

» An arborous property with various species of shrubs and trees

» Bald Cyprus trees

» Redbud trees

» Japanese maples

» Numerous pots of colorful, seasonal blooms

outdoors throughout the dog days of summer. “In Texas, the most important thing is shade because it is so hot,” she said. “[My favorite aspect] is just the fact that the kids can play and adults can socialize, and there are several different areas to get away, a place to cook, and a place to lay out—having everything where it’s accessible and everyone can see everything.”

John and Nicole Zimmerman

Fort Worth

Take a step into John and Nicole Zimmerman’s Italian-inspired backyard retreat and prepare to be blown away by its beauty. This multi-dimensional masterpiece in the rolling hills of Fort Worth’s premier Montserrat neighborhood gives new meaning to outdoor living. With rooms in every corner of the backyard, the Zimmermans left nothing out when personally designing their arrangement. “We wanted to make outdoor rooms and places where we could hang out,” John said. “We like nothing more than to hang out at the house and cook, eat and relax with our friends and family.”

Just outside the backdoor to the Zimmermans’ home is a cozy screen-in porch complete with top-notch patio furniture, a fireplace and a flat-screen TV—perfect for an intimate setting. Beyond the

porch lies a quaint walkway with lush greenery leading up to the grand outdoor dining room and state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen, which boasts Viking appliances.

Outdoor gas and smoking ovens, warming drawers, a brick wood-burning pizza oven, an outdoor cooker and burner, a refrigerator and ice machine, and a ceramic charcoal cooker are some of the top-of-theline appliances in the Zimmermans’ outdoor kitchen. The area also houses a gorgeous dining area, which John said comes in handy when hosting such benefits as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Once Upon a Terrace event.

The dining area overlooks the swimming pool—a favorite of John and Nicole’s daughter, Sarah Katherine, 10, and son, Jack, 8, who like to make a splash by holding hands and jumping into the water at the same time.

The atmosphere of the Zimmermans’ backyard re-

What StandS Out

Though the Zimmermans’ gorgeous outdoor retreat was built with exquisite architecture and antique relics, their outdoor kitchen boasts only the most contemporary cooking contraptions. State-of-the-art appliances by Viking include:

» A brick wood-burning pizza oven

» Outdoor cookers and burners

» Gas and smoking ovens

» Warming drawers

» A refrigerator with an ice machine

» A ceramic charcoal cooker

treat reflects that of casual, family comfort combined with Old World style. In fact, John said, he and Nicole based the design of their home, including the backyard, on an actual hotel in Italy. “We used authentic architectural materials and incorporated antique relics and remnants throughout the entire home to make it feel like it’s been there for years,” John said. “Many indoor and outdoor relics are over 100 years old and were bought at auctions. We were going for the old, comfortable feel of a European home that has evolved over time.”

More than anything, the Zimmermans’ goal was to create a resort-style space for their families and friends to come over, get comfortable and have fun together—what better way to entertain than in luxury and style?

Mary Sue and Rod Hayes Fort Worth

When Mary Sue and Rod Hayes designed their home, they knew exactly what they wanted— an Italian-inspired abode with a consistent theme inside and out. “Our idea for the outside was to make it look like an Italian Courtyard,” Mary Sue said of their home in Fort Worth’s premier Montserrat community, which she designed and decorated with the help of her daughter-inlaw, Paige. A beautiful swimming pool with an inviting spa area, a pool house and an accessible out-

door kitchen are just a few of the features that make the Hayes’ backyard an outdoor hot spot—perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing alone.

What StandS Out

Beautiful sculptures, colorful landscapes and inviting breezeways are just a few of the features of the Hayes’ backyard. Designed to resemble an Italian courtyard, their picturesque outdoor living area stays consistent with the overall theme of their home. Here are some highlights:

The pool house—furnished with an outdoor fireplace, beautiful patio furniture, a full bathroom and a plasma TV—has screening that allows the interior to be enclosed for privacy or open to the rest of the backyard. Housed within the pool house is an outdoor kitchen complete with a grill, refrigerator and ice maker. “We

» Pool house with full bathroom, fireplace, upscale patio furniture and plasma TV

» Outdoor kitchen with top-notch appliances

» Spacious gated yard with landscaping

» Swimming pool with large outdoor spa

entertain a lot in the pool house,” Mary Sue said. “We cook outdoors almost every night, weather permitting.”

And, during a recent trip to Italy, the Hayes’ brought back Italian artwork along with a large Italian pottery bowl, which sets the tone and keeps with the theme of the interior of the home.

Covered breezeways from the home to the pool house make the Hayes’ backyard friendly and inviting. “It’s as if the pool house is a part of the home,” Mary Sue said.

“That’s what makes it unique. It’s connected and incorporated into the house.”

Mary Sue and Rod’s son, Ryan, and his wife, Paige, of-

ten bring their son, Ryder, 3, and infant daughter, Paisley, over for a visit. Ryder especially enjoys swimming in the pool. The Hayes’ other son, Blake, and his wife, Tarah, also visit from Tulsa, making it a full house. With the enjoyment of having company comes the perk of accessible outdoor entertaining, which Mary Sue said is her favorite aspect of outdoor living. “When we have people over, we entertain outside more than we do in the house.” fw

WorthFraming [ [

party with the best

Sheridan & Bo French, along with more than 400 other Fort Worthians, enjoyed top-shelf open bars, hors d’oeuvres, and live music from Trey & the Tritones and The Time Machine Band at Fort Worth, Texas magazine’s “Best Of Fort Worth” party. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth, in collaboration with The Panther Club, was the beneficiary of the event, which took place at the Masonic Temple.

t

1

2

3

1

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1

2

1 Melinda Koke, tony, Debbie, Chris, Lauren Jardieu

3 brenda Aparicio, Ron Ehrle, Lydia Stoner

Big Thanks to all who participated in Rusty Greer’s

Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth

Celebrity Golf Classic

May 19, 2008

Special Thanks to the Following Sponsors:

MVP Sponsors

American National Bank of Texas

JPMorganChase

Martin-Brower

McDonalds Corporation

Parrish-Hare Electrical Supply

Walker Engineering, Inc.

Pro Sponsors

AmeriCredit

AVCOR

Bank of Texas

Cook Children’s Healthcare System

Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Inc.

Graybar

Hicks Lighting Protection

Medi-Dyne Healthcare Products

National Care Network

Walsh Foundation

In-kind Sponsors

Ben E. Keith

Brumley Printing

Chaudhry Muzaffar

Chipotle of Southlake

Clear Channel

Coca-Cola

Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Inc.

John Faltynski

Fort Worth, Texas Magazine

Golf Etc. Fort WortH

McDonald’s of Southlake

Mid South Baking

Moroch

Outback Steakhouse of Hurst

Pac-Lease

Schreiber Foods

Select Comfort

Sewell Lexus

Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor

Spring Creek Barbecue of Keller

Vox Printing

The Ronald McDonald House provides help, hope and a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children who are hospitalized or receiving treatment in Fort Worth-area hospitals. For information call 817/870-4942.

Superior Interiors by Lauren Pointer

Green Home Update

s the construction on the 2008 innovative green home nears completion, the finishing touches are pulling the project together. In past updates, we have discussed the importance of environmentally friendly and energy efficient products. The interior finishes must be selected with these same principles in mind. Bamboo floors, custom countertops made from recycled material, eco-friendly kitchen cabinets, Energy Star appliances and fixtures and low VOC paint are just some of the features of the Green Home discussed in this month’s update.

Flooring

You will not find a stitch of carpet in the Green Home. In fact, partial LEED Credit can be earned for not using carpet inside the home. There are copious benefits to using bamboo. It helps to eliminate the stress that society imposes on our degrading forest supply, and it releases more oxygen into the atmosphere than hardwood floors. In addition, bamboo grows more quickly than most trees and regenerates multiple times throughout its lifespan, thus reducing contributions to global warming.

Countertops

The countertops and fireplace in the Green Home are made of a product called EnviroGlas, which utilizes recycled glass and porcelain in the form of epoxy resin to create a hard, sustainable surface. EnviroGlas offers a replacement to non-renewable resources, such as granite, and is manufactured locally in Plano. This reduces the carbon emissions expelled when transporting materials to the job site. The custom mixture of colored or clear glass and epoxy resin creates an appearance similar to terrazzo. It forms a solid surface that is resistant to chemicals and bacterial growth, thus contributing to a healthier indoor environment in the home.

Kitchen Cabinets

The Green Home kitchen is a spectacular display of innovative and beautiful amenities. The kitchen cabinets were made by Jay Rambo, an active participant in the Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental stewardship program. Two key parameters of this program are that no materials come from old-growth tree supplies, along with the promotion of a replanting initiative that exceeds what was taken from the forest by the manufacturer. Made from recycled woods, and containing the lowest amounts of formaldehyde emissions allowable by the EPA, these modern, slab cabinets create a sleek look and are a great representation

of responsible manufacturing.

Energy Star Appliances and Fixtures

Energy savings has been proven to be the most influential factor for homebuyers considering a greener existence. Energy Star, a government-backed program, aids in the protection of the environment through superior energy efficiency. Energy Star-rated products from Bosch, Thermador and Kohler help reduce energy usage in the kitchen—an area of the home that constitutes substantial portions of your monthly utility bill. Energy Star-rated light fixtures, Noritz tankless water heaters and Kohler low-flow toilets and shower heads help reduce energy usage in other areas of the home.

Low VOC Paint

VOC’s, or volatile organic compounds, are carbonbased molecules that, under normal conditions, can vaporize into the atmosphere, thus compromising the air quality inside your home. The most common host to the harmful chemicals is paint. Years ago, Low VOC paints were only made by boutique companies and the cost was fairly expensive. The Green Home uses Sherwin Williams ProGreen 200 latex paint, which is more economical than its specialized predecessors and provides a healthier, non-toxic finish to the interior of the home.

In next month’s update, we will discuss the Green Home as it relates to the USGBC’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification Program. This program is the national benchmark of excellence in the field of green building—a certification that only a handful of other remarkable projects in Fort Worth have achieved. fw

“Best Dry Cleaners” Fort Worth, Texas Magazine

Family Owned and Operated Since 1958

The family of Kite’s Custom Cleaners celebrates their 50th year serving Fort Worth’s finest and best dressed.

In 1958, Sam and Aline Kite began building their legacy of hand finishing fine garments. These days, son Gary, continues Kite’s emphasis on providing customer service second to none. By paying attention to the small details that others dismiss, Kite’s Custom Cleaners has thrice earned the honor of Fort Worth, Texas Magazine’s “Best Of” award, 2002, 2007, and again for 2008.

4839 Camp Bowie Blvd FW 76107 817-732-6031

817-923-7937

3225 Alta Mere Dr. FW 76116

817-732-1419

port·folio

» family businesses worth knowing

Fort Worth is often described as a big city with a small-town feel. It’s local familyowned businesses that make this bustling city feel like home. Whether you’re looking for home décor or a residential property management team to represent you, it’s important to conduct business with a name you can trust. These home-grown, familyowned businesses would like to tell you more about themselves, their businesses, and what they can do for you.

Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd.

CONCENTRATION: Headquartered in Fort Worth, Byrne is Tarrant County’s largest domiciled commercial general contractor. Byrne provides construction services throughout the state of Texas and contiguous states. YEARS IN BUSINESS: Eighty five years of continuous operations. GENERATIONS: The company was founded by Thomas Sneed Byrne in 1923 and was purchased by John Avila Jr. in 1995. Avila’s sons, Paul and Matthew, will represent the second generation of Avila family ownership. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: The ability to assemble the necessary funds to purchase Byrne without outside investors. And, two years after the acquisition, the award of the construction management contract at DFW International Airport for a period of three years. This contract helped reestablish the company. FIVE YEAR GOAL: Byrne’s portfolio has

tremendous healthcare project experience and we wish to grow this market share. WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THEM: Byrne is a client-driven company recognized for its outstanding quality and repeat clients. We view our clients as members of the Byrne family. REWARDS OF A HOMEGROWN BUSINESS: We take great pride in being the builder of landmark projects within our community, providing for the families of our employees, and reconnecting with people who have worked for Byrne over the decades. THE FAMILY: John Avila, president/CEO; Paul Christian Avila, senior estimator; Matthew Thomas Avila, director of administration and risk management. CONTACT INFORMATION: 900 Summit Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76102. 817.335.3394, Fax 817.877.5507. WEB SITE: tsbyrne.com. E-MAIL: javila@ tsbyrne.com; pavila@tsbyrne.com; mavila@tsbyrne.com.

Lone Star Bavarian, Inc. of Fort Worth

SPECIALTY: Lone Star Bavarian, Inc. services BMW, Mercedes and Mini automobiles in a unique facility with a priority to service unlike anything in the automobile service industry. YEARS IN BUSINESS: The business has been open eight years and, due to its priority for giving excellent service, it has outgrown its old location on Lovell Avenue.

GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: “We were able to purchase our own building within the first eight years of business, because we have remembered that service is our first priority. We have also pushed to be debt free, which enabled us to have the capital to purchase our new building-something that is unheard of in this industry.” PURPOSE: “We wanted to give BMW, Mercedes and Mini owners the kind of service they deserve, in a warm, family-friendly facility.

With our new building, we can accomplish all of these goals and more.” UPDATES: We have moved to a new, larger facility that is located only two blocks from the old location. Everyone is welcome to come by and tour the new facility, but if you need services please schedule an appointment ahead of time. FAMILY: This business is based on family unity across three generations who have all been instrumental in making Trent’s dream a reality. The business has even pulled Patricia, Trent’s wife and attorney, into the business part-time to oversee marketing, Web services, and the employees. Without our team of family and employees, we would not be such a huge success.”

MOTTO: “We are the Ultimate Service Team for your BMW, Mercedes or Mini.” CONTACT INFORMATION: 3800 W. Vickery St., Fort Worth, Texas 76107. 817.732.4888.

Pulliam Pools

SPECIALTY: We build backyard paradises: in-ground gunite swimming pools and spas, vanishing edge pools, grottos, waterfalls, water features, rock slides, pergolas, outdoor kitchens/ entertainment areas, stand-alone barbecues and fire pits. We have an in-house service team that only services Pulliam pool owners. CERTIFICATIONS/HONORS: Both Barry Pulliam and VP Debra Smith hold Certified Building Professional status with the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Most employees are Certified Pool Operators and hold other designations that are important to our industry. Pulliam Pools is the Oldest Pool Company in Texas and in America. YEARS IN BUSINESS: Pulliam Pools was established in 1916. President Barry Pulliam, the current owner, is the third generation owner. Barry assumed

control of the in-ground pool business in 1985. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Our family pioneered the innovative design and structural advances considered the finest in modern swimming pool construction, which are still in use today. WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THEM: Because we care about our customers and will be in contact with them long after the sale. We do things the right way and do not cut corners in terms of safety or construction. PICTURED:

INFORMATION: 2725 Alta Mesa Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76133. 817.346.4778, Fax 817.346.6353. WEB

SITE: pulliam.com. E-MAIL: pulliam@pulliam.com.

Stacy Furniture and Accessories

C o NC e N trat I o N: We specialize in retail furniture, providing a large selection of quality, name-brand furniture with a high level of customer service. Y ears IN BU s IN ess : Stacy Furniture and Accessories has been in business since 1991 (17 years). G e N erat I o N s : Three generations. G reatest P rofess I o N a L a C h I e V e M e N t : Receiving the Family Business Award from Baylor University in 1995. a CC o MPLI sh M e N ts / ho N ors : In 2006, Stacy Family Enterprises opened Dorian’s Interior Design on Hulen in Fort Worth. Dorian’s is an upscale furniture showroom offering custom design services and in-home consultation. Dorian’s won many awards in the 2007 Kaleidoscope of Homes including Best Master Bedroom and Best Furnishings. Dorian’s was also named 2008 Best Home Furnishings by Fort Worth, Texas magazine.

wh Y a fa MILY- ow N e D BU s IN ess I s DI ffere N t : Decisions can be made quickly and without having to go through many different levels. We all get together and take a vote--that’s how it’s done. wh Y Y o U sho ULD C hoose the M: We know furniture, and we guarantee the best selection at the best prices in the Metroplex. In addition, we pride ourselves on our level of service and commitment to our customers. We know that our customers are our neighbors and their kids play ball with our kids. So when we see them in the community, we want to know we’ve done everything we can in the way of customer service. M otto : Unless we would be proud to have it in our own home, we don’t put it in the store. PIC t U re D : Rick Stacy, Owner; Dorian Stacy Sims, President. C o N ta C t IN for M at I o N: 1900 S. Main Street, Grapevine, Texas 76051. 817.424.8800. we B s I te : stacyfurniture.com.

Specialized Property Management Inc.

CONCENTRATION: Residential property management, including real estate sales of income-producing properties.

YEARS IN BUSINESS: Twenty three years as a property management firm with over 60 years of combined real estate experience. GENERATIONS: There are two generations who are principles with our company. You could say real estate is in our blood. Marvin’s mother worked for one of the Westside’s major developers for 60 years. Sallye’s parents were residential builders in the 50s and 60s. This instilled a love for the industry in the couple--a love they have passed on to their daughter, Melissa Shearer. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Knowing that we make a difference in the lives of our owners, tenants and employees by following a high standard of business ethics, professionalism and fair housing practices. WHY A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS IS

DIFFERENT: Family-owned businesses face unique issues. A long-standing rule in business says to never hire friends or family. The fear is that personal or family relationships can too easily wreak havoc in the business environment. Although this may prove true in some instances, we have found that family members have increased loyalty and commitment. The trick is to keep balance in your personal and business life and a degree of separation. WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THEM: O ur team has over 60 years combined experience and expertise to handle one of the most expensive assets anyone can have. Our professional property management group is committed to helping investors meet their financial goals. CONTACT INFORMATION: 3341 Winthrop Ave., Ste. A, Fort Worth, Texas 76116. 817.732.1394, Fax 817.377.1201. WEB SITE: specializedpropertymgmt.com.

103 Oriole, Weatherford (in city), 5/3.2/2 studies, 4988sf , built 1986, $384,950, Ann Feriend, 817.905.2141.

4717 Hidden Lane, Pebble Creek, 3/3.5, $1,900,000,

817-570-9401.

4900 Westridge #6,

Gardens, /3/3/2/, $525,000,

817.991.1712.

7036 Shadow Creek Court,

Vista, 4/3.5, $765,000,

500 Throckmorton #1404, The Tower, 2/2/2, $657,430, Joan Trew / 817.570.9403.

3921 Tamworth Rd, Ridglea, 3/2/2 Pool, $274,000, Joan Trew 817.570.9403.

6315 Dawn Hills Dr, Monarch Hills, 4036 sf, 4/3.1/2, $539,000, Joan Trew 817.570.9403.

817-570-9401. The Arthouse at SoSeven, 2608 Museum Way, 1&2br condos and townhouse style residences, $200's to $400's 817.885.7700.

817. 732 .840 0

1001 Picasso Drive, South of 7th, 3/3.5, $689,000, Martha Williams, 817-570-9401.

4055 Hidden View Circle, Overton West, 2/2/2, $259,900, Joan Trew / 817.570.9403.

4601 Marbella Circle, Montserrat, 4/3.5/2.5, Kelley Walker, 817.253.0049, $699,000 kwalker@williamstrew.com

The Tower. See Website at www.500Throckmorton.com, 1-3 Bedroom Condos. Priced from the $200K’s to $1,100,000 Debbie Hunn 817.994.9659

Women Who Mean Business

A group of 115 heavy-hitters in Tarrant County empower real estate professionals through Greater Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).

by Celestina Phillips

Meet Ginger Johnson—dynamic deal-maker, influential business leader and, of course, part of CREW. The vice president of business development for Southwest Securities, FSB, is just one of dozens of local powerful, professional women who make up the Greater Fort Worth CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women). The organization was established in 1985 to advance the success of women in the commercial real estate industry. Today, the group has 115 members, including a handful of men, all who take advantage of valuable networking opportunities, educational forums and idea exchanges that have led to major real estate deals in the area.

“I find in my line of business, you can ‘lunch’ yourself to death, but wind up with no business,” Johnson said. “But with CREW, we come together with a powerful sense of purpose. This turns lunch into real business opportunities.”

Finding those real business opportunities for women was the motivation behind the formation of CREW in the mid 1980s. Johnson cited a Fort Worth Star-Telegram article where a man, who was a well-respected commercial real estate broker in the area, said women were not serious contenders in the industry because of their lack of networking. Johnson said the article inspired Norma Crow, a local title company marketing officer, to organize quarterly networking breakfasts that featured speakers who covered topics geared toward women looking to make an impact in a male-dominated industry. Within a year, Greater Fort Worth CREW was formed and in February of 1999—the chapter officially joined the national CREW organization.

“From the very first meeting, I attended as a guest. I knew that CREW was powerful and could make an impact not only on my business success, but on the growth of my customers,” Johnson said. “I joined as an official

member right away.”

Upon solidifying her membership, Johnson said she immediately began receiving calls from other members asking about her products and services. She became active on several area committees and met fascinating and successful women who she never would have before. She has since recruited over 25 women to become members.

“We’re growing very nicely,” said Allison Thompson, director of economic develop for the City of Cedar Hill and current CREW president. “We have about 75 people who attend our monthly luncheons or mixers. The networking is fabulous. We also have very strong educational programs that are focused on getting information to our membership. What’s going on, where the deals are, who’s doing what ... that kind of education. And there’s a lot going on.”

Recent CREW event topics have included TCU’s development, influential Hispanics in development, and a luncheon titled “The Road to Glorypark,” which featured an overview of the proposed half-billion dollar mixed-used development in Arlington that was scheduled to open between the Texas Rangers ballpark and the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in March of 2010. Glorypark has been put on hold since the CREW luncheon, but Thompson said the news only reaffirmed how CREW remains on the forefront of economic times.

“It was a great program,” Thompson said about the luncheon. “When you’re getting information that’s on the cutting edge of what’s going on, sometimes that happens. You hear about a great program and it gets put on hold, and I think that this is just on hold.”

Although CREW stands for Commercial Real Estate Women, men in the industry are quickly taking notice of the organization’s unique benefits. John Cornelsen, director of business development for Dunaway Associates and current CREW board member, said when aiming to find an organization that would help him integrate quickly with the community, CREW stood out.

“The primary purpose of CREW is to advance the success of women in commercial real estate, but I have

/ Sandra McGlothlin, Jyl DeHaven, Nina B. Petty & Ginger Johnson

found that CREW is very much about helping all members become successful,” he said. “I was very impressed how everyone reached out and tried to help me from the start. My first CREW event was at Montgomery Plaza with John Weber. I became a member later that year, and joined the board this year. I am very excited to support such a wonderful organization. It’s not news that the future is bright for Fort Worth, and I believe the same is true for Fort Worth CREW.”

Building business relationships is only the beginning when it comes to members utilizing CREW to make things happen. For Yvonne Harrison, vice president of corporate banking for Compass Bank and CREW membership chairwoman, relationships made in CREW led to the establishment of a small spin-off group who worked together for direct business gains.

“There’s a gap in the real estate world because many exited the industry in the 1980s during the crash,” Harrison said. “There’s an older generation who’s seasoned, and then there’s a younger generation. We looked at our mentors and thought, aside from longevity and experience, what are these guys doing different than what we are doing?”

Harrison said she and her group of young colleagues realized that the older real estate professionals had created a tight network in which they would pull information from and share ideas and contacts. Harrison’s small network wanted to do the same, hence the creation of ReCon, standing for The Real Estate Connection. The group consists of 12 young real estate professionals and was established by Harrison and Brandon Brewer of Republic Title, both of whom met while participating in CREW.

“Each of ReCon’s 12 members are specifically focused on one category of commercial real estate,” Harrison said. “We have every role you would need to bring a real estate deal together, so we can pull from each person’s knowledge of their sector to make a deal happen. It definitely worked and we’ve all had successes in our businesses because of it. And it came directly from looking

at the founders of CREW and asking ourselves, ‘How did you do it?’”

For CREW board member Elizabeth Falconer of Struhs Development, her CREW membership came from her Trinity Bluff project development. Falconer, wife of Tom Struhs, said she has also found great camaraderie and support through her involvement.

“CREW is comprised of numerous dynamic women who genuinely want to help their peers be more successful,” she said. “No catfighting in this crowd, that’s for sure!”

With so many members in the same field, a crossover of occupations is bound to occur. However, Johnson said that although many of her fellow members are competitors, the relationships built in CREW are strong enough to overcome any ill will.

“I have an in-depth understanding of the character of these competing women that I would not have had before,” Johnson said. “I work the deals that are referred to me. But if for some reason the deal is beyond what my bank can provide, I will refer the deal to a competitor in the group because I trust that person. I have received deals from competitors, too. It’s a win-win for all of us.”

Johnson has seen her fair share of winning deals that stemmed directly from CREW relationships. But Johnson and many of her CREW associates would agree that one of the most exciting commercial real estate deals that involved CREW members was the Villa de Leon luxury condo project, which was developed by Tom Struhs.

“This deal began as a dinner discussion one night and turned into one of the biggest deals that CREW colleagues have put together so far,” Johnson said. “It’s a deal that will result in an altered skyline for downtown Fort Worth and will add luxury and elegance to the city for decades to come.”

Many high-profile real estate professionals were involved in the Villa de Leon deal, including Elizabeth Fal-

coner, Ginger Johnson, Victoria Powell of B.R. Powell & Associates, Early Davis of Republic Title, Carla Higgins of Westover Management and Keri Curtis of Integra Realty Resources, all who are CREW members. The deal was so renowned, it was given CREW’s annual “Deal of the Year” award, which honors the biggest commercial real estate deal in Tarrant County involving the most CREW members.

“Getting this huge deal done evolved from a group of CREW members sitting at dinner and wanting to be a part of Tom Struhs’ vision for this development,” said Vickie Powell, current CREW treasurer. “This project will represent the best of luxurious living in downtown.”

Elizabeth Falconer said Johnson played a huge role in solidifying the financing for the deal. The Villa de Leon project tugged at Johnson’s heartstrings when she first learned of the vision.

“I remember more than 10 years ago, a fellow CREW member and I were driving down Samuel Avenue in Fort Worth,” Johnson said. “I told her how my dad was raised in this part of town and how I would love to live here some day, as the view of downtown was breathtaking. A few years later, Tom Struhs spoke at a CREW luncheon and detailed his vision. Now, years later, I and several CREW members are a part of that major development. I am proud and honored to have had a part in it through CREW.”

As CREW continues to thrive and attract members, both female and male, the values that Norma Crow first set to achieve are reiterated in CREW events today: providing a powerful support network for Fort Worth women in commercial real estate.

“Today some of my closest friends are fellow CREW members,” Johnson said. “They are the most successful and influential women in the industry. They are deal makers, they know the value of relationships in building business, and they are passionate about what they do.” fw

Fountains of Youth

The other day, I bumped into an old buddy of mine who I haven’t seen since college. He just remarried and his new wife was at least 30 years younger than him. Of course, when you see something like that, it’s only natural to ask yourself, “Why him?” or more importantly, “Why not me?”

But seriously, 30 years seems like a pretty big spread. Now I’m all for May-December romances, but shouldn’t those months at least be in the same century? Unfortunately, my friend is like so many other people out there who use extreme measures to recapture their youth—it seems like it’s gradually becoming an obsession. I don’t understand this type of thinking, however, it’s not like it’s a current phenomena. Hundreds of years ago, Ponce de Leon, who was obsessed with staying young, landed in Florida looking for the mythical fountain of youth. He asked the Seminoles where he could find it, and they just scratched their heads, looked at each other and thought, “What this guy needs is a fountain of smart.”

Now these days, the attempt to achieve the illusion of youth is generally achieved in one of two ways. The first is by changing our appearance. This is usually accomplished by some sort of cosmetic procedure. Results may vary, however, skydiving is an excellent way to see how you’d look if you got a facelift.

The second is by changing our behavior. This can be accomplished by not only marrying someone younger, but also by engaging in youthful activities like dancing. However, try not to use the moves you learned in the ’60s. Trust me on this one. People will instinctively try to grab your tongue because they’ll assume you’re having a seizure.

So what’s the answer? Truth is, we all want another shot at being young so we won’t make the same mistakes again. I’d love one more chance to attend my high school senior prom with that popular cheerleader. She got very upset because we had to leave early; she never spoke to me again. But if I had it to do over, I’d make darn sure that the ice cream man wasn’t going to need his truck back. But that’s not going to happen, so all I can do is learn from my mistakes. And the quicker we all learn and recognize our mistakes, the faster we can track down the people who are responsible for them.

Let’s face it. Some of us are on the back nine of life. Frankly, I feel like I’m putting out on 17. But we can still embrace the joys of getting older like my grandfather did in his waning years. He always had that smile on his face, whether he was wandering the

neighborhood in a bathrobe, knocking over the candy display at the local drugstore, or regaling some stranger with descriptions of the best parking spots he’s ever had. Then, of course, he was led back to the house by loved ones or trained healthcare professionals. Yes, we have much to look ... forward ... to ... qwertyuiopasdfgfghjkl .......... Oh, sorry. I must have fallen asleep and my head hit the keyboard. That happens every time I eat too much at Luby’s.

by Heywood

Heywood is a morning show host at 95.9 FM The Ranch. All complaints can be directed to Heywood@TheRanchRadio.com.

2113 Old Dicey Road - Stone Ranch - Weatherford, 26 acres of beautiful coastal bermuda fields. This amazing stone home has a steel frame 3/3 and a gourmet kitchen. Come and live the dream! $850,000, Carla Trimber 817-296-3169

3201 Avondale - A 1928 traditional on 1/3 acre corner lot features the finest architectural details combined with all the modern conveniences. $579,500 Ruth Story, 817-992-9232 www.storygroupinc.com

301 Aledo Springs - Fabulous country estate outfitted with custom pool, spa, and cabana on 8+ acres in gated Creeks of Aledo. Minutes from downtown Fort Worth. Ann Wright, 817-319-5025

4659 Sidonia Court – Montserrat – New constructon. Lovely 3/3 french style home w/ firepit in backyard. 1st Fl Master suite, study, wine closet, media/game room, sun room w/see thru fireplace to living area. $639,000. Ed Brooks, 817-691-6155 www.edbrooks.net

8800 Summit Point Court – Overlooking Eagle Mountain Lake w/ expansive views, 6,110 SF, 5 Bedrooms, Elevator, Aquarium, Handicap Accessible, Library, Separate Apartment, Greenhouse. $965,000, Kelly Biedenharn, 817-689-7100 www.ftwrealty.com

4200 Yucca Flats Trl - La Cantera West. Located on 7 beautiful acres. 4 Bdrm, 4 Baths, Study plus Media Room with over 4200 sqft. Builder’s personal home. Private riding trails. $519,900, Tiffany Milan, 817-269-9495 www.TheMilanCo.com.

9516 Park Drive - You can have it all.... at home! Indoor basketball court, pool, outdoor kitchen, workshop/garages and more. Acreage close to the City. Over 6000 sq. ft of beauty. $1,295,000, 817-269-1660 terrichristian.com

506 Calera - Fort Worth - Dream home in an exclusive gated community across from Shady Oaks Country Club. Stunning 4/4, over 6500 sq. ft w/ 3 fireplaces, breathtaking courtyards, granite countertops and more much more! $1,950,000, Jessica Buchanan 817-683-4090

Greater Fort Worth CREW is a non-profit organization of commercial real estate professionals affiliated nationally through membership in the CREW Network - dedicated to advancing the success of women in commercial real estate by providing a forum for networking opportunities, educational seminars, programs to promote professional ethics and integrity, an exchange of best business practices, and a support network for powerful women in the Fort Worth area. Greater Fort Worth CREW members represent diversity in many fields of the commercial real estate industry: Accounting, Acquisitions, Appraisal, Architecture, Asset Management, Construction, Development, Environmental, Institutional Investments, Interior Design, Leasing & Sales, Market Research, Mortgage Banking, Property Management, Real Estate Law and Title Services.

There are currently 115+ members of Greater Fort Worth CREW. Membership is not restricted to women, as 7 of our members in Fort Worth are men. Members must go through an approval process. Information on Greater Fort Worth CREW can be found online at: www.fwcrew.org. Information on the national organization CREW Network can be found online at: www.crewnetwork.org.

» professional women in real estate worth knowing

port·folio

Shopping for a new home or property can be an overwhelming experience. The following real estate professionals want to make this challenge a little easier for you. These leading ladies can help with all of your real estate needs.

Ebby Halliday, REALTORS

FOCUS: Residential Real Estate. HONORS: Ebby is the No. 1 independently owned residential real estate company in the Metroplex and in Texas. The company was also ranked No. 11 in the nation for 2007. HISTORY: Started in 1945, Ebby is now comprised of more than 1,600 sales associates and staff in 30 offices, including three offices in Tarrant County that serve more than 12,000 square miles in North Texas. In 2007, the company participated in more than 17,000 property transactions and made $4.7 billion in production. WHY YOU SHOULD

CHOOSE THEM: More than 60 years of experience and a reputation for unparalleled dedication to service and professionalism. SPECIAL INTERESTS: Ebby Halliday founded her company on the principle of service: Service to the client, service to the industry and service to the community. Today, the name Ebby has come to represent a dedication to service, and Ebby Associates continue to play active roles in the betterment of their communities. The company sponsors numerous charitable causes, including The United Way and

Happy Hill Farm Academy. The Tarrant County offices are involved with Christ Haven Children’s Home, Open Arms, Keller Community Storehouse, Special Needs Assistance Program of North Texas, The Salvation Army, Women’s Shelter of Arlington, Mission Arlington and Many Hands Ministry. CONTACT INFORMATION: Arlington: 1201 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, Texas 76013, Marilyn Newton, manager, 817.654.3737. Colleyville: 4508 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, Texas 76034, Beverly Clark, manager, 817.498.5200.

Southlake:1100 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 100, Southlake, Texas 76092, Kaye Monts, manager, 817.481.5882. WEB SITE: www.ebby.com ... The Best Address In Real Estate.

to right)

Century

21 Judge Fite Company

SPECIALTY: Residential resale, relocation, new construction, commercial, and farm and ranch. AWARDS/HONORS: One of the 70 Best Companies to Work for as voted by Texas Monthly magazine in 2008; No. 1 Century 21 Company in Texas; No. 1 Century 21 Company in the World year to date; Recipient of the Century 21 Quality Service Award in 2007. WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THEM: “Our agents are the best trained agents in the industry and have more tools at their disposal to market and sell a home than any of our competitors.” MISSION: “To serve the community, develop people, have fun and achieve profits.” MOTTO: Where ever life leads you. FREE ADVICE: Now is a great time to buy and sell real estate! AGENTS: Alicia Young, 817.899.0755, Danielle Caldwell 817.797.5657, Benita Gavrel 817.800.5057, Becky Elliot 817.455.4100, Kimberly Hamilton 817.683.7056, Carmen Cuomoalcala 682.556.9703 and Ava Eadie 817.475.2410. CONTACT INFORMATION: 2750 S. Hulen Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76109. 817.731.8667.

REALTORS

FOCUS: Residential Real Estate. RECENT

ACCOMPLISHMENT: Ebby Halliday, founder and chairwoman of Ebby Halliday, REALTORS, received the 79th Annual Linz Award. The Award is one of the oldest and most prestigious civic honors in Dallas. It is given to the individual whose community and humanitarian efforts created the greatest benefit to the city during the last decade without having received monetary compensation. AWARDS: It goes without saying that Ebby’s accomplishments extend far beyond Dallas--she has a nationwide impact. Other awards include, but are not limited to, the Horatio Alger Award for Overcoming Adversity to Achieve Success; induction into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame; The International Women’s Forum Award for corporations that make a difference in the advancement of women; The

Distinguished Service Award by the International Real Estate Federation at the Rome Congress; Texas REALTOR of the Year by the Texas Association of REALTORS (first woman to receive this honor); and designation as a Life Member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of REALTORS.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Arlington: 1201 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, Texas 76013, Marilyn Newton, manager, 817.654.3737. Colleyville: 4508 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, Texas 76034, Beverly Clark, manager, 817.498.5200.

Southlake:1100 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 100, Southlake, Texas 76092, Kaye Monts, manager, 817.481.5882. WEB

SITE: www.ebby.com ... The Best Address In Real Estate.

PICTURED: (left to right) Staci Land, Jill Suarez, Kay Martin, Donna Noto, Cindy-Jo Bisset, Debbie Kerschen, Marilyn Newton.

Ebby Halliday, REALTORS [Colleyville and Southlake Offices]

SPECIALTY: Residential Real Estate. AWARDS/ HONORS: Ebby is the No. 1 independently owned residential real estate company in both the Metroplex and in Texas, and 11th in the nation for 2007. CHARITABLE INVOLVEMENT: The company sponsors numerous charitable causes including the United Way and Happy Hill Farm Academy. Tarrant County offices are involved with Christ Haven Children’s Home, Open Arms, Mission Arlington and Many Hands Ministry. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Started in 1945, Ebby is now comprised of more than 1,600 sales associates and staff in 30 offices,

including three offices in Tarrant County that serve more than 12,000 square miles in North Texas. In 2007, the company participated in more than 17,000 property transactions and made $4.7 billion in production. PICTURED: First row (left to right) Elizabeth Sackrule, Imogene Mecaskey and Irene Johnston. Second row (left to right) Loyce Shirley, Lori Watson and Sherri Strayer. Third row (left to right) Penny Brackett. CONTACT INFORMATION: Colleyville Office: Beverly Clark, manager, 817.498.5200. Southlake Office: Kaye Monts, manager, 817.481.5882. WEB SITE: www.ebby.com ... The Best Address in Real Estate.

The Lesli Akers Team

SPECIALTY: The Lesli Akers Team concentrates on residential real estate, primarily over $350,000, in Northeast Tarrant County and parts of Denton County. We also specialize in working with builder/new construction/ new development clients including Garabedian Properties, North Point Custom Homes, Royal Kingdom Properties, and DD Design Custom Homes. HONORS: Recognized as one of D/FW’s top real estate agents by Fort Worth, Texas magazine and D magazine. Outstanding top-producing agent with Tappe White and the Randy White Team. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: My extensive past client referral base, which was built on trust and outstanding service, and the respect of my peers as a professional. When it comes to selling residential real estate, the best part for me is making a difference in people’s lives. I am passionate about providing exceptional, unique service to each and every client. SERVICE

AREA: By keeping my market area somewhat condensed, I offer my clients strong market knowledge. I am very in tune with my market, so I can visualize and mentally pull up everything in the market area that a client is looking for. WHAT SHE KNOWS: Growing up in a high profile Austin family–daughter of former UT Head Football Coach Fred Akers--I learned early on the value of public relations, good teamwork and the energy and spirit that arises from a solid team effort. I also gained a high value for discipline, healthy competitiveness and achievement, as well as the inspiration that comes from being around winners. PICT u RE d: left to right: Jessica Hutchings; Margaret Krause; Lesli Akers; Mindy Hughitt; JoAn Hobbs. CONTACT

INFORMATION: Lesli Akers, 817-798-3603; 1560 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 231, Southlake, Texas 76092. WEB SITE: tappewhite.com. E-MAIL: lesli@tappewhite.com.

The Women of Randy White Team

SPE c IAL t Y: Top-level service in residential and commercial real estate. AWARDS/HONORS: People’s Choice for Best Realtor, Colleyville Courier; People’s Choice for Best Realtor, Southlake Times. PR of ESSI o NAL m E m BERSHIPS: Texas Association of Realtors; Colleyville Chamber of Commerce, Southlake Chamber of Commerce and Business Networking International. GREA t ES t PR of ESSI o NAL

A c HIEVE m EN t : Consistently being the No. 1 selling team in Tarrant County. SERVICE AREA: Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Westlake, and Northeast Tarrant County. w HY Y o U SH o ULD c H oo SE t HE m : Integrity, top-level service and true concern for clients’ best interests. motto : Leading People

Home. c HARI t Y INV o LVE m EN t : Cook Children’s Charity House, Christ Haven Children’s Home, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. f REE ADVI c E: Work to Live; Don’t Live to Work. REAL to RS: Brooke Teel, brooke@randywhite.com; Claire Jenkins, claire@ randywhite.com; Denyse Jenkins, denyse@randywhite.com; Lori Wahl, lori@randywhite.com; and Natalie White, natalie@ randywhite.com. co N t A ct IN fo R m A t I o N: Southlake Town Square, 1560 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 200, Southlake, Texas 76092. 817.442.0173, Fax 817.251.6448. w EB SI t E: randywhite.com.

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Dream Home Update

nother month has passed and work is well underway on the 2008 fort worth, texas magazine dream home. As with any finely-crafted home, some of the most important work goes into elements that will be invisible in the finished project. Contractors are currently hard at work installing electrical wiring, including arc fault protected outlets that will increase the safety in the home. Other safety measures include a fire sprinkler protection system throughout the house. The walls of the home will feature hand-blown insulation—an energy-efficient feature designed to save home-owners money as energy costs continue to rise.

Wiring has also begun on security and audio/visual systems. The highlight of the audio/visual system is the state-of-the-art media room. There’s no need for Dream Home owners to deal with the crowds and high ticket prices of the local movie multiplex. Complete with theater-style seating and a projection screen, the media room will be the perfect space to recreate a movie theater experience within the comfort of home.

For those who love wine, the Dream Home offers the tantalizing combination of a wine cellar and tasting patio. The cellar provides the perfect place to keep favorite vintage wines for a special occasion. Conveniently connected to the outside tasting patio by elegant cast-iron doors, the wine cellar promises to make entertaining guests an effortless experience.

From the cellar to the roof, the Dream Home will exhibit the best in unique materials and design. The roof is currently under construction, and is being installed by Griffith Roofing. To tie in the Tuscaninspired design of the home, the roof will consist of the San Carlos blend of multi-colored roofing tiles by Monier. This unique feature will give the Dream Home a distinctive Mediterranean flair. Mark Griffith said that in addition to beauty, the roof is “very energy efficient because of the thickness of the material.” The strength of the tile will repel hail storm damage up to baseball-sized hail, he said. The combination of durability, practicality, and beauty makes the Dream Home roof uniquely valuable. fw

Vendors:

Aaron ornamental durango doors

Ferguson enterprises

Franklin Insulation

Griffith roofing

Guardado Landscaping

Hawk security

Interceramic Tile & stone Gallery

The Kitchen source

Kline Hardwood Lee Lighting

Lighthouse Furniture & design Center

omni View Window & door overhead door Company Master’s Flooring

/ Fort Worth, Texas magazine’s 2008 Dream Home, a Tuscan-inspired home in Southlake’s prestigious Palomar Estates, will include 6,100 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a pristine swimming pool, and an exterior kitchen and bar, to name a few.

The Fort Worth Library Foundation

Extends a Special Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors for the 11th Annual Cigar Smoker Benefit

Fort Worth,Texas Magazine

Indulge Magazine

American Airlines Anonymous

Bates Container, LTD

Kilburn, Jones & Gill, LLP

BJ Services Co. USA

Esther & Will A. Courtney

Jetta Operating Company, Inc.

Pop’s Safari Fine Wines & Cigars

Sundance Square

Coors Distributing Company

Dale Property Services, LLC

Dallas SW Osteopathic Physicians

Amy Houston

Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP - 1

Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP - 2

Komatsu Architecture

Leo Potishman FoundationJPMorgan Chase Bank, Trustee

Ladies in Black Lazard/BlackRock

Luther King Capital Management

Gregory L. McCoy

Pop’s Safari Cigars & Fine Wines

Republic Title/Southwest Securities, FSB UANT

With Special Thanks

Altadis, U.S.A.

Balcom Agency

BizRadio

Brad O’Leary Auctions

Coors Distributing Company

Republic Beverage Company

Southwest Securities, FSB

Sazarec Distillery

Behind the Scenes

Laufenberg, CBS 11 Sports

Ihad always heard about the outof-control parents and the poor sportsmanship on the part of youth players and parents alike, but I always believed it was once again someone just trying to tell a good story.

Then I had two children of my own. My two boys are currently involved in youth sports, where I think children would be better off if the games were played in empty gyms and baseball fields with no parents allowed. Parents think they are supporting their children by becoming defensive and challenging plays when, in fact, many of them are doing their children a decided disservice.

Go to a youth basketball game, and this is likely what you’ll see: Child is whistled for a foul. Child looks into the stands for an acknowledgment from their parents that he is the victim of a bad officiating call. Parent confirms it by berating the official. How could this be? How could the essence of sports—fair play, sportsmanship and competition—take a back seat to the importance of winning at such a young age?

Sylvia Gearing, CBS 11 and TXA 21 contributing psychologist, said: “Type A personalities abound in American culture. These driven high-strung personalities are often centrally involved in their kids’ sports. They often emphasize performance over effort with their child. Unfortunately, the very characteristics that make them successful in life (driven nature, ambition, effective time management, etc.) contribute to their irrational, unprofessional behavior on the sidelines.”

I have seen high school kids umpire a little-league baseball game

while mediating disputes between rival adult managers, all for the day rate of $20. Huh? It amazes me that parents somehow think an official is trying to do anything less than the best he or she can.

And since when did being verbally abusive to officials and umpires become its own sport? It is, quite honestly, pathetic. These officials actually provide a service to the community and, believe it or not Mom and Dad, they don’t have a vested interest in which team wins.

“Many kids are confused and demoralized when they witness an out-of-control parent.”

Sylvia Gearing,

contributing psychologist

I recently attended a middle school basketball game that was decided by a single point. As each parent filed out of the gym, they claimed that the officiating was awful and it cost their team the victory. I had just witnessed the last minute of the game, and the losing team missed two layups, 3 free throws, and one of the players received a technical foul that led to the winning point. And we are going to complain about the officiating? Please.

So just what do some of these kids think when they see their parents out of control?

“Many kids are confused and

demoralized when they witness an out-of-control parent,” Gearing said. “Not only are they embarrassed that the parent has lost control, they are directly witnessing an adult tantrum. Such behavior can be traumatizing. Parents surrender their authority when they misbehave since such behavior introduces a doublestandard. They cannot expect their son or daughter to behave responsibly if they do not exercise the same self-control.”

I have coached my oldest son’s basketball team for the last three years. At the beginning of each season, I have a meeting with the parents and boys. I tell them the same thing every year: “We all have a job to do. The parents will cheer, the boys will play, I will coach and the officials will officiate. If the boys want to officiate the game, they can do it sitting next to me on the bench.”

I want the boys to have accountability. If we lose the game, it was because we didn’t play well enough or because we simply lost to a better team. It is not, however, because the officials “had it in for us.” In three years, I can’t recall a single incident where I have had to speak to a parent about their behavior at games. It is amazing how sportsmanship, both good and bad, can feed off each other.

So let’s give the games back to the kids. Support them. Encourage them. Let them have fun. Teach them the silly, old-fashioned values of sportsmanship. Tell them to be good teammates and good competitors. Don’t worry about the result. Enjoy the experience.

It is good advice for the kids ... and maybe more importantly, for the parents. fw

Tough Cookies

Girl Scouts is about more than just cookie sales; it provides opportunities for girls to develop integrity and confidence in a fun and safe environment.

by Alison Rutledge

cross the united states and the world, millions of women look back on the activities of their childhood and remember girl scouts. With its mission statement— Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place—the Girl Scouts of America have helped generations of girls grow into women of integrity and strength.

Chartered in 1942 as the Fort Worth Girl Scouts Council and later renamed the Circle T Council, the local division of Girl Scouts serves more than 16,000 girls across eight counties. From ages 5 to 17, girls from all backgrounds come together to individually grow with the community of a troop.

When Lizann Cundall moved to Grapevine, she saw Girl Scouts as an opportunity for her daughter to be involved with an organization that would give her a large group of friends. Nine years later, Cundall said, “[Girl Scouts] has allowed my daughter to develop skills that she may not have received anywhere else.” Cundall, a troop leader, recalled a recent field trip to Savannah, Georgia—where Girl Scouts was founded—as one of her favorite experiences. Girl Scouts has given her the opportunity as a mother to steer her daughter in a direction to develop responsibility, she said.

Adult volunteers are the backbone of the Girl Scouts organization. They are involved at a variety of levels, from local troop leaders to administrators. Last year, more than 6,465 volunteers contributed over 550,000 hours of service to girls in the community.

Even with this impressive amount of time and dedication, the number of volunteers is declining. With higher numbers of women in the workforce and more single-parent homes, traditional methods of volunteering have become increasingly unmanageable for women in today’s society. As a result, Girl Scouts is striving to revamp their volunteer program to accommodate all women who wish to serve the girls of Greater Fort Worth.

With summer in full swing, camps are the main event in the world of Girl Scouts. At the two resident camps managed by the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains regional division, girls can choose from a variety of such activities as canoeing, crafts and horseback riding.

Without the support of the community, the fun and educational activities associated with Girl Scouts would not be possible. In May, the Girl Scouts held their annual Derby Day fundraiser at Lonestar Park

in Grand Prairie. Scheduled to coordinate with the Kentucky Derby, the event featured dinner, live races, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Lee Koch, director of fund development for the region, said the event was a complete success as the funds raised were double those of last year. Next year’s event is already scheduled for Preakness Saturday, a horse race for 3-year-olds that runs annually two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, on May 17, 2009.

If you missed the Derby Day event, the Girl Scouts have another fundraiser coming up—their annual family-friendly Duck Day. On Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., families who come to Trinity Park between the Lancaster and 7th Street bridges will be able to adopt a rubber duck. That afternoon, attendees will be able to watch their adopted ducks “race” on the river after being dropped from the Lancaster bridge.

With their mission to support and nurture girls as they grow into tomorrow’s leaders, the Girl Scouts organization offers a valuable service to the Tarrant County community. More than the source of the best cookies around, Girl Scouts is a thriving organization dedicated to helping all girls realize their full potential. As the mother of two Girl Scouts and a former Scout herself, Koch said she values the resourcefulness and confidence that the organization teaches. “Everyone is connected to Girl Scouts,” she said. “You were one, you have one, you’re married to one, or you’ve eaten a cookie from one.” fw

The Beast of Me

When my husband goes out of town for work, it usually means one thing: I’m in charge all by myself. That’s fine up to a point. Sure, I can bark orders at my kids with the best of them. “Do your homework.”

“Take a bath.” “Don’t lick the dog.” But after 8 at night, I’m done. I mean, I’m so done dealing with these people at this point in my day that I almost forget their names. So the last thing I want to be is Mom. I want to be single Shauna, living alone in my cute little loft apartment downtown. I want zero distractions, and I certainly don’t want anyone bothering me (I realize this is a fantasy that will never come into fruition, but I’m dreaming big—I refuse to accept mediocrity when it comes to fairytales). I want to sit and watch television, or read, or be on the computer, or go to sleep (depending on my mood).

And then I woke up from my dream. I wouldn’t even try and explain this to four kids who couldn’t care less about what it is that I want. You see, they believe that planet Earth actually revolves around them. Huh. I wonder what geniuses led them to believe that. Oh yeah, the grandparents. But don’t even get me started on them. I’ve resigned the fact that whatever I have coming to me in the parental payback department, I earned fair and square. But it doesn’t mean I have to like it 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s usually where my husband comes in. He sees that I’m morphing into what the children have lovingly dubbed, ‘the beast,’ and takes charge. He helps me with bathtime and bedtime, usually picking the easiest one to deal with. But still, he helps.

plan after all. Instead of spending the half hour it takes to put them in their own beds (countless glasses of water, 2 books and 5 extra hugs and kisses each), I lost out on about 3 hours of sleep doing it this way because I was lazy. Had they been in their beds, I wouldn’t have been kicked and punched all night by the octopus children or woken up with a spoon print on my arm.

And to add insult to injury, I got sick. I was sick, my husband was out of town and I didn’t want to get out of bed ... but I had to. I had a full day and four children who didn’t care—they need what they need and they need it now. It’s not like this day was different from any other day, but most days I could rearrange my schedule. Normally, after the kids get dropped off at school, I can lay back down and rest for awhile—but not this day. This day was full of musts, and I felt like crying.

I downed cold medicine and copious amounts of vitamin C. I willed myself to feel better and tried to act like it was any other day—except it wasn’t. I felt terrible. I was sure I had fever. But that didn’t stop me from powering through. As much as I tried to convince myself that I wasn’t sick, it was no use. I was miserable. Instead of dwelling on the fact that I wanted to die, I assumed the position as mother-incharge.

This column chronicles the adventures of a fictionalized character, is intended for comic relief only and should not be perceived as providing advice on parenting or marriage.

This is one of those weeks where he’s been gone and things haven’t gone so well. I begged (begged!) the little kids to take a bath early (before I felt the beast-like qualities kick in) and then convinced them that they wanted to lie in bed with me and watch “Top Chef”—or “Hell’s Kitchen”—or the NBA playoffs. I let them pile all the yogurt and grapes, cereal and crackers, and cheese they wanted on a tray and sit it in the middle of my bed—a picnic if you will. All the while, they’re thinking I’m cool Mom (not the beast at all!), when really what I’m doing is mastering the art of manipulation. Instead of putting them to bed (which really is what a good mother would do—it’s a good thing I never claimed to be one), I just let them fall asleep in my bed, cracker crumbs and all. It really works out fine until I wake up in the middle of the night to find four little feet shoved in my stomach and back—not to mention little bits of food in between my toes. Being a quick study and all, I’m learning that letting them sleep with me might not be such a brilliant

I began the daily picking-up-ofthe-kids-from-school routine. That wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have four kids in four different schools. Yes, I know, it’s insane. People like to point that out to me all the time. But that’s the way it goes. After the last one was picked up, I looked at the clock— 4:45. I’d been in the car, driving around, for 2 hours. And the day wasn’t over—not even close. My daughter was having her musical theater production at school (she was amazing, by the way—a natural born talent if I do say so myself), and she had to be there at 5:30 for rehearsal. Ask me how many times I drove to her school that day—go ahead, ask. FOUR. So we raced home, she changed and gathered her soccer stuff—oh yeah, both older girls had soccer practice AFTER the musical production. Ask me how I was going to manage that. Go head, ask. I had no idea, but was willing to welcome any and all suggestions.

Once inside the theater, we settled in our seats. My youngest and the other man in my life, Ethan, hasn’t grasped the whole idea of ‘inside voice’ yet. In between numbers he would yell out, “I want some gum!” “I want Gatorade!” “I don’t want to see Riley, I want to see a bunny rabbit!” and on and on. People kept turning around looking at us like, “Aren’t you going to do something about him?” and I just stuck my tongue out at them. No I didn’t. I mouthed, “I’m sorry” about a million times

and kept leaning into Ethan saying, “Please don’t talk out loud. Whisper.” It was totally lost on him. And by now, I was beginning to sweat. It was probably my fever breaking. And the bonus was, now my nose was running so much that I had to sit with a box of tissues in my lap. So in between Ethan yelling “I want Gatorade,” people around me had to endure the sound of me blowing my nose every two minutes.

She finished the performance just in time to whisk her and my oldest daughter off to soccer practice. As we hurried to the car, Ethan was still shouting, “I want to see a bunny rabbit.” Sorry dude, no bunny rabbits here. I had absolutely no idea what that was about, but the man knows what he wants. As we pulled into the parking lot of the soccer fields, the last thing I said to the girls as they bolted out the door was, “Y’all find a ride home!” because there was no way I was getting back out. I was officially sick as a dog.

When we got home, I announced to my remaining family members (the ones who are under four feet tall) that for dinner we were having get-it-yourself night. That should be interesting, right? I popped a Lean Cuisine in the microwave for myself and while it was cooking, helped Ethan with his evening ritual—standing inside the refrigerator to study its contents. I could feel myself getting woozier by the minute. I really needed to go to bed. But Ethan was just getting started. After all, he felt perfectly fine. We ate, I changed two poopy diapers (yes, it was my lucky day) and helped Ethan with three costume changes: Spiderman, Princess, Nemo. I read a book with Harley and dished out yogurt cups one after the other. At this point, I really thought I was going to die. I felt that bad. I lay down and closed my eyes. I tried to tune out the noise and the whining and the repeated cries of “mommy, get me a yogurt.” I was finished. But really, I wasn’t. I only wished I was. I tried visiting my

by Shauna Glenn

happy place. You know, single Shauna in her cool loft apartment, where peace and quiet is the soup de jour. You know ... the place that doesn’t exist.

The older girls got home around 9:30 p.m., and I was borderline catatonic at this point. I could hear them in the kitchen, buzzing around trying to find something to eat. That’s when I heard the crash! I jumped up from the bed (feeling a little light headed when doing this), ran in there and behold—the biggest mess you’ve ever seen was laid out before me. One of the shelves from the fridge fell and there were broken bottles of hot sauce, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce all over the floor. She hurriedly began cleaning it up (so as not to arouse the “beast” known as momma after 8 p.m.) when I stepped in and said, “Let me do it—I don’t want you to cut yourself.” My daughter apologized repeatedly, and I told her it was no big deal—accidents happen. I was smiling through gritted teeth on the outside, reassuring her that I wasn’t mad. But on the inside, I wondered how bad would it hurt if I slit my wrists with this glass? The image quickly disappeared when I pictured the older girls fighting over who was going to get what of my things since I was dead now. I imagined one of them running through the house yelling, “I get Mom’s Marc Jacobs bag!” while the other chased after her screaming back, “That’s not fair—you got her diamond earrings!” Nope, it wasn’t gonna happen today.

Finally, at 10:30 p.m., I went to sleep for real—and I slept most of the night, except for the times I woke up to blow my nose. There were no crumbs, no octopus children, no kitchen utensils to speak of. It was just me, married Shauna with four kids, and my very overactive imagination. Oh yeah, and my second box of tissues. fw

Mother of four and future best-selling author Shauna Glenn of Fort Worth can be contacted at shaunarglenn@gmail.com.

Travel a few yards north of Sundance Square, and you’ll be treated to an exciting new fusion of fresh and tasty. For simple, yet unexpected chef-crafted food, join us at Vidalias Southern Cuisine. We start with the finest locally grown ingredients and pamper them with the rich, golden-brown flavor of Southern preparation. It’s fresh. It’s delicious. Explore the unexpected flavor of Vidalias.

call for reservations Serving 6 am-10 pm

WorthDoing [ [

Southwestern Beauty in Brushstrokes

[ Marsden Hartley and

the West:

The Search for an American Modernism ]

When Marsden Hartley (1877-1943) first saw the Southwest in 1918, he poured out his impressions in pastel. Five years later, he began a series of masterful oil paintings with the same objective: Convey new American modernism through the country’s wild landscape. Through Aug. 24, the Amon Carter Museum will present Hartley’s work with a spectacular exhibition: “Marsden Hartley and the West: The Search for an American Modernism.” The show will feature nearly 40 works from the artist’s New Mexico period. The bold, sweeping lines and color of Hartley’s art captures the untamed spirit of the West. Admission to this unique display is free, so don’t miss this opportunity.

›› to list an event: Send calendar information to Fort Worth, Texas: The City’s Magazine, c/o Cortney Strube, assistant editor, 689 Airport Freeway, Hurst, Texas 76053, or via e-mail to cstrube@fwtexas.com. Special consideration will be given to submissions that include photographs. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue.

stars under the stars in sundance square / Bring lawn chairs and a blanket to watch outdoor screenings of your favorite films in the heart of downtown. The Chisholm Trail parking lot of Sundance Square will host family and friends during the warm summer nights as they view cinema classics such as “Hairspray,” “Ghostbusters,” “Apollo 13,” and “Spiderman.” Admission is absolutely free, so treat your family to a special night.

celebrations & festivals

OLD-FASHIONED FAMILY FIREWORKS, JULY 2-4 >> Join the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and musical guests as they celebrate Independence Day with patriotic music and marches and an extraordinary evening fireworks display in tandem with the sounds of the bands! Reserve your table or purchase lawn tickets at the gate. Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 817.665.6500.

43RD ANNUAL USA INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE, JULY 4 >> Presented by the Arlington 4th of July Association. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Bill of Rights.” Don’t miss out on the family fun! 9 a.m. Mitchell and Pecan Streets, Arlington, 817.303.5700.

26TH ANNUAL FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA, JULY 4 >> Find your spot and stake claim near Lake Grapevine. Be prepared to be astonished by the fireworks spectacular, which can be viewed from

any lakeside location, as well as several other spots throughout Grapevine. Admission is free. 9:30 p.m. Lake Grapevine, 817.481.1522.

9TH ANNUAL GRAN FIESTA, JULY 2527 >> A three-day celebration of Hispanic culture and music. The event features three stages with live music, children’s activities and a carnival. LaGrave Field, 512.358.1000.

music

COUNTRY / FOLK

ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS, JULY 7 >> Don’t miss this dynamic duo’s World Tour 2008, featuring T Bone Burnett. 8 p.m. Nokia Theater, Grand Prairie, 972.647.5700.

ROCK / POP

EARTH, WIND AND FIRE, JULY 9 >> Take a step back in time to the ’70s at the Beyond the Elements Tour 2008. 8 p.m. Nokia Theater, Grand Prairie,

972.647.5700.

comedy

HYENA’S COMEDY NIGHT CLUB >> Hyena’s Comedy Night Club, 817.877.5233.

JULY 11-12 >> B.T.

JULY 18-19 >> Billy D. Washington

JULY 25-26 >> Rob Little

FOUR DAY WEEKEND, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, YEAR-ROUND >> The popular improvisational comedy troupe performs skits and songs based on audience suggestions. Four Day Weekend Theater, 817.226.4DAY.

museums

MARSDEN HARTLEY AND THE WEST: THE SEARCH FOR AN AMERICAN MODERNISM, THROUGH AUG. 24 >> Organized by the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, this exhibit features nearly 50 works of Hartley’s New Mexico period. Amon Carter Museum, 817.738.1933.

100 YEARS OF AUTOCHROME, THROUGH JULY 27 >> See a selection of photographs and other materials from the Carter’s collection that, together, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the autochrome—first commercially viable color photographic process. Amon Carter Museum, 817.738.1933.

THE IMPRESSIONISTS, THROUGH NOV. 2 >> View some of the world’s most iconic works of the greatest Impressionist painters. The exhibit includes about 90 paintings from Chicago’s worldrenowned Impressionist collection. Kimbell Art Museum, 817.332.8451.

AFTER HOURS AT THE KIMBELL, SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, YEAR-ROUND >> Join other art and music lovers to listen to music, enjoy an exhibition tour and sip cocktails. Kimbell Art Museum, 817.332.8451.

FIRST FRIDAYS AT THE MODERN, YEAR-ROUND >> The first Friday of each month, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Café Modern team up to bring you live music and cocktails from 5 to 8 p.m. Docent-led, spotlight tour of the galleries at 6:30 p.m. Fort Worth Modern Art Museum, 817.738.9215.

FAMILY FREE FRIDAYS: NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME, LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH, YEAR-ROUND >> Check out the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History for free. 817.255.9300.

CONNECT TO ART, YEAR-ROUND >> Presented by the Amon Carter Museum, Connect to Art is a free multiplevisit program for groups of adults with

cognitive disabilities and their families and/or caregivers. Tours, which are available by request, are focused on building confidence in viewing and discussing art and discovering connections between the works and the participants’ lives. These visitors also complete writing and sketching activities in their own personalized art journal. Amon Carter Museum, 817.738.1933.

LONE STAR DINOSAURS, YEAR-ROUND >> The permanent exhibit gives visitors the chance to use the skills and tools of paleontology in a dynamic, 8,000square-foot space. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 817.255.9300.

SID RICHARDSON MUSEUM, YEARROUND >> Through their collections, oilmen like Sid Richardson, Amon Carter, Thomas Gilcrease, Frank Phillips and R.W. Norton established a link to the romantic legends of the Old West. Sid Richardson Museum, 817.332.6554.

TEXAS CIVIL WAR MUSEUM, YEARROUND >> The Texas Civil War Museum is a nonprofit museum started by Texas oil and gas businessman Ray Richey. The museum features several permanent exhibits focusing on Civil War history and memorabilia. Texas Civil War Museum, 817.246.2323.

TEXAS COWBOY HALL OF FAME, YEAR-ROUND >> The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame honors Texas men and women who have excelled in the sports of rodeo and cutting. Each booth contains photographs and memorabilia, and many of the booths also have video. Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, 817.626.7131.

sports

TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL >> Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, 817.273.5222.

JULY 7-10 >> vs. Los Angeles Angels

JULY 11-13 >> vs. Chicago White Sox

JULY 28-31 >> vs. Seattle Mariners

FORT WORTH CATS BASEBALL >> LaGrave Field in Fort Worth, 817.226. CATS.

JULY 4 >> vs. Wichita (Fireworks show after the game)

JULY 5-6 >> vs. Wichita

JULY 7-10 >> vs. Pensacola

JULY 15-17 >> vs. Wichita

JULY 18-20 >> vs. Pensacola

JULY 28-30 >> vs. Shreveport

JULY 31—AUG. 2 >> vs. Grand Prairie

NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION SUMMER CUTTING SPECTACULAR, JULY 14—AUG. 3 >> Will Rogers Memorial Center, 817.392.7469.

APRIL 29-30 >> vs. Kansas City stage

“AVENUE Q,” JULY 8-13 >> This Tony award-winning Broadway hit tells the story of Princeton, a college grad who moves to the Big Apple in search of a “purpose.” It’s called “one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see,” by Entertainment Weekly. Bass Performance Hall, 817.332.2272.

“GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!” JULY 10-27 >> The story of two aspiring playwrights who perform their backers’ audition for their new project: a fun, big musical about printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg. Sanders Theatre, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 817.923.3012.

“AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’: THE FATS WALLER MUSICAL SHOW.” JULY 18— AUG. 10 >> A tribute to the black musicians of the early 1900s that centers on Thomas “Fats” Waller. Jubilee Theatre, 817.338.4204.

“NOISES OFF,” THROUGH JULY 20 >> A backstage comedy that chronicles the misadventures of a theater troupe. Stage West, 817.784.9378.

“UNNECESSARY FARCE,” JULY 24— AUG. 23 >> Bagpipes, a bumbling mayor and incompetent cops converge in a hotel room where an accountant is trying to trap someone for embezzling funds. Can the cops get over their fear of the opposite sex, guns and the dark in order to crack the case? Circle Theatre, 817.877.3040.

other attractions

CONCERTS IN THE GARDEN, THROUGH JULY 5 >> A Fort Worth tradition, the Concerts in the Garden series should be on your summer to-do list as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and guest bands perform under the stars. July 2-4 will include patriotic songs and marches with a fireworks display following the performance. Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 817.665.6000.

STARS UNDER THE STARS, OUTDOOR SUMMER MOVIE SERIES >> Bring lawn chairs and a blanket to watch outdoor screenings of your favorite films in the heart of downtown. Chisholm Trail Parking Lot, Sundance Square, 817.255.5700.

JULY 3 >> Apollo 13 JULY 10 >> Spiderman

AMERICAN PAINT HORSE ASSOCIATION WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW AND SALE, THROUGH JULY 5 >> Will Rogers Memorial Center, 817.392.7469.

LEGENDS OF TEXAS SUMMER GUNFIGHT SHOWS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS DURING SUMMER SEASON >> Enjoy experiencing the thrill of the Wild West with gunfights and train robberies in the historic stockyards district. Admission is free. Saturdays and Sundays, 11:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Fort Worth Stockyards, 817.625.9715.

COWBOYS OF COLOR CULTURAL YOUTH HERITAGE SEMINAR, WEDNESDAYS, YEAR-ROUND >> National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame, 817.922.9999.

DANCE LESSONS, MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS, YEAR-ROUD >> Billy Bob’s Texas, 817.624.7117.

GRAPEVINE VINTAGE RAILROAD, VARIOUS DATES, YEAR-ROUND >> Rides are available from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards and from the Stockyards to 8th Avenue at the Trinity River. Stockyards Station, 817.625.RAIL.

HISTORIC FORT WORTH, INC. TOURS, YEAR-ROUND >> These tours include the Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House and the Thistle Hill House Museum. Historic Fort Worth, Inc., 817.336.2344.

OMNI IMAX THEATER AND NOBLE PLANETARIUM, YEAR-ROUND >> The Omni IMAX Theater is currently undergoing renovations and will re-open in Summer 2008. The Noble Planetarium is closed during construction on the museum’s new facility, but monthly astronomy activities continue. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 817.255.9300.

STOCKYARDS CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, YEAR-ROUND >> Rope, ride, race! Traditional rodeo fun for the whole family. Cowtown Coliseum, 888.269.8696.

STOCKYARDS DAILY CATTLE DRIVE, YEAR-ROUND >> The world’s only daily cattle drive. Fort Worth Stockyards, Exchange Street, 817.624.4741.

FORT WORTH WATER GARDENS, YEAR-ROUND >> Here, visitors can stand 38 feet below street level amid 1,000 gallons of water cascading down a 710foot wall. That’s just one attraction! 1502 Commerce St., 817.871.7698. FW

TAKEYOUR MUSETO LUNCH

Antipasta ≈ Toasted Baquettes ≈ Hot Tapas ≈ Fresh Salads In the Fort Worth Community Arts Center

Gendy Street

www.fwcafeart.com * Full catering services available

Honorary Chairpersons and VIP Sponsors: Christy and Jason Smith PRODUCTS, INC.

WorthTasting [ [ Southern Comfort

[ Vidalia’s at The Worthington ]

With dishes ranging from fried green tomatoes to smothered pork chops, the cuisine at Vidalia’s (817.210.2222) is unequivocally Southern. Pecan-crusted chicken with braised greens and a wild rice medley is a signature menu item. Coated in a layer of minced pecans with breadcrumbs and spices, this delightful dish is served on a bed of rice, which is cooked in savory mushroom broth. A mixture of collard, spinach and turnip greens braised with bacon, onion and red wine vinegar leave the belly full and the tastebuds satisfied. Using such regional products as beef from Grandview and grits from Waco, Vidalia’s homestyle take on upscale cuisine is infused with a true taste of the South.

Your guide to the best places to eat in the Greater Fort Worth area » ratings

The Dining Guide

american

Arlington / Mid-Cities

62 MAin » 62 Main St., Suite 200, Colleyville, 817.605.0858. David McMillan’s venture into Colleyville has been well-received. The elegant menu offers a wide range of fine dining choices, from meats to chicken to seafood.

11:30am-2pm Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.; 5:30pm-10pm Sat. $$ - $$$

CHeF Point CAFe >> 5901 Watauga Rd., Watauga, 817.656.0080. Eat gourmet in a gas station! Located inside a Conoco station, don’t expect white tablecloths in this cafe, whose motto is “Fill’er-up outside, fill’er-up inside.” This unique restaurant features everything from delicious burgers to stuffed steaks and lamb chops. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 7am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ - $$

gArden CottAge teA rooM >> 5505 Davis Blvd., 817.656.9780. Escape to The Garden Cottage Tea Room inside Golightly’s Gallery in North Richland Hills. This graceful tea room has been serving tremendously light fare and decadent desserts: banana caramel pie, caramel pecan cheesecake and chewy butter cake, just to name a few — made from scratch — since 1985. This charming lunch or meeting spot, which is also available for special events, is the perfect place to grab a light lunch or enjoy a cup of tea. 11am-2pm Tue.-Sat. $

MAC’s BAr & grill » 6077 W. 1-20, 817.572.0541. The cuisine in this Chicago-style restaurant ranges from Southwestern to Cajun to American grill. Dishes include prime rib, shrimp or crawfish étouffée and even chicken fried steak. Mac’s maintains an upscale casual atmosphere with white tablecloths, tulip lights, dark wood walls and candlelight. 11am-10pm Mon.Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ MAr K et street » 5605 Colleyville, 817.577.5020. Good meals to eat in or take home. Good choices of breakfast, salads, pizzas and TexMex. Don’t forget the cobbler. 6am-9pm daily. $ no F rills grill » 4914 Little Rd., 817.478.1766. Other locations: 801 S. Main St., Keller, 817.741.6344; 2851 Matlock Rd., Ste. 422, Mansfield, 817.473.6699. Along with its doppelganger on Eastchase Parkway, No Frills Grill offers large portions at low prices. Video games, a pool table, a back patio and 80-plus screens make dining fun at all hours at this local sports bar. 11am-2am daily. $

olenJACK’s grille » 770 Road to Six Flags East, Ste. 100., 817.226.2600. Chef Brian Olenjack has developed an eclectic menu where there’s something for everyone. Try the chicken fried steak, so big you’ll have leftovers for days. 11am10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-8pm Sun. $- $$$

rose gArden teArooM » 3708 W. Pioneer Pkwy., 817.795.3093 The Rose Garden Tearoom is known for its flavorful rose tea and scrumptious bakeries. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into England. 11:30am-4pm Mon.-Sat.; noon-4pm Sun. $

tHe sAnFord HoUse » 506 N. Center St., 817.861.2129. The comfortable Victorian-style inn just north of downtown offers exquisite dining. Reservations requested. 11:30am-2pm Mon-Fri. $ - $$

soUtHern reCiPes grill » 2715 N. Collins St., 817.469.9878. A restaurant that offers up great atmosphere and a choice of chicken, seafood or steak. 11am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-11pm Sat. $ - $$

VentAnA grille » 7005 Golf Club Dr., 817.548.5047. Located inside the clubhouse at Tierre Verde Golf Club. Serves all meals, but a great pick for an evening out! 6:30am-9pm Sun.Thur.; 6:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ - $$ Fort WortH

BillY Miner’s sAloon » 150 W. 3rd St., 817.877.3301. One of the first in downtown, you’ll find your favorite grill food, from burgers

and fries to just about anything else. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 12pm-1am Fri.-Sat. $

BlUeBonnet CAFÉ » 2223 Haltom Rd., Haltom City, 817.834.4988. The only thing better than the breakfast — and not much is — is the pot roast. The Southern-style cooking is complemented by mementos from I Love Lucy 6:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat. $

CHArleston ’s » 3020 S. Hulen St., 817.735.8900. You can get as casual as coaching shorts, though we’d suggest one think better of it. There’s nothing casual, though, about the hickory-grilled pork, Idaho rainbow trout and classic baby back ribs. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-9pm Sun. $$

CoFFee HoUse gAllerY » 609 S. Jennings Ave., 817.335.4646. Nicknamed “CHG”, the location is an old dry cleaners-turned-coffee bar. The menu features American/Southwestern favorites, and the food is worth coming back for. 10am-2pm Mon.-Fri. $

tHe CoVeY restAUr Ant & BreWerY » 3010 S. Hulen St., 817.731.7933. The brewery features a seven-barrel microbrewery at its center. Lunch and dinner menus range from pizzas to entrees. 11am-11pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-midnight Fri.-Sat. $$ - $$$

CU rlY’s CUstArd » 4017 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.763.8700. Cool down with a fresh frozen custard or try a milkshake—35 flavors to choose from! Enjoy on outdoor benches or drive thru. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

dixie HoUse CAFe » 3701 Belknap St., 817.222.0883. Other locations: 6200 E. Lancaster., 817.451.6180.; 5401 S. Hulen St., 817.361.8500. This family-operated restaurant is known for its chicken fried steak and homemade rolls. 6:30am2pm Mon.-Thur. & Sat.; 6:30am-8:30pm Fri. $

dre W’s Pl AC e » 5701 Curzon Ave., 817.735.4408. A westside favorite for good home cooking. Excellent service and a friendly atmosphere. 10:30am-7pm Mon.-Thu.; 10:30am-8pm Fri.-Sat. $ - $$

F red’s tex As CAFe » 915 Currie St., 817.332.0083. This great music venue features innovative food combinations, from hamburgers to green chili pork roast with sweet potatoes and sourdough battered chicken-fried steak and gravy. The outdoor patio only adds to the attraction of the fun café. 10:30am-midnight daily. $$

lUCile’s stAteside Bistro » 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.4761. Where do we start— with tableside bananas foster for an entrée or fried green tomatoes with an incredible lobster bisque for dessert? Grazing and drinking in any order are popular sports at this favorite westside bistro. Lucile’s has brunch Sat. and Sun. and 40, yes, 40, great martinis. 11:30am-10pm Mon.Thu.; 11:30am-11pm Fri.; 9am-11pm Sat.; 9am-10pm Sun. $$

lU nCH Box » 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.2181. This westside lunch hot spot serves fabulous soups, salads and more. The colorful, flavorful menu will satisfy any taste. 11am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-2:30pm Sat. $

MAMA loU’s CoU ntrY KitCH en » 5700 Bonnell Ave., 817.737.8150. The venue might be small, but this down-home Southern kitchen serves up huge portions of tender fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese and green beans. Mama Lou’s always has service with a smile. 11am-8pm Tue.-Sat. $

MAsseY’s » 1805 8th Ave., 817.921.5582. Open since 1947, this place is an institution, built largely on its reputation for chicken-fried steak. There’s all-you-can-eat catfish on Wednesday and Friday nights, and steaks, seafood and salads. For dessert, try a slice of homemade pie. No frills in the ambiance—this is strictly casual dining. 11am9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-9:30pm Fri.; 11am-9pm Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $

MontgoMerY street CAFÉ » 2000 Montgomery St., 817.731.8033. This is no-frills cooking at its finest. From omelets to chickenfried steak, the menu includes fabulous Southern favorites. 6am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-noon Sat. $ old neigHBorHood grill » 1633 Park Place Ave., 817.923.2282. Everyone knows everyone’s name in this appropriately named grill. Fabulous breakfast entreés of pancakes and Belgian waffles are matched by an equally scrumptious lunch/dinner menu. 7am-9pm Mon.-Sat. $ ol’ so U t H PA n CAK e H o U se » 1509 S. University Dr., 817.336.0311. This place is hopping 24 hours a day, so if you get a craving in the middle of the night for German pancakes, slip on your fuzzy house shoes and join the party. Open 24 hours. $

oVAtion dining And entertAinMent » 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.8900. This venue offers quality food and an extensive live music calendar. 11am-close Wed.-Sat.; 11am3pm Sun. $$

PAris CoFFee sHoP » 704 W. Magnolia, 817.335.2041. This Fort Worth institution has been serving up homemade breakfasts and lunches since 1930. 6am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 6am-11am Sat. $

PAr K Hill CAFe >> 2974 Park Hill Dr., 817.921.5660. With a weekend menu that changes on a weekly basis, you can’t go wrong at this quaint cafe. On the regular weekly menu, try the Smoked Turkey Park Hill sandwich - smoked turkey, cranberry relish, coleslaw and spicy mustard on toast. Serves fabulous American cuisine in the evenings and a scrumptious Sunday Brunch. 10am-3pm Mon.-Sat.; 6pm-9pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am1pm Sun. $-$$

PoP’s sAFAri rooM » 2929 Morton St., 817.334.0559. You’ll find just about any wine and a good cigar, but don’t forget the fine food in one of the two smoke-free dining rooms. Specializing in wild game, entreés feature beef tenderloin, crab cakes and more. 11:30am-2pm Tues-Fri.; 6pm9pm Tue.-Sat. $$ - $$$

rise & s H ine » 3636 Altamesa Blvd., 817.423.3555. Breakfast served all day, featuring 54 varieties of omelets and other goodies. The lunch menu is pretty tasty, too. 6am-2pm daily. $

seC ret gArden te ArooM » 2601 Montgomery St., 817.763.9787. Indeed a secret garden, the tearoom is nestled among 40 separate “shops” inside the Montgomery Street Antique Mall, which offers a unique casual dining experience. The menu features light sandwiches and a variety of salads, soups and quiche. And as the name implies, they carry a wide range of teas (might we suggest the apricot-mango?). 11am-4pm daily. $

snooKie’s » 2755 S. Hulen St., 817.207.0788. The menu at first seems typical of casual american cuisine until you hit Ostrich burger. If that doesn’t appeal, however, stick with cheese fries or any of the other five burgers. A fully stocked bar offers eight beers on tap—including Dos Equis Lager and Black and Tans—and four TVs to watch the big games. 11am-2am daily. $

tex As grill » 6550 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.0270. This casual Western-style restaurant is a real steal, with the most expensive entrée less than $7. The menu features unusual items, such as tuna salad with homemade dressing and chicken-fried steak topped with spicy queso. A dozen bottled beers are available, including Texas favorites Shiner and Lone Star. 11am-9pm daily. $

trolleY stoP CAFÉ » 7200 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.2463. Keven and Mel Hurst invite you to their cafe located in the Historic Camp Bowie Mercantile, which features your favorite comfort foods along with the Hurst family favorite recipes. Come in and try Keven’s famous beer-cheese soup or indulge in Mel’s chocolate

Most entrees under $10

Most entrees between $10-20

Most entrees $20 and over

pot de crèmes. Located on the Weatherford Traffic Circle. Reservations accepted for private parties. 11am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-4pm Sat; noon4pm Sun. $

ViCKerY CAFÉ » 4120 W. Vickery Blvd., 817.737.2277. Owner John Pendergrass offers a large breakfast menu at reasonable prices, as well as a lunch menu with such country favorites as chicken fried steak and fried catfish. Expect excellent service when you come here — the waitstaff has, on average, 15 years’ experience. 6am-3pm Mon.-Thur.; 6am-9pm Fri- Sat.; 7am2pm Sun. $

Westside CAFÉ » 7950 Hwy. 80, 817.560.1996. Enjoy Southern cooking served with Southern hospitality. The breakfasts are huge, the lunches are so good, and both will leave you needing/ wanting a good Southern-style nap. 6am-10pm daily. $

tHe ZodiAC rooM At neiMAn MArCUs » 2100 Green Oaks Rd., 817.738.3581. A delightful dining adventure for lunch with excellent service. 11am-3pm Mon.-Sat. $$

Keller/lAKe CoUntrY

HArBor one » 9315 Boat Club Rd., Lake County; 817.236.8150. The view from this restaurant is one of the best in the county. 10a.m.-6p.m. Wed.-Sun. $

roAnoKe

BABe’s CHiCKen dinner HoUse » 104 N. Oak, 817.491.2900. A tradition among locals, Babe’s Chicken Dinner House offers Southern fried chicken, green beans, cream corn and salad with a sweet vinaigrette served family-style. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 4:30pm-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am9pm Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. $

Cl AssiC CAFe » 504 N. Oak St., 817.430.8185. This cozy house comforts guests as they enjoy some truly fine casual dining. 5p.m.-9p.m. Mon.Thur.; 5pm-10pm Sat. $$-$$$

doVe CreeK CAFÉ » 204 S. Highway 377, 817.491.4973. If you’re looking for soul food/ Southern cooking, the Dove Creek Café serves up a healthy helping, along with a friendly waitstaff and fellow patrons. 6am-8pm Mon.-Thur.; 6am9pm Fri.; 6am-3pm Sat.; 6:30am-3pm Sun. $

Pr Airie HoUse restAUr Ant » 304 S. Hwy 377, 817.491.4855. Open since 1999, this eclectic and authentic Texas-style eatery serves up mesquite-grilled steaks, killer baby back ribs, barbecue and other delicious options. Try the buffalo burger or the chicken-fried ribeye for a treat. With unique decor and a different theme at every booth, the atmosphere is as entertaining to the senses as the fare. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sun. $-$$

soUtHl AKe

CAFÉ exPress » 1472 Main St., 817.251.0063. Zagat’s called these numerous Texas cafés “The Mercedes-Benz of fast food eateries” because their sophisticated setting and fresh food belie their self-serve nature. Start with a large, chic salad, such as nicoise, shrimp & avocado and couscous, or indulge in the pasta amoré, which certainly lives up to its to-die-for name. Wine, beer, cappuccino and espresso are all available. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ tHe CHeeseCAKe FACtorY » 1440 Plaza Place, 817.310.0050. Since 1978, The Cheesecake Factory has been serving up something for everyone. From soups and salads to seafood and pasta dishes, the servings are always generous—and the desserts are always decadent. 11am-11pm Mon.Thu.; 11am-12:30am Fri.-Sat.; 10am-11pm Sun. $$ snoo Kie ’s » 2801 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.488.2322. The menu at first seems typical of casual American cuisine until you hit Ostrich burger. If that doesn’t appeal, however, stick with cheese fries or any of the other five burgers. A fully stocked bar offers eight beers on

tap—including Dos Equis Lager and Black and Tans—and four TVs to watch the big games. 11am-2am daily. $

X’S & O’S SPORTING TAVERN » 1239 Main St., Southlake, 817.251.6776. This place is not your typical sporting tavern. Both couples and singles can come for a romantic date or to enjoy the game. They serve everything from cheese sticks and burgers to seared chili-crusted tuna. 4pmmidnight Mon.-Thur.; 4pm-2am Fri.; 11am-2am Sat.; 11am-midnight Sun. $

aSIan

ARlINGTON

PEI WEI » 2100 N. Collins St., 817.299.8687. Other locations: 4133 E. Cooper St., 817.466.4545. Part of the P.F. Chang family, Pei Wei offers the same great mix of Asian cuisine but in a far more casual setting. Their specialty dishes include coconut curries and Mongolian and spicy Korean fare, which you order at the counter. 10:30am9pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

PIRANHA’S KI llER SUSHI » 851 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd., 817.261.1636. Other locations: Arlington Highlands 309 Curtis Mathes Way, #149 817.465.6455 Sushi rolls, tempura and teriyaki dishes dominate an incredible menu of Japanese delights. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; Noon-11pm Sat.; Noon-10pm Sun. $$

SUKHOTHAI » 423 N. Fielder Plaza, 817.860.4107. A tiny restaurant that serves healthy Thai cuisine. No MSG is found in the cooking here. Try the chicken satay or the steamed spring rolls. 11am-2pm, 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5-9:30pm Sat. $

TASTE OF THAI » 2535 E. Arkansas Lane, 817.543.0110. This authentic Thai restaurant serves up fresh dishes daily. 11am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri.; 11:30am-10:30pm Sat.; 11:30am-9:30pm Sun. $ BEDFORD

THAI jASm INE » 3104 Harwood Rd., 817.283.8228. This wonderful Thai restaurant has some of the best Pad Thai one could ask for. Serves wine and beer. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 4:30pm-9pm Sun. $

FORT WORTH

ASIA BOWl & GRIll » 2400 Lands End, 817.738.1688. From Vietnamese and Korean to every possible variety of Chinese cuisine, the offerings on this menu are sure to please any palate. Fresh ingredients combined with complex flavors make this a fabulous dining experience. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thu. 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

EDOHANA HIBACHI SUSHI » 2704 S. Hulen, 817.924.1144. Other locations: 5816 S.W. Loop 820, 817.731.6002. Table-side food preparation is just part of the experience—a fabulous sushi bar includes many delicacies. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm-9:30pm Mon.-Thur.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; $$

HUI CHUAN SUSHI, SAKE, TAPAS » 6100 Camp Bowie #12, 817.989.8886. This small yet visually appealing restaurant is full of surprises. Owner Hui Chuan Logan not only will remember your face, but maybe even what you ordered. With a wide variety of tapas and sushi, you are bound to find something that sounds good. 11:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat.; 5:30pm-10pm Mon.Thur.; 5:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5:30-10pm Sun. $$

jAPANESE PAl ACE » 8445 Camp Bowie West, 817.244.0144. Japanese décor and dark wood paneling transport you to Asia, as the hibachi chefs slice and dice your entrée right before your eyes. Sit at a cooking table, traditional American tables or try sitting authentically on the floor. Often busy, but reservations are not required. 5:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5:30pm-11:45pm Fri.-Sat. $$ - $$ $

mY l AN » 4015 Belknap St., 817.222.1471. This Vietnamese restaurant serves multiple rice dishes with vegetables, meat and seafood, and there are more than 100 items on the menu. 9am-9pm Sun.-Tue., Thurs.-Sat. $

PEI WEI » 5900 Overton Ridge Blvd., 817.294.0808. Other locations: 2600 W. 7th St., Montgomery Plaza, 817.806.9950. Part of the P.F. Chang family, Pei Wei offers the same great mix of Asian cuisine but in a far more casual setting. Their specialty dishes include coconut curries

and Mongolian and spicy Korean fare, which you order at the counter. 10:30am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

P.F. CHANG’S » 400 Throckmorton, 817.840.2450. A gorgeous, upscale restaurant found across America, P.F. Chang’s believes food should be “fresh, contemporary and outstanding.” They mix traditional and modern Chinese Southeast Asian cuisine to form a vast menu complemented by an extensive wine list. 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

PHO BE ll A » 4023B E. Belknap St. Haltom City, 817.834.3552. If you’re looking for a Southeast Asian dinner, you’ll find Vietnamese delights, such as pho and vermicelli bowls. Don’t forget the Saigon pancake. 10am-9pm Tue.-Sat.; 10am-7pm Sun. $

PHO lITTlE SAIGON » 6942 Green Oaks Blvd., 817.738.0040. Authentic Vietnamese cuisine at low prices is served up in a friendly atmosphere. 10am-8:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 10am-3pm Sat. $

PHU l Am » 4125 E. Belknap St., 817.831.9888. The fare is updated and includes new choices in Vietnamese and Chinese food. 10am-10pm Sun.-Sat. $ - $$

PIRANHA’S KIllER SUSHI » 335 W. 3rd St., 817.348.0200. Sushi rolls, tempura and teriyaki dishes dominate an incredible menu of Japanese delights. 11am-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-11pm Thur.; 11am-1am Fri.; Noon-1am Sat.; noon-10pm Sun. $$

RONIN SUSHI & SAKE » 2600 W. Seventh St., No. 171, 817.332.0040. This novel sushi and sake bar is the new place to be seen. With contemporary décor, a DJ booth, a private room with sunken floors and tables and all-natural ingredients, Ronin provides an impeccable mix of entertainment and cuisine. Pair the uni roll—fresh sea urchin—with the bar’s signature cocktail, sakitini, for an exotic meal. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat. $-$$$

SONNY’S DINER » 6220 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.7754. This Asian Bistro combines the flavors of Vietnam, Korea and Japan to generate a diverse and delectable menu. 11am-2 pm, 5 pm-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 11:30am-9 pm Sat. $

SUSHI AXIOm jAPANESE FUSION RES -

TAURANT » 4625 Donnelly Ave. Ste. 101., 817.735.9100. Enjoy Japanese flavor combined with American flair in a stylish setting for a great sushi experience. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; noon10pm Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $$

SZECHUAN » 5712 Locke Ave., 817.738.7300. Other location: 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd., Cityview Plaza, 817.346.6111. This Chinese favorite counts on high-quality food and service to keep patrons coming back for more. Enjoy the fresh and flavorful dishes in an elegant, yet casual, atmosphere. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

TOKYO CAFE » 5121 Pershing Ave., 817.737.8568. This Camp Bowie hideaway delivers great sushi at reasonable prices. Please come casual. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

YOKO SUSHI >> 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Ste. 280. 817.737.4000. This new sushi restaurant offers their own version of the Ahi tuna tower— the DFW Tower. 11a.m.-2p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 5p.m.-10p. m. Sun.-Thur.; 5pm-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ GRAPEVINE

EDOHANA HIBACHI SUSHI » 1501 W. State, Grapevine, 817.251.2004. Table-side food preparation is just part of the experience—a fabulous sushi bar includes many delicacies. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm-9:30pm Mon.-Thur.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; $$

P.F. CHANG’S » 650 W. Highway 114, 817.421.6658. A gorgeous, upscale restaurant found all across America, P.F. Chang’s believes food should be “fresh, contemporary and outstanding.” They mix traditional and modern Chinese Southeast Asian cuisine to form a vast menu complemented by an extensive wine list. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ HURST

SWEET BASIl THAI CUISINE » 977 Melbourne Rd., 817.268.2899. This authentic Thai restaurant serves up high-end dishes without the high-end price. Delicious curries and soups are their trademark. 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Sat. $ - $$

SOUTHl AKE

BlUE BAmBOO CHINESE BISTRO » 480 W. Southlake Blvd. 817.748.0028. This chic little restaurant has one of the tastiest summer rolls in town. 11:30am-9:30p.m. Sun.-thur.; 11:30am10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$

KOBEYA jAPANESE HIBACHI & SUSHI » 1230 Main St., 817.416.6161. Hungry for food and entertainment? Then Kobeya Japanese Hibachi & Sushi is the right place. Delicious food, wonderful service and Hibachi chefs to keep you smiling and amused. 11:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; noon-3:30pm Sat.-Sun.; 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thur.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

PEI WEI » 1582 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.722.0070. Part of the P.F. Chang family, Pei Wei offers the same great mix of Asian cuisine but in a far more casual setting. Their specialty dishes include coconut curries and Mongolian and spicy Korean fare, which you order at the counter. 10:30am9pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

THAI CHIlI » 215 Grand Ave., 817.251.6674. A Thailand setting with an American twist. They serve up beautifully prepared food that you can’t help but savor as it goes down. They also cater, so if you can’t join them, they’ll bring the party to you. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri..; 5pm-10pm Mon.Thur.; 5pm-11pm Fri.; noon-11pm Sat.; 11:30am9:30pm Sun. $ - $$

BaRBECUE

ARlINGTON

DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT » 817.289.0027. 5530 S. Cooper, 817.468.0898. 1801 Ballpark Way 817.261.6600. A Texas tradition since 1941 is now serving great Texas-style barbecue in Arlington. Offering eight slow-cooked meats and 16 freshly made vegetables. Dine-in, take-out, drive-thru and catering. 11am-8pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $

NEON mOON BAR & GRIll » 309 Great Southwest Parkway, 817.633.5771. Owner Art Davidson has remodeled his neon-filled bar. A simple menu accompanies a full-service bar that offers three beers on tap and 20 bottled beers, including Texas-made Shiner. On Friday and Saturday nights, blues and classic rock live entertainment are the focus, and check out the Blues jam on Monday nights. 10am-2am Mon.Sat.; Noon-2am Sun. $

RED HOT AND BlUE » 3000 S. Hulen St., 817.731.8770. Beef may be king here, but Memphis-style barbecue has taken our town by storm. Although pork is the house specialty, chicken and beef dishes are also available. 11am-9pm Sun.-Wed.; 11am-10pm Thu.-Sat. $$ FORT WORTH

ANGE lO’S » 2533 White Settlement Rd., 817.332.0357. A big bear right inside the door invites you to big beers on the tables. But the big draw is the brisket, hickory-smoked out in back of this uncontrived institution that also serves chicken. No credit cards, but checks are welcome, and there’s an ATM in the building. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat. $

COUSIN’S PIT BARBECUE » 6262 McCart Ave., 817.346.2511. Other location: 5125 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.346.3999. Brisket, ribs, chicken and homemade sausage are the staples, along with cobblers and delicious cakes. A 21-year family-run business, Cousin’s has opened up a third location in Keller as a drive-thru/take-out hot spot. 11am9pm Mon.-Sat. $

DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT » 451 University Dr., 817.231.8813, Other locations: 5724 Bryant Irvin, 817.361.1034. 1000 N.E. Loop 820, 817.289.0027. 1989 Colonial Parkway, 817-7597500. A Texas tradition since 1941 is now serving great Texas-style barbecue in Fort Worth. Offering eight slow-cooked meats and 16 freshly made vegetables. Dine-in, take-out, drive-thru and catering. 11am-8pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $

RAIlHEAD SmOKEHOUSE » 2900 Montgomery St., 817.738.9808. One of the most popular barbecue spots in Fort Worth, but we live for the homemade French fries. It sometimes gets so crowded you have to use the satellite parking lot across the street. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat. $

RED HOT AND BlUE » 3000 S. Hulen St., 817.731.8770. 9143 Grapevine Hwy., 817.605.1333. Beef may be king here, but Memphis-style barbecue has taken our town by storm. Although pork is the house specialty, chicken and beef dishes are also available. 11am-9pm Sun.-Wed.; 11am-10pm Thu.-Sat. $$

RISCKY’S » 6701 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.989.1800. 300 Main St., 817.877.3306. 2314 Azle Ave., 817.624.8662. 9000 U.S. 377, Benbrook, 817.249.3320. A legend in Texas since 1927, Riscky’s secret is the way that the meat is smoked. All of their meat is hand-trimmed, rubbed with “Riscky dust” and then naturally smoked for hours in wood-burning pits. The historic Stockyards location offers a spacious patio that is the perfect place to sit back and watch the daily longhorn cattle drive. 11am-9pm Sun.-Mon.; 11am-10pm Tues.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

THE SmOKE PIT » 2401 E. Belknap St., 817.222.0455. This BBQ joint has various types of smoked meats and is great for dine-in or to have cater your next party. 10:30a.m.-8p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10:30a.m.-6p.m. Sat. $-$$

TRAIlBOSS BURGERS » 140 E. Exchange Ave, 817.625.1070. Same owners but a new concept. This restaurant, formerly part of the Riscky’s chain, focuses on what it does best, burgers. 11am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-10pm Sat; 11am-9pm Sun. $ -$$

HURST

DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT » 1858 Precinct Line Rd., 817.656.0200. A Texas tradition since 1941 is now serving great Texas-style barbecue in Fort Worth. Offering eight slow-cooked meats and 16 freshly made vegetables. Dine-in, takeout, drive-thru and catering. 11am-8pm Sun.Thur.; 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $

BRazIlIan

FORT WORTH

TEXAS DE BRAZIl » 101 N. Houston St., 817.882.9500. The meat never stops coming as waiters dressed as gauchos go table to table offering it on swords. Between the all-you-caneat unique salad bar and selection of 14 meats, you’ll need to be wheeled out of this upscale restaurant. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-2pm & 5pm-10:30pm Fri.; 4pm-10:30pm Sat.; 4pm-9pm Sun . $$$

GRAPEVINE

BOI NA BRAZA » 4025 William D. Tate, 817.251.9881. Tasty food served with Brazilian flair. Offers constant choices of meat by servers at your table. 11:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Sun. $$$

BURgERS & SandwIChES

ARlINGTON

Al’S HAmBURGER’S » 1001 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd., 817. 275.8918. The place is an institution in north Arlington. The burger joint serves up delicious hamburgers and other good fast food. 7am-10pm Mon.-Sat. $

CAPTAIN BIllY WHIZZBANG’S » 2406 W. Park Row Dr., 817.861.9498 A burger and fries treat with excellent onion rings. It’s a hot spot for lunch and a quick dinner. 10:30am-8pm Mon.-Sat. $

CHAPPS » 2045 N. Hwy. 360, 817.649.3000. Other locations: 153 Southwest Plaza (1-20 & Little Road), 817.483.8008. 2596 E. Arkansas, 817.460.2097. Cheeseburgers, Baby Chapps, mushroom burgers and jalapeño burgers (among others) are cooked to order from freshly bought meat served on freshly baked buns. A large menu stuffed with Philly cheese-steak sandwiches, fried okra, stuffed jalapeños and chicken strips means you’ll never eat the same thing twice. 11am-9pm Sun.Thu.; 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $ FORT WORTH

B.j. KEEFERS » 909 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.921.0889. Keefers is a favorite quick lunch spot for medical district professionals. You’ll find a wide menu and baked goods that are homemade onsite. Casual is the key word—order at the counter and then build your own sandwich at the condiment bar. There’s a happy hour, too. 10:30am-8:30pm Mon.-Fri. $

CHAPPS » 6219 Oakmont Blvd., 817.263.5172. Cheeseburgers, Baby Chapps, mushroom burgers and jalapeño burgers (among others) are cooked to order from freshly bought meat served on freshly baked buns. A large menu stuffed with Philly cheese-steak sandwiches, fried okra, stuffed jalapeños and chicken strips means you’ll never eat the same thing twice. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $

Dutch’s » 3009 S. University Dr. 817.927.5522. Chef Grady Spears is at it again with his newly opened burger joint. Laid back atmosphere with good-tasting burgers and fries. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-6pm Sun. $

thE GREAt OutDOORs » 3204 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.877.4400. Try one of three gourmet breakfast subs filled with choices of eggs, ham, pastrami, cheddar, Swiss or cream cheeses. Lunch subs abound, topped with the usual meats and served on fresh preservative-free sub rolls. Great stop on a summer day after the park or the museums. 9am9pm Mon.-Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. $

KINcAID’s » 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.2881. Other location: 4825 Overton Ridge Blvd., 817.370.6400. There are those who will swear this is the best burger in the country, and the lunchtime line of parked cars that stretches two to four blocks in every direction of this old grocery store is a testament to both the legend and the taste. Enjoy at picnic tables inside or at stand-up counters. Frills would seem unnecessary. 11am-8pm Mon.-Sat.; Overton Ridge 11am-7pm Sun. $

thE lOvE shAcK » 110 E. Exchange Ave., 817.740.8812. Tim Love’s latest concept is far removed from his fine dining restaurants, but the food’s just as good. Try the love burger, it’s one of Tim’s favorites. 11:30a.m.-8p.m. Sun.-Wed.; 11:30am-11pm Thur.; 11:30am-1am Fri.-Sat. $

pAppA’s bu RGER s » 2700 W. Freeway. 817.348.8273. From the same group that brought Pappadeaux and Pappa’s Steaks, Pappa’s Burgers is the newest addition to the family. Try the blue cheese burger. You won’t be disappointed. 11am10pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$

thE pOuR hOusE spORts GRIll » 209 W. 5th St., 817.335.2575. The Pour House offers a little bit of everything from sports bar munchies to steaks, which can be washed down with one of 25 bottled beers. Enjoy the spectacular view of downtown on Wednesday during karaoke, Thursday with the Top 40/Rock DJ or weekends with a live band. 11am-midnight Sun.-Mon.; 11am-2am Tue.-Sat. $

pu R plE cOW DINER » 4601 W. Freeway, 817.737.7177. The Cow has standard burgers, fries and ice cream sundaes with all that finger junk kids like to track all over the table. Yes, playing with the condiments is okay. 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu. $

tOMMY’s hAMbuRGERs » 2701 Green Oaks Rd. 817.735.9651. Other locations: 5228 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.569.1111. 3431 W. 7th St., 817.885.7500. Noted, obviously, for excellent burgers, Tommy’s serves up mouthwatering daily specials, including a fabulous chicken-fried steak. 11am9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-8pm Sun. $ sOuthlAKE

KINcAID’s » 2704 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817.749.0000. Other locations: 100 N. Kimball Ave. 817.416.2573. There are those who will swear this is the best burger in the country, and the lunchtime line of parked cars that stretches two to four blocks in every direction of this old grocery store is a testament to both the legend and the taste. Enjoy at picnic tables inside or at stand-up counters. Frills would seem unnecessary. 11am-8pm Mon.-Sat. $ cajun

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pO’ MElvIN’s REstAuRANt » 355 N. Carroll Ave., 817.481.8101. This Louisiana-style Cajun food is family friendly with a kick. Try their hot and moist jalapeño cornbread or their delicious chicken-fried steak dinner. 11am10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ - $$

continental

ARlINGtON

cAFÉ At DAIREDs » 2400 W. I-20 ., 817.465.9797. Serving lunch in a casual, energetic setting, The Café at Daireds offers a variety of upscale entrées, salads and homemade soups. The Café treats with gourmet three-course prix fixe menu that changes weekly and a fully stocked bar. 9am-6pm Mon.; 9am-7pm Tue.-Thu.; 9am-8pm Fri.-Sat.; noon-6pm Sun. $ - $$ FORt WORth

cAFÉ AspEN » 6103 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.0838. This westside favorite includes a fish menu that changes regularly, and the rack of lamb alone would merit a return visit. Go casual or dressed to the nines—either way, you’ll fit in. The ambiance becomes even more elegant at night with candlelight. An adjoining full bar offers a high-end well. A fabulous patio is open seasonally. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 4pm-9pm Mon.-

Thu.; 4pm-10pm Fri.; 5pm-10pm Sat. The bar opens at 11am and closes one hour after the kitchen. $$

cAFÉ AshtON AND pIANO bAR » 610 Main St., 817.332.0100. The café delivers stunning upscale new American cuisine with showmanship on the plate and elegance in the décor. Executive Chef Ismael Rojas offers an excellent menu of tasty foods—from Chilean sea bass to lamb. 6:30am-2:30pm daily; 5pm-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$$

delis & bakeries

ARlINGtON

RED OvEN » Bowen & Park Row, 817.274.1423. This French bakery prepares fresh artisan breads daily. Best known for their wonderful Red Velvet, Black Forest and Italian Cream cakes. 8:30am6pm Tue.-Fri.; 8:30am-5:30pm Sat. $$ FORt WORth

ARtIsAN bAKING cOMpANY » 4900 White Settlement Rd., 817.821.3124. Now the award winning breads and scones from the bakers of Cowtown Farmers Market can be purchased at Fort Worth’s only independent artisan baker. Locally made sourdough, focaccia, multi-grain, cinnamon, roasted garlic, and breakfast bread as well as scones and abundant sweets are now year-round purchases. 8am-5pm Tue.-Fri., 8am-3pm Sat. $

bAKER bROs AMERIcAN DElI » 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.989.1400. Baker Bros. serves up only the finest quality breads, meats and cheeses. 11am-9pm daily. $

bluEbONNEt bAKERY » 3905 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.731.4233. Consistently chosen as one of the city’s finest bakeries, while their lunch crowd continues to grow. Try a homemade petit four, and you will quickly become a regular. 7am-6pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-4pm Sat.. $

cARshON’s DE lIcAtEssEN » 3133 Cleburne Rd., 817. 923.1907. Open since 1928, so you know they’re doing something right. Choose from their big specialty sandwiches, such as the Rebecca, Rachel or Ruthie, homemade soups and chili and homemade pies, including chocolate, butterscotch or pecan. 9am-3pm Mon.-Sat. $

thE cupcAKE cOttAGE » 5015 El Campo Ave., 817.732.5670. This bakery is heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth. Five different flavored cupcakes every day. 10am- when the last cupcake is sold. Tue.-Sat. $

EspARANZA’s MEXIcAN cAFÉ & bAKERY » 2122 N. Main St., 817.626.5770. 1109. Other location: Hemphill St., 817.332.3848. The Lancarte family has yet another hit with this cafe and bakery, where a fabulous brunch, traditional Mexican dishes and fresh-baked pastries are the norm. Breakfast is served all day on weekends. 7am6pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-7pm Sat.-Sun. $

KOl AchE shOppE » 6724 Brentwood Stair Rd., 817.457.0071. Be sure to visit this longtime purveyor of delicious kolaches, muffins, fritters and more. 6am-noon Tue.-Sat.; 7am-noon Sun. $

McKINlEY’s FINE bAKERY & cAFE » 1612 S. University Dr., 817.332.3242. This cafe is a great place for friends to meet to catch up on old times. Our bakery is made from scratch right here in house. We use 100% real butter and never bake from mixes or add preservatives. Try the pecancrusted chicken salad. 8am-6:30pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-5pm Sun. $

pANERA bREAD » 1700 S. University Dr., 817.870.1959. Other location: 1804 Precinct Line Rd., 817.605.0766. The word “bread” is deceiving, although there’s plenty of it. Think more along the lines of “Big Fat Sandwich and Dessert.” 8am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 8am-7:30pm Sun. $

thE sNOOt Y pIG » 2401 Westport Parkway, 817.837.1077. Other locations: 1540 Keller Parkway, Keller, 817.431.0064. Great breakfast stop, also good for lunch. Don’t get away without trying the famed muffins, baked daily. 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-2pm Sat.-Sun. $

sWIss pAstRY shOp » 3936 W. Vickery, 817.732.566. A Fort Worth tradition for 30 years, the shop serves a traditional breakfast, as well as lunch. And they are rumored to have the best German sausages in town. 6:30am-5:30pm Tue.Fri.; 7:30am-4pm Sat. $

WEINbuRGER’s DElI » 6801 Rufe Snow Dr., 817.656.4447. Other location: 3 Village Circle, Westlake, 817.491.9119. Weinburger’s Deli specializes in quality meats and cheeses. They also offer a variety of fresh salads. 11am-7pm Mon.-Fri. $

YOGI’s bAGEl cAFE » 2710 S. Hulen St., 817.921.4500. The best bagels in Fort Worth come from this eclectic eatery that hosts a killer breakfast. Later in the day, choose from a truckload of salads with a cup of the house specialty, borscht. Come ready to stand in line on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 6am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-9pm Sat.; 7:30am-3pm Sun. $

GRApEvINE

MAIN stREEt bREAD bAKING cOMpANY » 316 Main St., 817.424.4333. Located in historic downtown Grapevine, Main Street Bread Baking Company offers quality baked goods, including fresh breads and decadent cakes and desserts. With offerings like Grand Marnier cake, an orange liqueur cake filled with a light orange cream and garnished with whipped Italian butter cream, it’s easy to see why this cafe and bakery has become a favorite among locals. 6:30am6:30pm Mon.-Sat.; 6:30am-5pm Sun. $ th E s NOOt Y pIG » 4010 William D. Tate, 817.283.3800. Great breakfast stop, also good for lunch. Don’t get away without trying the famed muffins, baked daily. 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-2pm Sat.-Sun $

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bAKER bROs AMERIcAN DElI » 2820 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.748.3354. Baker Bros. serves up only the finest quality breads, meats and cheeses. 11am-9pm daily. $

eclectic

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MY MARtINI WINE & bIstRO » 859 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd., 817.461.4424. The incredible tapas menu is almost as tempting as the drink list, which includes the signature Brady martini, made with pickle brine and a dill pickle spear. 4:30pm-12am Sun.-Thu.; 4:30pm-2am Fri.-Sat. $$

FORt WORth

ARtIsAN bAKING cOM pANY » 4900 White Settlement Rd., 817.821.3124. Now the award winning breads and scones from the bakers of Cowtown Farmers Market can be purchased at Fort Worth’s only independent artisan baker. Locally made sourdough, focaccia, multigrain, cinnamon, roasted garlic, and breakfast bread as well as scones and abundant sweets are now year-round purchases. 8am-5pm Tue.-Fri., 8am-3pm Sat. $

8.0 REstAuRANt & bAR » 111 E. Third St., 817.336.0880. The Jell-O shot pioneer of the 1980s is still a cool drinking spot, where martinis now rule. 8.0 continues to feed eclectic tastes from a full menu, and the dinner hour lasts late for theater-goers. This art bar offers great jazz and blues under the stars on the patio, which seats 350. Every wall is handpainted by local artists. 11am-midnight Mon.-Wed.; noon-2am Thu.Sat.; 3pm-midnight Sun. $$

cAFÉ MODERN » 3200 Darnell, 817.840.2157. The Modern Art Museum features a restaurant with grilled salmon with melted citrus butter, beautiful desserts and a Sunday brunch that is a must. Reservations are recommended for parties of five or more. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-3pm Sat.-Sun. $$

thE GRApE EscApE WINE bAR » 500 COMMERCE ST., 817.336.9463. Relax and unwind with a glass of wine and some goat cheese and portobella potato skins at this fun wine bar in Sundance Square. 3pm-11pm Mon.-Thur., 3pmmidnight Fri.-Sat., 3pm-10 pm Sun. $-$$

KIMbEll ARt MusEuM » 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.332.8451, ext. 251. Unlike the works here at one of the nation’s primo art museums, the menu changes every day in the kitchen, where the staff turns out creatively crafted sandwiches, salads and soups, including a killer gazpacho. Matisse sculptures give an aristocratic flair; Friday night dinner features live music. Lunch 11:30am-2pm Tues.-Thu. & Sat.; noon-2pm Fri. & Sun.; Dinner 5:30pm-7:30pm Fri. $$

lI lI’s bIstRO >> 1310 W. Magnolia Ave. 817.877.0700. This quaint bistro focuses on tradition. Start with the Gorgonzola fries and move on to the Spinach & Mushroom grilled chicken. Delicious! 11a.m.-2:30p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 5:30p.m.-9p.m. Wed.-Thur.; 5:30p.m.-10p.m. Fri.-Sat. $$

spIRAl DINER » 1314 W. Magnolia, 817.332.8834. At this 100 percent vegan and mostly organic restaurant, you can find nearly anything you could desire on the menu. Fresh-

tasting and affordable, don’t forget about their wide variety of juices and smoothies. 11am-10pm Tue.-Sat.; 11am-5pm Sun. $

sOuthlAKE

sANDE ll A’s cAFÉ » 1244 Prospect St., 817.421.0727. Finally, a place to eat delicious food without the worry of calorie counting. This family-owned restaurant spices up delicious sandwich wraps, such as the Chicken Verona or the flatbread pizza. With their relaxing European atmosphere, you’re likely to stay not only for the food, but the free Internet, as well. 9am-8pm Mon.-Sat. $

ZAMbRANO WINE cEll AR » 910 Houston St., Ste. 110 817.850.9463. With a menu featuring over 200 wines, this wine bar should be a priority for all wine lovers. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11ammidnight Fri.-Sat. $-$$

FORt WORth

bOM bAY GRI ll » 4625 Donnelly Ave., 817.377.9395. This Indian restaurant serves up classics like Tandoori and garlic naan (flatbread). 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 11:30am-2:30pm Sat.-Sun.; 5:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri.Sat. $

bYblOs » 1406 N. Main St., 817.625.9667. Owned by a member of the same family who owns Hedary’s, this Stockyards restaurant serves the same great Middle Eastern fare. Don’t miss Friday nights, the day that brings bellydancing into the Stockyards. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.; 5pm-11pm Sat. $$

cAFÉ chADRA >> 1704 Galveston, 817.927.7670. Spicy Lebanese food and homemade Italian dishes are the specialties, and an ever-changing buffet features hand-tossed pizzas and creative vegetarian dishes. 11 am-3 pm, Mon.-Fri. $

chADRA MEZZA & GRIll >> 1622 Park Place. 817.924.2372. Creative dishes featuring spicy Lebanese food and homemade Italian. 11 am-3 pm, Mon.-Tues; 11 am-10pm, Wed.-Sat. $-$$

h EDARY’s » 6323 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.731.6961. Tucked into a shopping center just off the road, Fort Worth’s other Lebanese eatery includes the best hummus we ever put a lip to. Enjoy the Frarej chicken, baked with potatoes and tomatoes in olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. 11am-10pm Sun.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 5pm-11pm Sat.; Closed Mon. $ KING tut » 1512 Magnolia Ave., 817.335.3051. The Middle East meets the Mediterranean to bring us an alternative Egyptian restaurant. Try one of many healthy dishes including falafels, hummus and tabbouleh. Prices suggest that attire is formal, but the atmosphere mandates a casual look. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat. 5:30pm-9pm Mon.-Sat. $$

MAhARAJA » 6308 Hulen Bend Blvd., 817.263.7156. This restaurant has a large menu offering many different Indian dishes, such as Chicken Makahani. The breads with curries are especially good. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 11:30am2:30pm Sat.-Sun.; 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$

french

ARlINGtON

cAchAREl » 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 910, 817.640.9981. Rock-solid French fare that has evolved into just about the finest in the county. The three-course fixed price dinner runs a happy gamut between lobster and ostrich, or have a steak cut to order. The place is peaceful elegance, high above Six Flags with a great view. You won’t get off cheaply, but you won’t be disappointed. 11:30am-2pm & 5pm-10pm Sun.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Sat. $$$

FORt WORth

bIstRO lOuIsE » 2900 S. Hulen St. Suite 40, 817.922.9244. Voted Best French in Tarrant County. Chef Louise Lamensdorf frequently travels to Europe for inspiration, which returns to Cowtown in the form of superior sauces and excellent wine selections. It has a romantic, relaxed atmosphere that welcomes a lust for food. Their Sunday

There is No Finer Gift than giving our children the chance for a healthy childhood. All funds raised from Jewel Charity Angel donations go directly to benefit the children at Cook Children’s Medical Center In appreciation, Angels are invited to attend the 55th Annual Jewel Charity Ball, Jewel of the Nile, on January 10, 2009. Eiseman Jewels of Dallas will present fine jewels from some of the world’s most exclusive collections at the Ball and will also host a special party for Angels only on November 20, 2008. Please join us and give the gift of health to our precious gems, the patients at Cook Children’s Medical Center, at one of the following levels:

brunch is quite possibly the best in town! 11am-2pm Mon.-Sun.; 5:30pm-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ $

LA MADELEINE » 6140 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.4656. Other locations: 305 Main St., 817.332.6099. 2101 N. Collins St., Arlington, 817.461.3634. 4201 S Cooper St., Arlington, 817-4175100. 900 Hwy. 114 W., Grapevine, 817.251.0255. Croissants, pastries, soups, salads and more are served in a charming European atmosphere. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thurs.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

SAINT-EMILION » 3617 W. 7th St., 817.737.2781. Well-concocted country French dishes, including duck, lamb, steak tartare and fresh fish. Full bar. 6pm-9pm Tue.-Sat. $$ $ german

FOrT WOrTh

EDELWEISS CAFÉ » 3801 Southwest Blvd., 817.738.5934. A German food anchor in West Fort Worth for 32 years. Family operated with emphasis on fun and food, Edelweiss offers Bavarian charm and substantial fare. Dance to a live German band, complete with ritual chicken dance. 5pm-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

GrEENWOOD’S » 3522 Bluebonnet Cir. 817.921.6777. A great place to venture out and try some traditional German cuisine. 4pm-9pm Tue.-Thur.; 4pm-10 pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $$ greek

FOrT WOrTh

CAFÉ MEDI » 420 Grapevine Hwy., 817.788.5110. This authentic Greek restaurant offers only the freshest and homemade recipes, including Greek salad, gyros and tasty hummus and flatbread. 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm Tue.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $

GrEEK hOUSE » 2426 Forest Park Blvd., 817.921.1473. Gyros, souvlaki and more in a counter pickup eatery just right for TCU students with a need for study and sustenance. Food is fresh, well prepared and promptly presented for customer pickup. 11am-8pm Mon.-Sat. $

JAZZ CAFÉ » 2504 Montgomery St., 817.737.0043. Funky, laid-back service and atmosphere with dependable Tex-Greek food and great music. House band plays fine jazz on Sunday. Sunday champagne brunch. 11am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 9am-3pm Sat.; 9am-2pm Sun. $

ArLINGTON/MID - CITIES

BIr APOrETTI’S » 668 Lincoln Square, 817.265.0588. Birraporetti’s is a perfect spot for an elegant meal. Offering pastries, breads and fine Italian food, this restaurant features live jazz and a special brunch menu served from 10:30am-2pm. 11am-1pm Tues.; 11am-12am Fri.-Sat.; 11am-11pm Sun.-Thu. $$

ITALIANNI’S » 1601 Precinct Line Rd., Hurst, 817.281.7272. This quaint Italian bistro includes the genre standards, as well as some creative dishes like three-pepper calamari. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

LA BISTrO » 722 Grapevine Hwy., Hurst 817.281.9333. Enjoyable menu with excellent pastas and other traditional menu items, including seafood. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 5pm-11pm Sat. $$

NIZZA PIZZA » 1430 S. Cooper, 817.274.5222. This innovative family pizza place has customers lining up around the block. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

PALIO’S PIZZA CAFÉ » 5712 Colleyville Blvd., 817.605.7555. This pizza café offers interesting and high-end pizza toppings. 11am-10pm daily. $

PICCOLO MONDO » 829 E. Lamar Blvd., 817.265.9174. Don’t let the strip-center dining surprise you. Excellent service and inviting atmosphere. 5:30pm-10:30pm Mon-Thu.; 11:30am2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Sun. $ - $$

rUGGErI’S rISTOr ANTE » 32 Village Lane, Colleyville, 817.503.7373. A sweeping menu that offers a full choice of Italian favorites and more. You’ll find what you want, from chicken to beef to pasta. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm daily; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$

FOrT WOrTh

AVENTINO’S » 3206 Winthrop Ave., 817. 731.0711. Good old-fashioned Italian. Think chicken picatta and one of the best no-frills marinaras around. Luscious desserts, too. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ - $$ $

BELLA ITALIA WEST » 5139 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.1700. The most wild game this side of Fossil Rim. This dimly lit set of nooks and rooms is a great romantic setting, but it’s also suitable for high-powered business or low-key gatherings of friends. 11:30am-1pm Tue.-Fri.; 6pm-9pm Mon.-Thurs.; 6pm10pm Fri.-Sat. $$

CAFÉ BELLA » 3548 South Hills Dr., 817.922.9500. The café is a busy place and known for its pizza, lasagna, salad and cheese bread. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; 4pm-10pm Sat. $ - $$

CIAO » 500 Commerce St., 817.335.0500. Directly across from Bass Hall downtown, the restaurant serves up classic Italian in the form of delicious Caesar salads and pizzas. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.Sat. $$

FErrÉ rIstOr AntE BAr >> 215 E. Fourth St. 817.332.0033. This new Tuscan-Italian eatery offers a range of dishes. For more traditional, try the Spaghettini Pomodoro, or for a heartier appetitie try the Agnello al Forno, a seared lamb loin dish. 4pm-10pm Mon.-Thur.; 4pm-11pm Fri.Sat. $$

FO rtU nA » 5837 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.737.4469. This little Italian restauran is a favorite among Fort Worthians. 11a.m.-10p.m. Sun.-Thur.; 11a.m.-11p.m. Fri.-Sat. $

ItALIAn Inn rIDGLEA » 6323 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.737.0123. Chic and classic menu offers veal, chicken, seafood and pasta. Get ready for attentive service in a vintage underground nightclub setting, complete with singing waiters. 5pm10pm Tue.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Sun. $ - $$

LA PIAZZA » 1600 S. University Dr., #601, 817.334.0000. Upscale Italian cuisine in University Park Village Shopping Center. Dress nicely to visit this lovely (and pricey) Italian spot ... the experience is worth it. 11:30am-2pm Sun.-Fri.; 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5:30pm-9pm Sun. $$ $

MAMA’s PIZZA » 1813 W. Berry St., 817.923.3541. This Fort Worth staple has been serving up great pizza in Fort Worth since 1968. Lunch buffet: 11am-2pm daily. Delivery through Entrees-To-Go: 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; Noon-10pm Sun. $

MAnCUsO’s » 9500 White Settlement Rd., 817.246.7041. A westside favorite that draws crowds from all over. Consistently flavorful authentic Italian fare. Large portions served with

outstanding pastas, a wonderful Italian fish fry and homemade sausages. 11am-1pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-8pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-9pm Fri.-Sat.: Closed Sun. $

MArGIE’s OrIGnIAL ItALIAn KItCHEn » 9805 Camp Bowie West, 817.244.4301. 1950s-style eatery that serves pizza from a brick oven and equally fine lasagna, chicken marsala and shrimp scampi. 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

MELLOW MUsHrOOM » 3455 Bluebonnet Circle, 817.207.9677. A funky and fun 1960s ambiance good for large gatherings. Come ready to eat unique pizza. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thurs.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

MILAnO’s » 3416 W. 7th St., 817.332.5226. Pizza is a big menu item, but you’ll find more than enough choices to satisfy your hunger. 11am10pm Mon.-Sat. $

nOnnA tAtA » 1400 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.332.0250. With a weekly changing menu, this small Italian restaurant is a hidden gem that begs to be found. 11a.m.-7p.m. Mon.-Thur.; 11a. m.-8p.m. Fri. $-$$

On BrOADWAY rEstAUr Ant » 6306 Hulen Bend, 817.346.8841. Italian fare that features homemade pasta and seafood. Don’t go away without trying a flaming dessert. New executive chef. 5:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5:30pm10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$

PIOLA » 3700 Mattison Ave., 817.205.6773. Nestled in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, this cozy bistro serves up true comfort food in the form of authentic Italian cuisine. Try Grandma’s Lasagna or the smoked-chicken fettuccini. For a treat, make reservations to dine on the patio. 11am-2pm Mon-Fri; 5pm-10pm Mon-Wed,Fri-Sat. $$

PIZZErIA UnO CHICAGO GrILL » 300 Houston St., 817.885.8667. With a great location downtown and pizza you can’t find anywhere else in Texas, Uno’s Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a must. Don’t skip the heavenly chocolate peanut butter cup dessert! Large menu offers many choices for everyone. 11am-11pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-Midnight Fri.-Sat. $

rUFFI n O’s ItALIA n r E stAU r A nt » 2455 Forest Park Blvd., 817.923.0522. A light homemade ravioli is our favorite to slip on a fork and across the table into the mouth of a close dining partner at this upscale romantic spot also known for its chicken, beef and pasta. Voted best in town by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine readers. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$

sArDInE’s » 509 University Dr., 817.332.9937. Known as much for its dark interior as the food, this house of pasta and music has a cult following to rival the Rocky Horror Picture Show in the foodie sense. No dress code, as long as you wear clothes. 5:30pm-2pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm-12:00am Fri.-Sat. $$

tAVE rnA r I sOttE r IA » 450 Throckmorton St., 817.885.7502. Hand-tossed pizzas, risottos, pastas and entrées that include beef tenderloin, sea bass and yellowfin tuna. The bar offers beer and wine, and the bottomless mimosas are divine. Sunday brunch. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ - $$

Gr APEVInE/sOUtHLAKE/ COLLEYVILLE

BrIO tUsCAn GrILL » 1431 Plaza Place, Southlake, 817.310.3136. Whether you want to eat in or just need that warm Italian bread to go, this restaurant has you covered. High-quality steak and house-made pastas are cooked in an authentic Italian wood oven to give you the taste of Italy. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu., 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ - $$

BUCA DI BEPPO » 2701 E. State Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.749.MAMA. A neighborhood restaurant where guests feast on family platters of Southern Italian specialties in a boisterous, celebratory environment that recalls the supper clubs of the 1940s and ’50s. 11am-10pm Mon.Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$

FErr ArI’s ItALIAn VILLA >> 1200 William D. Tate Ave., 817.251.2525. This upscale restaurant boasts authentic Italian cuisine. Owned by the Secchi family, Ferrari’s serves century old family recipes with a modern twist. 11am-2pm Mon.-

Fri.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thurs.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$

r AVIOLI » 120 E. Worth, Grapevine, 817.488.1181. Excellent ingredients and huge portions will satisfy the biggest appetites in your family. 11am-2pm Tue.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

rUGGErI’s ItALIAn sEAFOOD » 32 Village Lane, Colleyville, 817.503.7373. This Dallas favorite has finally made its way to Tarrant County. Enjoy classic veal, pasta and seafood dishes in a wonderful Mediterranean setting. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm daily; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$

Latin american

COLLEYVILLE/FOrt WOrtH

GLO r IA’s » Colleyville: 5611 Colleyville Blvd., 817.656.1784. Fort Worth: 2600 W. 7th St., 817.332.8800. Gloria’s offers an alternative to Tex-Mex cuisine with a dash of Salvadoran flavor. Favorites include the seafood soup, ceviche and grilled pork. Colleyville: 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. Fort Worth: 11am-10pm Sun.Thu.; 11am-1pm Fri.-Sat. $ - $$

mediterranean

FOrt WOrtH

KALAMAtAs » 200 Main St., 817.882.1719. Located on the second floor of the Renaissance Worthington Hotel, this warm and inviting Mediterranean restaurant is the perfect destination for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The spacious archways of blue tile and marigold walls are complemented by such delectable meals as Mediterranean sea bass and brick-oven pizzas. 6am-2pm, 5pm-10pm daily. $$

sAPrIstI! » 2418 Forest Park Blvd., 817.924.7231. Relaxed, elegant dining that features a European flair. Items include mussels and tapas, and you’ll also find risotto, duck and braised lamb shank.

5:30pm-9:30pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; Sunday brunch from 10:30am-2pm. $$

SCAMPI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE » 1057 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.927.1887. Italian and Greek cuisine in a setting recently redecorated for romance. Counter service at lunch and full table service in the evening. BYOB. 11am-2pm Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm-9:30pm Fri.-Sat. $

mexican

COLLEYVILLE /GRAPEVINE

ESPARZA’S » 124 E. Worth St., 817.481.4668. Located in a 19th-century home in historic downtown Grapevine, this quaint little restaurant serves Tex-Mex favorites. You never know who will show up, by the looks of all the famous faces gracing the walls. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9:30pm Sun. $ LA HACIENDA RANCH » 5250 Hwy. 121, Colleyville, 817.318.7500. Mexican food is the fare, and the grilled steaks are excellent. Don’t forget the fajitas. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

RIO MAMBO » 5150 Highway 121, 817.354.3124. Salad takes a new twist alongside standard TexMex favorites, with the Los Cabos, a Mexican cobb salad of sorts with chicken, avocado and bleu cheese. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10:3pm Fri.-Sat. $$

FORT WORTH

ANTHONY’S » 2400 Meacham Blvd., 817.378.9005. The Santa Fe-style Mexican cuisine features red and green chile enchiladas, fajitas, seafood and more, as well as a great selection of beer, wine and margaritas. 7am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm Wed.-Sat. $

BAKER ST. PUB & GRILL » 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.9772. British-themed pub with a menu that offers shepherd’s pie and Scotch egg with good chutney. You’ll also find a mix of Tex-Mex with a Brit nuance thrown in for good measure. 11am-2am daily. $ - $$

BENITO’S RESTAURANT » 1450 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.332.8633. Other location: 2516 N.E. 28th St., 817.740.1679. Authentic Mexican fare with some Tex-Mex mixed in. Great weekend breakfast, as well. 10am-9pm Mon.-Thu., 10am2am Fri.-Sat., 11am-9pm Sun. $

CABO GRANDE » 115 W. 2nd St., 817.348.8226. Good service plus Mexican dishes in a festive atmosphere. Enjoy ribs, snapper and fajitas outside on the patio. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11ammidnight Fri.-Sat. $$

CANTINA L AREDO » 530 Throckmorton St. 817.810.0773. Start with the top shelf guacamole and move on to the Enchiladas de Mole. Don’t forget to save room for the scrumptious Mexican apple pie. 11am-10p.m Mon-Thu.; 11am-11 pm Fri.Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $-$$

C HIMY ’S C ERVECERIA >> 1053 Foch St. 817.348.8888. Famous for it’s nachos and addictive margaritas, this place is a must try for all Tex-Mex lovers. 11am- midnight. Mon.-Sat. $

CHIPOTLE » 3050 S. Hulen St., 817.735.8367. Other locations: 3000 W. 7th St., 817.348.8530. 4484 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.735.4506. 9127 Grapevine Hwy., 817.428.9770. Good food at a low price. Standard Mexican tacos and burritos. Everything is made to order while you watch. 11am-10pm daily. $

DOS GRINGOS » 1015 University Dr., 817.338.9393. The name says it all. The Tex-Mex menu is top fare in a setting that appeals to the Cultural District crowd. Their margaritas are the largest in town! 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

EL FENIX » 6391 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.5584. More than 80 years ago, the Martinez Family pioneered what is now known internationally as the Tex-Mex food phenomenon, but they also offer many traditional Mexican food dishes that are popular south of the border. El Fenix is the oldest chain of family-owned Tex-Mex restaurants in the United States. 11am-10pm daily. $

ESPARANZA’S MEXICAN BAKERY & CAFE » 2122 N. Main St., 817.626.5770. Other location: 1109 Hemphill St., 817.332.3848. The south-of-the-border fare draws neighborhood families and downtowners alike because of the

friendly surroundings. It’s owned by the people who run Joe T. Garcia’s, so you know you’re in for a good time. 6am-7pm daily; Bakery counter open from 7am-7pm daily; 6am-5:30pm Hemphill. $

FERNANDEZ CAFE » 4220 W. Vickery Blvd., 817.377.2652. This family-friendly Mexican eatery offers a low-fat selection of food on its menu. 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9pm Tue.-Sat.; 7:30am-2pm Sat.-Sun. $

FIESTA » 3233 Hemphill St., 817.923.6941. Twenty-five years in one location with the original owners. Some employees have even been here for 23 years! The brightly colored lights make for a nice ambiance. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $

FUZZY’S TACO SHOP » 2917 W. Berry St., 817.924.7943. The favorites for late nights are tacos, big burritos, great enchiladas and beer. A TCU student hot spot. 10:30am-2am Thu.; 10:30am-3am Fri.-Sat.; 10:30am-midnight Mon.Wed.; 8am-10pm Sun. $

JOE T. GARCIA’S » 2201 N. Commerce, 817.626.4356. Family owned and operated for three generations, Joe T.’s is a must for outside dining. Pick one of two menu choices (enchiladas or fajitas) and feast in one of the courtyards or in the fiesta gardens. Beware: The weekend rush will keep you in line for a table, but it’s well worth the wait. Cash only. 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm Mon.Thu., 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm Sun. $$

LA FAMILIA » 841 Foch St., 817.870.2002. Family owned and operated restaurant. Lunch specials are served six days a week. Good service and great Tex-Mex are served up here in large portions. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

LA PLAYA MAYA » 6209 Sunset Dr., 817.738.3329. Other locations: 1540 N. Main St., 817.624.8411. 3200 Hemphill St., 817.924.0698. Traditional Tex-Mex is well done, but the seafood is better. A must-order here is the succulent ceviche (raw fish) cooked in lime juice, then mixed with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro and peppers. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $

LOS MOLCAJETES » 4320 Western Center Blvd., 817.306.9000. Here, you have a tremendous amount to choose from, including various enchiladas, tostadas, fajitas, chimichangas, combination platters and a sampler platter for the lunch crowd. 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $

LOS VAqUEROS » 2629 N. Main St., 817.624.1511. Located across from Billy Bob’s Texas, this northside favorite is a great place for inexpensive but absolutely delicious Tex-Mex. You cannot find better beef fajitas. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-4pm Sun

MAMBO’S » 1010 Houston St. in the Park Central Hotel, 817-336-3124. A downtown favorite. Mambo’s famous tacos and incredible margaritas will keep you going back for more. Late-night dining at its best. 11am- 2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-2am Fri.-Sat. $

MI COCINA » 509 Main St., 817.877.3600. Other location: I-30 and Hulen, 817.569.1444. A favorite all over the Metroplex. Nachos locos, chicken con hongos, mongo goodo and the famous Mambo Taxi that may make you looso drunko. Easygoing cantina atmosphere. 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Wed.-Sat. $

MI COCINITA » 3509 Bryan Ave., 817.923.0033. This backyard café offers a cozy, casual dining experience. One of Fort Worth’s best-kept secrets. 10:30am-3pm Wed.-Fri. $$

THE ORIGINAL » 4713 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.6226. Fort Worth’s oldest Mexican restaurant offers all of the traditional favorites such as warm flautas and homemade tamales in a warm, family-friendly setting. 11am-9pm Tue.Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $

PAPPASITO’S CANTINA » 2704 West Freeway, 817.877.5546. Other location: 321 W. Road to Six Flags, Arlington, 817.795.3535. Next door to Pappadeaux, this restaurant draws large crowds with generous helpings of Tex-Mex food. The quality is the best, the portions are huge, and the service is impeccable. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

PULIDOS » 5051 Hwy 377 S. 817.732.7871. Other locations: 817.732.7571. 2900 Pulido St., 817-7314241. 4924 Old Benbrook Rd. Classic Mexican restaurant offering everything from enchiladas

to crispy tacos. 11am-9:30 pm Mon-Thur.; 11am-10 pm Fri.-Sat. $

RIO MAMBO » 6125 I-20 at Bryant Irvin, 817.423.3124. Salad takes a new twist alongside standard Tex-Mex favorites, with the Los Cabos, a Mexican cobb salad of sorts with chicken, avocado and bleu cheese. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10:3pm Fri.-Sat. $$

SAMMY’S RESTAURANT » 300 West Central, 817.624.0764. Mixture ofamerican and Mexican items includes steaks, soups, seafood, enchiladas and tacos. 5pm-11pm Wed.-Thu.; 5pm4am Fri.-Sat. $-$$

TRES JOSES COCINA MEXICANA » 4004 White Settlement Rd., 817.763.0456. Decidedly creative menu with a range of choices, from chargrilled chicken breast to grilled shrimp, fancy tamales stuffed with sirloin and topped with tomatillo salsa. 11am-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun.; Closed Mon. $$

UNCLE JULIO’S » 5301 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.2777. A West Fort Worth cult eatery, and it’s easy to see why. This national chain has blended the best parts of Southwestern cuisine with Mex and Tex-Mex, giving guests a flavorful dining experience. 11am-10:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$

WILLOW PARK

LOS VAqUEROS » 4971 E. I-20N 817.441.1551. Sister restaurant to Los Vaqueros in the stockyards, this has the same menu with a more laid back, family-friendly atmosphere. 11am-9pm Tue.-Sun.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$

seafood

ARLINGTON

FISH CITY GRILL » 3900 Arlington Heights Blvd. 817.465.0001. This casual restaurant offers tasty treats from the sea at tasty prices. Try the blue crab stuffed mushrooms or the Fish city sandwich. 11am - 10 pm Mon.- Thur.; 11am – 11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am- 9pm Sun. $-$$

FORT WORTH

BUBBA BAHAMAS » 215 University Dr., 817.877.3255. Where to go for great seafood in a lively atmosphere. Fried catfish and shrimp are the best choices. Whether you are in a tank top and shorts or in a limo, you’ll feel right at home here. 12pm-9pm Sun.: 11am-9pm Mon.-Tue.; 11am10pm Wed.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

DADDY JACK’S » 353 Throckmorton, 817.332.2477. The attentive servers and the expertly cooked dishes make for a wonderful dining experience. Crab cakes with big chunky pieces that are hard to come by. Lobster tail and the catch of the day are the main attractions of the seafood house in the heart of the Wild West. 11am-2pm Mon.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

J&J OYSTER BAR » 612 N. University Dr., 817.335.2756. The Oyster bar is the best place where locals go for oysters, scallops and the best seafood gumbo in town. 11a.m.-10p.m. Sun.-Thu.; 11a.m.-11p.m. Fri.-Sat. $

LONE STAR OYSTER BAR » 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.370.0030. Seafood lovers shouldn’t leave this place without trying the tasty oysters. A fun place to unwind after a long day at the office or outside in the Texas sun. The daily specials are excellent, as well. 11am-2am Tue.-Sat.; 11am-midnight Sun.-Mon. $

PAPPADEAUX » 2708 West Freeway, 817.877.8843. Other location: 1304 E. Copeland Rd., Arlington, 817.543.0544. Basic New Orleansthemed chain, but hardly pedestrian on the palate. Keep in mind, the Arlington location is one of the busiest spots in the county, especially when the neighboring Texas Rangers are in town. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

RAZZOO’S » 318 Main St. in Sundance Square, 817.429.7009. Other location: 4700 Bryant Irvin Rd. in Cityview, 817.292.8584. Why go to Mardi Gras when you’ve got Razzoo’s at home? Less fancy than the competition, they offer Louisiana favorites, as well as specialty drinks, like hurricanes, gator punch and worm burners. 11am-11pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $$

ROCKFISH » 3050 S. Hulen St., 817.738.3474. A seafood lover’s paradise in a good people-watch-

ing place. Tender pastas complement all the seafood choices, and the raspberry margarita is too tasty for words. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $$

ZEKE’S FISH & CHIPS » 5920 Curzon Ave., 817.731.3321. This Fort Worth staple serves up something different than the Southern battered fish fry. Modeled after English fish and chips. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat.; Noon-9pm Sun. $

SOUTHLAKE

FISH CITY GRILL » 2750 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 130, 817.748.0456. This casual restaurant offers tasty treats from the sea at tasty prices. Try the blue crab stuffed mushrooms or the Fish city sandwich. 11am - 10 pm Mon.- Thur.; 11am – 11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am- 9pm Sun. $ - $$

TRULUCK’S SEAFOOD, STEAK & CRAB HOUSE » 1420 Plaze Pl.; 817.912.0500 . It’s all about the fresh seafood and tender crab at Truluck’s which features a weekly changing menu. 5p.m.-10p.m. Sun.-Sat. $$$

FORT WORTH

BLUE MESA BAR & GRILL » 1600 S. University Dr., 817.332.6372. Other location: 158 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817.416.0055. Escape Tex-Mex fever and opt for superb Southwestern cuisine in this favorite University Park Village haunt. Low-fat menu choices make it easy for the calorie counters. Their popular happy hour provides delicious quesadillas with drinks. One of the best brunches you’ll ever eat. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $$

BONNELL’S FINE TEXAS CUISINE » 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.738.5489. Wonderful Texas game dishes, fresh grilled seafood, steaks and chops. Something for every taste, like the grilled trout with mango salsa. Draws an upscale crowd both dressy and casual. Extensive wine list. 11am2:30pm Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm-10pm Tue.-Sat. $$ $ LANNY’S ALTA COCINA MEXICANA » 3405 W. 7th St., 817.850.9996. Don’t go in expecting traditional enchiladas and tacos. Instead, enjoy multiple courses of nouvelle Mexican cuisine from a fourth-generation member of the Joe T. Garcia family. 11:30am-2pm Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm10pm Tue.-Sat. $$$

THE LONESOME DOVE WESTERN BISTRO » 2406 N. Main St., 817.740.8810. A whitetablecloth dining establishment in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards. Chef/owner Tim Love has brought together a collection of dishes that reflects the spirit of food from the traditional and new Southwest. We suggest the duck quesadillas and the coffee-rubbed kangaroo tail. 11:30am-2:30pm Tue.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ $

MICHAELS RESTAURANT & ANCHO CHILE BAR » 3413 West 7th St., 817.877.3413. Michaels Restaurant & Ancho Chile Bar serves up contemporary Southwestern cuisine, a comfortable atmosphere and an extensive list of fine wines. The Chile Bar offers its own unique menu. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 5:30pm-11pm Thu.-Sat. Chile Bar hours: 11am-11pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-1am Tue.-Fri.; 5pm-1am Sat. $

REATA » 310 Houston St., 817.336.1009. A garden bar three stories above downtown and two stories of dining make this one of the most popular tickets in Fort Worth. Well, that, and an innovative menu that includes such palate-pleasing favorites as smoked quail on cheese grits, chicken-fried steak and a chili relleno stuffed to the gills with cheese. The crowd is lively and the waitstaff is unmatched. 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10:30pm daily. Bluegrass Brunch 11am-2pm Sun. $$

steaks

ARLINGTON

MAC’S STEAKS & SEAFOOD » 6077 I-20 W. 817.572.0541. Trendy but casual pub featuring steaks and seafood. 10am-10pm Sun.; 11am-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 9:30am-2:30pm & 3pm-10pm Sun. $-$$

TRAIL DUST STEAK HOUSE » 2300 E. Lamar Ave., 817.640.6411. The large and lively atmosphere make this a good place for a night out with the family. They serve a wide variety of steaks and have a tasty appetizer selection, to boot. 11am-10pm Mon.-Fri.; Noon-11pm Sat.; Noon-10pm Sun. $$$

FORT WORTH

CATTLEMEN’S STEAK HOUSE » 2458 N. Main St., 817.624.3945. In the Stockyards since 1947, Cattlemen’s is a beef institution where you choose your steak from the glass butcher case. If you’re not a red-meat eater, there is a good selection of superb seafood and chicken. 11am-10:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; 12pm-9pm Sun. $$$

DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAKHOUSE » 812 Main St., 817.877.3999. A Fort Worth/Dallas legend. The meat is great, and so is the service. Don’t hesitate to try the fish or the mock turtle soup made with beef and sherry. A perfect special-occasion dining location. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Sun. $$$

DUCE » 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.4400. Chef Tim Love’s latest venture, Duce features a unique menu and atmosphere, a beautiful outdoor dining patio, two full service bars, as well as an extensive wine list. 11:30am-2:30pm Tue.-Sat; 5pm-midnight Tue.-Sat. $$$

H3 RANCH » 109 E. Exchange Ave., 817.624.1246. The bunkhouse feel lends a special Stockyards flavor to roast pork Southern-style, and be sure to try a gooey caramely dessert served in a skillet or a flaming steak with 150-proof fuel. The huge open hickory grill gets your attention right away. 11am-10pm Mon.Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 9am-11pm Sat.; 9am-10pm Sun. $$$

HOFFBRAU » 1712 S. University Dr., 817.870.1952. A relaxed setting that serves up good steaks, chargrilled pork chops, bacon-wrapped shrimp, fried pickles and banana pudding. 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$

KJ’S SOUTHWEST GRILL » 9143 Grapevine Hwy., 817.503.8883. New to the Tarrant County landscape, this restaurant offers steaks, burgers and other American favorites. 11am-10pm daily. $

THE KEG STEAKHOUSE & BAR » 5760 S.W. Loop 820, 817.731.3534. The fireplace makes it cozy, but the food makes it better, especially the oddball, round “baseball steak.” Try the bacon-wrapped scallops with a zesty cocktail sauce or the grilled top sirloin. 4pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 4pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$$

MERCURY CHOP HOUSE » 301 Main St., 817.336.4129. The menu is the only way to describe this place of beef tenderloin Oscar, Dijon-crusted pork chops, truffled polenta and halibut over a roux of Kalamata olives and Roma tomatoes. 11am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $$$

M&M STEAKHOUSE » 1106 N.W. 28th St., 817.624.0612. This restaurant may be small, but the steaks sure aren’t. Try one of these huge slabs of meat smothered in a garlic sauce. The food is excellent. Cash only. 5pm-11pm Tue.-Sat. $$

RISCKY’S STEAKHOUSE » 120 E. Exchange Ave., 817.624.4800. A true Old West décor serving Texas-size steaks of certified Angus beef. Originally frequented by visiting ranchers, cowboys and cattlemen involved with the stockyards and livestock business, making them famous for their calf fries and excellent steaks. 11am-9pm Sun.-Mon.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$

SILVER FOX STEAKHOUSE » 1651 S. University Dr., 817.332.9060. Other location: 1235 William D. Tate, Grapevine, 817.329.6995. Prime veal, steak salads and off-the-cob cream corn are a few of the favorites on this menu of upscale Western chophouse fare. Popular for gatherings, as well as a heckuva steak. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. Bar opens at 4pm. $$ $

GRAPEVINE /SOUTHLAKE/COLLEYVILLE

J.R.’S STEAKHOUSE » 5 400 Hwy. 121, 817.355.1414. The menu has plenty of steaks and seafood to choose from, but reasonably priced first courses and salads could easily pass for small entrées. J.R.’s draws a more casual crowd, but there is nothing casual about the food. Wine lovers will also be pleased to find a number of bottles priced in the $30 to $80 range. You will also find live music nightly in the adjoining bar. 4pm-lounge; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$$

KIRBY’S STEAKHOUSE » 3305 E. Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.410.2221. A fine dining experience featuring prime-aged, bone-in ribeye and pepper steak. Excellent seafood, as well. 4:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 4:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$$

MAC’S STEAKS & SEAFOOD » 5120 Hwy. 121, Colleyville, 817.318.6227. Trendy but casual pub featuring steaks and seafood. 10am-10pm Sun.; 11am-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 9:30am-2:30pm & 3pm-10pm Sun. $ - $$

›› HAVE WE MISSED YOUR FAVORITE HOT SPOT?

Send the restaurant name and a brief description of why it should be included to: (cstrube@fwtexas.com), or call (817.560.6100). Be sure to include a phone number, hours of operation and a description of the ambience.

Come to Where the West Begins and the Fun Never Ends!

Sundance Square is Fort Worth’s downtown entertainment and shopping district, featuring premier restaurants, outstanding retail shopping, live theater, museums, clubs, live music venues, and more – all in a unique setting of restored architecture and artistry dating from the dawn of the 20th century. Bounded by 2nd and 5th streets and between Throckmorton and Calhoun, Sundance Square offers free parking after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends in designated lots, or during the daytime with validation from a Sundance Square merchant. Come enjoy what Texas Monthly called “The hottest downtown in Texas,” and visit our Web site at www.sundancesquare.com.

Bass Performance Hall, now beginning its 11th season, was named one of the world’s top ten opera houses by Travel & Leisure magazine. To kick off its second decade, the Hall proudly welcomes some of the preeminent musicians in jazz today. Nine-time Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra return on July 14 at 8:00 p.m. to deliver a vast musical repertoire, ranging from rare, historic compositions to more familiar works of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Count Basie. For ticket information on this event - and many, many others - please visit www.basshall.com or call (817) 212-4280.

Marie Antoinette Holliday, D.M.D of Doc Holliday’s Dental Spa, specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry. Among the many treatments she offers in her office is the Invisalign system of orthodontics and teh Zoom!™ Whitening System. Doc Holliday’s Dental Spa is located at 115 West Second St., Suite 200, in Sundance Square. For more information, please call (817) 877-1872, sundancesquaredentist@ gmail.comor visit www.dochollidayfw.com.

Uno Chicago Bar & Grill Chicago’s original deep dish pizzeria is right in the heart of Sundance Square. Uno has surrounded its famous deep dish pizza with many colorful and exciting menu items. New favorites include Lemon Basil Salmon, Chicken Gorgonzola, Baked Stuffed Chicken, Classic Cobb Salad and organic flatbread pizzas. At lunchtime Uno offers a variety of items that will be served within ten minutes. Uno’s full service bar has many excellent signature drinks that compliment any meal. After the show, stop in for a slice of cheesecake or try Uno’s award winning Deep Dish Sundae. A fast and friendly staff is eager to serve you. For call ahead seating or to book a large party, please call 817-885-8667.

Spotlight[ [

Ken Cherry

[ In Search of Answers]

by Alison Rutledge

When witnesses began reporting sightings of strange lights in the skies over Stephenville, Texas, Ken Cherry knew it was time to go to work. As the State Director for the Texas division of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), Cherry has dedicated his free time to investigating reports of Unidentified Flying Objects and giving support to others who believe that there is something unexplained in the skies.

A fifth-generation Texan, Fort Worth native and graduate of Paschal High School, Cherry credits his interest in UFOs to reading the science fiction of Jules Verne as a child. He said, “As [you] grow older, I think you start pondering some of the bigger questions about ‘Are we alone in the universe?’ and ‘Exactly what is going on with these UFO sightings.’” This childhood curiosity led him to participate for the past 12 years in MUFON, an organization that Cherry values for its dedication to finding the answer for each UFO sighting—even if the explanation is “more mundane.”

Cherry said the Stephenville sightings is the most interesting case that he has been involved with. When witnesses began reporting sightings via phone and the organization’s Web site, it was Cherry’s job to direct a team of 10 field investigators who gather and analyze evidence. Although the photographic evidence collected was ultimately eliminated, Cherry maintains, “We are left with a core of highly credible accounts of something that we can’t explain.”

As for the future of MUFON investigations, Cherry said they will continue to search for answers to both specific cases and the bigger question of where these UFOs come from. “It’s a pretty important question to all of us when you get right down to it.”

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Elaine and Bill Jowell

When looking for a new vehicle, Bill Jowell of Fort Worth said he chooses Park Place Motorcars because they are “very up front, reliable and honest.” Having previously purchased vehicles from the Dallas location, he has now switched to the Fort Worth location, where he and his wife, Elaine, live and conduct business.

Looking to upgrade his vehicles, Bill purchased three luxury vehicles from Park Place. His Mercedes-Benz vehicles include the S550, the GL550 and a new SL550. Performance and refinement are important to Bill and he says that Mercedes-Benz does it best. And Bill said purchasing vehicles from Park Place is a great experience because the staff is “very friendly and congenial,” he added.

Bill said he and his family enjoy spending time at the lake, and it’s their cars that make the trip more enjoyable.