Fort Worth Magazine - July 2009

BEST PLACES TO L I VE

When you dedicate yourself to making remarkable advances in the complex world of subspecialty medicine, people notice. That’s why Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth is a national award winner.

Plaza is the only hospital in Fort Worth to be recognized with four prestigious awards from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Those awards include being the first hospital in the Western United States to have its Heart Attack Treatment Program certified by the Joint Commission. Plaza also received Advanced Certification in Stroke as well as in Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement. In addition, Plaza received Certification for its Oncology Program from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and is the first hospital in Fort Worth to be named a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Plaza also recently received the Texas Workforce Commission Employer of the Year award.

But our greatest honor doesn’t come just from awards. It comes from helping people live happier, healthier lives through cutting-edge diagnostic treatment and exceptional patient care. With accomplishments like these, it’s easy to see why our patients and physicians think Plaza first.

CARDIAC CARE

NEUROSCIENCES

ONCOLOGY

ORTHOPEDICS

SPECIALTY SURGERY

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. Our high expectations continue to drive extraordinary performance for our shareholders, and as a result, 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:

your wardrobe with jewels that pop.

Getting Fresh: Discover the fun, healthy, environmentally responsible way to shop for fruits and veggies. by Alex Zobel

Keep Your Cool: Warmer days call for outdoor entertaining, and this menu from Fort Worth Chef Todd Brown will make your party simply delicious. by

Judie Byrd

Behind the ropes and on the red carpet, the photos of the personalities and parties that have everyone talking

96 Restaurant Review

Our resident critic dishes on the area’s most notable restaurants

The most sought-after restaurant guide to navigate Fort Worth’s growing dining scene

From the must-see live concert to the highly esteemed art exhibit, a month of events worth checking out

The backstory behind the people and events that shaped our city

peek inside new culinary ventures in and around town

E. R. Bills is a freelance writer from Fort Worth. His recent works appear in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Weekly, South Texas Nation, etc. He currently resides in Aledo with his wife, Stacie, and their children, Kyle, Kevin, rebecca and Tristan. Turn to page 50 to read e. r . Bill’s article, “Lake Worth m onster revealed?”

After returning to Texas in 2006 from studying art in California, David Blair rented a studio in Fort Worth’s south village. He has since shown his work locally and has completed several large commissions for avid collectors throughout the country. Blair currently resides in Fort Worth with his wife, Jennifer, and his daughter, Grace, and works from his new studio located near the TCU campus. To view his latest work, visit web.mac.com/neildavidblair. David’s illustration of the Lake Worth monster in this issue can be found on page 50.

A professional writer with a penchant for Panther City, Alison Rich has penned a diverse array of Fort Worthfocused features in her 15year career. Besides crafting stories about the people and places in and around town, rich also writes and edits for several nationally circulated magazines. This month, she writes about the state of real estate in Tarrant and surrounding counties in the cover story, “Best Places to Live,” found on page 32.

Do you have a story idea for the magazine or are you interested in writing for us? If so, please send all inquiries, queries or story ideas to Amy Hallford-Turman, editor, at ahallford@fwtexas.com.

publisher hal a. brown

associate publisher diane stow

[editorial]

editor amy hallford-turman

assistant editor jennifer casseday-blair

senior art director craig sylva

art directors spray gleaves, ed woolf

food editor judie byrd

food critic camille torres

staff writer gail bennison

writers e.r. bills, alison rich

illustrator david blair

editorial interns alicia berger, diana bloxom, katie martinez, caitlin rodgers, ashleigh schmitz, alex zobel

staff photographer jason kindig

photographers meredith brown, sandy tomlinson

director of promotions heather davis

[advertising]

main line 817.560.6111

advertising director diane stow x131

senior account executive gina burns-wigginton x150

account executive gail cannon x141

account executive marion c. knight x135

account executive candis low x155

account executive medley regan x126

advertising writers shalene roberts

advertising intern lauren pope, elizabeth vinson

[circulation]

accounting manager evelyn shook office manager kelly dragues

founding publisher mark hulme

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how to contact us

For questions or comments concerning editorial content, contact Amy Hallford-Turman, editor, at 817.560.6140 or via e-mail at ahallford@fwtexas.com.

feedback

you talk, we listen

Seven Unconventional Women

I didn’t realize how many people see Fort Worth, Texas magazine! My parents saw an ad for it on TV last night. My mom called me and said they were talking about the newscaster that’s featured in it, and then they mentioned the seven unconventional women ... she was so excited. Really cool!

Lisa Edrich

Margo Dean

I saw a very small article [on Margo Dean] in your June issue but it was not nearly as complete as it should have been written on her 60 years of ballet and the 40-year celebration of her company, Ballet Concerto. I sent good information on her and how the City of Fort Worth had issued a proclamation of June 2 as Margo Dean Day. While I appreciate the small listing on Margo, it did not state any of the important information that Fort Worth readers would have loved to have seen. I am an avid reader of Fort Worth, Texas magazine, and I am sad to see that your magazine did not deem Margo worthy of more coverage.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Carter

Board Member, Ballet Concerto

Corrections

In the “Best of Fort Worth” article that ran in the June issue of Fort Worth, Texas magazine, the Staff Pick for Best Person to Watch in 2009 was listed as: Eric Fox, Fort Worth City Councilman, District 3. The listing should have read: Eric Fox, candidate for Fort Worth City Council, District 3.

Also in that article, Artful Hand, which was voted Best Unexpected Place to Find a LastMinute Gift, was listed as being located in Montgomery Plaza. Artful Hand is located at 3408 W. 7th St.—across from Michael’s and Lanny’s restaurants—not in Montgomery Plaza.

In Shauna Glenn’s column in the June issue, titled “When Farm Animals Run Amuck,” the repairs to her vehicle were $2,000, not $200.

AN ONLINE EXCLUSIVE! It starts with the initial sighting of bluebonnets along I-30 and the host of festivals that kick off the summer months. We begin to fantasize about warm weather, tropical destinations and maybe even a summer fling. But then we quickly remember that we promised ourselves we’d save our pennies in lieu of the current economic climate. But your responsible, money-saving ways don’t mean you have to endure an uneventful summer that you will undoubtedly regret. Rather, peruse our listing of “50 Things To Do This Summer” in Fort Worth on fwtx.com. Make plans to take a hot air balloon ride, hike Palo Duro Canyon or catch a flick at the Brazos Drive-In. Grab a spot on the lawn and enjoy the Concerts in the Garden, or hop in a canoe at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge and float your way into an unforgettable summer.

The most sought-after restaurant guide to navigate Fort Worth’s growing dining scene is now available online. Choose from an extensive listing of restaurants ranging from American to Asian, barbecue to burgers, ethnic to Mediterranean. Just visit fwtx.com and click on the dining guide. Bon appetit!

Calling all party-goers! Did your picture appear in the magazine and now you would like to obtain a copy? If so, log on to fwtx.com, visit Snapshots, where you will find an archive of party pics taken throughout the year, and purchase your photo. It’s that easy.

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

The summer months are here. Have you found yourself without a summer internship? If you are interested in pursuing a field in art, editorial, advertising or marketing/promotions, we just might have a position for you. If you would like to pursue an internship with Fort Worth, Texas magazine, please log on to fwtx.com to submit your resume.

Location! Location! Location!

You’ve seen the headlines: house prices are down, foreclosures are up. There’s no way to sugarcoat the news when it comes to the nation’s housing market. Anyone trying to sell a house or get a mortgage knows it’s been a bumpy ride this last year as Americans from coast to coast have seen the value of their homes plummet.

But just how dreary is the local housing market? A testament to Fort Worth’s pull-’em-up-by-the-bootstrap ways, our corner of the universe is projected to weather the storm gracefully. And because Texas never experienced an unrealistic appreciation like California did, we have effectively dodged the paralyzing bust because we never had the boom, according to Kenneth Jones, owner of Kenneth Jones Real Estate. In the “Best Places to Live” article (page 32), our writer gets down to brass tacks with some of Texas real estate’s most authoritative economists and experienced brokers to discuss how the Fort is holding up. If you ask Mayor Mike Moncrief, he’ll tell you that we are “being affected least, being affected last and able to recover first … [because] we do things differently than anyone else, anywhere else. We do it the Fort Worth

way.” We concur, Mayor Moncrief. And if you are wondering how house prices are holding up in your neck of the woods, turn to page 36 to view our 2009 Real Estate Report on 55 neighborhoods and towns throughout Tarrant and Parker counties.

While Fort Worth is not immune to the woes of the economy, Fort Worthians are still finding ways to squeeze the juice out of life this summer. Take for instance the three families featured in “Domestic Havens” (page 44), which takes us behind the gates of the beautiful homes we pass every day and into their relaxing outdoor refuges. Whether entertaining hundreds of guests or retreating for a lazy weekend, these homeowners make family and friends priority in these outdoor masterpieces, donning sophisticated cooking equipment, designer furniture, luxurious pools and waterscapes, decorative stone and tile work, and lush landscaping.

And if you are looking for additional ways to spend time with family and friends this summer, flip through the much-anticipated 2009-2010 Fort Worth, Texas magazine Social Datebook (polybagged with subscribers’ July issue) and get involved in one of Tarrant County’s many worthy causes. If you are not a subscriber, no worries. To obtain a copy, please call our office and subscribe to the magazine, and we’ll gladly mail one to you free of charge.

While we are on the subject of Fort Worth’s social scene, let’s quickly talk about a charitable event of monumental proportions. Everyone at Fort Worth, Texas magazine would like to thank all of those who helped make our 2nd annual “Best of Fort Worth” party, an entertainment extravaganza benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth, such a success. You won’t want to miss next year’s event as we are prone to outdoing ourselves!

Amy Hallford-Turman Editor

Charitable Composition

Fort Worth physician Linda Reese uses her rekindled passion for playing the piano and a portion of the proceeds from her online album sales to benefit three international charities.

Coveted Collection

The Kimbell Art Museum’s permanent collection is home to pieces by such renowned artists as Velázquez, Bernini, Picasso and Matisse, to name a few. This fall, Michelangelo Buonarroti will join this group when his earliest-known painting, “The Torment of Saint Anthony,” goes on display after a summer stay at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. “The Kimbell has a tradition of acquiring works of the highest quality and importance. A painting by Michelangelo is one of the rarest works of art, and the Kimbell recognized that,” said Eric McCauley Lee, director of the Kimbell Art Museum.

This rare piece epitomizes the small but relevant permanent collection found at the Kimbell. With less than 350 works, a Michelangelo painting only adds to the merit and distinction of the Kimbell’s collection. “The acquisition of this rediscovered work from the very beginnings of Michelangelo’s artistic career offers an extraordinary opportunity to advance the understanding of European art,” Lee said. - Ashleigh Schmitz

Rory Rules the Green

“Obviously this tournament is very special. What a wonderful name to be associated with now,” said Rory Sabbatini upon sinking his final shot at the 18th hole in the 2009 Byron Nelson Championship. A Fort Worth resident, Sabbatini, 33, took the top spot, beating Brian Davis in a record-breaking 19 under par.

This win marks Sabbatini’s fifth victory on a PGA tour, and with a prize of $1.17 million, it is definitely an accomplishment to smile about.

Only 13 other men are able to claim the distinction as winner of both Fort Worth and Dallas PGA Tour events. Originally from South Africa, Rory’s first local victory came

at the 2007 Colonial Golf Tournament, eight years after turning professional. With this most recent win at the Byron Nelson, his first since taking the Colonial in ’07, Sabbatini shows that he has luck when playing in front of hometown crowds, proving that there truly is no place like home.

–Caitlin Rodgers

Batter’s Up!

DFW is nO strAnGer tO plAyinG hOst tO extrAOrDinAry prOFessiOnAl AnD nOnprOFessiOnAl spOrtinG events, whether it’s NASCAR races at Texas Motor Speedway or this month’s Texas West Little League Tournament in Fort Worth. From July 23-30, around 520 little leaguers will run the bases while another estimated 550 coaches, family members, friends and fans are expected to cheer them on. An expected $1.3 million in revenue for the city comes from parking costs, accommodations and concessions. Games will be played three times a day at both Kelly Park and Camp Carter Baseball Complex. This event reinforces that Fort Worth remains a prime location for spectators to take in an exciting ballgame. – Ashleigh Schmitz

King

of Barbecue

Cousin’s Bar-B-Q proves that it’s all in the family with their recent success in “Good Morning America Weekend’s Best Barbecue Challenge.”

The local family-owned restaurant was named one of four top barbecue establishments in the United States. In a nationwide search, “Good Morning America Weekend” asked viewers to separate the best from the rest and nominate their favorite barbecue joints. Taking everything into consideration from the barbecue to the ambiance surrounding it, the judges visited each restaurant to make the final decision. The other three nominees in the four-way barbecue showdown were a diverse group spanning the country from

Woody’s Smoke Shack in Des Moines, Iowa, to Archibald’s BBQ in Northport, Alabama, to the winner, Dinosaur Bar-B-Cue, in Syracuse, New York. This competition is only the most recent in an ever-growing list of highly coveted accolades and distinctions earned by Cousin’s Bar-B-Q. Since the restaurant’s conception in 1983, Calvin “Boots” Payne has grown Cousin’s from a single location on McCart Avenue to six across Tarrant County. The Payne family prides themselves on being the best and is thankful to the loyal clientele—built over the last 26 years—who they fondly refer to as “distant cousins.”

– Caitlin Rodgers

Moving on Up

EarliEr tHiS yEar, tHE Fort WortH HarlEy-DaviDSon DEalErSHip prouDly took itS placE aMong tHE bESt DEalErSHipS in tHE WorlD. It is ranked No. 3 worldwide based on performance, vehicles, parts, clothing sales and customer satisfaction. This ranking is a vast improvement upon its previous ranking. When Mark and Jennifer Smith bought the Fort Worth Harley-Davidson dealership almost three years ago, it was ranked No. 667 out of the 1,000 HarleyDavidson dealerships in the world. During the last two and a half years, Mark made countless improvements to the dealership, which no doubt helped their increased rank. Mark is still looking for ways he can improve the customer’s experience because, according to Jennifer, No. 3 is still not good enough for him. Mark and Jennifer plan on attending the awards ceremony in Denver for recognition of this amazing turnaround.

—by Ashleigh Schmitz

A Charmed Life

Fort Worth native Sophie H. Meintjes, 13, discovered her natural creativity at a very early age. Her little hands created works of art from scraps of unwanted household items such as dolls from dried rose petals and cornhusks. After receiving a gift of beeswax clay from a friend, Sophie took her sculptured creations to a whole new level. Meintjes’ charms are cast in solid sterling and encapsulate the grace and beauty of equine movement. Each charm is named and has a special story behind why the horse was important to her. Currently, two stores in Fort Worth carry Meintjes’ charms, Maver-

Plaza Puzzle Solved

Just when Fort Worth residents started to think their city couldn’t get any better, the final piece of the puzzle falls into place for a downtown building project that has been merely a dream for years. Developer Ed Bass now owns a 15,000-square-foot area at the corner of Third and Commerce streets—the final piece of property needed to build a central plaza in downtown Fort Worth. “That’s the piece we have never owned,” explains Johnny Campbell, the president and CEO of Sundance Square Management.

The Bass family, who revitalized downtown Fort Worth with enhanced shopping, entertainment, residential and office quarters, always wanted one final addition to the plan: a central plaza that could act as a “focal point” of downtown. While no timetable or design plan is completed for the new project, what has been only a dream for many years is now starting to be sketched into reality. Phillip Poole, an urban planner and the principal of the Fort Worth firm TownSite, describes the future plaza as “the heart we haven’t had.”

–Caitlin Rodgers

A Worthy Cause

Worthington national bank was recently presented the cornerstone award by the texas bankers Foundation for stepping beyond the typical expectations of a bank and into the “colleyville community project.” Worthington’s project included the conversion of a deserted building into a space to be used in a myriad of ways by the community at large. The building’s renovation, funded by Worthington, created a thoughtful multi-purpose space that includes a community meeting room and a larger, more general community room to be used by any nonprofit group from the Chamber of Commerce to church and civic groups. The community building even houses a grand piano available for the public to play, as well as a flag collection that showcases each of Texas’ flags through the years with historical explanations to accompany them. It’s evident that Worthington took great care in every decision made along the building process.

–Caitlin Rodgers

fwbeat:culture

Helpful Hands

A Fort Worth physician’s rekindled passion for playing the piano benefits those in need.

Iremember the logic of a 21-year-old and thinking that I was not going to pursue music,” recalled Linda Reese, a local physician. After majoring in music and psychology at Bowdoin College in Maine, Reese went on to travel around Europe, work in an English pub and earn a medical degree. She also completed a four-year commitment to the U.S. Navy by serving as the senior medical officer at the Naval Air Station in Dallas. When asked if she ever thought she would return to playing the piano, Reese replied, “Never.”

While Reese used an old upright piano purchased in medical school to lull her children to sleep each night, the world was missing her melodies. However, after recording a CD last year that was intended to be a Christmas gift only for her family, Reese’s passion for playing the piano became public. She went on to produce two more CDs and sell her music online.

Later this year, she will release her fourth album, “2 Grands 4 Little Ones.”

All of Reese’s album titles include the No. 4 because four hands are used in her duet songs with Adam Chester. Reese and Chester first sat down to play together at a piano store in Los Angeles. When he’s not rehearsing with the Elton John Band, Chester manages the store where he and Reese played simultaneously on two separate Steinways. “The sound of the four hands is what I’d been missing … you just can’t get the same with two,” Reese said.

Reese plays more than just the keys of her nine-foot Concert Grand Steinway, which is called Maggie Gloria because “it’s both magnificent and glorious.” She plays the role of wife to her husband, Philip, a cardiologist, mother to three, physician and philanthropist. A percentage of the proceeds from Reese’s online CD sales go to support three international charities. Reese’s abilities benefit both Women for Women International, a charity helping women rebuild their lives after surviving war, as well as the Kidmia Foundation, an Ethiopian organization for orphaned children. For four years, the Reese family has also been assisting a family from Uganda, helping to rebuild their home and enabling their children to receive college educations.

From making a post-college decision to leave piano, to selling her couch and coffee table to fit Maggie Gloria in her living room, Reese has certainly rekindled a passion. “I think I’ve learned that so many of us overlook some of our gifts because they’re too easy … I turned my back on piano because I didn’t appreciate what it was … it was fun, but it was easy,” Reese said. Now, by simply doing what comes naturally at the piano, Reese is able to lend her helpful hands to the world.

For more information, visit drlindareese.com.

Bryan Burrough’s new book plunges into the lives of the greatest Texas oilmen.

In his latest offering, The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes, Bryan Burrough, co-author of the No. 1 New York Times best-seller Barbarians at the Gate and writer for Vanity Fair magazine, gives a detailed portrait of the lives of four legendary Texas oilmen. Opening a window into the dramatic rise and fall of what he calls the “Big Four” oil dynasties, Burrough sheds light on a period of Texas history that has been left in the dark by much of the literary world.

The Big Rich is the first book to compile and link the histories of the four prominent Texas oil families of the early 20th century— the Hunts, the Murchisons, the Cullens, and the Basses and their paterfamilias, Sid Richardson. The book takes you step by step through the pivotal period in the 1920s when the discovery of oil turned the once drowsy, country villages of Texas into lively boomtowns in a matter of months.

The narrative begins by throwing the reader into the discovery of the first big Texas gusher in the pastures around Spindletop about four miles south of Beaumont. Burrough masterfully recounts the magical afternoon when two brothers changed the course of history. “In a matter of days,” he writes, “the pastures around Spindletop would be producing more than the rest of the world’s oil wells—combined. Of those six first Texas oil wells, three produced at a higher rate than the entire country of Russia, then the world’s top producer.”

The term Big Rich was first used in a Fortune magazine article that ran after the war in 1948. It was during this time that the public really first became aware of the Big Four. Then in 1951, Houston Post columnist George Fuermann wrote a book called Houston: Land of the Big Rich

With The Big Rich, Burrough successfully breathes new life into an era that hasn’t been seriously written about since Jane Wolfe’s The Murchisons: The Rise and Fall of a Texas Dynasty in 1989. More than just an exciting read, The Big Rich is a caricature of capitalism that leaves out none of its glory and excess. The book puts Texas into perspective—you’ll finally understand where Texas got its wealth, its politics, its swagger and so much of its character. Also, you’ll finally know the stories behind the people whose names are inscribed on local buildings and streets. – by Alex Zobel

Fruitful Excursion

There’s no better way to eat healthier and better-tasting food, support local businesses and have a positive impact on the environment than to buy locally grown produce that you can pick yourself at a nearby farm.

Make a Statement

Brilliantly update your wardrobe with jewels that pop.

Asimple summer look gets a major boost when teamed with a bold necklace. Pair one of these pieces with your outfit, and you are sure to make a statement.

Three Strand Mesh Link Necklace by Lordane, $85, at Head Over Heels

Enhanced Branch Coral Necklace by Merrick Jewels, $300, at Head Over Heels

Blue Stone Gold Link Chain Necklace by Merrick Jewels, $300, at Head Over Heels

Horn Necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane, $100, at Head Over Heels

White Turquoise Long Necklace by Pam Huran, $125, at Dolce Vita

Glass Beaded Canopy Necklace by J Crew, $98, at J. Crew

Pearl Flower Multi-Strand Necklace by Naka Jewelry, $210, at Dolce Vita

TILE MARBLE GRANITE

fwliving:active lifestyle

Getting Fresh

Discover the fun, healthy, environmentally responsible way to shop for fruits and veggies.

Next time you’re at the grocery store reaching for those blackberries from argentina or bananas from Brazil, picture yourself at a local farm plucking them right off the bushes and out of the trees.

There’s no better way to eat healthier and better-tasting food, support local businesses and have a positive impact on the environment than buying locally grown produce that you can pick yourself at a nearby farm.

Fruitful Excursions

“I always encourage people to pick a peach off the tree and eat it right there in the sunshine,” said Norman Miner, orchard master of the Red River Peach Orchard in Gainesville. “Peaches, like a lot of other fruits, have a short shelf life, so you lose the peak of their sweetness when you have to pick them early and ship them across the country.”

Last summer, the Red River Peach Orchard had more than 2,000 customers who handpicked 36,000 pounds of peaches, Miner said.

“In the summertime, if you’re there before noon, it’s really a very pleasant and cool country experience,” Miner said. “People who are stuck in apartments and crowded cities crave an opportunity to get out into the fresh air.”

Roughly an hour away from most places in the Metroplex, the Red River Peach Orchard is one of the only places for North Texans to get top-quality local peaches—not to mention, fresh peach ice cream made on the spot and free ice-cold lemonade made every morning. Miner said his orchard is part of the national trend of local produce becoming more popular. He runs a “U-Pick” orchard, which means his only customers are those who pick the peaches themselves and buy them on location.

by Alex Zobel

A Web site called PickYourOwn.org has attempted to compile every “U-Pick” farm in the U.S. and seven other countries, making it extremely easy to find the best and freshest local produce near you.

Why Buy LocaL?

Smaller, local farms more commonly raise grass-fed or free-range animals, grow crops organically and are less likely to use hormones.

Less transportation time means less pollution, not to mention fresher, bettertasting food.

Supporting small, local businesses keeps money in the community and helps it thrive.

Large companies that ship produce to your local supermarket are more concerned with the appearance, consistency and size than nutritional content. This means that fruits and vegetables are often picked before they are naturally ripened so they can survive the shipping process.

Your average vegetable or piece of fruit in the United States travels 1,500 miles before reaching a vendor, according to the National Resources Defense Council.

Most fruits develop their natural sweetness and flavor from the sugar that is only produced during the growing process. In order for fruit to be ripe when it reaches stores, it has to be picked early and, therefore, never reaches its full flavor potential.

Perfect Pick

Put the top down on your 2010 Lexus IS 350C, turn on your favorite summer tunes and embark

Your Dream home IS wa I t I ng

Own the Fort Worth, Texas magazine Dream Home. This gorgeous 6,100-square-foot Mediterranean-style home, built by Jefferies Custom Homes, sits atop a 1.32-acre, tree-covered lot nestled on a hilltop adjacent to a heavily wooded green space in the prestigious Palomar Estates development in Southlake. The spacious floor plan offers an impressive foyer with a grand staircase. The gourmet Wood-Mode kitchen features two islands, a butler’s 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.

fwliving:cooking

By Judie Byrd

Keep Your Cool

Warmer days call for outdoor entertaining, and this menu from Fort Worth Chef Todd Brown will make your party simply delicious.

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1/2

Summer is in full swing, and we have backyard parties on our mind. We surely don’t want to spend time slaving over a hot stove, so Chef Todd Brown, owner of TCB Catering, has come to our rescue with this elegant yet cool-to-prepare menu. Whether you are eating poolside or dining under the stars, these dishes are sure to impress your guests and help you keep your cool when serving alfresco.

Start the evening with Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Skewers with Balsamic Glaze. They can be made up to 6 hours ahead of serving, and they will start your party off with flair.

If you’re looking for a snazzy side dish, visit our Web site, fwtx.com, for Chef Todd’s creamy Basil Pesto Risotto with Parmesan and Balsamic Glaze. While you’re there, check out our new favorite condiment, the Modenaceti Balsamic Glaze. Grab a bottle—you’ll find yourself squeezing a little on almost everything you cook.

Everyone seems to adore salmon, and grilling is the perfect cooking choice for this popular fish. Chef Todd gives us a few new ingredient ideas to add a fresh twist, like serving it on chilled soba noodles. TCB Catering clients will recognize Chef Todd's signature salad, and now he is sharing the recipe with us all. You might want to make extra since its sweet-savory flavor usually bids everyone to ask for seconds.

For dessert, nothing says summer like a bowl of strawberries and ice cream. To add an elegant touch, carry over the balsamic glaze theme and drizzle the berries with just a touch of this delicious nectar.

Reflect Your Own Personal Style

fwliving:cooking

Grilled Miso salMon over sesaMe soba noodles

Yield: 4 servings

inGredients:

1 salmon filet, skin on, about 1 1/2 pounds

2 tablespoons brown miso

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 green onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 pound soba noodles

2-3 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

1. Preheat grill to medium-low. Place salmon on a platter, skin side down. In a small bowl, combine miso, ginger, onion, brown sugar, garlic and cayenne pepper. Spread miso mixture on salmon and let marinate a few minutes. Place misocovered salmon on grill, skin side down, and cook 12 to 14 minutes or until done to your liking.

2. Meanwhile, prepare noodles: Cook 1 pound soba noodles according to package directions. When just tender, drain well and toss with sesame oil and black sesame seeds. Serve warm or chilled.

tCb siGnature salad

For eaCh salad You will need:

1 head of hearts of romaine

Your favorite oil and vinegar salad dressing, to taste

1 teaspoon dried cranberries

5 grape tomatoes, each cut in half

2 artichoke hearts

handful of candied pecans

1 tablespoon stilton blue cheese

1 tablespoon crumbled Parmesan Reggiano cheese

Several thin slices red onion

Coat romaine leaves with dressing and arrange on a salad plate. In a small bowl, toss together remaining ingredients and place on top of romaine leaves.

web exclusive: For a great recipe of Chef Todd Brown's Basil Pesto Risotto with Parmesan and Balsamic Glaze, visit Cooking with Judie Byrd at fwtx.com.

Judie byrd is the founder of The Culinary School of Fort Worth and Super Suppers. To submit recipe ideas: contact Judie at judie@judiebyrd.com.

special thanks to Central Market for providing the groceries needed to prepare these dishes.

Best Places to Live

A look at the state of residential real estate in Tarrant and surrounding counties, as well as the information you need to know about 55 great neighborhoods and towns.

by Alison Rich

Holding Down the Fort Hamstrung by a flagging financial system, the U.S. real estate market tumbled from raging bull to limping bear. But what's up in Cowtown? Is housing hobbled or is our prime position still secure?

Dateline: USA, pre-summer 2008. For all practical purposes, the economy is pretty stout. Portfolios are performing. Banks are lending. Companies are hiring. Consumers are buying. And the residential real estate industry is going great guns, with values rising, housing starts accelerating and mortgage lenders readily opening their vaults to practically anyone. The word “recession” isn’t so much as a blip on Uncle Sam’s radar screen. Everything is copacetic … or so it seems.

Fast forward to fall 2008. That boom went bust. We know far too well what happened next, as the subprime mortgage meltdown knocked the wind from the already-wheezy real estate world. With a chilling mix of panic and slack-jawed incredulity, we’ve witnessed the resultant shockwaves fracture countless industries, the effects farreaching, life-altering, devastating. And as for housing itself, values are plummeting, foreclosures are soaring, funding is frozen and starts are at a standstill.

State of the Market

But just how abysmal is the local housing market? Does the dreary national data portend more doom and gloom in our neck of the woods? Or, in the face of the lethargic economy, are we actually doing OK? And the question that’s on the tips of everyone’s lips: Is the end— and, dare we say, a recovery—in sight?

“Credit extension has certainly thrown the housing market on its nose in lots of places in the country, but most people in the industry understand it’s a whole lot worse in other parts of the country,” says Ted Wilson, principal of Dallas-based Residential Strategies. “This is the growth area of the country, the part where the economy is probably going to turn around the quickest, the housing market that—while taken its lumps—hasn’t been as hard hit.”

Tammie Harding, executive VP of Fort Worth-based Intrust Mort-

gage, concurs. “We never saw the very unrealistic appreciation that some areas of the East and West coasts were seeing,” she says. “We had a steady 3 to 5 percent [appreciation] a year, which is good and healthy, so we didn’t have the big fall that some of the other states have had.”

Texas has run about a year to 18 months behind the rest of the nation in terms of the downturn in the economy, says Jim Gaines, research economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. “But the recession has caught up with us … We’re beginning to see the impact of what’s going on around the country.”

Homebuilders in particular have taken it on the chin, Wilson notes. “The carnage is builders who were overextended and have had to downsize. And I think there will continue to be tough news as lenders are forced to take back properties from developers. But [our area] is not like other parts of the country that are underwater with new homes.”

What also makes our area—indeed, our entire state—unique, according to Gaines, is that residential real estate is becoming extremely spotty. “We have individual neighborhoods with a high number of foreclosures, which has caused prices to fall [in those specific areas],” he explains of this trend toward localization. “But then a neighborhood right next door [without foreclosures] has prices going up.”

Most of the foreclosures in Fort Worth and the surrounding ’burbs tend to be concentrated in tract subdivisions built in the past few years, where developers focused on attracting scads of buyers as fast as possible, Gaines notes. “Some might have been using the subprime ‘exotic’ financing and high loan-to-value ratios,” he explains, “which means a homebuyer has almost no margin for error.”

Those risky loans, he continues, are tough to modify because many of the borrowers put little to no money down. And with home prices falling, a lot of these people are underwater on their mortgages, owing more than their house is worth. “It’s going to be very difficult for any of those [government-run] programs to be ultra-successful,” he says.

“They can’t put those loans back on the books because of high loan-tovalue ratio.” The re-default rate on modified mortgages? A dismal 60 percent, Gaines notes.

Although it’s weathering the economic storm gracefully, our area hasn’t been impervious to pain. “The overall sales volume in the Fort Worth-area market has fallen,” Gaines says. But while we have seen depreciation, it hasn’t been as dramatic as in other parts of the U.S. like Florida and California, “where they’re at a standstill,” Harding states.

One interesting dynamic worth noting: The percentage of area home sales has been posting abnormally high, while the average and median prices are charting low because of the many foreclosures and distressed sales filtering through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Gaines notes. “Historically, when foreclosures are nominal, it doesn’t affect the market as much,” he says. “The higher levels of foreclosures are causing the overall statistics to look worse.”

Unhappily, these morose metrics aren’t going to budge anytime soon—here or elsewhere. “It’s the world we’re going to live in probably for at least another year,” Gaines predicts matter-of-factly. “There is a very faint glimmer of light for the national economy that maybe we truly will have bottomed out of the recession by the end of this year,” he continues. “But it’s not going to be followed by a substantive or quick recovery. We may quit getting worse, but we won’t get that much better very quickly. The recovery will be slow.”

What has changed in our market, notes Wilson, is mortgage qualification. “It used to be really easy,” he says. “We like to say that all [borrowers] had to do was pass the mirror test … As the credit markets have collapsed, that has led to much more conventional and prudent lending practices—which is really how it should have been all along. What we saw for most of 2008 was basically the market returning to a more disciplined form of lending, and that’s a slower pace because not as many people qualify for a loan or have the down payment.”

Harding agrees. “Loans are still available but they’re going to be tougher to get than they were a couple of years ago,” she says, noting that the jumbo market in particular has felt the squeeze. “Lenders and

underwriters are being more cautious. But that’s the way it should be.”

Despite it all, if you have to be somewhere in the U.S. during this downturn, the Fort Worth area is it, says Kenneth Jones, owner of Kenneth Jones Real Estate and 2009 president of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors (GFWAR). “We’re so lucky that Fort Worth is Fort Worth,” he says, a city that effectively dodged the bust because it never had the boom. “Our growth was slow and healthy,” he explains. “We didn’t have that explosive appreciation in values like in other parts of the country.”

Also, in the 20 major metro areas listed in the Case-Shiller index, Fort Worth is the city that’s seen the least amount of price decline, Wilson says. It’s also the area deemed least at risk of posting price collapses. Launched this spring, the GFWAR’s new PR initiative, “Thank Goodness It’s Fort Worth!” reaffirms this pro-housing climate.

It may be a buyer’s market now, but when it hits bottom, that’s going to change, Wilson cautions. “Housing values aren’t going to drop much more,” he says, noting that the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers is helping add some traction to the wobbly market.

The key to economic healing, Gaines notes, lies in the corporate world. “Ultimately, it’s going to have to be businesses, both large and small, that start hiring again. Right now that’s the very faint light at the end of the tunnel, although I’m not sure if it isn’t more than a candle glow. Businesses don’t hire unless they’re making money, and they’re not making money right now.”

That said, it’s definitely not time to throw in the towel. “Unless these are false signals or some other shoe is going to drop that’s going to make things worse,” Gaines stresses, “it looks like we’re going to get through this.”

As for Jones and Harding, they started gearing up for the current summer selling season months ago, in anticipation of many long days and inked deals spurred on by more and more purchase money finally starting to trickle back into town. “We have a strong, diverse economy here,” Jones says. “I think things are going to do nothing but get better.”

The Great Eight

Although we’re not necessarily deeming these the “best” local home- towns to hang your hat—what’s good for one person isn’t necessarily as great for another—we are extolling these enclaves for their fantas- tic fusion of pro-resident amenities. While we do indeed agree that all of the 55 Tarrant and Parker County cities listed on our compre- hensive chart merit mention and are worthy neighborhoods in their own right, we whittled that list to provide some mini snapshots of the types of towns that comprise our region. So without further ado, here are this year’s great eight.

When it comes to A-plus enclaves, Aledo definitely makes the grade, says Leanne Osgood. “It’s not a small town anymore, but it still seems like one because it’s maintained its community feel,” gushes the local businesswoman, school board member and all-around ’burb booster who also runs the Web site shopparkercounty.com. Since relocating to Texas seven years ago, she and husband Bob have steeped themselves in Aledo’s revered mix of small-town values and big-city perks.

Like so many of the other residents, the Osgoods were especially drawn to the popular Parker County enclave because of its exemplary-rated schools, symbolized by the ubiquitous orangeand-black Bearcat mascot. “Hands down, everybody who does the research comes here for the schools,” says the mom of three kids, noting that the 4,500-student district is well prepared to handle the growth that prognosticators anticipate will continue as more people discover the city’s many benefits.

Sloan Yorek, a real estate agent with Brants Realtors, notes that Aledo’s diverse residential array also makes it an attractive home base. From standard-sized sites to 5-acre lots to sprawling ranches where horses and longhorn roam, “whatever your definition of comfortable living is,” Aledo has it, she says. And

Aledo

Population: 2,600

Median household income: $73,356

Median house value: $140,147

Property tax rate: $2.9322

Average SAT score: 1058

Source: aledo-texas.com, nctcog.org, city-data. com/city/Aledo-Texas.html, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

like Osgood, she points to the stellar schools and small-town feel. “But it’s maybe a 12- to 15-minute drive to Fort Worth, so you get everything in one little package,” Yorek notes. “It’s the best of both worlds.”

That said, Aledo dwellers and government officials hold tight to their town’s country-meetscity-meets-community composite and—although they set out the welcome mat for new residents— have been proactive in sustaining that trajectory. “We know growth is coming, but we can maintain that [small-town] feel,” Osgood says with ironclad confidence sure to make any Bearcat purr. “We have a purpose. It’s community here. It really is. And 10 years from now, it will still be that way.”

CBen Brook

Population: 23,450

Median family income: $63,529

Median house value: $91,100

Tax rate: $2.523777

Average SAT score (FWISD): 944

Source: ci.benbrook.tx.us

onveniently nestled at the convergence of highways 20, 820 and 377, Benbrook boasts an easy-toaccess location that serves both visitors and commuting residents well. “It’s such an easy sell. People are just loving it,” says Carol Van Hook, broker/owner of Mira Vista Realtors, of this real estate gem. Prime positioning notwithstanding, the “Live, Work, Play” locale still manages to maintain a decidedly eco-focused feel. “The walking and riding trails along the Trinity River are a hidden bonus and probably one of the biggest draws,” Van Hook continues. Strategically located access points along the paved pathways make it simple for users to ditch their cars, don their Nikes and work on their fitness while taking in the alfresco ambiance.

Another serious selling point: Two well-respected full-service hospitals—Texas Health Southwest Fort Worth and Baylor Medical Center at Southwest Fort Worth—are a quick jaunt from any point in the city. “That’s a big plus,” Van Hook notes. Also, when the proposed Southwest Parkway moves from conception to completion, that major artery will lighten congestion considerably on Bryant Irvin—currently one of the area’s most-traversed retail corridors.

Thanks to the city’s vigorous economic development program, the new thoroughfare will prove even more useful when more businesses begin to sprout. “They’re really looking at bringing in more retail, so Benbrook could become another retail mecca, which, in turn, will

Qattract more residential development,” notes Kenneth Jones, owner of Kenneth Jones Real Estate and 2009 president of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors.

And while that would suit resident Billie Dodd just fine, she and her husband are perfectly content enjoying Benbrook’s natural bounty from the comfort of their wildlife-laden property. “We moved to Benbrook from West Fort Worth four years ago and really enjoy living here,” she says. Avid bird watchers, the Dodds love watching the numerous species of birds that alight daily in their backyard. “It’s truly a bedroom community. You’ve got the parks, a beautiful lake and an equestrian center. You’re right off Camp Bowie and not far from any type of shopping—it’s easy to get everywhere,” Dodd says, adding that city staffers also are extremely affable and easy to work with. “It’s just perfect for us,” she effuses. “We love it.”

bold and brave, residents also are known for backing their school district, an entity for which they stand proud.

Crowley

Population: 12,200

Median household income: $57,161 Tax rate: $2.89277

Students in district: 14,160

“I’m a huge Crowley advocate,” says eight-year resident Ginny Kimberlin, whose ardent enthusiasm for her city is palpable. And understandably so. Her son, now 14, struggled in school before enrolling at Oakmont Elementary. Now, she says, thanks to the caring administrators and welltrained teachers, he’s a successful, thriving student well-equipped to enter ninth grade in the fall. “We’ve made it in a system in which I was told my son would never be mainstreamed,” she says, recalling with emotion the frustrations she experienced pre-Crowley ISD. “They have really worked with me and have done a phenomenal job with my son since he was in fourth grade … As an involved parent, you get the results you need.” But then, what would you expect from a district with the tagline “Great Expectations, Great Rewards”?

Average SAT score: 994

Source: ci.crowley.tx.us, nctcog.org, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

uiet and unassuming, Crowley is a little burg with a huge heart. Case in point: Each July, the city plays host to the Celebration of Freedom, a patriotic event featuring a “Support Our Troops” parade, fireworks display and other family-oriented activities at Bicentennial Park designed to give a collective pat on the back to local vets and active military members currently serving our country. Besides their spirited espousal of America’s

In addition to its first-rate learning environment, Crowley also offers a handy Tarrant County locale, just south of Fort Worth and west of Burleson, as well as family-centric city parks, a well-stocked public library and established neighborhoods with active homeowners associations. Kimberlin and her family, for instance, live in Hulen Bend Estates, a neatly manicured development featuring spacious homes and a community swimming pool. “I absolutely love my subdivision,” she says. “We’ve got beautiful landscaping, the neighbors are all very receptive to helping—I have no complaints.”

Keller

Population: 41,038

Named as one of Money magazine’s Best Places to Live in 2007—it nabbed the 50th spot, the top among North Texas cities—Keller continues to gain Metroplex momentum for its low crime rate, stellar parks and recreation system, full gamut of housing choices and proximity to practically anyplace around. Plus, homebuyers—including many out-of-staters relocating to the area—are enamored with the Northeast Fort Worth market, says Ted Wilson, principal of Dallas-based Residential Strategies. “The strongest place in Dallas/Fort Worth from an activity stand-

Median household income: $103,970

Median housing value: $220,033

Students in district: 27,794

Average SAT score: 1037

Tax rate: $2.478947

Source: cityofkeller.com, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

Fort Worth

Population: 720,250

Average household income: $50,052

Median home value: $111,900

Property tax rate: $2.761857

Students in district: 79,369

Average SAT score: 944

Source: Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, nctcog.org

Adossier of our area’s do-it-right destinations definitely wouldn’t be anywhere near complete sans Cowtown, the incomparable locale that started it all. Hitting the U.S. scene as a feisty fortress on the banks of the Trinity, our city’s indomitable spirit has perhaps best been displayed during the country’s current economic upheaval. Despite the grim reports and foul forecasts that continue to make countless headlines—and be the source of just as many headaches—Fort

point is the area north of 820 between 377 and 35 West,” he says. “It’s the most active market in D/FW, with 1,021 housing starts for the second quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009.”

And while the majority of homes tend to be custom dwellings, price points remain comfortably within reach, says Cindy Ruppert, an agent with Ebby Halliday Realtors. “Keller is attractive because it’s affordable,” she says. “The average price is a little over $300,000.”

Much of Keller’s attractiveness also stems from its something-foreveryone persona, Ruppert emphasizes. “It’s safe. It’s beautiful, with lots of hills and trees. Schools are [ranked] Exemplary and Recognized. Keller Pointe [aquatic and recreation center] is a big draw,” she says, easily rattling off a lengthy list of must-buy attributes. Commercial construction in the Alliance area also is moving at a fast clip, Ruppert notes, which will continue to ramp up the already positive economic and residential numbers.

As for Wilson, he too references Keller’s excellent schools, close-in proximity to work centers and affordability factor as significant selling points. And the fact that very little developable land remains in and around Keller and Northeast Tarrant has actually made the housing numbers post in the healthy digits these days. “There are still some [new homes] under development, but after that, the numbers are going to wane because there aren’t many new tracts of land,” he explains. “So that scarcity is part of the reason we’re seeing some of those good results right now.” And with mortgage rates dipping to historic lows and the buyer’s market in full swing, no doubt many people will be snapping up houses in and around the booming Keller region. “It’s the place that buyers—relocation, first-time, move-up and second move-up—are going these days,” Wilson says.

Worth has weathered the storm with her signature blend of rugged stick-to-it-ness and gentile grace. Homes are still selling, buyers are still buying and industry pros are still expressing plaudits about why our hometown is so hot, hot, hot. Encapsulating all of Fort Worth’s goodness, naturally, is next to near impossible within our limited space constraints. To help us fit all of Fort Worth’s worthiness into one succinct synopsis, we turned to our very own mayor, Mike Moncrief, who summed it up quite nicely.

“We continue to be the fastest-growing city over 500,000 in the

When it comes to Metroplex wowtowns, Mansfield’s got the market cornered. “It’s booming!” says Kenneth Jones, owner of Kenneth Jones Real Estate and 2009 president of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors. “And talk about economic development! The retail corridor along 287 is phenomenal. It’s got every single big-box imaginable, every restaurant … They’ve got it all.”

Despite the exponential growth tallied over the past few years, the Tarrant County city—which straddles Arlington but certainly doesn’t sit in its shadow by any stretch of the imagination—has managed to maintain its laidback, welcome-to-the-neighborhood mentality, states Becky Hearne, realtor with RE/MAX Pinnacle Group Realtors.

On top of that, what makes Mansfield especially alluring, she continues, is its top-notch school system. Fact is, she fields many requests from would-be buyers who are itching to make the move to the area because they’ve heard such glowing reviews of the renowned educational system.

Mansfield

Population: 58,069

nation, and we are also one of the most livable cities in the country," he said. "We are no longer a city in anyone’s shadow. When you look at our growth, you see the city council and myself, along with the talented city staff, continuing to build a sustainable city, concentrating on green technology and on quality, affordable, accessible housing … And it certainly doesn’t hurt to be the ninthsafest major city in the United States. The Fort Worth ISD continues to be an excellent partner as well, with the major improvements they’re making in the district. All of that combined with a diverse economy, one that has a strong economic foundation, with multiple legs and not just a couple, put us in the position to weather one of the biggest economic storms in the history of our country—being affected least, being affected last and able to recover first. And I think it all comes down to this: We do things differently than anyone else, anywhere else. We do it the Fort Worth way.”

Thanks, Mayor Moncrief. We couldn’t agree more.

Average household income: $82,037

Average new home value: $192,592

Students in school district: 27,940

Average SAT score: 997

Tax rate: $2.78985

Source: mansfield-tx.gov, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

“I’ve worked with many homebuyers who’ve moved to the area from other states [for that reason],” she says, adding that they hear the buzz from co-workers who already live in the area and recommend they set down root in Mansfield. “They have contacted me spe -

cifically wanting to move to the city for the schools.”

Of course, the fact that it’s centrally located makes it even easier for residents to dwell well in Mansfield. “With convenience to D/FW Airport and downtown Fort Worth, plus an ample supply of available houses, it’s a wonderful community to raise your family,” Hearne says.

And Jones couldn’t agree with her more: “It’s a wonderful place. People love it. It’s away from the city, but it’s handy to everything.”

Southlake

Population: 26,100

Median household income: $172,945

Average single-family residence: $448,462

School districts: Carroll ISD (Exemplary rating by Texas Education Agency), Northwest ISD (Recognized rating by TEA), Keller ISD (Recognized rating by TEA), Grapevine/Colleyville ISD (Recognized rating by TEA)

Property tax rate: Carroll ISD, $2.90328; Grapevine/Colleyville ISD, $2.68358; Keller ISD, $2.71728; Northwest ISD, $2.35892

Students in district: Carroll ISD, 7,772; Grapevine/Colleyville ISD, 13,877; Keller ISD, 27,794; Northwest ISD, 10,334

Average SAT score: Carroll ISD, 1119; Northwest ISD, 1030; Grapevine/Colleyville, 1094; Keller, 1037

Source: cityofsouthlake.com, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

That Southlake is a standout site is no secret to 12-year resident John Terrell, who also happens to be the city’s mayor. What makes it such a rare jewel amid the other Metroplex gems in our listing: the residents themselves, he says. “We’re a very active, very involved community. There’s a closeness here you don’t feel everywhere else,” crows Terrell of the Northeast Tarrant suburb. The citizenry notwithstanding, what’s the other component that continues winning raves? “First and foremost, our school district. It’s exemplary and probably the No. 1 reason people move to this community,” he explains.

The city’s leaders also have forged a clear-cut, consistent vision of what they want Southlake to look and feel like and subsequent administrators have stayed the course, Terrell notes, pointing to Southlake Town Square as a prime example of administrators’ resolute focus on aesthetics and atmosphere. The open-air shopping/dining/entertainment/business conglomerate comprises an upscale mix of retail and dining heavyweights alongside quaint boutiques, local eateries, government offices and other businesses.

One such business is Tappe White Real Estate Services, owned by 16-year resi-

dent Randy White. “It’s a real community,” he explains of what makes his hometown so sweet. “We all know each other. And there’s a mindset that we’re always trying to make it better.” He, too, mentions the city’s consummate school district, as well as the rock-bottom crime rate, master-planned communities comprising of a diverse architectural blend, abundance of parks, fit-for-families lifestyle and ultra-handy locale. “We have so many people who work in Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, Las Colinas and here [in Southlake],” he says. “It’s anywhere from a 20- to 30-minute commute to all of those places.”

An interesting side note: White, who grew up in Haltom City, recalls dropping by Southlake with his family when he was a little boy. But the motivation for their visits was poles apart from why most people set anchor in the elegant enclave today. “The only reason we came here as kids was to buy bait when we were on the way to the lake,” laughs the 53-year-old.

Weatherford

Population: 26,650

Average new-home value: $145,730

Rounding out this year’s most-wanted list is Weatherford. As the former stomping grounds of 1800s-era pioneers, it’s only apropos that this Western wonder has blossomed into a pioneering town that’s at once firmly rooted in its heritage while steadily gaining ground as a hometown hero. Situated a scant 25 miles west of Fort Worth on Interstate 20, the Parker County seat—and home of the annual Parker County Peach Festival, no less—affords residents a countrystyle life punctuated by big-city amenities that keep getting bigger as the developable land between Weatherford and its big sis to the east diminishes and more development comes to town.

Average weekly wage/PC: $663.05

Tax rate: $1.8648

Students in Weatherford ISD: 7,500

Source: parkercad.org, weatherfordisd. com, nctcog.org, ci.weatherford.tx.us

“Bottom line is that Fort Worth has grown in every direction,” says Mark Worthington, co-owner of Weatherford-based Worthington Realty and Investments with his wife, Dottie. His hometown,

Worthington notes, has evolved exponentially during the 25 years he’s been in the real estate business. “The gap between Fort Worth and Weatherford will close and we’ll all be one,” he states. “And with the development in Aledo, Willow Park and in Weatherford, that time is quickly getting here.”

What’s spurring the brisk growth? Besides the doable drive in to Cowtown, historic architecture and abundant shopping, dining and recreation options, people also are opting for a Weatherford ZIP code because of the school system. “Our schools are fabulous, and I’m not just saying that as a realtor—I’m saying that as a father,” remarks Worthington, whose two daughters attended Weatherford ISD schools. He himself is a Weatherford High School graduate, still the sole high school in town, with an enrollment of roughly 1,525. Some quick stats: seven of the 11 schools in the Weatherford Independent School District received the Texas Education Agency “Recognized” rating for 2008, and one garnered “Exemplary” status.

Yes, the city has transformed over the years, but the substantial shifts in terrain and demographics haven’t altered its essence one bit. “Weatherford is growing,” says Worthington, who has lived in the city his entire life. “It’s not like it used to be, but it’s still a great place to live. We can be at D/FW Airport in 45 minutes, regardless of the traffic. We’re close to Fort Worth. We’re the third fastest-growing county in North Central Texas.” Changes notwithstanding, Weatherford remains a small town at heart. “Everybody knows everybody else,” Worthington says. “We’re a close-knit bunch out here.”

Domestic

DISTINGUISHING HIGHLIGHTS

The Williams' shaded space offers natural beauty for the many guests they entertain. With 100 acres, there are several retreat opportunities at this Weatherford paradise. Here are a few of the features that stand out:

• Spacious party barn outfitted with a functional bar

• Multiple water features including a swimming pool, stone-lined stream and exquisite fountain

• Mediterranean-style entryway courtyard

• Breathtaking views of the bottom pasture

STATELY HOSTS

Roger and Patty Williams Weatherford

Fby Jennifer Casseday-Blair

Homeowners escape their busy lives without the worries of traffic, luggage or airports as they “vacation” in their spectacular outdoor living spaces. These featured families have created relaxing refuges that reflect their personal taste and lifestyle outfitted with sophisticated cooking equipment, designer furniture, decorative stone and tile work, and lush landscaping. Whether entertaining hundreds of guests or retreating for the perfect lazy weekend, these families take great pleasure in the open-air extensions of their homes.

Havens

ormer Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams and his wife, Patty, are the ideal hosts, utilizing their resident retreat primarily for entertaining guests. With spacious seating, a large stone fireplace, breathtaking views and a fully-equipped party barn, the Williams’ Weatherford paradise is a prime location for functions and fundraisers. Formerly Roger’s batting cage, this outdoor space located between the main house and guesthouse was converted into a Westernstyle party barn complete with a functional bar and TCU décor, including a large, rustic sculpture of a horned frog out front to greet guests.

When not entertaining, Roger and Patty enjoy lounging around their pool with their daughters, Sabrina and Jaclyn, both recent graduates of TCU, and their five content canines, who can occasionally be found taking a leisurely dip as well. A canopy of trees provides an abundance of shade allowing the Williams to enjoy the outdoors even during the hottest days of summer, while the large stone fireplace assures to take the chill out of winter gettogethers. Overflowing fountains and a running stream lined with large stones and lush vegetation create soothing sounds for the family year-round.

When they built their home seven years ago, Patty had a clear vision for their outdoor space. “It was important to preserve what was already here to begin with and build around the existing nature,” Patty said. While Patty does most of the watering herself, she admits that she relies heavily on her ranch hand, Duane Bailey, to keep the property looking its best.

HOSPITABLE HACIENDA

Rick and Lyn Veigel

Westworth Village

Upon entering the home of Rick and Lyn Veigel, it is as though time slows down in their Old WorldMexico-style retreat. Influenced by her travels to San Miguel and Cabo San Lucas, Lyn wanted to bring her Mexican vacation experiences home with her as she accents her covered vestibule with terra cotta tile, romantic lighting, warm artwork and rustic stone pillars. Of all the exotic adornments, Lyn shares her favorite decorating element: “I love my pineapples. I have collected them from all over Central Mexico.” The dramatic focal point in this space is a large fountain encompassed by potted ferns and palms reminiscent of something seen in a traditional Mexican plaza.

As Rick enjoys time off from his busy career in real estate at the nearby Shady Oaks Golf Course, Lyn keeps her hands full at home with her 2-year-old grandson. Their son, Alex, works nearby for the builder responsible for their charming abode, Shaw Stites Homes, and their daughter, Jamie, pops in for frequent visits. For the Veigels, family time is a priority. “More than anything, this extended space acts as a family retreat,” Lyn added.

With both children grown, Rick and Lyn entertain regularly at an intimate level, inviting small groups of friends and family over to decompress and share a meal or drinks, which can be enjoyed on an artistic table or a serving bar made of mosaic glass tiles. Many of the home’s large doors open to the covered space, creating a convenient flow from the kitchen and living room. Relaxed guests may never want to leave as they visit and sip margaritas in an environment illuminated by candelabras, lanterns and a cast-iron chandelier.

DISTINGUISHING HIGHLIGHTS

A true change of pace, the Veigels' covered outdoor entryway was inspired by travels in Mexico. From the terra cotta tiled floor to the large stone pillars, everything about this space conjures a resort ambiance. Some noteworthy elements include:

• Top-of-the-line Lynx cooking station

• Sunbrite weatherproof flat-screen TV

• Large potted ferns and palms

• Oversized Mexican-tiled fireplace

• Mosaic dining table and serving bar

• Romantic lighting including candelabras, lanterns and a dramatic chandelier

DISTINGUISHING HIGHLIGHTS

With two teenage boys and a daughter in college, the Reids embraced the fact that they needed a lot of space for young visitors. This outdoor hot spot has become the ultimate after-school hangout due to the following features:

• Outdoor kitchen complete with a Sub-Zero refrigerator and icemaker, and Wolf gas grill

• 52-inch JVC flat-screen TV

• Large swimming pool and hot tub seating for 20

• Stone fireplace and stunning fire pits for winter entertaining

RESIDENT RECESS

Rusty and Molly Reid Fort Worth

Although Rusty and Molly Reid have lived in their Montserrat home for less than a year, they have quickly garnered recognition among All Saints Episcopal School's students as one of the prime destinations for after-school relaxation. With the school just minutes away, Rusty and Molly's sons, Jake and Charlie, are popular among their friends who are invited over for many parties after football games and academic activities throughout the school year.

Company can kick their feet up in the Reids' expansive outdoor seating area furnished with comfortable and stylish couches, while watching games on their large flatscreen TV. According to Molly, the boys will soon enjoy their own sports court and batting cage in this backyard funland. In the hottest days of summer, the Reids take advantage of their outdoor kitchen for the ultimate cookout. They also find relief in their stunning swimming pool accented by colorful, seasonal blooms. During the colder temperatures, they are more than prepared with a fireplace, three fire pits around the pool and a hot tub that seats 20. With two growing boys and a daughter, Sainty, who visits from college, Molly’s biggest concern when relocating to her current location was space. “I knew we needed more room; and when we visited this house during Kaleidoscope of Homes, it had the space that we had been looking for. Just recently, I had the entire senior class and their families over. It’s so great that I can do that now.”

Forty years later, developments shed new light on the legend of the “Goat Man.”

Lake Worth Monster Revealed?

by E. R. Bills

Acouple of months back, I was filling out an application for two of my kids to attend Fort Worth’s Camp Carter this summer. The TV was on, and a rerun of "Friday the 13th" was playing. I recognized the sound effects before I looked up at the screen.

Chh-chh-chh. . . ahh-ahh-ahh. . .

The moment was a goose-bumpy instance of déjà vu, but it wasn’t “Jason” I was remembering. It was the Lake Worth Monster.

My parents sent me to Camp Carter in 1977. I was 10 years old, and for five days, we hiked and swam and learned how to water-ski. We played capture the flag, staged cabin raids and had massive pillow fights. And on the last night of the session, we camped out in the hills surrounding Lake Worth.

We ate hot dogs and roasted marshmallows. We played hide and seek. We double-dared each other to sneak farther and farther out into the hills, away from the campsite. And then we sat down around the campfire, which was now mostly just glowing coals, for a few jokes and a ghost story.

Even at the tender age of 10, I was no lightweight. I’d been scare-weathered by hundreds of episodes of “Night Gallery” and “The Twilight Zone,” and I’d seen every episode of "Kolchak: The Nightstalker" at least twice. As seasoned as I was, I still wasn’t prepared for the yarn that came next.

Our cabin counselor was a masterful storyteller. He admitted that no one knew for sure where “it” had come from, or why “it” was here. He said some folks called it a “Goat Man” and that it had first been spotted a few years back.

He said people who had seen the Goat Man reported it had scales like a fish and fur like a goat, but walked upright like a man. He told us that sometimes you could hear its strange howl at night, that it had attacked some teenagers and had even been shot at by the police. Lately, it had been coming out of the hills and wandering around Camp Carter.

He said a few sessions back, the creature had used the short, broken end of a helicopter blade to slice through a cabin window screen and take a camper around our age. No one had heard a thing. The camp had closed down for two weeks while the police scoured the hills for clues, but the case had never been solved.

That was 32 years ago. The real events and the origin of our camp counselor’s tale actually transpired eight years earlier.

Initial Sightings

Beginning around late June 1969, the Fort Worth Police Department started receiving

reports about some “thing” that was frightening folks around Lake Worth. A police dispatcher at the time was quoted as saying that they simply “laughed them off as pranks.”

Then, in the wee hours of July 10, just after midnight, John Reichart, his wife and two other couples were parked together at Lake Worth, near Greer Island. They were simply taking in the view when something suddenly leapt from a nearby tree onto their vehicle. The thing tried to grab Reichart’s wife, but he drove away before it could reach her and immediately contacted the police.

Four police units responded to the Reicharts’ call and inspected the site of the attack. They found nothing except an 18-inch scratch down the side of the Reicharts’ car that every witness claimed was caused by the creature’s grasping claw. The victims described their attacker as “part man and part goat” and claimed it had been covered with fur and scales. The police, again, suspected it was some kind of prank, but made a serious investigation anyway because, as patrolman James S. McGee observed, the Reicharts and their friends were genuinely terrified.

Later in the day, the July 10 afternoon addition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram featured a front-page story on the thing that had attacked the Reicharts. It read “Fishy Man-Goat Terrifies Couples Parked at Lake Worth.”

Hot off the presses, the “Lake Worth Monster” was introduced to Cowtown, and word traveled fast. By late that afternoon, there were related television and radio reports and, by midnight, several carloads of people had gathered in and around the Greer Island Refuge and Nature Center to see the “Lake Worth Monster” for themselves. They were not disappointed.

After being spotted just off a park road, the creature appeared on a high bluff just off the lake. There were 30 to 40 witnesses, including members of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department. According to eyewitness accounts, the creature appeared agitated and hurled a spare tire approximately 500 feet toward the crowd. Subsequently, everyone, including the sheriff’s deputies, jumped in their cars and fled.

The next day, the Star-Telegram ran another front-page story that read “Police, Residents Observe But Can’t Identify ‘Monster.’” The story was accompanied by a photo of the bluff from which the creature was seen hurling the spare tire. In the foreground, witnesses Jack Harris and Ronnie Armstong stood next to the tire. In the background, the Star-Telegram art department superimposed a dashed line indicating the path of the tire’s trajectory.

Harris confirmed earlier reports, noting

that the creature walked like a man but didn’t look like one. “He was whitish-gray and hairy,” Harris said. “I might have been scared, but he looked like he was 7 feet tall and must have weighed about 300 pounds.”

Sgt. A. J. Hudson, the officer who investigated the sighting, said he wasn’t worried about the creature so much as the small mob looking for it. Apparently, some of the monster hunters had been carrying guns, and Hudson was afraid someone would get hurt.

Jim Marrs, the original reporter on the story, sought the opinion of two local experts. Helmuth Naumer, the curator of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, said the creature was probably a cat. Richard Pratt, the naturalist in charge of Greer Island Refuge and Nature Center (now known as the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge), concurred. Pratt said someone had previously released a pet bobcat in the park, and it might be responsible for the reports, especially since the cat liked people and was accustomed to sitting in tree branches.

In the early hours of July 12, carloads of curious seekers once again descended on the Greer Island Refuge and Nature Center, hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature, but this time they had no luck. The monster was a no-show, and the police were relieved. As the Star-Telegram put it in a short blurb entitled “Whatsit Takes Night Off,” the police were still “concerned that somebody might accidentally get shot.”

For the next few days, interested parties continued to cruise around Greer Island after midnight looking for the creature, but they saw neither hide nor hair nor scale of it.

On July 14, the Star-Telegram featured a short Tarrant Today brief entitled “Ghosts Seen on Greer Island.” The author, Jim W. Jones, reported that a Fort Worth resident named Mike Kinson had, in addition to seeing the Lake Worth monster, also witnessed apparitions that appear in a mysterious mist. Kinson claimed the ghosts were “see-through,” but perceptible. “It’s hard to explain,” Kinson said, “and I know it sounds crazy. We thought it was some kind of trick at first.”

Kinson indicated that he and others had encountered the monster and the ghosts on several occasions, but only when visitors were sparse and the park was quiet. When Jones asked Kinson how the ghosts responded when they were spotted, Kinson said he and his companions never “stuck around long enough to find out.”

The creature’s trail grew cold after Jones’ Tarrant Today mention, and it didn’t reappear again for almost four months. Then, on Nov. 7, Charles Buchanan reported that the creature

attacked him while he was asleep in a sleeping bag in the back of his truck in the hills across from Greer Island. Buchanan claimed he made his escape by pushing a bag of chicken toward the beast, which it promptly stuffed in its mouth before returning to the lake and swimming back to the island.

With the ’60s coming to an end and local and national headlines being dominated by U.S. astronauts landing on the moon, documented sightings of the creature became scarce. In late 1969, Fort Worth resident Sallie Ann Clarke selfpublished a 119-page book on the subject, entitled The Lake Worth Monster of Greer Island. In it, she provided several eyewitness accounts and photos identifying witnesses and last-known whereabouts of the creature and many of the aforementioned newspaper clippings.

The creature then appeared to take an easterly sabbatical. In 1971, a group of hunters reported seeing a “Goat Man” in Marshall, Texas. Then, it resurfaced in Tarrant County, but appeared to “pond” jump. On the evening of March 13, 1973, Mark Fricke, a 19-year-old security officer at Carswell Air Force Base, was approached by a 7-foot-tall “creature which looked like a large bear” at Benbrook Lake. Fricke had been relaxing at Holiday Park, listening to the radio and enjoying a soft drink. He reported he heard a scream and turned to see an unidentifiable creature splash through the shallows and disappear into the surrounding brush. Fricke phoned the Benbrook Police Department, and they responded with a search party, but no trace of the creature was ever found.

to Hodge, Pratt said the “Lake Worth Monster” and his accomplice raised a ruckus on the bluff above the curious onlookers and law enforcement officers, and then pushed a tire down the side of the bluff toward the crowd. Hodge indicated that Pratt gave him the name of the kid and that he was still living within a few miles of his wily exploits, but incognito and off the proverbial grid.

Monster-sized Curiosity

Here, I have to insert myself in the narrative. For years, every time I drove past Lake Worth on Jim Wright Freeway, I stared out at the water and was filled with a corny mixture of wonder and awe. I hadn’t made the connection between the “Goat Man” and the monster until I was older and, for a kid who spent his early teen years fascinated by the Bermuda Triangle, the Abominable Snowman, Bigfoot and “Chariots of the Gods,” I was thrilled and amazed that evidence of a real “monster” actu-

Monster? He laughed and gave me the name. He spelled it for me and said the boy had been a good kid of humble means who used to hang around the Nature Refuge a lot. He said he was pretty sure the guy was still living in Fort Worth somewhere, but had no idea how to reach him, but if I did reach him, to say, “hello.” I told him I would and began a feverish people-search.

I flipped through old and new phone books and got online to check people searches. No luck. I resolved to continue my search because even if the July 11 sighting was a prank, there were enough other incidents and sightings to keep the core of the Lake Worth Monster and/ or Goat Man lore intact.

On a lark, I started looking under the last name alone, thinking maybe I could try to locate him through one of his relatives. And BINGO. He popped up in Tarrant County with an unlisted phone number. His first name was actually spelled onomatopoeically instead of traditionally.

It was a Saturday, and I immediately headed to his listed address.

The victims described their attacker as “part man and part goat” and claimed it had been covered with fur and scales.

His place was out in the sticks and it made sense. Growing up near the Greer Island Refuge and Nature Center, I imagined it would be hard to live in the city. I knocked on the front door, and there was no answer. There were cars out front, so I gave it a minute.

Also in the 1980s, perhaps after pondjumping once more, a “Goat Man” began being reported around White Rock Lake in Dallas. Witnesses claimed the creature was 7 feet tall and had the body of a man but the hoofs and horns of a goat.

In July 1999, the Star-Telegram published a 30th anniversary piece entitled “Thirty Years Ago, a Strange Whatever Terrorized Lake Worth.” It simply rehashed most of what the newspaper had already published about the monster and noted that Jim Marrs had recently indicated that a group of teenage pranksters from Brewer High School were rumored to have been behind the creature and that they’d given up their antics to avoid prosecution.

In the Oct. 2003 edition of Texas Parks and Wildlife, Larry D. Hodge again reworked most of the Star-Telegram clippings, but added a new and startling twist: Richard Pratt had given him the name of a local teenager who actually confessed to his participation in the July 11, 1969 Lake Worth Monster “appearance.” According

ally existed in my own community. I decided to investigate the stories myself.

I looked up a few things on the Internet and then wound up getting busy with something else. Another year went by, and then I realized 2009 would be the 40th anniversary of the original sightings.

I recommitted myself to the research. I poured over microfiche, examined Clarke’s book and researched all the documented sources. I decided to try to contact some of the folks listed in the original eyewitness accounts.

I remembered that Hodge claimed to have gotten the name of the prankster masquerading as the Lake Worth Monster from Richard Pratt. I found Pratt’s number and gave him a call. He was jovial and accommodating and turned out to be a big help. Now living in Port Aransas, he confirmed miscellaneous details in Hodge’s story and laughed about the 40 years that had passed since the first sighting. I asked him about the general comings and goings of the Nature Refuge while he was helming it, and then I popped him the unavoidable question. Who was the kid who confessed to being the Lake Worth

I began to think I could hear a dog’s tags clinking together and prepared to make a dash back to my car. Then the “Lake Worth Monster” appeared around the corner.

He didn’t match his 1969 descriptions. He was around 5’9” and had short black hair that was going gray. For 50-something, he was surprisingly fit but probably never strong enough to toss a spare tire 500 feet. I introduced myself and told him why I was there. He smiled as if it came as no surprise.

He offered me a chair, and we discussed the Lake Worth Monster sightings and some of the stories. He confirmed my belief that the only incident he was involved in occurred on July 11. He said I could use his last name only, which was Vinzens. And he said there were two other guys with him on the bluff that night and gave their names, but neither wanted their identities made public. He recalled that frequent merrymaking went on in and around the bluffs back then, and said that he and the others had simply wound up on the bluff above the curious monster seekers looking for a party. They hadn’t found a party, of course, just a large crowd below, searching for signs of the creature.

Vinzens insists that the hooting and hollering and decision to roll a tire down the bluff

wall was never meant to frighten the crowd below or run them off. It was just he and his buddies’ way of firing up the festivities. They had simply wanted to impress some girls, but instead they petrified the whole crowd. He says the rolled tire looked like a toss because there was a “bump” toward the bottom of the bluff wall that served as a ramp and sent the tire airborne.

Vinzens says that when the incident made the papers the following day, he and his friends decided to lay low. Even if they had been interested in an encore, the curious seekers had become monster hunters and the entire area was crawling with folks who were carrying guns.

Harking back to Jim Marrs’ comment that he’d heard rumors about the police catching teenagers responsible for pranks involving the creature, Vinzens claims that, to the best of his knowledge, neither he nor his friends were ever approached or threatened by the police in connection with the July 11 incident. Vinzens also says he, himself, had looked for a monster in the area but mostly in the “mud flats” region where a ghost and a gnome reportedly haunted passersby. He admits his searches were unsuccessful.

Vinzens still lives in the greater Fort Worth area today and is something of an artist. He specializes in “lithic” flint-knapping and creates axes and fantasy implements, stuff the creature himself might have fashioned if it were a step or two higher up the evolutionary ladder.

Continued Campfire Tale

Solving the July 11, 1969, sighting of the Lake Worth Monster does not dispel the myth or seriously challenge the lore surrounding this elusive creature. There have been dozens of documented sightings in the last 40 years, and it remains a tantalizing enigma.

In the end, it doesn’t really matter if the Lake Worth Monster was a monkey, a teenage prankster, a bobcat, a pond-jumping primordial beast or a member of a troupe of nomadic, migratory goat-gnomes. As our own minotaur, jabberwocky and unidentified “whatsit,” it served as a boogeyman who reminded us there were things in the dark that we still didn’t understand. And it filled our imaginations with possibility and our community with lore.

When my children go to Camp Carter this summer, I hope he’s still a fixture around the campfire. I hope they camp in the bluffs near Greer Island, their counselors tell the story well and my kids come home with an expanded sense of mystery. Because that’s what the Lake Worth Monster remains. Even after a puzzle piece like Vinzens finally turns up. For the complete story and additional firsthand accounts of the Lake Worth Monster, visit fwtx.com.

EXPERTADVICE

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▼ Healt H Medical

Erasing Y E ars with injEctablE Facial FillErs

Q: I’ve heard a lot about facial fillers being used to improve the appearance of aging skin. What’s the history behind these?

Facial fillers represent a huge paradigm shift in the theory of facial rejuvenation. Throughout the last decade, we’ve realized that in order to rejuvenate the face, it’s not just about pulling and tightening the excess skin. What we’ve found is that as our face ages, we also lose lots of volume aside from the elasticity. This happens especially beneath the eye and in the cheek. You start to get hollow as the fat and skin elasticity go away and everything descends downward. You get lines between the nose and lips and you start to see some bags. A lot of that is because we’re losing fat, and the bags begin to protrude out. So we’ve started to address that by adding volume in the form of fat. We (plastic surgeons) started about 15 years ago by injecting fat into our face, and that has really changed how we now rejuvenate the face. During that time, we also started to use injectable collagen to fill the lines and ultimately erase them. So the fine line movement, as well as volume restoration came to be very popular in the past decade or so.

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The original fine line fillers were collagen, but collagen requires skin testing. It also only lasts maybe three to four months, and it can create little nodules. So it wasn’t exactly the perfect filler. In comes hyaluronic acid; Restylane is the most popular of the hyaluronic acid, and it’s most commonly what we use. Hyaluronic acid is a compound that’s found throughout our body,

so it’s a natural material, and you don’t have to do any skin testing. It flows easy, and it’s relatively easy to manipulate and fill up some of the fine lines.

Throughout the last decade, we’ve realized that in order to rejuvenate the face, it’s not just about pulling and tightening the excess skin. What we’ve found is that as our face ages, we also lose lots of volume aside from the elasticity.

Restylane sort of kick-started the filler market, and subsequently there are other materials that have come about in the last few years. Other products include Radiesse and Perlane. The reason for some of these other products is for a longer lasting filler effect. Restylane will last about four or five months, but other products like Perlane last a little bit longer; Radiesse will last even longer. When considering these various fillers, the one piece of advice I give all my patients is that the more permanent the filler, the more permanent any potential complications. It’s a catch 22, but I think Restylane is a very good product.

Another product called Sculptra is a compound called poly L-lactic acid, which is approved for use in AIDS patients. AIDS patients who are on anti-HIV medication tend to lose a lot of volume in their face, and they wanted to lose the stigma of having AIDS. So Sculptra uses poly L-lactic acid to fill in a gaunt face. Surgeons have started using Sculptra to take the place of fat injections. It does a wonderful job of restoring volume, and it can last anywhere from a year to two years.

Q: How does Botox differ from these injectable fillers?

Botox paralyzes the facial muscles that create wrinkles. So we can attack the wrinkles by not only filling them up from below, but also by paralyzing the facial muscles.

Q: Can these facial rejuvenation options suffice in place of a face lift?

All these new, non-surgical procedures help to rejuvenate the face, and we can certainly delay the time that you might come to surgery for a good five to 10 years, but ultimately, these injectables will not replace a surgery. In the case of these injectables, we’re maintaining, not correcting, and patients will generally eventually come to surgery. However, facial fillers can also be addressed at the same time as a face lift. Everyone ages differently, and some people may need a face lift at 40, while others may not need it until 60. In the meantime, there’s very little recovery time with these procedures. Patients can come in, get injected and then go back to work looking younger, and that’s the beauty of it.

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Pelvic Floor Thera Py

Q: What is pelvic floor therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy, or pelvic floor rehabilitation, is a non-surgical treatment that involves electrical pelvic floor stimulation, rehabilitative pelvic floor exercises, and/or medication as needed. The therapy is used to treat women with pelvic floor weakness that can lead to inconti nence; ultimately, the goal is to fully rehabilitate the patient so that incontinence no longer interrupts her life.

Q: What is incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss of urine. There are four types of incontinence, including stress, urgency, mixed incontinence and overflow. Though it more often affects elderly patients, incontinence can affect women of all ages. Postpartum women especially often experience some degree of stress incontinence following childbirth, since the pelvic floor and the uterus drop. Women who have recently had a hysterectomy are also prone to incontinence, since the surgery can result in the prolapse of the bladder. These women may experience loss of urine during a sneeze, while laughing or while jogging. The issue can be quite embarrassing for the patient, and it can adversely affect travel, social situations and sexual activity.

Q: What can I expect from my initial appointment with a specialist?

At your initial appointment, we’ll ask you about your medical history, and we’ll conduct a physical examination, including a pelvic exam. You may be asked to cough while you’re standing, and a urinalysis and urine culture may be done to check for a urinary tract infection. We will also ask you about your symptoms and habits. These questions may include the following: How often do you need to urinate? When do you leak urine? How much fluid do you drink and what kind of fluids do you ingest? Once we correctly diagnose your symptoms, we’ll then recommend the proper treatment, which may include pelvic floor therapy.

Q: If pelvic floor therapy is prescribed, what might I expect from the treatment?

Q: What are the causes for incontinence?

Urinary incontinence can be brought on by a variety of factors, including age, childbirth, menopause, obesity, surgery, medication and more. It can affect women of all ages.

Q: If I may be suffering from symptoms of incontinence, how should I know if I need to seek treatment?

If you have periods of incontinence that have begun to affect your life so much that they have resulted in you making lifestyle changes to accommodate the condition, then it’s time to see a specialist.

To begin pelvic floor therapy, we’ll perform an initial examination, which will allow us to rate the current state of the pelvic muscle. Following proper assessment of the pelvic floor, we will then begin the in-office therapy sessions. These consist of a regimen of tightening the pelvic floor muscles via mild electrical stimulation. Each session lasts between five and 15 minutes, and approximately eight sessions are needed. Following these in-office sessions, we will then provide you with a schedule of home exercises. These may include a regimen of tightening the pelvic muscle for several seconds, relaxing for several seconds and then repeating for four sets per day. We will also instruct you regarding proper form, since technique is an essential component. Following the recommended exercise plan, a patient can reduce involuntary spasms, increase the strength and endurance of her pelvic floor and can substantially reduce her instances of incontinence.

Q: When searching for a healthcare provider to perform this treatment, what factors should I consider?

Contact your current OB/GYN to see if he/ she performs pelvic floor therapy. If your healthcare provider does not provide the service, or if you’d prefer to have the treatment performed in-office by a female doctor, contact us. I am the only female OB/GYN in Fort Worth to perform this procedure within a private, quiet, serene environment. To schedule a consultation, call our office.

Pelvic floor therapy, or pelvic floor rehabilitation, is a nonsurgical treatment that involves electrical pelvic floor stimulation, rehabilitative pelvic floor exercises, and/or medication as needed. The therapy is used to treat women with pelvic floor weakness that can lead to incontinence.

Q: How much does this procedure cost?

In most cases, pelvic floor therapy is covered by insurance, including Medicare. So your out-of-pocket expense is only an office co-pay. At the time of your consultation, our office staff will confirm that this procedure is indeed covered by your insurance provider.

* dr. l isa Gardner Fusion Women’s Healt H and Wellness 817.423.2002 fusionobgyn.com drgardner@fusionobgyn.com 5801 Oakbend Trail, Suite 180 Fort Worth, TX 76132

s ummertime

eY e s a F et Y

Q: How can I protect my eyes when outdoors during the summer?

When spending time outdoors, it is absolutely vital to wear sunglasses that block UV rays. Many people think the darkness of the lens is the main factor for consideration, but UV protection is the important element. Ensure that the sunglasses you purchase block 100-percent of UVA and UVB rays for optimal eye protection. Also consider wearing a hat, which can help protect your eyes from further sun damage. And remember that even on an overcast day, UVA and UVB rays can pass through thin clouds.

Q: If I were to have Blade-Free HD IntraLASIK, how might it affect my outdoor summer activities?

I speak to many patients who are much more excited about their outdoor hobbies after their vision correction procedures. Our goal is to help our patients reduce and even eliminate the need for corrective eyewear, which allows them to further enjoy such things as water sports and exercise.

I have many patients who are excited to buy designer sunglasses without the added expense and inconvenience of prescription lenses. In our opinion, summer is a great time for vision correction because of these and many other reasons!

* DaviD a. kleiman, mD anthOny W. evangeliSta, mD

Kleiman | e vangelista e ye center

800.714.2020

lasiksurgery.com 3025 Matlock Road Arlington, TX 76015

Curing a pinChed

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erve

Q: What is radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is nerve root pain due to compression at the spine. If the pinch is significant enough, it will cause inflammation, which will be manifested as pain that shoots in a linear fashion down a person’s leg, through their buttocks and thigh and into their leg and foot. It can also move down the front. It can occur in the arms or the legs; in both cases, it’s due to a nerve root being pinched at the spine.

Q: If I am diagnosed with radiculopathy, what are my options?

Treatment options include epidural steroid injections or therapy. And since these sometimes cure themselves, we can also give it time. When all else fails, we have an extremely high success rate for removing pain utilizing decompression of the nerve. Decompression is where a spinal surgeon removes portions of bone, ligament and/ or disk around the nerve root to allow it to lie in its normal position without being constricted. This immediately relieves the pain, so patients wake up feeling better. Patients walk the same day after the procedure, and they’re home as soon as they can care for themselves. Medication is used to control the incisional pain

When Your FamilY’s Complete

Q: What is the Essure procedure?

Essure is a permanent form of birth control. It is easily performed in the physician’s office under local anesthesia, and it is generally completed within 10 minutes or less. Essure has a success rate of 99.8 percent. I’ve been performing the procedure for more than six years in the hospital, and we’ve been performing it for two and a half years in the office.

Q: How does Essure compare to other forms of permanent birth control?

Other forms of permanent birth control include laparoscopic tubal ligation and vasectomy. Laparoscopic tubal ligation is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. It involves two incisions, as well as several days of recovery. It’s benefit is that it is immediately effective. A vasectomy is a procedure performed on the male. It’s an in-office procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia. It typically requires several days of recovery.

Q: What should I consider when choosing a center for treatment?

Patients should choose a center that has a comprehensive spine program; the center should offer non-operative, as well as operative treatment options. The Texas Center for Spinal Disorders has a comprehensive spine practice that utilizes both non-operative and operative measures to cure patients of pain.

* Dr. mark kuper

t exas center fOr spinal surgery

817.735.9397 texascsd.com

The Essure procedure is performed in the gynecologist’s office. Using a scope, we place a thin micro-insert into the opening of each of the fallopian tubes. Within that insert is a piece of fabric similar to Dacron; this fabric causes the fallopian tubes to scar internally during the following 90 days. We then perform an X-ray to verify that the tubes are blocked and the patient is indeed sterile.

Q: Who is not a candidate for this procedure?

Typically the only person not a candidate for Essure is someone who is allergic to nickel, because the micro-insert is constructed of nickel. Since it is permanent, the only people who should consider this procedure are those who have completed their family.

* Steven J. Seligman m.D., FaCOg

Omega Ob/gyn assOciates 817.468.3255

Pets and a rthrosco surgery

Q: What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is the surgery of joints using minimally invasive equipment and a small camera. It is commonly performed in the larger breeds of dogs. We typically scope the knee, shoulder and elbow. The procedure also allows us to identify problems within a joint, as well as identify and remove loose bone or cartilage fragments. The advantages of arthroscopic surgery include the fact that it is less invasive, it gives the surgeon better visualization of the structures inside the joint, and it allows for a quick recovery.

Q: What situations make pets a good candidate for this procedure?

A patient may have a problem they were born with, such as a congenital birth defect, wherein they may have a loose bone piece that is moving around inside the joint. Or they may develop loose pieces of bone or cartilage as they get older secondary to arthritis or even ligament tears. Dogs that are candidates for arthroscopy will often exhibit difficulty in rising, pain while walking or stiffness and swelling in their joints.

Q: What can I anticipate from the recovery process?

Recovery time after surgery usually involves four to eight weeks of restricted activity. Part of the post-operative recovery also involves working with our rehabilitation specialist to help strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the joints. After surgery, our patients and pet owners sit down face-to-face with our rehabilitation specialist to review instructions on exercises they can do at home.

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• No Trip Charges

• 24/7 Monitoring

Marie Antoinette invites you to relax in the loft and enjoy a wonderful massage by our experienced therapist and nail spa. Allow her to relieve tension, a headache or just relax and enjoy the therapeutic touch of massage!!! Then, you can “shop till you drop” while you select from the finest selection of fragrances from the houses of Creed, Jivago, Herrera, Sung, Rogers&Gallet and many more. Shop at Marie Antoinette’s Scentsational Spa and Gift Gallery in Sundance Square. Mention Tiffany and receive $5 off a 50 minute massage. 101 W. 2nd St. across from the Renaissance Worthington Hotel. 817-332-2888, www.MarieAntoinetteSpa.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. Dine. Shop. Explore.

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NAI Huff Partners

SPECIALTY: Office, industrial, investments, land, retail, acquisitions/dispositions, sale/leaseback services, corporate representation and property management. MEMBERSHIPS: SIOR, CCIM, BOMA, IREM, NTCAR, TAR, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Fort Worth Inc. WHY CHOOSE THEM: NAI Huff Partners is the largest full service commercial real estate firm in Fort Worth, Texas with 25 brokers. In 2008, Huff Partners completed 240 commercial transactions in excess of $180 million in consideration. The 11 partners average 20 years in experience, and the total of all 25 real estate professionals averages over 13 years experience. The firm utilizes the most current technology and subscribes to all the major sales and lease aids—CoStar, Loopnet, MapInfo, BMS, Real Capital Analytics—which facilitates timely finalization of transactions maximizing value for its clients. PHILOSOPHY: We build long-term relationships through superior performance, keeping our clients’ interests first

and working harder than the competition. FREE ADVICE: “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Times like these can be a great opportunity to increase market share, but you have to be in business when it turns.”-Jack Huff. PICTURED: (front, left to right) Rick Hopwood, Walter Floyd; (back, left to right) Bill Behr, Leland Prowse, Jack Huff, Jeff Givens; (not pictured) Kyle Poulson.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

301 Commerce, Ste. 1750 Fort Worth, Texas 76102

817.877.4433 • Fax 817.870.2826

jhuff@huffpartners.com • rhopwood@huffpartners.com wfloyd@huffpartners.com • kpoulson@huffpartners.com jgivens@huffpartners.com • lprowse@huffpartners.com bbehr@huffpartners.com

Patterson & Associates

SPECIALTY: A diverse range of commercial real estate services for land, retail, office, industrial and multi-family. Our traditional focus has been on land brokerage. MEMBERSHIPS: Texas Association of Realtors, Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors, North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors, Society of Commercial Realtors, North Texas Land Council, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and Vision Fort Worth. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Patterson & Associates has been involved in the sale of thousands of acres of land that have been developed into industrial parks, shopping centers, single-family developments and master planned communities. WHY CHOOSE THEM: With more than 25 years of experience, they have the market knowledge to help their clients

obtain their real estate needs and goals. MOTTO: Knowledge, Experience, Results. FREE ADVICE: “Knowledge of the market is crucial in making decisions on pricing or what to pay. Find a professional that can provide you solid information so you can have confidence in making hard decisions. PICTURED: Matt Patterson, Chris Haller, Ashley Miller, Steve Patterson, Bruce Baucum.

INFORMATION:

817.877.0422 Fax 817.877.0115 pattersoncommercial.com

Randy White Tappe White Real Estate Services

SPECIALTY: Top level services with an educational approach as to help the client make the best possible decision. AREA SERVED: Northeast Tarrant County. EDUCATION: University of Texas at Arlington. AWARDS: Peoples Choice of Best Realtor, Colleyville Courier ; Best of the Best Realtor, Southlake Times MEMBERSHIPS: Colleyville Chamber of Commerce, Southlake Chamber of Commerce. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: A happy loving family. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Consistently ranked No. 1 selling team in Tarrant County. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Integrity, hard work and a real concern for what is best for the client. MOTTO: Leading people home. CHARITABLE INVOLVEMENT: Cook Children’s, Habitat for Humanity, Happy Hill Farm. DURING OFF HOURS: You

will find White with his wife, Natalie, and grandkids, Harley and Hayden. He also enjoys reading great books and fishing. FREE ADVICE: Encouragement is oxygen for the soul. The first duty of love is to listen. Find your passion, and wrap yourself around it. PICTURED: (front, left to right) Claire Jenkins, Hillary

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Southlake Town Square 1560 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 200 Southlake, Texas 76092

817.442.0173

randywhite.com

by Katie martinez

More Than Winning

A faith-based sports organization extends a helping hand to youth in Fort Worth and across the country.

For more than 50 years, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has successfully utilized the powerful medium of sports as a unique opportunity to reach out to youth and impact communities. The program can be found anywhere athletes perform, and Fort Worth is no exception. From the locker rooms of TCU to the fields of Eastern Hills High School, FCA has produced such legendary names in sports as former Dallas Cowboys’ head coach Tom Landry, who remained a spokesperson and contributor to the organization throughout his life.

From lacrosse to golf and everything in between, FCA is welcoming of athletes, both male and female, from a wide variety of backgrounds and sports affiliations; what they

all share is a desire to improve their skills and a strong belief in Christian principles. Through campus huddles, camps and a network of coaches, many of whom were FCA members in their youth, the organization embraces student athletes—inspiring them to be all they can be on and off the field.

Donnie Snyder, director of the Fort Worth chapter of FCA, said there are currently around 3,500 members on 275 campuses in the Greater Fort Worth area. Student members have an opportunity to train with

Greater Fort Worth Fellowship of Christian Athletes

1907 Ascension Blvd. Arlington, Texas 76006

817.276.8100

fcafortworth.org

The Fort Worth chapter of FCA, which utilizes the medium of sports to impact communities, currently has 3,500 members on 275 campuses in the Greater Fort Worth area.

some of the best Christian coaches in the United States and receive guidance on issues that teenagers face. “The program is very important because it provides a positive peer group,” Snyder said. “We really try to drill down with these kids on the issues that are relevant to them, whether it’s drugs, premarital sex or family issues … they find guidance and reinforcement within the FCA.”

At the organization’s summer camps, student athletes receive around five hours of training in their sport each day with brief huddle breaks for moral support and prayer. The Fellowship also offers leadership camps for college-aged athletes who will lead community huddles with younger students and coach camps for some of the thousands of coaches across the U.S. who are affiliated with the program.

Fundraising events throughout the year help to provide scholarships to eligible athletes whose families may be unable to pay for the camp. The Fort Worth chapter holds two major fundraisers each year: the Bob Lilly-Scott Murray Golf Classic and the Golf Marathon. Additional funds are raised at the Sharing the Victory Banquet each November, when outstanding local athletes and a “Coach of the Year” are recognized.

Snyder said the FCA supplies a valuable asset to the community as a whole by working with the future generations of community leaders. “Statistically we see that kids by and large just aren’t going to church like they used to,” he said. “Something that was once so engrained in our culture, now it’s gone by the wayside; we are able to reach these kids … we speak their language.”

The son of a former American Quarter Horse Association president and Marlboro model cowboy, he moved to Texas in 1982 to start his own cutting horse training operation near Burleson, south of Fort Worth. In 1998, Bobby, who had served three terms as president of the American Cutting Horse Association, logged 78,000 miles over 50 weeks to campaign his Quarter Horse Smart Plan for a world title. By the end of the year, the son of Smart Little Lena was the World Champion $3,000 Novice Stallion. Sadly, four years later, at the age of 10, he succumbed to toxemia after kidney stone surgery.

At their Bar X Ranch, just two miles from Interstate 35, he and his wife J.J. also host three annual events for the Autism Treatment Centers of Texas, the American Cancer Society and the Johnson County Child Advocacy Center. Bobby’s daughter, Audra, now 26 years old, has Autism and 21 years ago he founded the Round-Up for Autism and has raised over $3.5 million over time. You can find out more by visiting www.roundupforautism.com.

These days, many people would rather invest in real estate than in the stock market, because they know that land won’t evaporate, and it’s one commodity they don’t make any more.

In July 2008, he made the decision to open his own brokerage, joined by Patty Purvis and Gina Ash-Archer. A graduate of the TCU Ranch Management School, Patty grew up on a Stephenville dairy, has helped manage the operation and for six years ran her own farm and ranch brokerage firm in Erath County. Gina, who handles the firm’s administrative and marketing side, had been a top-producing agent and team leader with ReMax for nine years.

The Barnett-Shale, the hottest natural gas play in the country, has caused “mineral fever” to double and triple land prices around the Fort Worth area, Bobby notes.

Almost five years ago, Bobby joined Williams-Trew Real Estate Services in Fort Worth to develop a farm and ranch department. In that period, they handled approximately $100 million in listings.

More exciting and recent is Bobby’s efforts to expand his farm and ranch listings statewide over North Texas, and throughout Oklahoma and into Colorado. There are a few river front properties, too, like the 875 acre property near Granbury with 11/2 miles of Brazos River frontage and minerals. “A little more than half of our sales are to equestrians,” he says. “The rest are for ‘gentleman ranchers.’ That agricultural exemption on properties over 10 acres is still popular.”

by AliciA berger

Tackling Childhood Poverty

Gill Children’s Services is celebrating 30 years of success from the 30-yard line at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Imagine an evening filled with fantastic food, exciting entertainment and a $1 billion view. No, this is not just any ordinary dinner tryst; it is a unique fundraising event and stunning summer soiree, orchestrated by and benefiting one of Tarrant County’s most beloved organizations. Gill Children’s Services has been preparing for months in anticipation of their upcoming 30 on the 30, their first-ever fundraising occasion, taking place at the newly constructed Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Gill Children’s, a nonprofit organization that provides a safety net for Tarrant County children whose medical, dental, physical, social, psychological or educational needs have not been met by other community resources, will be celebrating 30 years of achievement on July 30 and has prepared an

evening that will not soon be forgotten.

For starters, VIP guests will be dazzled by the stadium’s exclusive field-level club while sipping summer cocktails and ogling over the innovative stadium architecture. Immediately following, a buffet-style feast will be served on the field, where other auspicious attendees will be joining the VIPs to enjoy the spread and also to meet with Mike Renfro, an honorary Gill Children’s chair, Dallas Cowboys’ alumni and TCU legend. After dining in Texas twilight, Gill Children’s has planned exciting post-meal activities to wrap up the festivities including a punt/pass/kick competition and private tours led by Dallas Cowboys staff members.

While Gill receives proceeds from other Tarrant County events as a third-party beneficiary, this is their first major fundraiser.

Gill Children’s Services 30 on the 30 July 30 7:30 p.m. 817.332.5070 gillchildrens.org

Amanda Stallings, Gill Children’s Services executive director, is understandably excited about this upcoming occasion and the possible contributions that such an event could raise for the organization’s cause. She also looks forward to celebrating the achievements Gill has made over the last three decades and those who were able to make it possible.

Without the donations of loyal supporters, Gill Children's impact on the community would carry far less weight and, therefore, be much less effective. For a child in need of help or a parent unable to provide their child with this attention, Gill Children’s has truly been an 11th-hour superpower, swooping in at the very last moment for the save. Because Gill Children’s relies on monetary support from the community, like most nonprofit organizations, there is always the fear of a shortage in funding lurking around the corner and the resulting end of operations. But fortunately, Gill Children’s has been going strong for 30 years, which “represents the need in our community for our services,” Stallings said.

More than 38,000 children who are referred by hospitals, social workers, school nurses and other agencies have been assisted over the years after all of their other resources were exhausted. Gill Children’s remains a vital last resort, which is only available to them because of the generosity of donors who are honored during this exciting evening.

Gill Children’s is a nonprofit organization that provides a safety net for Tarrant County children whose needs have not been met by other community resources.

promotion

Wealth Planners Worth KnoWing

TRUST AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT MATTERS

by Patricia B. Cole

During current economic turmoil, many people are trying to find new and inventive ways to save, preserve and pass on the wealth they have built over their lifetimes. One of the main ways to protect your assets during your life, after death and even after the death of your children is by using various estate planning vehicles, such as wills, family limited partnerships, buy-sell agreements and various trusts. Individuals need the help of professionals to design a comprehensive plan for their trust needs if they want to ensure the trust works as planned. Attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and corporate trustees can all help you manage your estate and give you piece of mind.

The benefits of incorporating trusts into estate plans may include the ability to provide for management of assets in the event of disability, to avoid the expense and delay of probating, to pass more of your estate to your beneficiaries by minimizing estate tax, and to benefit charitable organizations.

There are various types of trusts that can be used, and while this list is not exclusive, it does provide some of the basic types of trusts, as well as some of the more sophisticated types of trusts used in estate plans. A Testamentary Trust is one created after your death through language contained in your will and can be used to limit the estate taxes and to control assets for your heirs until they reach a certain age. Credit Shelter Trusts are trusts that allow the assets specified in the trust agreement to pass to the beneficiaries named in the trust, while at the same time allowing your spouse

to maintain rights to the trust assets and income during the remainder of your spouse’s life. Family Trusts are trusts that bypass the surviving spouse and distributes your assets directly to the children or other heirs. Marital Trusts are trusts that qualify under the marital deduction provision in the Internal Revenue Code in which the surviving spouse receives all of the trust income for life, after which any assets in the trust are subject to taxation. Other types of trusts that may be beneficial in your estate planning are: a Living Trust or inter vivos trust, which is created during your lifetime for the purpose of long-term property management and to avoid probate of your estate; an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is used to generate liquidity in your estate to enable your estate to pay estate taxes, to fund a bequest, or to transfer wealth to the next generation; a Special Needs Trust is used to set aside money or property to provide current and future income for the needs of disabled family members while maintaining their eligibility for government benefits; a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) is an irrevocable trust to which you transfer assets in return for a fixed amount of income for either a given number of years or until your death; a Grantor Retained Unitrust (GRUT) is a trust similar to a GRAT, except you receive a fixed percentage of the annual fair market value of the trust assets. With both a GRAT and a GRUT, the trust assets pass to the named remainder beneficiary(s); a Qualified Terminable Interest Property (Q-TIP) Trust allows assets to be transferred

between spouses. The grantor of a Q-TIP trust directs income from the assets to his or her spouse for life but has the power to direct how the assets will be distributed upon the death of that spouse. This trust also qualifies for the federal estate tax marital deduction.

There are many other avenues to consider when managing your wealth during your lifetime and after your death, but the various options with regard to trusts are important to consider to protect your assets, to limit your taxes, to ensure you are taken care of upon disability and to ensure your family is provided for after your death.

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The Blum Firm, P.C. Attorneys at Law

EXPERTISE: With offices in Fort Worth and Dallas, The Blum Firm, P.C. is one of the state’s largest groups of attorneys exclusively devoted to estate planning, tax, probate, tax controversy, asset protection, and planning for closely-held businesses and tax-exempt organizations. EXPERIENCE: 31 years. Marvin Blum, Gary Post, Catherine Moon, Laurel Stephenson, Steven Novak and Laura Bower-Haley: Board certified, Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas

Board of Legal Specialization. John Hunter and Daniel McCarthy: Board certified, Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. HONORS & AWARDS: Blum was named by Worth magazine to the “Nation’s Top 100 Attorneys” list. Blum was first in his class at the University of Texas accounting school and second in his class at the University of Texas Law School. For two years, Texas Monthly magazine named Blum one of the “Top 100 Super Lawyers” in the state of Texas. Marvin Blum, John Hunter and Gary Post each have been recognized by Texas Monthly as a “Texas Super Lawyer,” an honor given to only 5 percent of licensed attorneys in all of Texas. Daniel McCarthy, Steven Novak, Amanda Holliday, and Laura Bower-Haley are Texas Monthly “Rising Star Attorneys,” an award given to only 2.5 percent of licensed Texas attorneys under age 40. A UNIQUE FIRM: The Blum Firm takes a forward-looking, multi-

generational approach to save taxes and protect assets for both present and future generations. FIRM’S MOTTO: Offering superior solutions to save taxes and protect assets. SERVICE: By staying on the cutting edge of new developments, the firm takes a proactive and creative approach to tax planning. Attorneys and staff work together as a team to generate creative solutions to clients’ problems. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Assembling a team of exceptionally talented, board certified tax and estate planning attorneys, seven of whom are also CPAs, the firm offers both technical expertise and practical problem-solving skills. FREE ADVICE: With the historic convergence of low interest rates and low asset values, now is the perfect time for “estate freeze” techniques to shift value out of your estate at little or no tax cost. PICTURED: (seated, left to right) Laura Bower-Haley, Dan McCarthy, Marvin

CONTACT INFORMATION: 420 Throckmorton St., Ste. 650 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 817.334.0066 • Fax 817.334.0078 blum@theblumfirm.com theblumfirm.com

American National Bank

FOCUS: Estate planning and trust administration, including asset management. Our Investments and Advisory division focuses on feebased planning and asset management. Our Retirement Trust division works directly with qualified retirement plans, ESOPs and 401(k)s providing trustee and fiduciary services. MEMBERSHIPS: The ESOP Association, Texas Bankers Association, ASPPA. UNIQUE

APPROACH: We work with other firms and existing relationships that the customer may have, like RIA’s (Registered Investment Advisors). Our goal is to build a plan that works and not to try and change existing relationships that have been brought to the customer. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: The development of innovative new retirement services. We are the only trustee in America that acts as an objective, discretionary corporate trustee who also serves as a named plan administrator. WHY CHOOSE US: We’re professionals. We’re fee-based and have been successfully taking care of our custom-

ers for a long time. We think outside the box and look for real solutions. ADVICE: “Talk to more than one firm before making a commitment. There’s more to service than just filling in the blanks on a form. A longterm plan and financial services relationship should be one that works with family dynamics not just the investments, and provide real value to the customer.”

PICTURED: (standing, left to right) Steve LaBorde, Bob Roten, Kathy Howe, Suzan Wooten, Rob Borowy; (seated, left to right) Cheryl Sutter, Lou Johnson.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Robert D. Roten, CPA, CTFA 1200 Summit Ave., Ste 770 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 817.426.8510 • Fax 817.426.8520 anbwealthmanagement.com • bobroten@anbtx.com

Decker, Jones, McMackin, McClane, Hall & Bates, P.C.

PICTURED: Janet L. Hahn and Patricia B. Cole. FOCUS: Among the various areas of practice offered by Decker Jones are the areas of estate planning, trusts, guardianships, elder law and probate matters.

UNIQUE APPROACH: Decker Jones approaches estate planning from a real world prospective. Our attorneys listen closely to the client’s needs and attempt to tailor estate planning strategies which meet those needs without encumbering the client with complicated and difficult to understand estate planning documents. Our approach is to achieve our client’s desires in the most cost-effective manner possible.

MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Hahn is a member of the Tarrant County Probate Bar, Tarrant County Bar Association, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, State Bar of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Foundation Fellow and Board of Directors of Women Attorneys Section of Tarrant County Bar Association; Cole is a member of the Tarrant

County Probate Bar, Texas Guardianship Association, Tarrant County Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, and is Chair of the Tax and Estates Section of the Tarrant County Bar Association. BIGGEST FINANCIAL PLANNING ERROR: Not including an attorney as part of your financial planning team. FREE ADVICE: “Consider naming a corporate trust department or professional as an alternate executor or trustee in your estate planning in the event the named parties are not able to serve in the fiduciary capacity.”

CONTACT INFORMATION:

801 Cherry St., Ste. 2000 • Fort Worth, Texas 76102 817.336.2400 • Fax 817.336.2181 deckerjones.com jhahn@deckerjones.com • pcole@deckerjones.com

Gallagher Financial Group

FOCUS: We specialize in retirement success: family, financial, emotional, spiritual and physical. We incorporate all five. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Current chair for Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk; sponsor, Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant; Dallas Life: Home for the homeless. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Former university professor; fully licensed; member, “Who’s Who”; author of “The Money Doctor’s Guide to Taking Care of Yourself When No One Else Will” and “Are Women Smarter than Men About Money?” GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Foreign Service Award from the government of Thailand for humanitarian work as a teacher and medic in a leper colony in Northwest Thailand (Peace Corps Services). APPROACH: We help protect principal and guarantee lifetime income. WHY CHOOSE US: We know the No. 1 question to ask a financial planner. PICTURED: W. Neil Gallagher, Ph.D., President and CEO (Doc Gallagher).

CONTACT INFORMATION: 1845 Precinct Line Road, Ste. 215 • Hurst, Texas 76054 817.485.1825 • Fax 817.788.9044 docgallagher.com

Omega Securities

SPECIALTY: Helping individuals and institutions preserve and grow capital. MEMBERSHIPS: FINRA, SIPC, Investment Company Institute. UNIQUE APPROACH: We are completely independent, and we customize each client’s portfolio to match his/her risk parameters. We have no minimum amount to be invested, but we consider the goals, philosophy and personality of prospects/clients. We provide a tax exempt 501C(3) Donor Advised Foundation for our clients. WHY CHOOSE US: We are privately owned and do our own manager research. We believe in buying and holding with periodic reallocations of a globally diversified portfolio of managed funds where the professional managers make the stock and bond choices. We then let them manage the portfolio. We have never recommended an Index Fund, Hedge Fund or market timing schemes. BIGGEST FINANCIAL PLANNING ERROR: Panicking both during Bull and Bear

Markets; chasing the new untried, unproven vehicles; believing that a person or an organization has the ability to time the markets; making investment decisions today based on fear of the unknown and not fully understanding the long-term implications these decisions will have; having too much debt; not saving enough; lack of patience. FREE ADVICE: “Do not lose faith in the Free Market System. And most important: make certain that your advisor explains how they earn any fee charged.”

PICTURED : John Dickens, Tom Hardgrove, Tammy Bryant, Joe Hardgrove.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

309 W. 7th St., Ste. 900 • Fort Worth, Texas 76102

817.335.5739

omegasecurities.com

Wells Fargo Private Bank

FOCUS: Helping our clients meet their financial goals through quality advice and a wide variety of services including banking, investment management, and trust and estate services through Wells Fargo Bank, NA, as well as brokerage services through Wells Fargo Investments, LLC. HONORS: Ranked by Barron’s as No. 10 out of the top 40 Wealth Managers in the U.S. in 2008. UNIQUE APPROACH:

We take a holistic, consultative approach to our clients’ wealth management needs by assembling teams of local specialists to address each client’s unique circumstances. Beyond traditional investment strategies and financial planning services, our teams offer clients comprehensive advice that considers their goals and aspirations, personal values, and family situation. WHY CHOOSE US: We have generations of experience in managing complex issues that wealth creates and are able to present clients with fully integrated solutions. The way

we are able to engage clients on a personal level and seamlessly offer advice and solutions across multiple wealth channels – be it banking, investment management, brokerage, or trust services – is hard to duplicate anywhere else. FREE ADVICE: To help navigate complexities of wealth planning, find and engage a trustworthy wealth advisor who will partner with your legal and tax advisors and work to design, implement and monitor a comprehensive wealth management plan for you and your family. PICTURED: Sam Guerin, Anne Roach, John E. Williams, Lori Adams, Tony Vaccaro, Kathy Christoffel, David G. Bucher.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 201 Main St., Ste. 400 • Fort Worth, Texas 76102 817.334.7010 • Fax 817.885.8704 wellsfargo.com

Big Taste of Fort Worth

A Fleet of 400 Four hundred guests filled Joe T. Garcia's to celebrate Fort Worth philanthropist Jim Fleet's 50th birthday.

1. John Zimmerman, Tim Fleet

2. Mari Beth Reeb, Anna Melissa Phillpott, Lisa Maddox photography by Sandy Tomlinson

the

the

Sunday, August 2,2009

2:00p.m.-6:00p.m. at City Club Fort Worth

Produced by: City Club Fort Worth & Dallas Brides

SPonSored by: Bliss Bridal Salon | E. & J. Gallo Winery | Flowers on the Square Haltom’s Jewelry | Jos A. Banks | Lumen Lighting | Specialty Sound DJ www.bestinbridal.com

The Next Generation Collagen Dermal Filler

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*$50 rebate by mail for each syringe used for your EVOLENCE® treatment performed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 (up to 3 syringes) with qualifying rebate request form. Requests must be post-marked within 60 days of treatment. Limit to two rebate submissions per patient, per year. Not combinable with other offers. Must be 18 or older. Full terms and conditions for rebate on www.evolence.com.

www.50thonthe50.com Friday, September 25, 2009

Reserve your seat on the 50-yard line for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington’s 50th anniversary.

Things To do in july

Garden Melody

Bring a blanket, grab a spot on the grounds at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and listen to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra perform their outdoor concert series, “Concerts in the Gardens,” through July 5. And don’t miss the nightly fireworks finale.

fwevents

to list an event

Send calendar information to Fort Worth, Texas: The City’s Magazine, c/o Amy Hallford-Turman, editor, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, or e-mail ideas to ahallford@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.

FESTIVALS/FAIRS

LONE STARS AND STRIPES CELEBRATION, JULY 3-4

» Enjoy two full days of exciting live Thoroughbred racing and fun activities for the whole family including pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, games, clowns and more followed by our 20-minute fireworks spectacular. lonestarpark.com.

44TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY PARADE IN ARLINGTON, JULY 4 » Drawing more than 5,000 spectators each year, the Arlington USA Independence Day Parade includes marching bands, exotic automobiles, military color guards, clowns and an assortment of floats. Downtown Arlington, 9 a.m. arlington4th.com.

TOTALLY GROOVIN’ 4TH FEST,, JULY 4 » Join the City of Bedford this Fourth of July at the Bedford Boys Ranch Park for a good old-fashioned, flag-waving Independence Day Celebration—with a ’60s twist. This groovin’ celebration is a full day of family fun that includes a free concert, InflataFUN zone, a variety of family activities, culinary delights and, of course, a spectacular fireworks extravaganza. Bedford Boys Ranch Park, 2801 Forest Ridge Rd., 817.952.2300.

MIMIR CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL, JULY 9-17 » The Mimir Chamber Music Festival, named for the Norse god of wisdom, features outstanding artists from the world’s leading orchestras and music schools who share a love for chamber music. PepsiCo Recital Hall, Walsh Center for Performing Arts, 817.257.5443.

SUMMERFEST 2008, THROUGH SEPT. 6 » The Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine invites you to celebrate the summer season with their annual SummerFest event, where they bring the outdoors in to feature a variety of entertainment and culinary delights. From indoor firework shows and a live concert series to a junior chef’s camp and wine and cheese pairings, weekends are packed full of activities for all ages to enjoy. Gaylord Texan, 817.722.9213.

MUSEUMS

THE HARMON AND HARRIET KELLEY COLLECTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART: WORKS ON PAPER, THROUGH AUG. 23 » See the works of more than 50 African American artists from the late 1800s to the early years of this century. Drawn from one of the most esteemed private collections of works by African American artists, this special exhibition features more than 90 works by such luminaries as Elizabeth Catlett, William H. Johnson and Charles White. Amon Carter Museum, 817.738.1933.

WILLIAM KENTRIDGE: FIVE THEMES, JULY 12— SEPT. 27 » This exhibition features the most comprehensive survey to date of the films, drawings, books, prints, sculptures and stage designs by William Kentridge, an influential contemporary South African artist. Modern Art Museum, 817.738.9215.

BUTCHERS, DRAGONS, GODS AND SKELETONS, JULY 19—OCT. 25 » The Kimbell Art Museum commissioned the distinguished filmmaker Philip Haas to create a series of film installations that interpret and elaborate upon paintings and objects in the Museum’s permanent 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 exhi-

bition 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 Cafe Modern team up to bring you live music and cocktails from 5 to 8 p.m. Docent-led spotlight tours of the galleries at 6:30 p.m. 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 Amon Carter Museum, Connect to Art is a free, multiplevisit program for groups of adults with cognitive disabilities and their families and/or caregivers. Amon Carter Museum, 817.738.1933.

SID RICHARDSON MUSEUM, YEAR-ROUND » 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, YEAR-ROUND » The Texas Civil War Museum is a nonprofit member 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.

STAGE/THEATER

BOYZ II MEN WITH SPECIAL GUEST ERIC BENET, JULY 1 » Two of pop music’s most acclaimed acts join

Join us for the 4th Annual Benefit Auction and Dinner

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:00 p.m. Joe T. Garcia’s 2201 North Commerce Street

Tickets are limited and may be purchased by calling Burt Trembly at (505) 328-2288 www.PattersonFoundation.org

Mission of the Gary Patterson Foundation:

The Gary Patterson Foundation is a tax-exempt, non- profit organization dedicated to the support of economically disadvantaged children as well as other charitable causes. The Foundation provides funding for programs and scholarships that focus on education, life-skills and health and family issues (including violence prevention).

Corporate Sponsors:

together for a special evening of soul and rhythm and blues. Bass Hall, 817.212.4280.

RAY PRICE AND ROY CLARK, JULY 2 » Country legends Ray Price and Roy Clark team up for a double feature of classic country music. Bass Hall, 817.212.4280.

“LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS” PRESENTED BY CASA MAÑANA, JULY 7-12 » A down-and-out, skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. One of the longest-running off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s scifi movies has become a household name. Bass Hall, 817.332.2272.

GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!, JULY 8-26 » A twoman musical spoof that showcases a pair of aspiring playwrights as they perform a backers’ audition for their new project: a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg. Sanders Theatre in the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 817.923.3012.

“THE SPITFIRE GRILL” PRESENTED BY STAGE WEST THEATRE, JULY 9 » A feisty parolee decides to restart her life in a rural Wisconsin town, setting the town on its journey toward re-awaking. Stage West Theatre, 817.724.9378.

“INCORRUPTIBLE” PRESENTED BY CIRCLE THEATRE, JULY 16—AUG. 15 » Set in France, circa 1250 A.D., this play tells the story of the bones of the patron saint at a local monastery, which haven’t worked a miracle in 13 years. Circle Theatre, 817.877.3040.

“SAM SHADE” PRESENTED BY JUBILEE THEATRE, JULY 23—AUG. 30 » An original musical that feels right out of the Eastman mind: a black take on the 1940s gangster movies and characters such as Sam Spade. Jubilee Theatre, 817.338.4411.

1964 THE TRIBUTE, JULY 31—AUG. 1 » Rolling Stone hails “1964 The Tribute” the “Best Beatles tribute on

earth.” Bass Hall, 817.212.4280.

BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN, THROUGH JULY » Washington landmarks come to life in this sequel to the hit movie “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” After the Museum of Nature and History is closed for upgrading, the museum pieces are moved into storage at the Smithsonian Institute. Security guard Larry Daley must infiltrate the Institute to rescue his friends. The Omni Theater, 817.225.9540.

GRAND CANYON ADVENTURE: RIVER AT RISK, THROUGH SUMMER 2009 » Get ready for a thrilling ride down the Colorado River! Grand Canyon Adventures at the Omni Theater, an IMAX Dome, combines exhilarating river rafting action on America’s most iconic river with the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Learn how you can make a difference for our parched planet. The Omni Theater, 817.225.9540.

DINOSAURS ALIVE! THROUGH AUG. 8 » Dinosaurs Alive is a captivating adventure of science and discovery that will enthrall audiences with its unique look at the entire age of dinosaurs. The Omni Theater, 817.225.9540.

MUSIC

BILLY BOB’S TEx AS » Billy Bob’s Texas, 817.624.7117.

July 3 » Joe Ely

July 4 » Diamond Rio

July 10 » Johnny Cooper

July 11 » Eddie Money

July 17 » Ray Wylie Hubbard

July 18 » Hayes Carll

July 25 » Mark Chestnutt

July 31 » Brandon Rhyder

CONCERTS IN THE GARDENS, JUNE 5—JULY 5 » Concerts in the Gardens features evening performanc-

es by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and special artists staged outdoors in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and performances begin at 8 p.m. All performances conclude with a fireworks finale. Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 817.665.6000.

COMEDY

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

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.

SPORTS

FORT WORTH CATS » LaGrave Field, 301 NE 6th St., 817.226.2287.

July 3-5 » vs. Pensacola

July 14-16 » vs. St. Paul

July 17-19 » vs. El Paso

July 26-29 » vs. Grand Prairie

TEx AS RANGERS BASEBALL » Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, 7:05 p.m. 817.273.5222.

July 1 » vs. Angels

July 3-5 » vs. Rays

July 17-19 » vs. Twins

July 20-22 » vs. Red Sox

July 27-29 » vs. Tigers

July 30-31 » vs. Mariners

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

MONSTER TRUCKS UNLEASHED, JULY 17-18 » See Monster Trucks competing in fierce side-by-side racing action as they fly over jumps. Texas Motor Speedway, 940.433.8159.

CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING WESTERN CURRENCY FACILITY, JULY 27-31» As part of the 2009 Summer Employee Craft Demonstrations, Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency Facility employees will be at each of four “living” exhibits being showcased: a turn-of-the-century spider press, a mutilated currency desk, an engraver’s bench and a platemaker-staffed table. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 817.231.4000. 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-ROUND » 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, YEARROUND » These tours include the Ball-EddlemanMcFarland House and the Thistle Hill House Museum. Historic Fort Worth, Inc., 817.336.2344.

OMNI THEATER AND NOBLE PLANETARIUM, YEAR-ROUND » The Omni Theater has numerous exciting shows daily. Construction on the museum’s new facilities continues through Fall 2009. 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 710-foot wall. That’s just one attraction! Fort Worth, 1502 Commerce St., 817.871.7698.

Don’t Trash That TV… Recycle It.

Safely get rid of your unwanted TV. Take it to a Drop-off Station for free.

Fort Worth residents may take their TVs to one of three Drop-off Stations. The City partners with Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth, which recycles them in an environmentally safe way.

 Have an active residential Fort Worth water bill account; bring a recent bill or driver’s license to prove residency  Bring maximum of two TVs per household every six months For a complete list of additional electronics and other residential waste materials accepted, visit: www.FortWorthGov.org/dem or call: 817-392-EASY (3279).

Fort Worth strongly recommends you do not put TVs curbside for pickup because toxic materials such as chromium, lead, mercury and leaded glass would be released during collection.

Drop-off Station #1 2400 Brennan Ave.

Drop-off Station #2 5150 Martin Luther King Freeway

Drop-off Station #3 6260 Old Hemphill Road

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Closed Sunday

Federal law required all TV broadcasters to switch to a new format. Older analog TV sets do not receive these broadcasts unless their owners subscribe to cable service, a satellite dish service or purchase a digital converter box.

This ad funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Feisty Fajitas

Mi Chula’s Good Mexican in Southlake serves high-quality Mexican food on the fly in a modern setting.

The epitome of Mi Chula’s union between fast-food dining and upscale Mexican cuisine, the Southlake restaurant’s Puerto Escondido dish couples fajitas with shrimp brochette. Tender beef or chicken fajitas are served alongside three mesquite-grilled, baconwrapped jumbo shrimp. The Gulf shrimp are stuffed with cheese and a sliver of fresh jalapeño. A side of melted butter is the perfect dipping sauce for the smoky seafood. Warm, fresh tortillas—along with Mexican rice and your choice of refried, black or borracho beans—complete the dish. –

Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–8 or 8:30 p.m. (depending on how busy) Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–9:30 or 10 p.m. (depending on how busy) 1431 E. Southlake Blvd., #551, Southlake 817.756.6920, michulas.com $$

Executive Chef Guy Boutilier

Chain Reaction

With fast, fresh-tasting Mexican fare, surely it’s only a matter of time before Mi Chula’s has duplicates dotting the Metroplex.

Serving high-quality Mexican food on the fly, Mi Chula’s Good Mexican is dishing out “upscale” fast food—think Pei Wei goes south of the border. Open across from Southlake Town Square since December, the restaurant has a fresh, contemporary vibe. Throughout the casual eatery, marigoldcolored walls are broken up by modern art, chocolate-brown booths and accents of avocado green. Thick wooden beams stretch across the center of the ceiling. Large, circular chandeliers make a statement, and concrete floors anchor the space.

After ordering at the counter near the entrance, patrons pick their seats and wait for the friendly staff to bring their meals. An open kitchen with tan, chocolate-brown and orange tiled walls gives diners a peek behind the scenes. Outside, the landscaped patio invites you to relax with a bucket of Coronas or the restaurant’s sweet Signature Frozen Prickly Pear Margarita.

Dishes are characterized by fresh ingredients and slightly smoky flavors from a mesquite charcoal grill. Deep burgundy with black flecks from roasted tomatoes and peppers, the salsa, which is served warm, has a spicy kick. Chips are thin and crispy, and servers keep them coming. Mi Chula’s creamy queso is a good consistency—just thick enough to cling to a chip—with chopped tomatoes, pep pers and onions adding flavor and texture.

The spicy Shrimp Cocktail ($4.95) has petite shrimp, crunchy chopped jalapenos, onions, bell peppers, juli enned jicama (a sweet, nutty Central and South American root vegetable), avocado and cilantro in a spicy tomato sauce, garnished with a slice of lime. Though you have to dig to the bottom to find most of the shrimp, it’s a tasty appe tizer with enough food for a light meal.

The Guisada entrée ($9.95), my per

sonal favorite, is bursting with flavor. Sautéed sliced onions, mushrooms, chopped red and green peppers, and cubes of moist chicken or beef fajita meat are coated in a butter and wine sauce. The richness of the butter permeates the meat and vegetables, deeply flavoring each bite. Wrapped in a warm, fresh tortilla, it’s an indulgent alternative to fajitas.

Those in the mood for pescado will enjoy the Mi Chula’s Fish Tacos ($8.95). Crunchy carrot strings and cabbage top fried or grilled fish in two toasted tortillas. Black pepper and a somewhat-spicy roasted poblano sour cream sauce add punches of flavor. Although the fried fish was a bit dry in the past, the restaurant recently replaced the farm-raised tilapia with higher-quality mahi mahi.

More traditional Tex-Mex plates—like enchiladas and tacos ($7.95 to $8.95)—are also on the menu, and rice with your choice of refried, black or borracho beans complete most dishes. The refried beans—not super smooth with the beans’ texture still discernable—are topped with cheese. Black beans with tomatoes and onions are more complex than those from run-of-the-mill restaurants. The borracho beans are speckled with chopped cilantro, and if they’re like traditional “drunk beans,” the pintos get much of their flavor swimming in their beer-based sauce. They’re not what you would expect to find at a place where you order at the door and where most entrées are less than $10.

It’s through this marriage of upscale Mexican dishes and fast-food dining that Mi Chula’s has created its own class of Tex-Mex restaurants. It’s already set to kick off its second location in Plano this month, and we can only hope that it will someday make it to Fort Worth.

Mi Chula’s Signature Frozen Prickly Pear Margarita is the ideal companion for any dish on the menu. The fruity sweetness of the pink prickly pear juice cuts the margarita’s sour lime undertones. With salted chips and spicy salsa, what more could you ask for?

All You Need Is Love

Covering the summertime basics—burgers, beer and live music—The Love Shack has all the ingredients for a good time.

The creation of Cowtown culinary great Tim Love (the chef behind The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro), The Love Shack raises the stakes on burger and brat basics. Love knows just how much to push—enough to make this shack standout, but not so much to make it out of place in its Stockyard surroundings.

Take, for instance, the best-selling Dirty Love Burger. It gets a kick of unexpected flavor from a fried quail egg and a slathering of zingy Love Sauce, a tangy-spicy-sweet, relish-laced signature condiment that takes the place of plain ol’ mayo. With equal parts prime tenderloin and prime brisket that are freshly ground daily, the burger’s patty is moist and crumbly on the inside with the crunch of a good sear on the outside. Beautifully greasy, it’s hugged by creamy melted American cheese. Paper-thin pickles, peppered bacon, shredded lettuce and tomato slices add to

Chile Parmesan Chips. Each order easily feeds two people. Flat, thin and crispy, the fries are simply seasoned with kosher salt to let the natural taste of the potato shine through. Lightly breaded, the onion rings are more like extracrispy, super-slender strings. Dipped in a side of thick-and-creamy ranch (it has to be housemade), they’re a heavenly heap of unhealthiness. But the real treats are the crispy, thin chips dusted with a generous layer of chili powder. Grated Parmesan cheese balances the chili's bite.

the messy goodness that slips and slides between a toasted Mrs. Baird’s bun.

Cooked a la plancha on a flat-top grill, each burger is made to order. Burgers are a manageable size, but doubles are available for heartier appetites. If the Dirty Love sounds too intimidating, there are also plain meat-and-cheese varieties. For those steering clear of beef, The Love Shack offers the Chicken Love and the Boom Boom Burger with a portobello mushroom in lieu of meat.

Hot dog fans favor the Texas Flying Dog. The slight sweetness of apple enhances a chicken bratwurst. American cheese melts down the center of the brat; juice and grease ooze out with each bite. Roasted onions and peppers—with subtly sweet carmelization—top the dog, adding another layer of flavor.

For sides, the burger joint serves up Love Shack Fries, Crazy Good Onion Rings and Fresh

With a communal, friendly vibe, along with live music during lunch and dinner, the Love Shack lures you to stay long after your burgers and fries are gone. Nestled between buildings, it’s adjacent to the White Elephant Saloon in the small space once occupied by the bar’s beer gardens. Three mature trees offer their shade, providing a semi-rooftop for the four levels of open-air dining. Worn wooden lofted decks are topped with metal tables and wooden stools. Strung lights enhance the laid-back, casual environment.

Drink offerings include on-tap Abita root beer, hand-squeezed lemonade, and beer and wine. Vanilla, raspberry, mocha and rich chocolate are a few of the Shack’s shake-of-the-day flavors. Smooth and not too thick (the perfect consistency for sucking through a straw), the milkshakes are made with homemade ice cream.

With shakes starting at $2.31 and burgers as low as $3.70 (and only as high as $7.39), this place won’t break the bank. And it’s a good thing because it doesn’t accept plastic (or checks, for that matter). For those who don’t carry cash, an ATM is located at the entrance.

Sunday–Tuesday 11 a.m. –9 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. –10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. –1 a.m.

110 E. Exchange, Fort Worth 817.740.8812, shakeyourloveshack.com $

Friday, August 28, 2009

Table Sponsorships available. Call 817-834-4711.

fwdish:listings

your guide to local flavor

dish guide

The most sought-after restaurant listing to navigate the area's growing dining scene.

B Breakfast

L Lunch

D Dinner

✹ Outdoor Dining

( Reservations

T Valet Parking Pricing

$ Entrees up to $10

$$ Entrees $10-$20

$$$ Entrees $20-$25

$$$$ Entrees $25 and over

american

Arlington / Mid-Cities

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.-Thu.; 7am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. $-$$ L D

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. $ L (

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 chickenfried 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. $$ L D ( ✹

MArKet street » 5605 Colleyville, 817.577.5020. Good meals to eat in or take home. Good choices of breakfast, salads, pizzas and Tex-Mex. Don’t forget the cobbler. 6am-11pm daily. $ B L D ✹

no Frills 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. $ L D

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. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am9pm Sun. $-$$$ B L D ✹ 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. 10am-6pm Mon.-Sat.; noon-6pm Sun. $ L (

tHe sAnFord HoUse » 506 N. Center St., 817.861.2129. The comfortable Victorian-style inn just north of downtown offers exquisite dining. Reservations requested. 11am-2pm Sun.-Wed.; 6:30am-10pm Thu.Sat. $-$$ B L ( ✹

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. 11am9pm Mon.-Fri.; 8am-11pm Sat. $-$$ L D( ✹

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-8pm Sun.-Wed.; 6:30am-10pm Thu.-Sat. $-$$ B L D ( ✹

the listings section is a readers service compiled by the Fort Worth, Texas magazine editorial staff. The magazine does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for the listings. Listings are updated regularly. To correct a listing or request a restauarant be considered for the list, contact Amy HallfordTurman at ahallford@fwtexas.com.

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. $ L D ( ✹ 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. $ B L BUttons » 4701 W. Freeway, 817.735.4900. Fort Worth featuring Keith Hicks’ signature upscale southern-chic cuisine paired with old school music and a vibrant atmosphere. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun.; 4pm-7pm Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. $$$ L D ( CHArleston’s » 3020 S. Hulen St., 817.735.8900. You can get as casual as coaching shorts, though we’d suggest one think better of it. There’s nothing casual, though, about the hickory-grilled pork, Idaho rainbow trout and classic baby back ribs. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$ L D ( ✹

gAllerY Art CAFe » 609 S. Jennings Ave., 817.335.4646. The menu features American/Southwestern favorites, and the food is worth coming back for. 7am3pm Mon.-Fri.; 10am-2pm Sat. & Sun. $ B L ( ✹ tHe CoVeY restAUrAnt & 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-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-midnight Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$ L D ( ✹

CUrlY’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. $ L D ✹

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. 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Thu. & Sat.; 6:30am-8:30pm Fri. $ B L (

dreW’s PlACe » 5701 Curzon Ave., 817.735.4408. A westside favorite for good home cooking. Excellent service and a friendly atmosphere. 11am-5pm Thu.; 11am9pm Fri.-Sat.; 1pm-5pm Sun. $-$$ L D ( Fred’s texAs CAFe » 915 Currie St., 817.332.0083. This great music venue features innovative food combinations, from hamburgers to green chili pork roast with sweet potatoes and sourdough battered chicken-fried steak and gravy. The outdoor patio only adds to the attraction of the fun café. 10:30am-midnight Tue.-Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. Closed Mon. $$ L D ✹

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. $$ L D ( ✹

lUnCH 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. $ L

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.; 11am3pm Sun. $ L D

MontgoMerY street CAFÉ » 2000 Montgomery St., 817.731.8033. This is no-frills cooking at its finest. From omelets to chicken-fried steak, the menu includes fabulous Southern favorites. 6am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-noon Sat. $ B L(

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. $ B L D ✹

ol’ soUtH PAnCAKe HoUse » 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. $ B L D (

oVAtion dining And entertAinMent » 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.8900. This venue offers quality food and an extensive live music calendar. 6pm-11pm Wed.-Thur.; 6pm-midnight Fri.-Sat.; noon-10pm Sun.; Closed Mon.-Tue. $$ L D ( PAris CoFFee sHoP » 700 W. Magnolia, 817.335.2041. This Fort Worth institution has been serving up homemade breakfasts and lunches since 1930. 6am-3pm Mon.Fri.; 6am-11am Sat. $ B L ( PArK Hill CAFe » 2974 Park Hill Dr., 817.921.5660. With a weekend menu that changes on a weekly basis, you can’t go wrong at this quaint cafe. On the regular weekly menu, try the Smoked Turkey Park Hill sandwich - smoked turkey, cranberry relish, coleslaw and spicy mustard on toast. Serves fabulous American cuisine in the evenings and a scrumptious Sunday Brunch. 10:30am-3pm Mon.-Sat.; 6pm-9pm Thu.-Sat.; 10:30am-1:30pm Sun. $-$$ L D 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. 10am-10pm Mon.Wed.; 10am-midnight Thu.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $$-$$$ L D ( ✹

rise & sHine » 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. $ B L (

seCret gArden teArooM » 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-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-4pm Sat.; noon-4pm Sun. $ L ( 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. $ L D ✹

texAs 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. $ L D ( ✹ tHe rose gArden teA rooM » 7200 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.731.7673. 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. $ L ( 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.-Sat.; noon-6pm Sun. $ B L (

Vidalia’s at the Worthington » 200 Main St., 817.210.2222. With dishes ranging from fried green tomatoes to smothered pork chops, the cuisine at Vidalia’s is unequivocally Southern. 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. 6am-10pm Mon.-Sun. $$ B L D T ( 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. $ B L D

the ZodiaC room at neiman marCUs » 2100 Green Oaks Rd., 817.738.3581. A delightful dining adventure for lunch with excellent service. 10am-7pm Mon.-Sat.; noon-6pm Sun. $$ L

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. 10am-6pm Wed.-Sun. $ L D ( 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.; 11am-9pm Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. $ L D

ClassiC CaFe » 504 N. Oak St., 817.430.8185. This cozy house comforts guests as they enjoy some truly fine casual dining. 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$ L D ( ✹

doVe CreeK CaFÉ » 204 S. Hwy. 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.-Thu.; 6am-9pm Fri.; 6am-3pm Sat.; 6:30am-3pm Sun. $ B L D Prairie hoUse restaUrant » 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. $-$$ L D ( soUthlaKe

CaFÉ eXPress » 1472 Main St., 817.251.0063. Zagat’s called these numerous Texas cafés “The Mercedes-Benz of fast food eateries” because of 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.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ✹

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. 11am11pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-12:30am Fri.-Sat.; 10am-11pm Sun. $$ L D ✹

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. 4pm-7pm Mon.-Thur.; 3pm-7pm Fri. $ L D ( ✹

WeatherFord

Fire oaK grill » 14 Austin Ave., 817.598.0400. This delicious eatery serves up the best in Southwestern, American and down-home Southern cuisine. Savor the taste of a delicious steak cooked to perfection or let your taste buds devour the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie. Now with a full bar, the Fire Oak Grill is sure to leave you satisfied! Lunch: 11am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5pm10pm Mon.-Sat. $-$$ D (

Call us today to cater your next holiday party,

asian

Arlington

PEi WEi » 2100 N. Collins St., 817.299.8687 L D ✹

Other locations: 4133 E. Cooper St., 817.466.4545 L D

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.-Thur.; 10:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $

PirAnHA’S KillEr SUSHi » 851 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd., 817.261.1636 L D (. Other locations: Arlington Highlands 309 Curtis Mathes Way, #149 817.465.6455 L D (✹ Sushi rolls, tempura and teriyaki dishes dominate an incredible menu of Japanese delights. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm 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. $ L D (

tAStE oF tHAi » 2535 E. Arkansas Lane, 817.543.0110. This authentic Thai restaurant serves up fresh dishes daily. 11am-3pm, 4:30pm-10pm Mon.-Fri.; 11:30am-3pm, 4:30pm-10pm Sat.; 11:30am-9:30pm Sun. $ L D ( BEDForD

tHAi jASminE » 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. $ L D ✹

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. 11am9:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D

EDoHAnA HiBACHi SUSHi » 2704 S. Hulen, 817.924.1144 L D ( ✹. Other locations: 5816 S.W. Loop 820, 817.731.6002 L D (. Table-side food preparation is just part of the experience—a fabulous sushi bar includes many delicacies. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ HUi CHUAn SUSHi, SAKE, tAPAS » 6100 Camp Bowie #12, 817.989.8886. This small, yet visually appealing, restaurant is full of surprises. Owner Hui Chuan Logan will not only remember your face, but maybe even what you ordered. With a wide variety of tapas and sushi, you are bound to find something that sounds appealing. 11:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat.; 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5:30-10pm Sun. $$ L D ✹ jAPAnESE PAl ACE » 8445 Camp Bowie W., 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-midnight Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$ D

mY l An » 4015 E. 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 Mon.-Sun. Closed Wed. $ L D

PEi WEi » 5900 Overton Ridge Blvd., 817.294.0808 L D. Other locations: 2600 W. 7th St., Montgomery Plaza, 817.806.9950 L D ✹. 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. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D T ( ✹

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. $ L D

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

PirAnHA’S KillEr SUSHi » 335 W. 3rd St., 817.348.0200. Sushi rolls, tempura and teriyaki dishes dominate an incredible menu of Japanese delights. 11am10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-11pm Thu.; 11am-1am Fri.; Noon1am Sat.; noon-10pm Sun. $$ L D T (

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-2pm, 5pm-8:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am2:30pm Sat. $ L D ( ✹

SUSHi AXiom jAPAnESE FUSion rEStAUrAnt » 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.; noon-10pm Sat.; noon-9pm Sun. $$ L D ( ✹

SUSHi YoKo » 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. 11am2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm-10:30pm Fri.Sat. $-$$ L D ( ✹

SZECHUAn » 5712 Locke Ave., 817.738.7300. Other location: 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd., Cityview Plaza, 817.346.6111. This Chinese favorite counts on highquality 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. $ L D (

tHAi tinA’S » 703 N. Henderson St., 817.332.0088. With a myriad of selections on its eccentric menu, this downtown restaurant lives up to its slogan, “A menu that’s simply to Thai for.” 11 am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sun. $$ L D

toKYo CAFE » 5121 Pershing Ave., 817.737.8568. This Camp Bowie hideaway delivers great sushi at reasonable prices. Please come casual. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D ( ✹

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-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri.; 5pm-10:30pmSat.; 5pm-9:30pm Sun. $$ L D (

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-11pm daily. $$ L D (

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-9:30pm Mon.-Sat. $-$$ L D (

SoUtHlAKE

EDEn BiStro » 480 W. Southlake Blvd., 817.748.0028. This chic little restaurant has one of the tastiest summer rolls in town. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10:30pm Fri.Sat. $-$$ L D (

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.-Thu.; 5pm10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D (

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.

10:30am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 10:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D

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-10pm Mon.-Thu.; noon11pm Fri.; 11am-9:30pm Sat.-Sun. $-$$ L D ( ✹

barbecue

Arlington

DiCKEY’S BArBECUE Pit » 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, drivethru and catering. 10:30am-8:30pm daily. $ L D

rED Hot AnD BlUE » 1350 E. Copeland Rd., 817.795.7427. Beef may be king here, but Memphisstyle barbecue has taken our town by storm. Although pork is the house specialty, chicken and beef dishes are also available. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D

Fort WortH

AngElo’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, hickorysmoked 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. $ L D (

CoUSin’S Pit BArBECUE » 6262 McCart Ave., 817.346.2511 L D (. Other location: 5125 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.346.3999 L D (✹. 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. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat. $

DiCKEY’S BArBECUE Pit » 451 University Dr., 817.231.8813 L D ✹. Other locations: 5724 Bryant Irvin, 817.361.1034 L D. 1000 N.E. Loop 820, 817.289.0027 L D 1989 Colonial Pkwy., 817.759.7500. 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.-Thu.; 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $ r AilHEAD 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. $ L D ✹

rED Hot AnD BlUE » 3000 S. Hulen St., 817.731.8770 L D. 9143 Grapevine Hwy., 817.605.1333 L D. 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 L D ( ✹. 300 Main St., 817.877.3306 L D ( ✹. 9000 U.S. 377, Benbrook, 817.249.3320 L D ✹. 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.; 11am10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $

SmoKiES BBQ » 5300 E. Lancaster Ave., 817.451.8222. Smokies has been serving fine barbecue and smoked meats in a family-friendly environment for 30 years. 10:30am-8pm Tue.-Sat. $ L D ✹

tHE SmoKE Pit » 2401 E. Belknap St., 817.222.0455. This barbecue joint has various types of smoked meats and is great for dine-in or to have cater your next party. 10:30am-8pm Mon.-Fri.; 10:30am-6pm Sat. $-$$ L D ( trAilBoSS BUrgErS » 140 E. Exchange Ave, 817.625.1070. Same owners but a new concept. This restaurant, formerly part of the Riscky’s chain, focuses on what it does best, burgers. 11am-7pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am9pm Fri.; 11am-10pm Sat. $-$$ L D ✹

Salmon

Bermuda Shorts

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, take-out, drive-thru and catering. 11am-9pm daily. $ L D

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-can-eat salad bar and selection of 14 meats, you’ll need to be wheeled out of this upscale restaurant. 5pm10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-2pm & 5pm-10:30pm Fri.; 4pm10:30pm Sat.; 4pm-9pm Sun. $$$ D T (

GRAPEVINE

BoI NA BRAZA » 4025 William D. Tate, 817.329.5514. Tasty food served with Brazilian flair. Offers constant choices of meat by servers at your table. 5pm-10pm Mon.Sat.; 5pm-9pm Sun. $$$ L D

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. 6:30am-10:30pm Mon.-Sat. $ B L D (

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. 10:30am8pm Mon.-Sat. $ L D

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. $ L D

foRt woRtH

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. $ L D

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-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $ L D ( ✹

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. 9am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. $ B L D

KINCAID’S » 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.2881 L D (. Other location: 4825 Overton Ridge Blvd., 817.370.6400 L D (. 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. 11am8pm Mon.-Sat. $

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. 11am-8pm Sun.-Wed.; 11am-10pm Thu.; 11am-1am Fri.-Sat. $ L D T ( ✹

PAPPA’S BURGERS » 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. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D ( ✹

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 Wednesdays during karaoke, Thursdays with the Top 40/Rock DJ or weekends

TARRANT COUNTY HEART BALL Thank you

THE HEART of COmpassion is passion

Kay and Ben Fortson hONorary Chairmen

Lisa and Ben J. Fortson III Dinner Chairmen

Heart Society Champion

DADS Advisory Fund – Debbie Viragh-Casias

Diamond Sponsors

Amon G. Carter Foundation, Texas Health Resources

Ruby Sponsors

Cook Children’s Medical Center, Kay and Ben Fortson, Kleinheinz Capital Partners, Deborah and “Tex” Moncrief

Sapphire Sponsors

Mike Andereck, David Bonderman, Anne Marie and Doug Bratton/Kim and Glenn Darden, Lisa and Bill Burton/Karen Fortson Davis/Kimbell and Mitch Wynne, Corriente Advisors, LLC, Lisa and Ben J. Fortson III, Luther King Capital Management, Anne and John Marion, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Rosalyn Rosenthal, UnitedHealthcare

Emerald Sponsors

Aetna Foundation, Judy and Paul Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Sid R. Bass, Bates Container, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, Marilyn and Mike Berry, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation, Consultants in Cardiology, Coors Distributing Company of Fort Worth, Julie and Stan Dennis, Kelly and Jeff R. Dillard, Steve Flory, Frost Bank, HCA North Division, Hodges Fund at the Community Foundation of North Texas, Humana, Donna and Mike Jones/Becca and Mark Stupfel, Kelly Hart and Hallman LLP, Lockheed Martin, Tammy and Ty McKinney/Glenda Wilson, Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr./Hillwood Properties, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Gail W. Rawl, Jean and John Roach, Julie and Mark Schulze, W. B. and Ellen Gordon Stuart Trust, Whitley Penn, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Genevieve and Duer Wagner, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. George M. Young, Jr.

Topaz Sponsors

CIGNA, Julie and Glenn Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Grable, Jane F. Rector, St. Jude Medical

Supporters

Elaine and Neils Agather, George Ann and Bill Bahan, Marsha and Barclay Berdan, Mrs. Sam H. Berry, Janis and Sam Brous, Rebecca and Jon Brumley, Ellie and Carter Burdette, The Robert and Joyce Pate Capper Charitable Foundation, JoEllen and Jim Cashion, Raney and Peter Chambers, Patricia and Tom Chambers, Rachel and Will Churchill , Brenda and Chad Cline, Georgina and Cliff Condrey, Mary and David Corley, Barbara and Ralph Cox, Lorna and John Crocker, Sherry and Mark Denton, Dawn and Dr. Glenn Dillon, Crawford Edwards, David R. Frazier, Cornelia C. Friedman, Garvey Texas Foundation Inc., Colleen and Preston Geren, Adele and Mark Hart, Kristin and Stewart Henderson, Demar and Hilton Hopson, Ann and Ed Hudson, Richard Hubbard, MD and Blaine Smith, Jetta Operating Company, Inc., Janice and Dee J. Kelly, Andy Klemmer, D’Aun and Joel Lagrone, Patty and Gene Mays, McDavid Companies, Marsland and Dick Moncrief, Therese and Tom Moncrief, Winjie Tang Miao, Jude and Rob Nash, The Pace Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Patton, Jr. , Carol and Cecil Ray, Jr., Shelia Reynolds, Tripp Rivers, Ellen Roeser, Edwin S. Ryan, Alann Sampson, Dr. Michael Smith, Sharon Smith and Todd Spangler, Mrs. John R. Stevenson, Beverly and John Synder, Teletouch/ Hawk Electronics, Charlotte and Paul Tripplehorn, Stephanie and Joe Usher, Donna and John Vallance, Jean and Dr. Stephen F. Waddell, Anna Jean and Richard F. Walsh, Martha and J.R. Williams, Pat and Don Williamson, Glenda and Virgil Wilson, Vivienne Wilson, Kelly Young, Judy and Rick Yuill

Young At Heart

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fwdish:listings

with a live band. 11am-2am Mon.-Sat.; 11am-midnight Sun. $ L D T ( ✹

PURPLE COW dinER » 4601 W. Freeway, 817.737.7177. The Cow has standard burgers, fries and ice cream sundaes with all that finger-lickin' junk kids like to track all over the table. Yes, playing with the condiments is OK. 11am10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun.-Thu. $ L D

TOMMY’S HAMBURGERS » 2701 Green Oaks Rd., 817.735.9651 L D (. Other locations: 5228 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.569.1111 L D (. 3431 W. 7th St., 817.885.7500 L D ( ✹. Noted, obviously, for excellent burgers, Tommy’s serves up mouthwatering daily specials, including a fabulous chicken-fried steak. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-8pm Sun. $ SOUTHLAkE

jOHnnY B’S BURGERS & SHAkES » 2704 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.749.0000. This joint takes pride in their signature sweet sourdough bun, premium Texas beef, handcut fries and much more. Try one of the old fashioned shakes. 10:30am-8:30pm Mon.-Thur.; 10:30am-9pm Fri.-Sat.; 10:30am-3pm Sun. $ L D

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-9pm Tue.-Thur.; 9am-6pm Fri.; 8:30am-5:30pm Sat.; noon-6pm Sun. $-$$ L D ( ✹ FORT WORTH

610 GRiLLE » 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. 6:30am4pm Mon.-Thu.; 6:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $-$$$ B L D T (

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 highend well. A fabulous patio is open seasonally. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 6pm-9pm Mon-Thu.; 6pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. The bar opens at 11am and closes one hour after the kitchen. $$ L D ( ✹

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. 8:30am-6pm Tue.-Fri.; 8:30am-5pm 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. 9am-5pm Tue.-Fri., 8am-noon Wed. & Sat. at the Farmer’s Market. $ B

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. $ L D ✹

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. $ B L

CARSHOn’S dELiCATESSEn » 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. $ B L

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. $

ESPERAnZA’S MEXiCAn CAFÉ & BAkERY » 2122 N. Main St., 817.626.5770 B L D ( ✹. Other location: 1109 Hemphill St., 817.332.3848 B L D (. 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. 6:30am-7pm daily. $

kOLACHE 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. $ B

MCkinLEY’S FinE BAkERY & CAFE » 1612 S. University Dr., 817.332.3242. This cafe is a great place for friends to meet and 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 pecan-crusted chicken salad. 8am-6:30pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-5pm Sun. $ B L D ✹

PAnERA BREAd » 1700 S. University Dr., 817.870.1959 B L D ✹. Other location: 1804 Precinct Line Rd., 817.605.0766 B L D ✹. The word “bread” is deceiving, although there’s plenty of it. Think more along the lines of “Big Fat Sandwich and Dessert.” 6:30am-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 7am-8pm Sun. $

THE SnOOTY PiG » 2401 Westport Pkwy., 817.837.1077 B L D. Other locations: 1540 Keller Pkwy., Keller, 817.431.0064 B L D ✹. Great breakfast stop, also good for lunch. Don’t get away without trying the famed muffins, baked daily. 6:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-noon Sat.-Sun. $

SUBLiME BAkERY » Country Day Plaza, 5512 Bellaire Dr., 817.570.9630. Among her other delicacies, Catherine Ruehle’s scones, cheesecakes and cupcakes are indeed sublime. 8am-5:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 9am-5pm Sat. $-$$ B SWiSS PASTRY SHOP » 3936 W. Vickery, 817.732.5661. 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. $ B L

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. 6:30am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-9pm Sat.; 7:30am-3pm Sun. $ B L ✹

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. 6:30am-6:30pm daily. $ B L D

THE SnOOTY 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. 6:30am2pm Mon.-Fri.; 7am-2pm Sat.-Sun. $ B L D ✹

SOUTHLAkE

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. $ L D ✹

ELEGAnT CAkERY » 2707 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 140, 817.488.7580. From cakes to cupcakes to Petit Fours, each of Elegant Cakery’s products is sure to make your event unforgettable. 9am-6pm Tue.-Sat. $-$$

WEinBURGER’S dELi » 3 Village Circle, Westlake,

817.491.9119. Other location: 611 Main St., Grapevine, 817.416.5574 B L D ✹ Weinburger’s Deli specializes in quality meats and cheeses. They also offer a variety of fresh salads. 8:30am-7pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $ eclectic

ARLinGTOn

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. 3:30pm-11pm Sun.-Thur.; 3:30pm-1am Fri.-Sat. $$ D (

BURLESOn

WinE dOWn » 124 S. Scott Street. 817.447.9122. This bistro, located in “Old Town” Burleson, was inspired by hill country wine bars. The relaxed atmosphere allows food and wine enthusiasts to “wine down” from their hectic day with wine, beer and artisan cheeses in the evenings. 11am-9pm Wed-Sat. $$ L D

FORT WORTH

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-10pm Mon.Tue.; 11am-1am Wed.; 11am-2am Thu.-Fri.; noon-2am Sat.; 10am-2am Sun. $$ L D ( ✹ CAFÉ MOdERn » 3200 Darnell, 817.840.2157. The Modern Art Museum features a restaurant with grilled salmon and melted citrus butter, beautiful desserts and a Sunday brunch that is a must. Reservations are recommended for parties of five or more. 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am3pm Sat.-Sun. $$ L ( ✹

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 Tue.-Thu. & Sat.; noon-2pm Fri. & Sun.; Dinner 5:30pm7:30pm Fri. $$ L ( ✹ LiLi’S BiSTRO » 1310 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.877.0700. This quaint bistro focuses on tradition. Start with the Gorgonzola fries and move on to the Spinach & Mushroom grilled chicken. Delicious! 11am-2:30pm Mon.Fri.; 5:30pm-9pm Wed.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

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. $ L D ( ✹

ZAMBRAnO WinE CELLAR » 910 Houston St., Ste. 110, 817.850.9463. With a menu featuring more than 200 wines, this wine bar should be a priority for all wine lovers. 4:30pm-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 4:30pm-1am Fri.-Sat. $-$$ D T ( ✹

SOUTHLAkE

SAndELLA’S CAFÉ » 1245 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. $ L D ✹

ethnic

FORT WORTH

BOMBAY GRiLL » 4625 Donnelly Ave., 817.377.9395. This Indian restaurant serves up classics like Tandoori and garlic naan (flatbread). 11am-2pm & 5:30pm-10pm daily. $ L D (

Beverly Branch, CEO and Co-founder

your guide to local flavor

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.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 5pm-11pm Sat. $$ L D (

CHADRA MEZZA & GRILL » 1622 Park Place, 817.924.2372. Creative dishes featuring spicy Lebanese food and homemade Italian. 11am-3pm Mon.-Tue; 11am10pm Wed.-Sat. $-$$ L D ( ✹

HEDARY’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-3pm Mon.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 5pm-11pm Sat. $ L D ( ✹ 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. $$ L D (

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.; 11:30am-2:30pm Sat.-Sun.; 5:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D (

french

ARLINGTON

CACHAREL » 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 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 and elegant, 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 Mon.-Fri.; 5pm10pm Sat. $$$ L D ( FORT WORTH

BISTRO LOUISE » 2900 S. Hulen St., Ste. 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 brunch is quite possibly the best in town! 11am-2pm Mon.-Sun.; 5:30pm-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$$ L D ( ✹

LA MADELEINE » 6140 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.4656. Other locations: 2101 N. Collins St., Arlington, 817.461.3634. 4201 S Cooper St., Arlington, 817.417.5100. 900 Hwy. 114 W., Grapevine, 817.251.0255. Croissants, pastries, soups, salads and more are served in a charming European atmosphere. Camp Bowie 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 6:30am-8pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; Hwy. 114 6:30am-9pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; Collins and Cooper 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30am11pm Fri.-Sat. $ B L D ✹ SAINT-EMILION » 3617 W. 7th St., 817.737.2781. Wellconcocted country French dishes, including duck, lamb, steak tartare and fresh fish. Full bar. 6pm-9pm Tue.Thu.; 6pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$$ D ( ✹ german

FORT WORTH

EDELWEISS » 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.-Sat. $$ D ( GREENWOOD’S » 3522 Bluebonnet Cir., 817.921.6777. A great place to venture out and try some traditional German cuisine. 4pm-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 4pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Thu.-Fri. $$ L D (

greek

FORT WORTH

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

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. $ L D (

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. 11am3pm Mon.-Fri.; 9am-3pm Sat.; 9am-2pm Sun. $ L

ARLINGTON/MID-CITIES

BIRRAPORETTI’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 11am-11pm Sun.-Mon. & Wed.-Thu.; 11am-12:30am Tues.; 11am-12am Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

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. $$ L D ( ✹

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

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. $ L D ✹

PALIO’S PIZZA CAFÉ » 5712 Colleyville Blvd., 817.605.7555. This pizza café offers interesting and highend pizza toppings. 11am-10pm daily. $ L D ( ✹ 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 MonThu.; 11:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Sun. $-$$ L D (

RUGGERI’S RISTORANTE » 32 Village Ln., 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. $$ L D ( ✹

FORT WORTH

AVENTINO » 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. 5pm-9pm Mon.-Wed.; 5:00pm-11pm Thu.-Sat. $$$$$ D (

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-1:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 6pm-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 6pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

CAFÉ BELLA » 3548 South Hills Ave., 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.Sun. $-$$ L D ( ✹

FERRÉ RISTORANTE 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 appetite, try the Agnello al Forno, a seared lamb loin dish. 4pm-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 4pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ D T ( ✹

FORTUNA » 5837 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.737.4469. This little Italian restaurant is a favorite among Fort Worthians.

11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D ( 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. 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ D (

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 Sun.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$$ L D ( ✹

MAMA’S PIZZA » 1813 W. Berry St., 817.923.3541. 5800 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.731.MAMA This Fort Worth staple has been serving up great pizza in Fort Worth since 1968. Lunch buffet: 11am-2pm daily. Delivery through EntreesTo-Go: 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; Noon-10pm Sun. $ L D (

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.; 4pm-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 4pm-10pm Fri.-Sat.; Closed Sun. $ L D (

MARGIE’S ORIGINAL ITALIAN KITCHEN » 9805 Camp Bowie W., 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.-Thur.; 5pm11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ D (

MELLOW MUSHROOM » 3455 Bluebonnet Circle, 817.207.9677. A funky and fun 1960s ambiance good for large gatherings. Come ready to eat unique pizza. 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹ MILANO’S » 3416 W. 7th St., 817.332.5226. Pizza is a big menu item, but you’ll find more than enough choices to satisfy your hunger. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sat. $ L D ( NONNA TATA » 1400 W. Magnolia Ave., 817.332.0250. With a weekly changing menu, this small Italian restaurant is a hidden gem that begs to be found. 11am-3pm Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri. $-$$ L D ✹

PIOLA » 3700 Mattison Ave., 817.989.0007. Nestled in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, this cozy bistro serves up true comfort food in the form of authentic Italian cuisine. For a treat, make reservations to dine on the patio. 11am2pm Mon-Fri; 5pm-10pm Mon-Sat. $$ L D (✹ PIZZERIA UNO CHICAGO GRILL » 300 Houston St., 817.885.8667. With a great location downtown and pizza you can’t find anywhere else in Texas, Uno’s Chicagostyle deep-dish pizza is a must. Don’t skip the heavenly chocolate peanut butter cup dessert! Large menu offers many choices for everyone. 10am-11pm Sun.-Thu.; 10ammidnight Fri.-Sat. $ L D RUFFINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT » 2455 Forest Park Blvd., 817.923.0522. A light homemade ravioli is our favorite to slip on a fork and across the table into the mouth of a close dining partner at this upscale romantic spot also known for its chicken, beef and pasta. Voted best in town by Fort Worth, Texas magazine readers. 11am-2pm Mon.Fri.; 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( TAVERNA RISOTTERIA » 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.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D T ( GRAPEVINE /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. $-$$ L D ( ✹

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.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$ L D (

your guide to local flavor

Ferrari’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.-Thur.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$ L D

raViOli » 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.-Thur.; 5pm-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D

latin american

cOlleyVille/FOrt wOrth

GlOria’s » Colleyville: 5611 Colleyville Blvd., 817.656.1784 L D ✹. Fort Worth: 2600 W. 7th St., 817.332.8800 L D T ✹. Arlington: 3901 Arlington Highlands Blvd., Ste. 137, 817.701.2981 L D ✹. 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.-Thur.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. Fort Worth: 11am-9pm Sun.-Mon.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $-$$

mediterranean

FOrt wOrth

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 10:30am2pm. $$ D (

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. 11am2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5:30pm-9pm Wed.-Thu.; 5:30pm-9:30pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D (

the Vault » 525 Taylor St., 817.348.9828. Sample sumptuous Mediterranean cuisine and wonderful wines in a warm, European-inspired setting, and linger at the hip V Lounge Wine & Martini Bar located downstairs. Signature dishes include Vault Paella and many tempting tapas selections. 11am-11pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-midnight Thu.Fri.; 10:30am-midnight Sat.; 10:30am-3pm Sun. $$-$$ L D ( ✹

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. By the looks of all the famous faces gracing the walls, you never know who will show up. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $ L D ✹ 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.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D

riO MaMBO » 5150 Hwy. 121, 817.354.3124. 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.-Thur.; 11am-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹ 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. $ L D ✹

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. $-$$ L D ( ✹ 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.-Thur., 10am-2am Fri.-Sat., 11am-9pm Sun. $$ L D

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. 11am10pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-midnight Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹ cantina lareDO » 530 Throckmorton St., 817.810.0773. Start with the top-shelf guacamole and move on to the Enchiladas de Mole. Don’t forget to save room for the scrumptious Mexican apple pie. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-9pm Sun. $-$$ L D T ( ✹

chiMy’s cerVeceria » 1053 Foch St., 817.348.8888. Famous for its nachos and addictive margaritas, this place is a must-try for all Tex-Mex lovers. 11am-midnight Mon.Sat. $ L D ✹

chiPOtle » 3050 S. Hulen St., 817.735.8355. Other locations: 3000 W. 7th St., 817.348.8530. 4484 Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.735.4506. 1312 W. Pipeline Rd., 817.595.3875. 3010 E. Southlake Blvd., 817.748.4745. Good food at a low price. Standard Mexican tacos and burritos. Everything is made to order while you watch. 11am-10pm daily. $ L D ✹

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.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D ( ✹

el FeniX » 6391 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.732.5584. More than 80 years ago, the Martinez Family pioneered what is now internationally known 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. $ L D ( el ranchO GranDe » 1400 N. Main St., 817.624.9206. This family-owned and -operated Mexican restaurant has been a Cowtown favorite for more than 60 years. Fresh tortillas and chips and salsa are made from scratch daily, and the eatery is housed in a beautiful vintage 1918 restored building on the north side of Fort Worth. 11am9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D ( esPeranZa’s MeXican BaKery & caFe » 2122 N. Main St., 817.626.5770 B L D ( ✹. Other location: 1109 Hemphill St., 817.332.3848 B L D (. The south-of-theborder fare draws neighborhood families and downtowners alike because of the friendly surroundings. It’s owned by the family that runs Joe T. Garcia’s, so you know you’re in for a good time. Bakery: 6am-7pm daily; Cafe: 6:30am6pm Mon.-Fri.; 6:30am-7pm Sat.-Sun.; 6:30am-5:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 6am-5:30pm Sat.-Sun. 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 daily. $ B L D

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.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D ( FuZZy’s tacO shOP » 2917 W. Berry St., 817.924.7943. 2719 Race St., 817.831.TACO. 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.; 9:15am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 9:15am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ B L D ✹

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, 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-10pm Sun. $$ L D ( ✹

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.; 11am10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D

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. 11am10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat.; 10am10pm Sun. $ L D ( ✹

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. $ L D

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, TexMex. You cannot find better beef fajitas. 11am-9pm Mon.Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10:30am-3pm Sun. $ L D ✹

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-midnight Tue.-Thu.; 5pm-2am Fri.-Sat. $ L D ✹

Mi cOcina » 509 Main St., 817.877.3600 L D ✹. Other location: 4601 W. Freeway (I-30 and Hulen), 817.569.1444 L D. 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. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.Sat. $

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. $ L D ( PaPPasitO’s cantina » 2704 W. 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. $$ L D ( ✹ all locations PuliDOs » 5051 Hwy. 377 S., 817.732.7871. Other locations: 2900 Pulido St., 817.732.7571. 4924 Old Benbrook Rd., 817.731.4241. Classic Mexican restaurant offering everything from enchiladas to crispy tacos. 11am-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D ( ✹ riO MaMBO » 6125 I-20 at Bryant Irvin Rd., 817.423.3124. Salad takes a new twist alongside standard Tex-Mex favorites, with the Los Cabos, a Mexican cobb salad of sorts with chicken, avocado and bleu cheese. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹ 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.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri.Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun.; Closed Mon. $$ B L D ( uncle JuliO’s » 5301 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.2777. A West Fort Worth cult eatery, and it’s easy to see why. This national chain has blended the best parts of Southwestern cuisine with Mex and Tex-Mex, giving guests a flavorful dining experience. 11am-10:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

sOuthlaKe

Mi chula’s » 1431 Southlake Blvd., Ste. 551, 817.756.6920. Featuring popular Mexican dishes, Mi Chula's has adapted classic recipes to offer guests a menu with a flavor all its own. Perfect for families or working professionals, Mi Chula’s offers good food in a relaxed setting. 11am-9pm Sun-Thu.; 11am-9:30pm Fri. & Sat. $$ L D ✹

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 Sun. & Tue.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D ( ✹

seafood

arlinGtOn

Fish city Grill » 3900 Arlington Highlands Blvd.,

Honorary Chair Linda Morris Elsey and Chair Debbie Horton

invite

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-10pm Mon.Thu.; 11am–11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am- 9pm Sun. $-$$ L D ✹

Fort Worth

DADDY JACK’S » 353 Throckmorton St., 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.; 5pm-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D T ( ✹

EDDiE V’S » 3120 W. 7th St. 817.336.8000. This fine-dining establishment is perfectly nestled in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Diners can expect an award-winning menu with selections that are flown in daily, as well as an extensive wine list offering American and European vintages. Open daily at 4pm. $$$$ D T (✹

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. 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D ✹

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. $ L D ( ✹

PAPPADEAUX » 2708 W. Freeway, 817.877.8843. Other location: 1304 E. Copeland Rd., Arlington, 817.543.0544. Basic New Orleans-themed 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. $$ L D ( ✹

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.-Thur.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ✹

roCKFiSh » 3050 S. Hulen St., 817.738.3474. A seafood lover’s paradise in a good people-watching place. Tender pastas complement all the seafood choices, and the raspberry margarita is too tasty for words. 11am-9pm Sun.Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ✹

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.; 10am11pm Sat.; Noon-9pm Sun. $ L D ✹ SoUthLAKE

FiSh CitY GriLL » 2750 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 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.Thu.; 11am-1pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $-$$ L D ( ✹

trULUCK’S SEAFooD, StEAK & CrAB hoUSE » 1420 Plaza Pl., 817.912.0500. It’s all about the fresh seafood and tender crab at Truluck’s which features a weekly changing menu. 5pm-10pm daily. $$$ D T ( southwest

Fort Worth

BLUE MESA BAr & GriLL » 1600 S. University Dr., 817.332.6372 L D ( ✹. Other location: 158 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817.416.0055 L D ✹. 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. Fort Worth: 11am10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun.; Southlake: 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 10am-9pm 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. 11am-2:30pm Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm-10pm Tue.-Sat. $$$ L D (

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-2:30pm Tue.-Fri.; 5:30pm10pm Tue.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$$ L D ( ✹ LoNESoME DoVE WEStErN BiStro » 2406 N. Main St., 817.740.8810. A white-tablecloth dining establishment in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards. Chef/ owner Tim Love has brought together a collection of dishes that reflects the spirit of food from the traditional and new Southwest. We suggest the duck quesadillas and the coffee-rubbed kangaroo tail. 11:30am-2:30pm Tue.-Sat.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$$ L T ( ✹

MiChAELS rEStAUr ANt & ANCho ChiLE BAr » 3413 W. 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 Thur.-Sat. Chile Bar hours: 11am-11pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-1am Thu.-Fri.; 5pm-1am Sat. $ L D ( ✹

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. $$ L D T ( ✹ steaks

ArLiNGtoN

MAC’S StEAKS & SEAFooD » Arlington: 6077 I-20 W., 817.572.0541. Fort Worth: 2600 W. 7th St., Ste. 153, 817.332.6227. Colleyville: 5120 Hwy. 121, 817.318.6227. Trendy but casual pub featuring steaks and seafood. 10am-10pm Sun.; 11am-10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D (

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 Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$$ L D ( ✹ 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. 11am10:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 1pm-9pm Sun.

$$$ L D (

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. $$$ D T (

FUEGo » 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.4400. Try chef/owner Efrain Benitez’s Queso Fuego. This dish, ignited tableside, features cheese, jalapenos and ground beef. 11am-3pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Mon.-Sat. $$$ L D ( ✹

GrACE rEStAUrANt » 777 Main St., 817.877.3388. With fresh, bold flavors and high-quality ingredients, Grace serves modern American classics on its protein-driven menu. 5:30pm-9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri.Sat. Bar Hours 4pm-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 4pm-midnight Fri.; 5:30pm-midnight Sat. $$$$ D T ( ✹

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 car-

amely 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.-Thur.; 11am-1am Fri.; 9am-1am Sat.; 9ama-10pm Sun. $$$ L D T ( hoFFBrAU » 1712 S. University Dr., 817.870.1952. A relaxed setting that serves up good steaks, chargrilled pork chops, bacon-wrapped shrimp, fried pickles and banana pudding. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

thE KEG StEAKhoUSE & BAr » 576 S.W. Loop 820, 817.731.3534. Other location: 4001 Arlington Heights Blvd., #101, Arlington, 817.465.3700. 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. Fort Worth: 4pm-11pm Sun.-Thur.; 4pm-1am Fri.-Sat. Arlington: 11am-10pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat $$$ D (

LAMBErt’S » 2731 White Settlement Rd., 817.882.1161. Lambert’s serves bold ranch cuisine in a big city setting. Enjoy country cooking and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $$ D T ( ✹

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.Thur.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $$$ B L D T ( ✹

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. $$ D (

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.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$ L D (

rUth’S ChriS » 813 Main St., 817.348.0080. Ruth’s Chris famous steaks are seared to perfection at 1800 degrees and topped with fresh butter so they sizzle all the way to your table. 5pm-10 pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 5pm-9:30 pm Sun. $$$ D T (

ShULA’S 347 » Sheraton Hotel, 1701 Commerce St., 817.870.2700. Named after Hall of Fame football coach Don Shula, this high-end steakhouse with a sporty flair offers everything from salads to burgers to its famous Shula Cut steaks. 6:30am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 6:30 am-11pm Fri.Sat. $$ B L D T (

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. 4pm-10pm Mon.Sat. $$$ D T (

GrAPEViNE /SoUthLAKE/CoLLEYViLLE

J.r.’S StEAKhoUSE » 5400 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. $$$ D T (

KirBY’S StEAKhoUSE » 3305 E. Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.410.2221. A fine dining experience featuring primeaged, bone-in ribeye and pepper steak. Excellent seafood, as well. 4:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 4:30pm-11pm Fri.Sat. $$$ D T (

Bringing Hope to Troops

Bob Hope and Doris Day, who visited Carswell Air Force Base in 1949 to pay tribute to the troops, look on as Neville G. Penrose, president of the TCU Frog Club at the time, autographs the body of a jet airplane. Carswell AFB was originally known as Tarrant Field Airdome, which was established as a military installation in 1942 for flight training and heavy bomber operations. In 1946, the Strategic Air Command assumed control of the installation, and the base became the headquarters for the 8th Air Force. Soon after, in 1948, the base was renamed Carswell AFB in honor of Fort Worth native Maj. Horace S. Carswell. Today, the base is known as Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB).

Jan. 5,

1949

Bob Hope and Doris Day at Carswell Air Force Base

www.parkplacetexas.com

Driven by Excellence

Brothers Nandy Pranav and Dilip Pranav understand the importance of providing exceptional quality and unsurpassed service to demanding clients. As the co-CEOs of Chase Hospitality LLC, the brothers manage a host of hotels for Marriott and Hilton. Their exacting standards ensure that each of the properties within their care are positioned within the top 10 percent of quality rankings. Their newest endeavor, a Hilton Garden Inn sited at Highway 114 and Main Street in Grapevine, is no exception.

And when such excellence drives your career, it also drives your choice in autos, which is why both Nandy and Dilip drive a Lexus LS 460 purchased from Park Place Lexus Grapevine. “You can’t go wrong with the quality of the LS 460,” Nandy said. “Everything about the car is absolutely fantastic.”

The Pranavs, who also trust their family members to Lexus, have purchased a combined total of 19 vehicles from Park Place since 1996. The brothers return to the dealership for a host of reasons, namely the personalized service for which Park Place is known. “The personalized service is key, and they have the best service department I know of,” Nandy said. It’s this commitment to excellence that sets Park Place apart and guarantees the Pranav brothers will continue to frequent Park Place for many years to come.