Fort Worth Magazine - July 2010

A Peek Inside the Palko Palace

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10 Publisher’s Letter

58 Goodwill » North Texans take the initiative to help the American Cancer Society fund cutting edge research in the fight against a dread disease. –by Heather Noel

62 Diners and Dives » What’s in a Name? It’s what’s inside a restaurant that counts.

64 Heywood » When things get really bad, you can always live in your car — if you follow a few simple rules.

66 Up Close » Connie Gauntt: Fly fisher – by Diana Kunde

68 PG Suggested » Teenaged Girls: The mood swings come so quickly that a parent can get whiplash.

13fwbeat

14 Lowdown » Events in the news that are shaping the face of Tarrant County

16 Business » Checking in on the business of business in and around Fort Worth

18 Arts and Culture » News from the world of writers, artists, musicians as well as museums and the performing arts

21fwliving

22 Style » Mirrored furniture, golden accessories and metallic accents bring the sun inside your home to create warmth in any room. – by Sheridan French

24 Health & Beauty » Visible signs of aging skin are partially out of our control, but those that can be controlled can make a significant difference in appearance. – by Jennifer Casseday-Blair

26 Active Lifestyle » Reel World Guide to Texas fishing –by Jennifer Casseday-Blair

28 Cooking » Turn Up the Heat: Hatching a plan to cel-

ebrate the arrival of world-famous New Mexican chiles – by Judie Byrd

71fwsnapshots

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

103fwevents

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

109fwdish

110 Now Open » A peek inside new culinary ventures in and around town

112 Restaurant Review » Our resident critic dishes on the area’s most notable restaurants.

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

128flashback

The backstory behind the people and events that shaped our city

MeeT our exTended TeaM MeMbers

We are proud to introduce our new fashion editor, Sheridan French. Her focus on interior design elements can be seen on page 22 of this issue. While Sheridan was born and raised in Fort Worth, she made her way across the pond for college. While attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, she began assisting with fashion show production as well as modeling and designing her own collections. Sheridan also worked for the Prada Press o ffice in London, and although she misses London dearly, she is happy to be back in Texas with new roots firmly planted.

married to her own Prince Charming, Bo, she is busy raising an adorable son, not to mention a plethora of animals. She is currently working on design and production of her own clothing line, Sheridan French, and enjoying her new blog, The Southern eclectic, sheridanfrench.blogspot.com.

Diana Kunde is a seasoned journalist whose stories have appeared in the Dallas Morning News, DCEO magazine and Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, among others. A former business editor, she’s also an avid fly fisher – which made it really fun, she said, to interview Connie Gauntt, whom she profiles in this issue’s Up Close feature (page 66). An Arlington resident, Diana is a Texas master Naturalist and a member of Texas Women Fly Fishers, which is why she was perfect for this feature since Connie is an avid fly fisher as well and holds a world record from the International Game Fish Association.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in The Friend (1828), wrote: “The dwarf sees farther than the giant, when he has the giant’s shoulder to mount on.” Writer Gail Bennison believes this quote illustrates that successful people stand on the shoulders of their mentors.

“mentors are a critical part of the success of young professionals,” Bennison said. “I have had several, and I mentor others if asked. I don’t really know how anyone gets anywhere in life without one.”

The executives and young professionals in “Visionaries” (begins on page 50) certainly agree with Bennison. Four forward-thinking Tarrant businesses were honored with Vision Fort Worth’s 20/20 Awards in may for commitments to attracting, retaining and engaging young professionals who will be our future leaders.

For more than 15 years, Alison Rich has been penning stories about the people and places that make Fort Worth tick. This month, in addition to her feature on in-home wine cellars (page 44), she writes about a breathtaking abode that’s much more than meets the eye.

Standing as testament to the power of learning and enlightenment, The Palko Palace (page 32) is as elegant as it is erudite, as sumptuous as it is well schooled. education, its owner says, is behind it all. So what’s behind Alison’s inspiration to pursue a writing career? Fittingly, her english teacher at eastern Hills High School, Susan Hotard.

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 Paul K. Harral, executive editor, at pharral@fwtexas.com.

publisher hal a. brown

associate publisher diane stow

editorial

executive editor paul k. harral

assistant editor jennifer casseday-blair

senior art director craig sylva

art directors spray gleaves, ed woolf

fashion editor sheridan french

food editor judie byrd

food critic camille torres

writers gail bennison, alison rich, diana kunde

illustrator charles marsh

editorial interns will dewitt, lauren farrelly, melody

mack, heather noel

staff photographer jason kindig

photographers sandy tomlinson

photography interns daniel silverman, andrew young, dustin kunze

director of promotions kathy mills

promotion interns melanie lynch, meredith vanderver

advertising main line 817.560.6111

advertising director diane stow x131

advertising account supervisor gina burns-wigginton x150

senior account executive marion c. knight x135

account executive gail cannon x141

account executive candis low x155

account executive carole myer x126

advertising writer shalene roberts

advertising interns drew baker, kelly leito, ashley smit

circulation

accounting manager evelyn shook

office assistant amanda graham

founding publisher mark hulme

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

fort worth, texas: the city’s magazine is published monthly by fort worth, texas magazine Venture, LP, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Suite 130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116.

Basic subscription price: $23.95 per year. Single copy price: $3.95. Application to mail at periodical postage rates is pending at Fort Worth, Texas.

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how to contact us

For questions or comments concerning editorial content, contact Paul K. Harral, executive editor, at 817.560.6140 or via e-mail at pharral@fwtexas.com.

We find rewards where others forget to look.

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you talk, we listen

No Laughing Matter

Just wanted to drop you a note regarding the article on Four Day Weekend by Jennifer CassedayBlair (See: Extemporaneous Expression, June 2010, P. 50). It was AWESOME! Thank you so much. Seldom have we been characterized so well. —David Wilk, Four Day Weekend, Fort Worth

On Track

I just received the June 2010 edition of Fort Worth, Texas magazine. I love it! I enjoyed the relevant topics, article sizes and skillful handling of the subjects. I believe you are on target for making this “the Fort Worth Leader’s handbook.” —

Michael Dallas, Fort Worth

Not Just Buyers

My son was jumped at a Fort Worth bar by two other guys April 9. I was in town for the weekend and left the bar about an hour before the incident! Luckily, he was not badly injured — busted lip, black eye, knot on the side of his head — and his friends quickly came to

his assistance. They supposedly arrested one, and the word was that they were “gypsies.”

I had never heard of them before and just read your article in the May issue (See: Buyer Beware, May 2010, P. 48). It was very interesting and informative.

Is this also the kind of thing they might participate in? The owners said several bars have been having problems with them coming and picking fights.

I really appreciate your reporting of this and opening my eyes to this part of Fort Worth! I had no idea of the history of these groups. I think everyone should be made aware. Thank you! —

Debbie Harrison, Shreveport, La.

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

On the WEB

This month on fwtx.com Culinary Awards: We want your votes for the 2010 Culinary Awards. The article is scheduled later in the year, but we want to give you plenty of time to tell us your favorites. So balloting will end around October.

Best of 2010. Save the date. We are rolling out the red carpet for the very best Fort Worth has to offer at our Best Of party on Aug. 14 at Casa Manana. For more information or to RSVP for the party, e-mail kmills@ fwtexas.com.

A Monthly Blessing

WOW! How blessed we are in Fort Worth to have such an awesome, creative and interesting hometown magazine! My husband and I fight over who gets to read it first! I love Hugh, Shauna and Jody’s articles! And I think you all are the most giving, generous people to support so many non-profit organizations in Fort Worth with your advertising. We at Jewel Charity are some of your greatest fans! — Debby and Chip Brown, Fort Worth

Jenkins on Colonial

Thanks for making Dan Jenkins’ wit available to we “hackers.”

(See: Colonial’s Rich Heritage, May 2010, P. 39) I enjoyed Co-

Casey James. To read a full transcript of his interview with Executive Editor Paul K. Harral, go to fwtx.com.

Let’s be Friends. Become a fan of the magazine on facebook.com and chat with hundreds of local

fans, view videos from our signature events, browse photos from some of our most talked about stories and stay updated on our many upcoming events.

Virtual Issues. Just in case you are the last

lonial this year as never before because of these insights! — Mac Churchill, Fort Worth

Junior League Revealed

I think your readers will be surprised to know the impact the Junior League has had in our community. (See: A Legendary League of Leading Ladies, June 2010, P. 86) What a tribute to the Junior League leaders, past and present! — Brook Whitworth, Fort Worth

CORRECTIONS: Lilium Floral Design is at 4800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville. Tailoring by Rios is at 6717 Calmont Ave., Fort Worth. The addresses were incorrect in the June 2010 Best Of list.

one in town who forgot to pick up a copy of the magazine, don’t fret. Now you have access to the virtual edition on our Web site. Flip through pages to read more about the great city of Fort Worth by visiting fwtx.com.

Hal A. Brown Publisher

Loyalty, History and Rivalry

Usually the publisher’s note references a feature story, or other stories in the magazine, but not this month.

As this issue went to press, the University of Texas had announced it would stay with the Big 12. Prior to the UT decision that kept the conference together, Baylor fans (Baylor being the weakest team in the conference at this time) across the country were holding their collective breath and fearing the worst. What would happen to them? Without the influence of the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards, would they get an invite to join the Pac-10, and, if not, where would they go?

I remember this feeling all too well back when the hallowed Southwest Conference came to an end after more than 80 years of storied history. The sick feeling I had in my stomach, as it became clear that our Fort Worth Horned Frogs were going to be left out in the cold, quickly turned into a bad taste in my mouth. Although TCU was arguably one of the weaker teams at the time, the Frogs were trending the right direction, having shared the SWC football championship with Texas the previous year. Plus, TCU had two national championship football trophies in the trophy case, not to mention a Heisman.

When the nightmare became reality in 1996, and the conference dismantled, many TCU fans went through the five stages of grief.

Denial: “There is no way that they will break-up the SWC after 80 years.” Anger: “This is not happening. How can they do this! And, how can they possibly take Baylor and not TCU? This is not fair!” Bargaining: “OK, what do we need to do to show you we deserve to be in the Big 12? Tell us and we’ll do it.” Depression: “I can’t believe what just happened.” And, finally, Acceptance: “Well, at least we’ll be a big fish in a smaller pond and have a stronger chance of winning consistently” (said with a soft, downtrodden and humbled voice, as fans with bruised egos tried their best to find any good out of this bad situation.)

Since the SWC breakup, the once humbled voices of TCU fans have strengthened into strong ones, confident and pride-filled as they discuss the Frog’s winning ways. And there’s been a lot of winning.

In football, TCU has been in a bowl game nine out of

the last 10 years; won six conference championships; won five out of seven match-ups with Big 12 teams; and been ranked in the Top 25 in the country for seven of the last nine years, ending up seventh in 2008 and sixth in 2009.

In baseball, the Frogs have made it to the NCAA baseball tournament the last six years in a row under the leadership of head coach Jim Scholossnagle. And, in Austin in early June, they beat the second-ranked Longhorns to earn the school’s first trip to the College World Series.

I could list the wins over the last 14 years in the other 18 varsity sports, but I think you get the point. No one is kicking sand in TCU’s face any more and getting away with it.

By the time you read this, the fallout of the major college conference realignments will most likely be complete, and TCU will not be joining the Big 12. The factors that influenced the decision for the Big 12 not to take TCU 14 years ago are the same factors that will influence league realignment today.

Back then, I was an old school purist who wanted to believe that college presidents, athletic directors and board’s of regents cared about history and rivalries. What I know now is that it’s not about being loyal to a conference and keeping colors like purple, burnt orange and maroon together, but much more about bringing greenbacks into the university coffers — at any cost. That is reality.

If TCU gets picked-up by a BCS conference in this current realignment, great. If not, in two years when the four-year evaluation period ends, the landscape will have changed again and the BCS powers-that-be (not our former SWC school administrators) will have a hard time justifying keeping TCU out of an automatic qualifying conference, even if that means adding The Mountain West as a guaranteed BCS qualifier.

Until then, Fort Worth, let’s all enjoy the winning.

P.S. As a side note, having played football at TCU for four years, I am biased toward the Frogs, as you can probably tell. I realize that there are more Longhorns, Red Raiders, Aggies and Sooner alumni in Fort Worth than there are Horned Frogs. But … may I suggest that unless the Frogs are playing your alma mater, you jump on the Frog bus. After all, the Frogs are your hometown team.

Good Dog, Good Dog

Calamity Jane works at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth as a therapy dog. That’s heroic all by itself. Throw in that she also has only three legs - one was lost when she was shot and dumped in Somervell County - and the story gets even better.`

But she’s a bona fide hero on top of all of that.

Calamity Jane was recognized in March by the Humane Society of the United States as the first runner-up in its Third Annual Dogs of Valor - and No. 1 in the People’s Hero online vote.

Calamity Jane belongs to Homer and Shar Pauley of Aledo.

Calamity Jane was still recovering from the amputation on a cold January night when Shar took her outside. Calamity Jane bolted to a neighbor’s yard and began barking and growling. Shar heard a car door slam and saw an automobile speed out of the neighbor’s driveway.

“Minutes later, the neighbor came to their door and asked them to call 911,” the Humane Society said on its Web site. “ His family and guests, including two children, had been held at gunpoint for close to an hour during a violent home invasion. But when the intruders heard Calamity Jane, they yelled to one another that there were people outside and quickly fled the terror stricken home.”

Shot and left for dead, she may well have kept that from happening to her owners’ neighbor. — FWTX Staff

A Special Season

Well, that was a scare.

But all is well even if the Super Regional against Texas stretched over three games. TCU is going to the College World Series for the first time in its history.

We have to confess we had hoped for a sweep.

Magazine deadlines being what they are, by the time you read this you will know how TCU fared in the Men’s College World Series in Omaha. Those games began June

18. We’ll revisit that in next month’s edition.

But we at least wanted to say well done to the 2010 Frogs.

Regardless of the outcome in Omaha, it’s a season for the books.

Beating Texas on its home field is no small accomplishment.

And neither are these numbers:

2 Consecutive years TCU finished in football’s Top 10 AND made the Super Regionals in baseball.

3 Other schools with a Top 10 football program and a baseball team in Super Regionals - Alabama, Florida and Texas.

3 Schools that did that last year - TCU, Texas and Florida.

Voice of Country

Warm up those computers — in a hurry. You’ll want to vote for Bob Kingsley of Weatherford for the National Radio Hall of Fame’s 2010 awards. The Hall of Fame says that he’s “known as the syndicated voice of country music.” Kingsley has hosted a country-music countdown show since 1978. It’s now called Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40. For 16 straight years — starting in 1987 — Billboard magazine named his show the top syndicated country program.

Online voting began June 14 and ends Aug. 1. Voting is free and open to the public at radiohof.org, but you do have to register. — FWTX Staff

Funny, You Don’t Look 75

But it is true — the Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant which gave us — among other things, the 1990 Life Magazine image of pageant czar, B. Don Magness sitting in a bubble bath smoking a cigar — celebrates its diamond anniversary this year.

Controversial he was, but during his tenure both Phyllis George in 1971 and Shirley Cothran in 1975 went on to become Miss America. They are this year’s honorary co-chairs.

The first state pageant, sponsored by Texas Jaycees, was held in 1939. It moved from city to city until 1962, when the Fort Worth Jaycees brought it to Fort Worth almost permanently. We say almost, because it moved to Arlington last year. It’s still in the county, at least.

Preliminary competition is June 28-30 at the University of Texas at Arlington in Texas Hall. On July 1, there’ll be a reception honoring all former contestants and their families and guests, as well as all volunteers from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel-Arlington. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Final competition is July 2, also at Texas Hall, at 7 p.m.

For more information and to order tickets, visit misstexas.org.

B. Don would be proud. Except for that bit about moving out of Fort Worth. — FWTX Staff

Reflect Your Own Personal Style

Western cuisine. The restaurant’s fine-dining atmosphere is balanced by a comfortable environment that seems to breed good times.

“I like to say I always have a 100-foot circle of fun around me to make sure we are all having a good time,” said Love.

Anything west of the Mississippi River, Love claimed, is game for new ideas in his distinct mixture of ingredients; the world is his playground for inspiration. With a menu that changes daily, one signa-

Love’s Lonesome Dove

Celebrating a delicious decade

by Melody Mack

Over 10 years, the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro has claimed fame through an awardwinning chef, unique signature dishes and a distinctive atmosphere. Located in the celebrated Stockyards District, Chef Tim Love’s dream of making a classy Western adventure has become a successful reality. He began his passion as a means of paying for college, and,

after graduating from the University of Tennessee, quickly found other ways to satisfy his pleasure.

Working at numerous places from Colorado to Texas and winning multiple awards along the way, this zealous go-getter opened a place to call his own in June 2000.

Now, the first of five restaurants for Love, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro has become a staple attraction.

With the help of his wife, Emilie, and long-time friend Jim Brown, Love was able to create his vision as a flare of his down-home roots combined with unique urban

Salute to a Legend

If you have a guest in town and they want Mexican food and you can take them to only one restaurant, odds are that you’ll pick Joe T. Garcia’s. That way, when they are talking to friends about visiting Fort Worth, they are likely to have at least that in common.

Joe T’s is legendary in Fort Worth. And it will be 75 years old on July 4.

The restaurant started with room for

ture dish that can always be found is his famous roasted garlic stuffed beef tenderloin. While any customer may be excited about trying new combinations such as rabbitrattlesnake sausage or seared ostrich nachos, the tenderloin has become a local favorite.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Lonesome Dove has gone from an optimistic staff of 60 to employing more than 200. With no intentions of slowing down, Love wants the

only 16 guests but grew rapidly until, by the 1970s, it was one of the most popular and widely known restaurants in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Today, the expansive garden area and additional buildings can handle more than 1,000 people. But the recipes and the cooking style haven’t changed much, and the third generation is carrying on the tradition of the business.

business to continue growing. He’s always looking for new opportunities in food that will allow his cuisine to move forward. Not only is this restaurant scene a fun place to entertain family and friends, but Love has also enjoyed hosting many large dining occasions.

Recently, Food and Wine Magazine Editor Kate Krader and Tim Love hosted a promotional evening for Belvedere Vodka. Belvedere mixologist Claire Smith created distinct spirited concoctions that paired beautifully with each of Love's seven courses. The evening just added to Lonesome Dove’s ever growing popularity.

“You cannot have a restaurant without people, and Fort Worth has been very good to me,” Love said. “It is exciting how Fort Worth has supported and embraced all the new things we have brought to the city, and I am very fortunate to have this kind of support and success.”

In recent years, Joe T’s has toned down the lethality of its margaritas somewhat. But it still doesn’t take credit cards. Remember that the next time you take a large party there.

Oh, there may be a waiting line. Be patient. You’re entering the hallowed ground of a Fort Worth landmark. Happy 75th, Joe T’s. Here’s to 75 more years. At least. — Fort Worth, Texas staff

fwbeat:culture

your map to the arts » by Jennifer casseday-Blair

Strokes of Genius

Leonardo da Vinci’s magnitude of diverse brilliance extended far beyond the scientific and artistic horizons of his time.

Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History makes sense of a complicated man in the form of an impressive exhibition.

Upon first entering the exhibit, a broad overview of da Vinci’s life is given as a timeline expanding two walls divided into multiple layers of his expertise. Although da Vinci lacked a formal education, he was able to use his gifts of observation and insight to master a multitude of subjects.

Da Vinci is mostly remembered for creating some of the greatest paintings in the history of art. But the artwork represents only a fraction of the overall exhibit and is presented creatively in a church-like setting, complete with stained glass windows and pews where visitors may sit to view a video on the artist. Reproductions of da Vinci’s well-known paintings were there, including the immortal Mona Lisa, but sadly the Last Supper was absent due to a lack of space.

After viewing da Vinci’s art, visitors are next introduced to his inventions. Using the drawings and instructions in da Vinci’s notebooks and journals, skilled Italian craftsmen created more than 60 replicas of his most innovative designs including flying machines, submarines, underwater breathing gear, solar powered devices and robots. Many of the models are interactive, and guests can manipu-

Preserving History

Fort Worth master craftsman and builder Brent Hull’s expertise guides architectural admirers through 20 of the 175 rooms in the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate in his latest book, Traditional American Rooms: Celebrating Style, Craftsmanship, and Historic Woodwork.

Located in Delaware’s Brandywine Valley, Winter -

late them for a better understanding of their purpose. We may never fully decipher the mystery of this amazing intellect, and maybe we were never intended to, but da Vinci’s legacy inspires and challenges us still today with lingering influences in art, military devices, aviation, engineering and medical science.

Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius Through Sept. 6

Tickets: $14 Adults, $10 Children and Seniors fwmuseum.org, 817.255.9540

thur was built as an American version of European country houses. The home of Henry Francis du Pont, horticulturist and avid admirer of antiques, features architecture from the Georgian and Federal periods.

Du Pont developed a passion for Americana and amassed an unmatched collection with antiques dating from 1640 to 1860. He commissioned architects to recreate rooms from various architectural periods as showcases for his anthology.

The resulting museum opened to the public in 1951. After visiting Winterthur in 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy asked du Pont to head the Fine Arts Committee, which included overseeing the

restoration of the White House.

Du Pont’s vision for Winterthur was driven by his desire to prove country houses could survive and thrive in America.

After receiving his degree in preservation carpentry from the North Bennett Street School in Boston, Hull founded Hull Historic Millwork, “an architectural millwork company specializing in the design and creation of historically accurate molding, paneled walls, mantels, cabinetry, doors and windows for custom homes.”

Hull is the exclusive millwork provider of architectural interiors for Winterthur. He understands that, “many old techniques have been lost throughout the years, but the greatest masters left

clues in the form of architecture, sketches and pattern books.”

He’s familiar to readers of Fort Worth, Texas magazine.Hull Watson Custom Homes built the magazine’s 2004 Dream Home.

And the company also built the 2008 Historic Fort Worth Inc. Charity Designer Showhouse, “Readbourne,” in the likeness of Winterthur.

Singer/actress Barbra Streisand wrote the foreword for Hull’s book, recognizing his passion for transforming a design into quality craftsmanship.

The book educates the reader on each period’s elements and style through Hull’s commentary on architectural aspects.

— Lauren Farrelly

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fwliving:style

Brighten Up

Bring the beauty of the sun inside with mirrored furniture, golden accessories and metallic accents to create warmth in any room of your home.

Adding mirrors instantly brightens a space and creates an enormous amount of light. Mirrored chests and nightstands in a bedroom add a touch of soft yet shimmering elegance.

Set off the beauty of mirrored furniture with equally outstanding metallic accents. A sunburst mirror illuminates any space beautifully and can work in a myriad of design schemes from traditional to contemporary. Paired with items that share its nature theme - such as a golden branched candelabra, fresh orchids or a Chinoiserie screen featuring a bird and floral

motif - each element compliments and enhances the other. Antique nesting tables add character to a room and do not need to be surrounded solely by other antiques. The dichotomy of the old and new works beautifully here.

With these additions, your home should exude luxury that is modern yet timeless and welcome guests into a gracious space that is casual, inviting and glamorous.

*A very special thanks to Villa de Leon for the use of its elegant space.

1920s Florentine Nesting Tables, $650, House of Tuscany, houseoftuscany.com Gold Branch Candelabra, $510, Domain XCIV, domainxciv.com

Mirrored Back Chair, $1,035, Domain XCIV, domainxciv.com

Sunburst Mirror, $280, DH Collection, dhcollection.com

Florentine Tissue Box, $125, House of Tuscany, houseoftuscany.com

Framed Yellow Bird Picture, $45, Domain XCIV, domainxciv.com

Decorative Cross, $22, Domain XCIV, domainxciv.com

Mirrored Chest of Drawers, $1,350, Chiffoniers, 817.731.8545

Gold Decorative Shells, $22, DH Collection, dhcollection.com

Mirrored Coffee Table, $1,620, DH Collection, dhcollection.com

14-Panel Chinoiserie Screen, $12,000, Herringbone Home, herringbomehome.com

Brass Serving Tray, $380, Domain XCIV, domainxciv.com

Faux Orchid Arrangement, $80, Domain XCIV, domainxciv.com

fwliving:health & beauty

creating allure both inside and out » by Jennifer casseday-blair

Forever Young

Is it possible to maintain a youthful glow without visiting the land of chemical peels, BOTOX injections, laser treatments and face-lifts?

While it is inevitable that collagen and elastin will eventually break down in the skin, lifestyle alternatives to cosmetic procedures can make significant differences in overall appearance. The visible signs of getting older stem from either intrinsic or extrinsic factors. The genes we inherit that lead to how we age are known as intrinsic. However, we have control over extrinsic aging, such as exposure to the sun’s rays, how much sleep we are getting and whether or not we smoke.

Dark Side of the Sun: It cannot be emphasized enough that consistent ongoing protection from UV exposure is essential in order to prevent sun damage and protect rejuvenated skin from further damage. Dr. Stephen Maberry, dermatologist at Fort Worth Dermatology Associates, says that the sun damages the skin through both direct ultraviolet damage to the DNA as well as the production of free radicals. “The ultraviolet damage thins collagen and elastic tissue leading to premature aging of the skin. Sunscreens should be broad-spectrum meaning that they cover both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B portions of the light spectrum,” Maberry says. He also recommends using an SPF 15 for routine daily use and an SPF 30 or higher when engaged in an activity where there will be significant sun exposure.

Thirsty Skin

Beauty Sleep: How you sleep at night can affect whether you will develop fine lines and wrinkles. For those sleeping on their sides, lines will most likely appear on the chin and cheeks from resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night. These lines are much less likely for those who sleep on their backs.

The National Sleep Foundation says that although research cannot pinpoint the exact amount of sleep that people need, seven to nine hours is a good rule of thumb. Maberry says, “Skin repair mechanisms are active all the time, but there is some evidence that these repair mechanisms may be slightly

Many skin care products actually contain ingredients that can damage the skin over time. With so many moisturizers promising instant results, it is important to find a skin care cream that provides all-day, all-night moisture and has anti-aging effects like the following products:

Relastin Ultra Emollient, $99, relastin.com

Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra Lift, $16.99, Walgreens

Aveeno Positively Ageless Lifting and Firming Moisturizer, $19.99, Walgreens

more active during sleep. The most immediate effects of lack of sleep may include puffiness or bags under the eyes.”

Butts Out: Smoking can speed up the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. While the skin wrinkles may not be reversible, you can prevent worsening of wrinkling by quitting smoking now.

The nicotine in cigarettes causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. This impairs blood flow to your skin. With less blood flow, your skin doesn’t get as much oxygen and important nutrients, such as vitamin A. Many of the 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke also damage collagen and elastin. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely because of smoking.

Maberry says that the chemicals, which are known as carcinogens, can increase the chances for skin cancer. He also adds, “The physical actions of repeatedly pursing the lips as well as squinting to keep smoke out of the eyes can increase facial wrinkles.”

fwliving:active lifestyle

get the most out of life » by Jennifer casseday-Blair

The Reel World

A practical guide to Texas fishing

Recreational fishing laws and restrictions can be quite confusing even to the most avid angler. Fishers also commonly get into a rut — visiting the same spots, using the same lures and utilizing the same tired techniques. Re-evaluating and adapting can make the difference between a fish fry and an empty stringer.

Fish Facts

» It is unlawful to clean your catch until the fish is on the mainland (not including piers, jetties).

» Visitors to Texas State Parks can fish without a license.

» It is illegal to be in possession of a number of fish that exceeds the daily limit while actually fishing.

» A fishing license is required of anyone who fishes in the public waters of Texas. All persons under 17 years of age, whether Texas residents or non-residents, are exempt from license requirements.

» It is unlawful to leave fish taken from the public waters of the state to die without the intent to retain the fish for consumption or bait.

Highest Rated Texas Lakes

The following lakes have been rated a score of 8.0 or higher out of a possible 10 for successful fishing by Guide to Texas Outside, texasoutside.com.

» Lake Texoma

» Lake Austin

» Sam Rayburn Reservoir

» Lake Whitney

» Lake Conroe

» Possom Kingdom Reservoir

» Lake Murray

Statewide Bag and Length Limits for Freshwater Fish

Catfish:

Catfish:

Crappie:

Sunfish:

*All information was provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife, tpwd.state.tx.us.

fwliving:cooking

Judie Byrd

Turn Up the Heat

It’s always a good time of year when Hatch chiles are in season.

And yes, also hot. That’s because it’s summer’s heat that coaxes chiles to ripen. Hatch chiles are named after the New Mexico town that is their growing headquarters. Their harvest begins in July and lasts through the first frost of the year.

Come August, Hatch festivals will start popping up, including our own at Central Market. Fort Worth chile fans will be scooping up dozens of fresh and freshly roasted Hatches to devour immediately or freeze for later in the year.

Use these recipes to launch your Hatch adventure. Before you know it, you’ll be adding these green treasures to all kinds of food, creating Hatch dishes of your own.

When fresh

Hatch chiles aren’t in season, find the canned version in your grocery store.

did you know?

Chile peppers are actually a fruit from the Capsicum plant. Hatch chiles are grown in Hatch, N.M., look similar to Anaheim chiles and are from the same family. New Mexico farmers are constantly developing new versions of the Hatch chile with varying heat and taste. chile with an “e” at the end is the spanish spelling. Chili with an “i” at the end is the Americanized version.

Open FAce cHile cHicken-BAcOn MelTs

Yield: 4 sandwiches

inGRedienTs:

4 large slices country bread

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons minced cilantro

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and thinly sliced

8 slices bacon, cut in half and cooked crisp

4 Hatch chiles, roasted, peeled, and seeded

8 slices ripe tomato

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1. Preheat broiler. Place bread slices on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, cilantro, chili powder and granulated garlic. Spread 1

tablespoon on each bread slice and layer on sliced chicken, bacon, chiles, tomato slices and cheese. Place 1 tablespoon remaining mayonnaise mixture in several small dollops on top of each sandwich.

2. Broil sandwiches, 5-6 inches from heating coils, until cheese is melted. Turn off broiler and let sandwiches sit in warm oven 5 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.

• Single,

• Exclusive

fwliving:cooking

Green Chile

GazpaCho

Yield: 4 servings

inGreDienTS:

4 ripe tomatoes, chopped

4 green onions, chopped

2-3 Hatch chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped

2 cloves garlic

1 cucumber, chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

2 cups tomato juice

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients. (Can be done in batches if necessary.)

Pulse a few times, until coarsely chopped. If you want a smoother soup, pulse again. Check for salt and pepper, adding more if needed.

haTCh apple pie wiTh

Caramel SauCe

YielD: 1, 10-inch pie to serve

8-10

inGreDienTS:

6-8 large baking apples such as Granny Smith, Cortland, Braeburn, Pippin

Zest and juice of 1 orange

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

4-6 Hatch chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 recipe Tender Piecrust (recipe follows)

1 egg, mixed with 1 tablespoon water to form an egg glaze

2 tablespoons sugar for sprinkling on top of pie

Caramel Sauce (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Place a large baking sheet on the bottom shelf.

2. Peel, core and slice apples thinly. Place in a large bowl and toss with orange zest and juice and butter. In a small bowl, stir together sugars, flour, cinnamon and salt. Toss with apple mixture. Stir in corn syrup and chiles.

3. Roll out one piece of pie dough and line pie pan. Pile in entire apple mixture, mounding the top. Roll out second piece of pie dough and place on top of apple, forming a cross-hatch if desired. Pinch both pieces of dough together and flute around the edges. Brush top with egg glaze and sprinkle with sugar. Place pie on baking sheet in oven and bake 35 minutes or until top crust is golden brown. At this time, cover top with foil and bake another 45-55 minutes (1 1/2 hours total baking time). Serve warm with Caramel Sauce.

TenDer pieCruST

YielD: 2, 10-inch crusts

inGreDienTS:

3 cups flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 egg

8-10 tablespoons ice water

1 teaspoon vinegar

1. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter and shortening until the size of small peas. In a small bowl, beat together egg, 8 tablespoons ice water, and vinegar. Add to flour mixture and use a fork to toss and stir lightly until mixture gathers together in a ball, adding more water if needed.

2. Divide dough in half, forming each half into a flat disk. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 20 minutes. Roll out as needed.

Caramel SauCe

YielD: about 1 cup

inGreDienTS:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring butter, evaporated milk and sugar to a simmer, stirring often to keep from scorching. Turn heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Byrd is founder of The Culinary School of Fort Worth and host of Judie Byrd’s Kitchen, seen daily on Family Net Cable. For details, check out judiebyrd.com.

Special thanks to Central Market for the beautiful salad ingredients.

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The Palko Palace

A crème de la crème of the architectural crop, this Frenchinspired chateau is an intellectually inspired place where all that glitters is so much more than gold.

By Alison Rich

It really doesn’t matter if you have a map or not. Heck, you don’t even have to know the address. Just ask the sentry at the front gates. Follow the road until you see the castle, he says, unblinking. You can’t miss it. He wasn’t lying. That road to which he was referring is the main drag through tony Mira Vista, a sylvan golf course community known for its pristine greens, picturesque views and real estate of the most un-petite proportions. But while the homes are by all definitions larger than the average lair, their largesse pales next to this palatial place. Its exterior styled after traditional palaces in the Loire Valley of France, the regal residence holds dominion over the site. Suffused with a beauty that isn’t just skin deep, it’s unlike any house in these parts … indeed, in most parts.

But beyond all the pomp and circumstance lay a belle maison that oozes sense and sensibility. The interior a trove of European influences and antiquities dating back centuries, it’s an impeccably curated museum filled with stories every bit as rich as the opulence surrounding them.

Serious collectors of European furnishings and other objets d’art, Betsy and Steve Palko spent many a day envisioning the sort of home befitting their treasured collections. Over 17 years, they scooped up relics from shops in Germany, London and Paris and from auctions at Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

Two years in the design/planning phase, the 18,000-square-foot house took four years — and four lots, no less — to build.

Each space is based on a particular time period in European history — from the days of King Louis XIV to Marie Antoinette to gothic England and 1900s Art Nouveau.

“I’ve always been a fan of history and philosophy and things academic,” Steve said. “It’s fun and interesting and like putting yourself back in time. And my wife loves it too. She had a hand in the design. We did it together.”

The couple, who shares the house with three kids and two cats, endeavored to make the entire array as period-correct as possible.

They say a man’s home is his castle, but that axiom takes on a whole new meaning at the Palko house.

But there is a sub-theme running throughout the house that the casual observer might not notice. It is education and Palko’s devotion to it.

Even as a small child, Palko was somewhat of a Renaissance man. While others were shooting marbles while shooting the breeze, his pursuits tended toward the scholarly sort.

His dad an Army officer, the El Paso native spent the first eight years of his life in Europe, hopscotching from palace to palace to pass the time. But even at that tender age, Palko saw past the posh accouterments and incalculable riches. Instead, they stirred within him a deep enamor of organic craftsmanship wrought painstakingly by a steady hand. And beyond that, their almost palpable connection to history entranced him.

It was during those formative years that the seeds of education were planted. And they truly started germinating at, of all places, a dusty truck stop off Interstate 10.

Palko and his parents eventually headed back to El Paso — a far cry from the castles and kingdoms of England and France that had so fascinated him as a boy. While Palko was in high school, his parents divorced. To help make ends meet, he worked as a busboy at a Chevron truck stop off Interstate 10 — and ultimately got fired. “The person doing my exit interview said, ‘You not being able to be a successful busboy at a truck stop makes you less

than nothing,’ ” Palko recalled.

Those few words strengthened his resolve to better his life through higher education. Palko put himself through college and earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, an institution of which he speaks fondly. “It made this impression on me about the importance of education — to not be trapped in the circumstances you’re in — and that through educational opportunities, you can improve your stead.”

A few weeks after graduation, Palko went to work for Exxon as a petroleum engineer. A cultural connoisseur at heart, though, he never shed his inherent love of liberal arts or his profound esteem for educational pursuits. He was an engineer by trade and a humanist at heart.

In 1986, along with two partners, Palko founded Cross Timbers Oil Co. The Fort Worth-based independent oil and gas exploration/production company, the precursor to XTO Energy, blossomed into a hugely profitable enterprise. Two years later, Palko was elected to the Fort Worth school board where he served until 1996 — a vehement proponent of literacy initiatives and quality education for all.

Then, in a move that on the surface may have seemed surprising to many, the XTO head sold his stock in the company and bid his energy career au revoir in spring 2005. He headed straight to the TCU admissions office and signed up for graduate school. In 2009, he earned his doctorate in education. Currently, he serves as clinical assistant professor in education leadership at TCU.

“Getting that Ph.D. wasn’t easy,” Palko said of his leap to academia. “I’m really lucky because I have a wife who is supportive of these activities and supports education too.”

Respected for his intellectual prowess both inside and outside the classroom, Professor Palko also puts his money where his mouth is, generously — yet judiciously — bequeathing large sums to educational organizations and other learning-focused initiatives.

He and his spouse gave an undisclosed sum to the TCU School of Education in 2007 to help fund the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Education Complex. A three-story, 23,000-squarefoot structure — Betsy and Steve Palko Hall — stands as concrete testament to the couple’s munificence.

Palko admits he realizes that some may look suspiciously at the incongruence between Palko the teacher and Palko the philanthropist — a man who lives in an 18,000-square-foot home dubbed “The Castle” by family and friends. “It puts pressure on you to say, ‘Hey, I’m something beyond all this, and we’re serious people who truly have concerns and who care,’ ” he said.

Palko recalls an afternoon a few years ago during construction when two neighborhood women stopped inside for a quick peek. Quite accidentally, he overheard their conversation: “They said, ‘There are people starving in the world and this a--hole is putting gold on the walls!’ ” The comment hit home, making the Palkos even more sensitive to how others might interpret them and their seemingly over-thetop residence.

What the women didn’t know — and what most people truly can’t appreciate at first blush — is how deeply the dwelling is steeped in history. As très magnifique as the motif may be, a profound reverence for education is painted on its walls, hewn in the floors, embodied in its design, embedded in its core. To put it mildly, the Palkos’ home is learning personified.

Standing on the home’s second-floor balcony on a particularly pleasant morning, Palko genuinely seems in awe of the sweeping grounds. Evocative of the French palaces on which it’s based, the commanding assemblage is classic architecture at its best — and all a result of education, he said.

Does Palko ever just take a step back, survey his surroundings and think, “Wow, I can’t believe this is really all mine?”

“Yes! I never imagined being able to do something like this,” he said. “Especially as an 8-year-old looking at palaces.” An 8-yearold from humble beginnings who most certainly didn’t live like a king. But one who was royally committed to growing his mind to grow his life.

Ironical as it may seem, the grand maison in which he and his family live, work and play is a daily reminder to Palko of his proletarian beginnings on the Texas border. The house is about “creating a sense of history and placing oneself in the midst of it so that when you are looking forward,” he said, “you don’t forget where you came from and what came before you.”

The Entryway » Flanked by two paintings of Louis XIV commissioned by Ludwig II — King of Bavaria from 1864-1886 — the vestibule reveals the home’s noble keystone from the get-go. The gentile space is just a hint at the graciousness about to unfold.

The Rotunda » Off the entryway and granting access to several rooms, this Louis XIV-styled space immediately sets the tone for the entire interior array. “It’s supposed to be big,” Palko said. “Louis XIV wanted a sense of grandeur and power in his palace.” The decorative theme is patterned after Greek and Roman design.

“To the extent possible, we tried, with furnishings and decorative objects, to get the

Good Vibrations

Obviously, when the Palkos do it up, they do it up big. And Steve’s 60 th birthday bash was no exception. A la Betsy’s party-planning prowess, it was oceans away from the ordinary soiree. The night’s headliner? None other than the Beach Boys themselves. In typical Palko fashion, Betsy eschewed faux performers for the iconic rock-and-rollers. Invitations went out to the couple’s closest friends, and the May fete was held on a stage built in the couple’s very own backyard. The pool was covered to provide extra space, and fireworks lit up the night sky. Steve even shredded the night away with the band, joining in on the 1963 hit “Little Deuce Coupe” with his Fender electric guitar. So what does a guy who seems to have everything want for his big day? “Just for people to show up and have a good time,” he said.

actual ones from the period of 1670-1820,” Palko said.

The pièce de résistance, however, has to be the painted ceiling mural. Depicting the intellectual history of the Western civilization, it incorporates great thinkers like Newton, Einstein, Descartes and Galileo. Vignettes include the education building at TCU, with children frolicking on the grounds; a stack of books with the names of each Palko family member

emblazoned on the spines; even a likeness of the mural artist himself is slotted cheekily into the montage.

The rotunda is but one instance of the exhaustive attention to detail evident at every turn. Any regrets? Not a one, though Steve admits the process was tedious. “At the end of a project like this, you ask yourself, ‘So why did we do that?’ ” he said, chuckling. (Page 35, top)

The Living Room » Sporting a monochromatic color scheme of bright red and ivory, the formal living room features Louis XV furnishings and accessories. And say au revoir to modern-day conveniences in this space, which is sans technology of any sort. Even electrical cords and outlets are shrouded from view.

“For me, sitting in a room that’s all angles and modern has a lack of correspondence to things organic and real and has never felt com-

fortable, whereas this does,” Steve said. “This is more alive, growing, like the outside.”

Period-correct, the furniture was built by famed French artisans, whose métier was crafting fine pieces fit for palaces and other places of prominence. Many are stamped with “JME” — short for jurande des menuisiers-ébénistes (translation: cabinet makers and carpenters), signifying that the elite craftsman was a member of the French furniture-making guild.

Other components include a 1750s Charles Cressant commode — the Palkos’ is one of eight made; a 1690 André-Charles Boulle bureau; and tables by Nicholas Pettit, Roger Vandercruse Lacroix and Leonard Boudin. Delicate porcelain figurines by Meissen (the first European hand-paste porcelain company) and Sevres (the French porcelain of royalty) sit on lighted built-in shelves. Several of the pieces previously were owned by notorious New

York billionaire and “Queen of Mean” Leona Helmsley.

Houses like this aren’t built every day, so locating contractors for some of the projects proved challenging. “The architect and decorator weren’t comfortable doing the periodcorrect detail, so we found a consultant out of Vancouver,” Steve said. “He drew the decorative detail, and a place in Arlington fabricated it into plaster molds off his drawing.” (Page 34; 35 bottom left)

The Formal Office » Patterned after Doge’s Palace in Venice, this blue-hued space features a carved-wood ceiling and lion heads on the perimeter (the lion is the mascot of Venice). Portraits of illustrious authors — Mark Twain, Henry David Thoreau, William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell and Charles Dickens, to name a few — and a mix of Greek thinkers line the perimeter. A massive desk from 1690 holds court in the midst of it all. The desk and numerous other furnishings in the home were scrupulously restored by Parisian restorer Michelle Germond and his protégés. (Page 40, upper right)

The Dining Room » Informed by Louis XVI stylings, this lushly green space has a noticeably softer side than the other first-floor rooms. “The styles of that period have more

feminine influence because women like Marie Antoinette started to exert more influence on the character of the decoration,” Steve said. “It’s more like jewelry, more delicate and carefully crafted versus Louis XIV and XV, which are larger and more ‘in your face.’”

The crown jewels of the array: Vincennes and Sevres porcelain, including two pieces given to King Josef by Louis XVI. A cocoa set perched on a tiny table in a sunny corner of the room originally belonged to Nicholas and Alexandra, king and queen of Russia in early 1900s. With seating for 10, the dining table is one of just a handful of reproductions in the house. But that’s because dining room tables didn’t exist in the time of Louis XVI. The royals just pushed together several smaller tables and covered them with linens. (Pages 36, 37)

Mirrors, Mirrors and More » Off the rotunda and through some passageways, a “mini hall of mirrors” filled with sculpture-topped pedestals overlooks a four-sided courtyard. Redolent of flowers, it’s an eau du toilette for the senses. (Page 35, lower right)

In fact, every room in the home smells wonderfully fragrant, courtesy of cleverly concealed air fresheners. “With 300-year-old furnishings, if you don’t keep the air moving and have some scenting, it smells like it’s, well, 300 years old,” Steve said, chuckling.

Located conveniently near the kitchen and its whimsical trompe l’oeil floors, the family room is filled with elegant family portraits and exquisite hand-carvings by Pallas Architectural Woodworks of Dallas. A big-screen TV is the only nod to present day.

Not far from the family zone, a 13-seat home theater includes a retractable movie screen and a rotunda ceiling decked with a starry sky that twinkles when the lights are dimmed. “This is one of our favorite rooms,” Steve said. “It gets so much use.”

Also downstairs, a cabana area with a shower and powder room opens to the pool via a set of French doors.

The Pub » If downstairs is France, then upstairs is Jolly Old England, with its gothic pub, an amply apportioned space that comprises, among other elements, a bar area, pool table, piano, television, musical equipment, plenty of cozy seating and even a few trinkets

formerly owned by actress/singer Cher. Veritas In Mediis Est, or “Truth is in the middle,” is carved into the fireplace mantel. Unsurprisingly, the Latin phrase holds significance for the ever-philosophical Steve. “The whole sense of my dissertation was that … combining things that seem irreconcilable,” he said. Save for a massive chest from the 1200s, all of the pieces in this room are reproductions. “We use this room a lot,” Steve said. “It’s very comfortable.” (Page 40, bottom)

The Entertainment » Down another labyrinth of hallways, a golf simulator projects pictures of famous courses on a special screen. The room features a wall mural of St. Andrews, Scotland. “You play them just like you would a normal course,” Steve said. An arcade with classic stand-up games is located nearby.

The Upstairs Office » Steve’s working office, where he grades papers and tackles his daily tasks, is swathed in a wallpaper mural handcrafted by the same French company that made the papers that grace the White House. Featuring a montage of famous Parisian buildings, it was designed to the exact scale of the room.

The Bedrooms » Also upstairs are several bedrooms, including one rooted in Art Noveau, a French-inspired design approach that hit the pinnacle of popularity around the turn of the 20th century. “It’s like living in the vine of a plant — very botanical and flowery,” Steve said.

The Third Floor » Rounding out the tableaux, a converted attic space designed exclusively by Betsy serves as a cozy nook for holing up and relaxing with a good book. An elevator serves as a handy conduit to the first floor.

The Pour houses

Wine buffs, surely. Wine snobs? Hardly. They may be gaga over grapes — and have the stellar cellars to prove it — but these local collectors are in it for the fun.

by Alison Rich

While it once conjured images of pretentious fetes and their attendant frivolities, wine today is anything but hoity-toity. That it has shifted from high-brow to low-key is decidedly evident in its mass-market appeal. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans buy just shy of 750 million gallons of wine annually — that’s $18.5 billion worth of vino, folks — and consume an average of 2.5 gallons of the grape each year. Despite the dismal economy — or maybe because of it — sales of moderately priced bottles continue trending upward. Sure, there are still purists among us who relish the chance to sniff, swirl and spit a select sampling of sips. But thanks to big-box retailers like Costco and Target, boutique wineries across the country and local outposts like Put a Cork In It, there’s a cab, muscat or shiraz out there to tickle every enthusiast's taste buds and budgets.

And some juice fans, it seems, are so enamored of kicking back and uncorking a good glass of grape that they “cellar” their wine in the comfort of their very own homes.

Not only do they ensure the collections stay safe and sound, but keeping their bottles home-based allows for sharing with friends and family over a specially prepped meal or impromptu gathering. It’s good times, say these area aficionados, who wouldn’t dream of boasting of their bottles or vaunting their vaults. (So we’ll do it for them.)

Here, we meet these fun-loving folks, whose residential cellars are giving a whole new meaning to the term “domestic wines.”

Making Their Mark Accessible via a wrought-iron door monogrammed with a stylized “S,” Colby and Judy Siratt’s wine cellar truly is a signature of their personal style. Although relatively spare on square footage, it’s huge on visual appeal. Wines display with labels visible, creating a fluid mosaic of colors and textures.

“It’s like a wall of wine — an art piece with memories attached,” Judy says. “Even though it’s a small space, it’s perfect for us. It’s a great way to relax. We feel like it’s used well.”

Colby, who says the room is his favorite in the house, agrees. “It’s a great conversation piece,” he says, noting not just the multihued containers spanning the perimeter but also the design elements that make the room uniquely theirs.

Tiles from a handful of their favorite Napa wineries — and from Becker Vineyards in Stonewall, the lone Texas locale — are inset on the neutral-hued backsplash. Along with the corked contents, these hand-picked relics serve as a daily reminder — a constant keepsake — of a California getaway that inspired their penchant for collecting.

“We went to Napa for our 30th birthdays,” Colby explains of the pair, both born in May. “And we fell in love with it.” Bitten by the bottle bug, the Siratts started buying up wines in earnest. Luckily, their Montserrat home, to which they moved in 2005, was equipped with a cellar. In addition to occasional excursions to the Wine Country — and Colby’s more frequent jaunts to Costco and Goody-Goody — the pair has wines delivered monthly from Napa.

An accountant by trade, Colby keeps a meticulously detailed inventory of his cellared wines that he updates as bottles are added to and subtracted from their stash. “Judy is the one with the good taste buds,” he admits with a laugh. “She’s an amazing cook, so it’s fun to try different wines with things she makes.”

Their most prized wine? A bottle of limited-production J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon that they sampled while visiting Schramsberg Vineyard in Napa. “From that point on, we decided that was one we wanted to collect,” he says. They get six bottles delivered annually.

The couple’s nicest wines — their “trophy wines” —

come from Costco. (Which is no surprise, seeing as how the bigbox goliath is the nation’s largest retailer of wine.) Colby harkens back to an especially providential Costco run that culminated in his procuring Chateau Lafite French red Bordeaux for a song. That same bottle now retails for about $1,000.

The best buys du jour? Malbecs from Argentina, Colby notes. And at under $20 a pop, Italian white Santa Margherita pinot grigio also is a highly affordable and highly drinkable product.

“I like to try everything,” Colby says of his affinity for gravitating to uncharted grapevines. Although she admits to selecting bottles by their labels — the more visually enticing, the more likely she is to scoop them up — Judy also enjoys experimenting with flavors. “We like all kinds — from chardonnays to pinots to Italians,” she says. “It changes by season and by what I’m cooking. I like whites more in summer, reds in winter … but you should drink whatever you like. Try a Bordeaux. The Italians are very smooth and easy to drink. They’re not intimidating at all.”

Her husband heartily concurs: “Don’t be intimidated. Just have fun.”

“We are really not huge connoisseurs. We like to drink it and serve it when people come over. The cellar makes entertaining fun.” — Lori Moody

Drinking It Up It’s no small coincidence that newlywed Lori and Dan Moody’s Southlake cellar is propelled by a passion for a particular cabernet sauvignon from Silver Oak Cellars in Sonoma County, Calif.

“It’s the one we had the night we were engaged. Dan had a helicopter land on Colleyville Boulevard right next to my business,” recalls Lori, the proprietor of Bowden’s Guaranteed Hydromulch, of the 2003 Alexander Valley cab. “He asked me to marry him with all our family present. Once I came out of shock, we flew to Cacharel in Arlington and had that wine at dinner.”

Besides that cabernet — a blend of wines from several different vineyards that retails for about $60 a bottle — the couple’s cellar is stocked with upwards of 500 different reds and whites.

“It’s a focal point in the house — the heartbeat of the first floor,” Lori says of the sunken brick-and-mortar space separated from a bar area and great room by an iron gate. “It’s inviting and brings people in to relax and enjoy.” Although it’s not temperature-controlled, the room is dark enough to shield its contents from the deleterious affects of light and heat. A separate wine fridge inside grants space for about 40 bottles, if chilling is necessary.

“We are really not huge connoisseurs,” Lori said. “We like to drink it and serve it when people come over. … The cellar makes entertaining fun.”

Sneak a peek of their pours and you’ll find a diverse assortment of vintages and varietals, including the Insignia cabernet from California’s Joseph Phelps Vineyard. Like any self-respecting Texans, the Moodys relish a thick steak with a glass of heavy red. Warm weather is perfect for a “buttery white,” Lori says of their laid-back selection process, which is based more on personal preference than on rigidly prescribed rules.

Their “winery” of choice? Costco. “They have such good prices,” she says. “It’s the place.”

Maintaining a nicely stocked cellar is fun, Lori says, but pouring on the camaraderie while pouring out the wine is really what it’s all about.

“There’s something about a wine cellar that just brings people together to gather and visit and relax together and catch up,” she notes. Between Lori and Dan, the couple has four grown children, who live in the area and visit regularly, along with a medley of family and friends. “Most of them like to drink wine, so they enjoy the cellar as well,” Lori says.

LiquidAssets When it came to finding more floor space to squirrel away his growing inventory, Jeff Davis truly was at the bottom of the barrel. A collector since the mid-80s, he knew it was time to devise a wine-storage solution when he found himself dodging his crates of vintage freight before he could even dream of catching some zzz’s.

“My bedroom was overflowing with wine,” Davis recalls. “The one fridge I bought was filled in 30 days. If I wanted to keep collecting, I had to do something. I was desperate.”

Attractive price tags notwithstanding, many people still take the whole wine issue way too seriously, bemoans the former City Councilman.

So in 1990, the longtime Mistletoe Heights resident and Republic Title chair emancipated himself from the clutter conundrum by converting his master bathroom to a cellar, which holds his “eclectic collection” of about 5,000 bottles.

“It’s not an entertaining wine cellar. It’s a user’s cellar,” Davis says of the utilitarian nook, a narrow hallway-like space that is floor-toceiling wine. Inside, reds and whites represent countless countries across the globe. Davis can locate every single one of them without missing a beat — all without the aid of a formal organization system. “And I don’t want one,” he emphasizes. “It’s just fun.” Outside, a cozy “staging area” serves as a handy spot for unpacking cases and surveying the booty nestled within.

Davis’ most prized pick? “Every region that makes wine is extremely special — from California, Washington, Rhone, Bordeaux, Italy, Alsace,” he says. “It’s difficult to have a favorite because they’re all special.”

One standout: Kistler, a California vineyard that produces chardonnays and pinot noirs. “It’s one of the best winemakers in the world,” he says. “For the money, they put the French to shame.”

As for the bottle that’s especially budget-friendly, Davis points to Jansz Tasmanian Rose, a sparkling wine from Hungary. “It’s outstanding. And it’s $13. That’s the beauty of wine today. There are so many great wines under $15 in the marketplace. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg,” the self-professed Costco junkie says effusively. He also says that Put a Cork In It has “extraordinary” wines for the money as well.

And in a flagging economy like today’s, the affordability factor

is huge. Attractive price tags notwithstanding, though, many people still take the whole wine issue way too seriously, bemoans the former City Councilman. “It’s just grape juice,” he says, deadpan. “If you like it, it’s a good wine. Period.”

His final words of advice? “If you’re not spilling it, you’re not having any fun.”

Bounty

of Bottles Husband and wife Allen

Castell and Jean Siska share their contemporary Westcliff West abode with a collection of colorful modern artworks, a passel of longhaired dachshunds — and about 15,000 bottles of wine.

Their cellar, a 12x16 converted game room, is a juxtaposition of glamour and restraint. Row upon row of bottles — nearly 85 percent Napa cabs — sit assertively. Clean-lined and elegantly enunciated, the entire array glows via snaking overhead lights that impart a hush luminescence. A salient interplay of chic stylings and judicious sensibility — with its sexy combination of red oak and maple woods, it easily could grace the pages of Architectural Digest — this prepossessing cellar is nothing if not functional.

When Castell, a pediatric anesthesiologist and inveterate “wine hoarder,” and Siska, an attorney, moved to their home seven years ago from Las Vegas, the cellar was Job One. “All our wine was in cold storage,” recalls Castell, who tapped designer Bob McCarthy to distill their blueprints into a workable room fit for storing their collection.

“Our emphasis was on the ability to, No. 1, properly store wine and, No. 2, store a large volume of it,” Castell says of the cellar, which includes an ingenious racking system in which pegs can shift up and down to accommodate up to 20,000 bottles. “It looks nice, and I enjoy the room, but it’s function first.”

Even the utilitarian-looking door, maple on one side and oak on

One particular set of bottles that holds a special place in their hearts was bequeathed to them by a nowdeceased friend.

the other, meshes with the motif. But, like many of the bottles inside, it has a unique story to tell. “It’s supposed to mimic a hospital door,” explains the good doctor, who purposefully requested such a design as a “daily reminder” of his ability to “indulge” his love of wine collecting.

With so many bottles to account for, does the couple rely on an organization system? Nope. “It’s in here,” Castell grins, pointing to his head. “I go in the cellar, and the wines speak to me because they all have stories attached,” he says.

One of their most beloved bottles hails from the Smith-Madrone vineyard from the Spring Mountain area of California. “The vintner noticed I was wearing a Formula One hat and said his grandmother had rented a garage space to [champion racer] Phil Hill,” Castell recalls. “That’s what we really love about wine. The vintners are just ordinary people with stories to share.”

One particular set of bottles that holds a special place in their hearts was bequeathed to them by a now-deceased friend. “It’s a wine that normally doesn’t make it to America,” Castell says of the Australian vintage that narrowly missed being seized by customs agents on the trip to Texas.

The couple’s collection started out with a $5 bottle of Italian red. And while the assemblage undoubtedly encompasses some higherpriced picks now, they wax about the widespread availability of wines that are as easy on the palette as they are on the pocketbook.

“Anyone can buy a bottle over $50. But don’t get caught up on price,” Castell cautions. “Don’t be afraid to taste something under $10. You might be surprised.” He describes a recent blind tasting where he chose an $8 Gallo merlot over a $50 bottle of Peju from Napa.

Other than the wines they have shipped from Napa, Castell and Siska buy locally from Put a Cork In It. “Chris specializes in sub-$25 bottles,” says Castell of owner Chris Keel’s emphasis on economical uncorkables that won’t break the bank.

But if you mine what really underlies the wines in the couple’s collection, you’ll see that it’s way more personal than price tags alone.

“For me,” Castell says, “it’s the stories and the memories that go along with the bottles.”

“And sharing it with other people,” Siska adds.

“There is no more powerful engine driving an organization toward excellence and long-range success than an attractive, worthwhile, achievable vision for the future, widely shared."

— Burt Nanus, Visionary Leadership

The Visionaries

by Gail Bennison

The first Friday of each month is “B-Day” at Balcom Agency in Fort Worth. It closes its doors early to celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, new clients and completed projects. Led by company president Stuart Balcom, the “Bs” draw a “location” from the jar and head out to a happy hour destination. This opportunity to get away from the computers and deadlines, even for just a couple of hours, is an important part of the culture. It gives seasoned and younger professionals a chance to relax and get to know team members they might not engage with on a daily basis. It’s a creative melting pot of three generations of professionals and although it may appear to be just a fun time, it’s actually the perfect setting to prepare this forward-thinking company for the future.

On May 12, Vision Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s program for young professionals (YPs) honored Balcom Agency, Community Bank, Weaver and Freese and Nichols Inc. with its inaugural 20/20 Awards, recognizing the companies’ commitments to attracting, retaining and engaging professionals between the ages of 20 and 40. Fort Worth, Texas magazine was a sponsor.

Criteria included benefits, training and empowerment, community and quality of life, and the recruitment and recognition of young professionals. All of the companies named have training, mentoring and professional development programs as well as lifestyle benefits for their employees.

The idea behind Vision FW was to build a program that would help the city retain its young talent, a place where YPs could go to meet one another and form the valuable relationships that are so important to all professionals.

Vision FW’s program manager, Brianna Broussard, admits that in the beginning stages of development, they weren’t sure what to expect. What they discovered was that people welcomed the idea with open arms.

Last year, Vision FW launched a successful mentoring program that paired YPs with business and community leaders throughout Fort Worth.

“What we discovered was that the individuals currently participating as mentors had at some point in time been mentored themselves,” Broussard said. “This was a big part of their success stories, and they were now working to impart some wisdom on the city’s next generation of leaders.”

Recognizing companies specifically for their appeal to young professionals is a first of its kind for the Fort Worth Chamber and as far as we know, it’s the first of its kind for Fort Worth.

Chamber President and CEO Bill Thornton knows the value of mentors. “I was blessed to have four people in different phases of my life who had a significant impact on me. Without any one of them, I would not be where I am today,” Thornton said.

Reality is that not only are companies competing for a smaller talent pool to replace retiring Boomers, but also these young professionals have adopted a “work to live, not live to work” ethic.

Next Generation Consulting, in its “Resources for Young Profession-

als Organizations,” says its research showed that three out of four people under the age of 28 first pick a place to live and then find a job, and they are looking for what they perceive as an attractive city with all the amenities — arts, diversity and culture. They want to live in a community where they are able to make a difference, and they choose to work for companies that share that philosophy.

Vision FW’s Broussard says that what makes the 20/20 Awards so important is the fact that it has highlighted the significant role that YPs play within a company and ultimately the economic impact they’re making on Fort Worth.

“What makes the winning companies so exemplary is that they simply get it,” Broussard said. “They understand the importance of retaining young talent. They understand that today’s workforce is much different than it used to be, and they’ve evolved with the changing times,” she said.

Best Small Company Balcom Agency

Marketing, advertising, interactive and public relations firm with 24 employees, more than 70 percent Young Professionals.

Chip Hanna worked as an intern at Balcom Agency before joining the company full time in 2006 after graduating from Texas Christian University. He enjoys the freedom to make independent decisions in his job as interactive account director, he says.

“Our company has a really good mix of young bright people and seasoned professionals that all get along,” Hanna said. “And everyone’s ideas are valuable. It has been the mix of people that has made a big difference to me. Balcom is a great place for young people to work because it’s a great place for everyone to work. We have an open office and can hear everyone’s conversations, so you get input from everybody here.”

CEO Stuart Balcom hires young professionals for many reasons. “The young professionals we hire understand emerging media, use these amazing marketing and promotional tools on a daily basis both personally and professionally and fully understand just how powerful these tools really are,” he said.

Balcom said that the YPs are fearless, resilient and strong. “They always ask ‘Why? Is there a better way? What if?’ And they collaborate with each other all day, every day on behalf of our clients. Aside from the obvious fact that these young pros are the future, they are totally immersed in what they do,” he said.

Balcom works closely with local universities to help identify the rising stars.

“My intent is not to sound or appear arrogant, but the best tend to find us,” he said. They see the work, the results, and then use social media tools to ask their peers ideas on Balcom.

“How is it benefitting our company? It’s what’s next. What we’re doing here at Balcom is the future of advertising, branding, media and PR,” Balcom said.

mid-size company Award Community Bank

Family-owned, independent bank with 153 employees, 29 percent of whom are Young Professionals.

“Our name says who we are,” said Tripp Austin, 26, assistant vice president. “The employees are working for the community as well as Community Bank. It's been this way for over 40 years — our Board and CEO put an emphasis on making sure everyone is committed to volunteering time in the region they work and live in.”

Austin, a CPA, graduated from Baylor in 2007 and worked for one of the “big four” firms for two years. He was hired at Community Bank in January 2009, and is a commercial lender.

"We have fewer layers of management than the 'big' corporate banks,” Austin said. “I am learning the entire banking industry from one of the most experienced bankers in the business. I love the learning environment, but it’s the people that work here that make this place rock. … I think it says a lot that we are growing and expanding while many banks are having to cut back and lay employees off.”

His mentor is the bank’s president, Jimmy Campbell. “He’s a good one, don’t you think? He’s been in the business for 40 years.”

In 1970, while a junior at the University of Texas at Arlington, Campbell worked as a part-time bank teller and was offered a full-time position when he graduated. A modest man with a dry sense of humor, Jimmy enjoys what he does and it shows. He likes teaching the “younguns;” but don't let his Cleburne upbringing or “good ol’ boy” demeanor fool you. He's got a razor sharp mind.

“I think it is necessary for a company’s long-term success to create opportunities and career paths for young professionals, much like that provided for me,” Campbell says.

Campbell is a big believer in hands-on learning. “At Community Bank, we attempt to bring on two or three young college graduates each year, placing each in a program to learn the various areas of the bank. We are able to retain some of them, while others move on to other financial institutions or other industries. However, we feel we have played a role in the development of that young professional by providing the opportunity for them,” he said.

Best Large company Weaver

Financial planning firm with 435 employees, 67 percent Young Professionals.

Jill Eastman came to Fort Worth from Iowa as a 22-year-old freshout-of-college young professional hopeful. She didn’t know a soul but stayed because she recognized the extraordinary support of the business community.

“People think you need a lot of amenities to attract young talent,” said Eastman, the company’s practice growth manager. “And amenities are great, but ultimately what we want as young professionals is an environment where we can learn and know that we can advance in our careers, where we can feel free to express our own ideas and have an overall company vision that supports that.”

Eastman says she finds it amazing that 23 percent of Weaver’s partners are under 40 and that all employees can freely express ideas. “Our CEO cares how I feel about something, and it means a lot that he even takes the time to ask,” she said.

Eastman is the mother of two and is grateful for the generous personal time off, flexibility and support she’s been given while still allowing her to advance in her career.

“The company is 100 percent invested in us,” she said. “Young professionals don’t live to work, we work to live.”

Company CEO Tommy Lawler exemplifies what happens when a company is invested in its young professionals. Lawler graduated in 1979 from Abilene Christian University and became a new hire at Weaver.

“One thing I believe in and one thing we preach to all of our partners and managing team is that being promoted is not going to a position of authority. It is going to a position of responsibility,” Lawler said. “And in our case that responsibility is to provide the same opportunities for those coming up behind us.”

Lawler says the young professionals are introduced to the clients as soon as they are hired.

“They come out of school with the technical knowledge, but it’s those other skills they have to learn,” Lawler said.

“We share information much more freely now. When I came out, I became a partner before I learned a lot of things our staff people know,” he said.

“Vision Fort Worth is making the community a better place to live. We want to be good citizens and certainly want to be associated with a program like this,” he said.

Best

o verall company Freese and Nichols

Consulting firm with 450 employees, 53 percent Young Professionals.

It was the diversity of services, strong reputation in the engineering field and the culture of Freese and Nichols that attracted Jessica Brown 12 years ago. Brown, Fort Worth manager of water and wastewater master planning, graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in civil engineering in 1997 and started working for the company at age 22. She is married with two young children.

“With a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old, I greatly appreciate the generous personal time and the family atmosphere here,” Brown said.

CEO Bob Pence says that young professionals value their free time, and stresses if the employees aren’t happy at home, they won’t be happy at work. “We have a lot of mothers who work part time,” Pence said. “It’s an important job raising kids. Jessica is very good at what she does here, and she will get a lot of pressure from the outside world to stay here and work full time. I’ve told her that it’s her decision, and it doesn’t matter what anyone else says.”

Freese and Nichols has both formal mentoring and coaching programs. Mentoring is for job skills and coaching is focused on life skills. Pence mentors six young professionals himself.

“For any company to remain viable, it must have a steady flow of young people coming in, and schools aren’t putting out enough engineers” Pence says. “Our University Liaison program is a great way for us to get our name out there and have a presence. We give each liaison an annual $2,500 budget to spend however they see fit, no approval required.”

Pence says that he encourages the idiosyncrasies within the company’s offices.

“Culture-wise, each is different. The young folks want to go to Dave & Buster’s to celebrate something. The older ones go to the Fort Worth Club,” he said.

And communication methods are different.

“The young people like to IM and text. I don’t know how to IM, and I don’t like to text,” Pence said. “They love it, but I’d rather go face-to-face or on the phone. It all works out.”

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Casey James Being just where he wants to be

by Paul K. Harral

Casey James finished third in this season’s American Idol, and that’s just fine with him, thank you very much.

“I’m a Christian, so I believe not only that everything happens for a reason, but also I believe that God has a plan for everybody,” James said during a telephone interview from Los Angeles. “I honestly feel that things are as they should be.”

James is from Cool, just east of Mineral Wells on U.S. 180, and attended high school at nearby Millsap. He now lives in Fort Worth. He was one of four North Texans to make it to the final 12. He and Duncanville’s Tim Urban made the top 10. Todrick Hall of Arlington and Alex Lambert of North Richland Hills did not.

It’s not just about talent. But it’s not about luck either.

“I’d just say this is where God wanted me to be,” James says. “I can guarantee there are way better guitar players and better singers, and they just don’t get the opportunities. I don’t know why that is. Maybe it’s above my pay grade.”

Regardless of what it is, James is positioned for a promising career, doing the only thing he really wants to do in life: make music. That, not fame, is the driving force.

“I’m realizing now that you kind of can’t have one without the other,” he says. “If you want people to come watch you do what you do and want to hear you, they have to know who you are. So it all kind of ties in.”

James freely admits he didn’t know what he was getting himself into when he entered the American Idol auditions. He missed the local one at Cowboys Stadium because he was playing a gig in Florida.

The only remaining one was in Denver.

As he tells the story, his mother came to where he was playing, loaned him her truck and told him to drive to Colorado. And so he did.

“I didn’t have a TV,” he says, “and being a working musician, you just don’t have a lot of time to do things like that. If I did have time off, I’d spend it with friends or family or playing with my dogs, or whatever. I just had never seen the show. Not once.”

But he believes living without television is a big part of who he is because he wasn’t subjected “to mainstream thought processes and ideas of what’s cool and what’s hip, and what you should do and shouldn’t do.” Television shapes too much of your life, he said, and you may not even realize it.

Nothing in Cool or Millsap prepared him for the Left Coast, he says, and that’s one reason he’s anxious to finish his business and get back to Texas. In fact, the home tour always given to the final three was, he said, “the best time of my life.”

“It was just overwhelming to get the chance to come back home at all, just to be in Texas, and especially just to be in Fort Worth and Dallas and smell the air and see the people and see the streets and the places you hung out and did things and the places that you eat,” James said.

And there’s more. He’s abjectly grateful to his local fans and he wanted to “shake their hands and give just a little tiny bit back to them and say ‘Thank you.’”

His popularity, at least in North Texas, cuts across age groups, and even he isn’t sure quite why.

“Maybe I’m just pulling my own leg and whatnot,” he says, “but I think it’s the fact that I’m just honest about music. I’ve never tried to sound like anything. I’ve never tried to do anything special.”

“I just sing, and I just play, and I just love what I do. And I think that love of just doing it to make it happen and to hear it and to be able to give that to somebody makes me happy. I think that’s what people get.”

They feel the love and the passion.

“I think that’s what it is, because otherwise, it makes no sense, you know?” he said.

His advice to the next wave of American Idol contestants?

“Be yourself. I saw a lot of people trying to do something, like they think something’s in or they have an idea what the judges want or what somebody’s looking for. You can throw all that out the window,” he said. “Nobody else is who you are, and nobody else can do what you do personally.”

Trying to make others happy is futile. That’s similar advice to what more experienced musicians give to James.

“Love your fans, Casey, and they will love you back tenfold,” singer Charley Pride said.

Arlington bass guitarist Ron Jones, currently on tour with Pride, urged faithfulness to the fans.

“Don’t believe me? Look at LeAnn Rimes. Huge country following, went pop, ticket sales and popularity wanes.” Jones said, “Happens every time.”

Jones also had a couple of more mundane tips:

“Get a good music attorney,” he said. “Sleep with one eye open. Never trust anyone to handle your finances except Dave Ramsey. Always take care of your band and road crews — if it weren’t for them, you would be a soloist.”

And this: “Never sign anything that takes more than 25 percent of your profit or income.”

And here’s what James himself said of his fans at the end of the interview:

“They’ve given me the opportunity to do what I want to do with my life. There’s no greater achievement — and they helped me do that. If I could say thank you a billion times, it just wouldn’t be enough.”

But he’ll probably keep trying to thank them all personally.

A Cancer-Free Tomorrow

The American Cancer Society dedicates itself to cutting edge cancer research. Some North Texans have taken initiative to ensure that more researchers can receive funding.

The American Cancer Society is the largest, non-profit supporter of cancer research in the United States. Nearly every leap forward in the knowledge of cancer can be attributed to ACS and its commitment to discover the cure for the disease.

The organization has more than 3,400 local offices nationwide. At the heart of the ACS stands more than 2 million volunteers who play an integral role in implementing the mission to eliminate cancer.

For more than 60 years, the ACS has fought cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. It has vowed to deliver cancer prevention, provide early detection and offer patient service programs that ensure adequate treatment and the highest quality of life to those who suffer from the disease.

As early as 1913, the American Society for the Control of Cancer took on the daunting task of educating the public about cancer. Back then, cancer was a disease only known behind closed doors. In 1945, the ASCC was reorganized into the ACS and expanded its mission to

not only educate but also to provide patient services and raise funds for cancer research.

Today the ACS aids a number of people nationwide in not only coping with the disease but also educating all on cancer prevention. Volunteers who dedicate their time and numerous fundraising events make the work of the ACS possible.

Providing funds for cancer research is one of the core elements of the ACS mission statement. Since 1946, the ACS has given almost $3 billion to researchers dedicated to uncovering new knowledge about cancer. New treatment options, discovering causes and, ultimately, finding a cure compile the list of goals the ACS hopes to accomplish with its research funding. The ACS focuses on funding young researchers just beginning their careers in cancer research.

Each year researchers apply to the ACS for funding for their projects. A team of established medical and scientific professionals comprise the peer-review panel that determines who will get funding. Unfortunately, the ACS can only fund about 10 percent of the incoming applicants, placing many other promising research projects on a waiting list.

North Texans Bill Lamkin and his wife Janeen Lamkin saw the size of this waiting list and realized that they needed to take action to help more of these researchers receive funding.

The Lamkins have been volunteering with the ACS for many years. They began their involvement serving on the committee for the Cowtown Ball, an event taking place each fall in Fort Worth to benefit the ACS.

The work of the ACS and their vow to fight cancer is a cause very

personal to the Lamkins. Many of their friends and loved ones have fought the disease, including Janeen and her mother, who were both diagnosed with breast cancer.

About five years ago, the couple decided they should do more to aid cancer research. Bill said by concentrating more on research, they hoped to do more to prevent cancer by “attacking the source of the problem and finding the cure.”

The Lamkins invited many of their friends to help them and established a group of lead donors. The focus of this group was to provide funding to those researchers who already had the approval from ACS but were just not able to be funded.

The research initiative, which is referred to as Creating Tomorrow’s Miracles, has already raised enough to fund one researcher this year. Bill said, “even with hard times,” the people willing to give “just keeps growing.”

Since their initial start, the group of North Texas donors has helped six researchers receive the funds needed to fuel their cancer research projects. Each researcher is given a post-doctoral fellowship grant worth $150,000 that is paid out over three years.

When asked about what exactly these researchers are doing in their projects, Bill said that most people give you “a blank stare when trying to explain what the researchers are doing.” He said what is more important is how these projects will contribute to the knowledge of cancer and in finding the “cure for a number of cancers.”

Larry Mundt, director of major gifts at the Fort Worth ACS location, said what makes this research initiative unique is in the way it’s able to “connect the donor who wants to help with the researchers who need the funding and ultimately help the cancer patient.”

This connection can be seen in how the ACS invites the researchers in to meet the very people who have funded them. These

Lead donors involved in selecting a 2009 cancer research grant for local funding are, from left, William Bowie, Sharon Bowie, Janeen Lamkin, Bill Lamkin, Jareen Schmidt, Steve Bryant and Debbie Bryant.

researchers live all over the country, but it just so happens that there are some working on their cutting-edge cancer research projects here in North Texas. This allows the donors to meet researchers firsthand in their research settings.

At UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, donors can visit and meet these researchers. Bill said that opportunities like this allow donors to get “hands-on involvement,” and a chance to “talk to people face-to-face.” This personalized interaction between donor and researcher is an experience not seen with other health organizations and is crucial in understanding how funding is being effectively used to help find the cure for cancer.

Unlike other organizations that take out a percentage of donations for administrative costs, the ACS takes the money from the donors of the research initiative and gives it directly to the researchers. Janeen said she feels confident donating because she knows that “100 percent of the money she donates goes to the researchers.”

This fall, the ACS will host a dinner that will honor the researchers funded by the research initiative and feature a Nobel Prize-winning researcher who was funded by the ACS early in his career.

For more information on how to get involved with the ACS and the research initiative, Creating Tomorrow’s Miracles, contact Larry Mundt at 817.570.0614 or visit hpstrategicgiving.org or cancer.org.

Jody Dean is an Emmy Award-winning, 35-year broadcast veteran and author. He graduated from Paschal High School, currently hosts the Morning Show on 98.7 KLUV and loves his wife's cooking.

What’s in a Name?

When a restaurant is involved, it is what’s inside that counts.

OK. First, the tale of the mystery restaurant I’ve been teasing you with the past two issues.

A few months ago on my radio show, a guy called me up and told me about an oddly named establishment in far north Fort Worth.

The joint in question is right north of Western Center on Beach. It serves Vietnamese cuisine and centers on the indigenous beef and noodle soup known as pho. I’m told the pronunciation is “fah,” as in la-la-la.

So what they’ve done is name the place accordingly. Naturally, you want people to know what you do — so “Pho” leads off on the sign. Followed by a second word, suggesting primacy through the monarchial metaphor “King.” And then to let you know that you’ve chosen the right place to eat, I guess, is the third word: The versatile “Way.”

Put ‘em all together and you have a place no one is going to suggest out loud in the foyer after second service.

Ta-da!

Now considering that Homer Bedloes downtown raised such a who-hit-John over Kincaid’s hand-lettered storefront window, I’m surprised no one’s had a heart attack. I’m told there’s another such establishment in Keller, and, for all I know, there might be diners of the same name scattered across the length and breadth of the Union. Or it could be the beginnings of a chain, with neon signs proudly displaying the name about to pop up from sea to shining sea.

As for other restaurants I’ve found lately, have you been to Buffalo Gap Steakhouse and Cantina in Granbury yet?

Awhile back, I used a perfect springtime day to ride the motorcycle down to the 377 split just before you cross the lake. Right there, in the elbow at the business exit, is BGS&C, and let me see if I can put this just right.

Wow!

The atmosphere is Texas hunting lodge with a cool bar and a Hill Country patio. Granted, the outside view isn’t the best, but you won’t think about that 10 seconds after the hot, fresh bread hits the table. The salad presentation is one of the coolest — literally — I’ve ever seen, and the salads alone are fabulous.

Now, generally I like to work my own magic with a baked potato, but every once in a while, it’s nice to have it done for you. You kind of feel like royalty. Like you’re being … pampered.

The steaks are perfectly seasoned and presented, and my only regret was not getting a bigger one. Getting any more specific than that is pointless, because there are so many great ways to prepare beef — and personally I don’t always want mine the same way. I can’t imagine walking into Buffalo Gap Steakhouse and ever being disappointed.

And as for that giant baked spud that came to the table? You know, I think the last time a member of the waitstaff came to my table and dressed my potato for me was at … The Farmer’s Daughter? Sure enough, they do that at Buffalo Gap Steakhouse. Now, generally I like to work my own magic with a baked potato, but every once in a while, it’s nice to have it done for you. You kind of feel like royalty.

Personally, I’m not sure there’s any mischief intended in the name, per se. Could be a larger message to restaurant critics, but I doubt it. It’s probably just an innocent cultural thing, but it sure has the potential for fun and games.

“Hey, Honey! How about that place we ate at last night?”

“Not tonight, Dear. No Pho King, er… ”

If you’re not in the same room, someone could wind up sleeping on the sofa.

Or, “I know it’s around here some …Oh! There’s No …”

You get the idea.

No, I don’t think they need to change the darn sign — so nobody start, OK. If it is an inside joke, I appreciate the laugh. I’m actually wondering if they might consider some marketing ideas. Like this coffee shop I know in Dallas where you can get professional legal advice.

I think “Lawyers” would fit perfectly on that sign. Nothing personal, Heywood.

Like you’re being … pampered.

Sort of a culinary spa treatment.

OK. Maybe I’m getting too far into this. But it was neato. Being a cantina, they also offer some really cool TexMex entrees — and they’re the real deal. Terrific fajitas, giant stuffed shrimp — and maybe my favorite menu item of all: Something called The Super Deluxe Mexican Trailer Park Platter.

Anything with a name like that has got to be good, and I intend to find out next time I'm there. And there will be a next time as soon as I can arrange it. Buffalo Gap Steakhouse and Cantina is open seven days a week — and while I'm thinking about it, order the Crème Brulee with fresh berries for dessert. It's terrific, even if they did spell it burlee on the menu outside.

For all I know, “Burlee” might very well be the pastry chef. But then, what’s in a name?

Select Guardado Garden Center

Guardado Garden Center has large outdoor displays of nursery stock, shrubs, roses, and water gardening plants, as well as pottery, fountains and statuary. Our displays are always changing to reflect

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accordingtoheywood

an unabashedly humorous look at life » by heywood

Heywood provides commentary on subjects far and near, significant and trivial and on things in between for TXA 21 News: First in Prime between 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays. Direct complaints can be sent to him directly at heywood1111@gmail.com.

Survival Tips

Home is where they don’t make you move the car every couple of hours.

Do you ever wish your life had included a practice round? I do.

I know the second time around, I would have done a number of things differently. Of course there are a couple of things I would never change. I can’t imagine not having my three kids, or abandoning my dream of becoming a hand model. But I would definitely make some lifestyle changes.

First of all, I would find a different set of friends, although there is a level of bonding in a liquor store at 10 a.m. that is unrivaled. I would also take school more seriously. I’d even consider attending class.

But my main focus would be locating and purchasing a home as quickly as possible.

Why? Because it makes you responsible, which in turn provides stability, probably the most important factor when raising a family. Plus, it’s nice to have a place your family feels good about and you’re proud to show your friends. It’s called pride of ownership. That characteristic is lacking when you rent. It’s probably why no one has ever walked up to me and said, “Wow! You live in a duplex?”

Of course, many people rent because they have no choice. I rented because it just seemed easier. The landlord would take care of taxes, insurance, major maintenance and yard work. And although my place was reasonably furnished, it just lacked the quality effort that was apparent in all of my friends’ homes. They had expensive artwork, nice furniture and actual toilet paper instead of Subway napkins.

into the rental market. Higher rents coupled with more unemployment may leave some of us only one alternative for shelter: Our car.

Obviously, this wouldn’t be a problem if I owned a home free and clear. But rather than whine about my lot in life, I decided to do some research on the Internet and came up with some helpful hints for those of us who might be spending our twilight years in the back of a LeSabre.

» Walmart will let you park overnight. Nice residential neighborhoods won’t. Trust me on that one.

» National forests allow camping for up to two weeks. However, I wouldn’t worry about staying that long. Bears usually see to that.

I have lived in a number of apartments, and I don’t care how well they’re constructed, the slightest noise always seeps in from surrounding units. A couple next door kept me awake almost every night. I couldn’t tell if they were getting it on or if she was just really, really agreeing with him.

But besides potential problems with a landlord, there are a couple of other major problems with renting.

» You are at the mercy of your neighbors. I have lived in a number of apartments, and I don’t care how well they’re constructed, the slightest noise always seeps in from surrounding units. A couple next door kept me awake almost every night. I couldn’t tell if they were getting it on or if she was just really, really agreeing with him.

» You are at the mercy of the economy. Unfortunately, the second wave of sub-prime mortgage defaults is fixing to hit the market, which, in turn, will force many residents

» Find a place to park and sleep an hour before sundown so you won’t have to drive around at night. One more suggestion. Try not to spend the summer months way up north. The sun doesn’t go down until midnight. You need your rest.

» Try to stay clean. Keep your hair and beard trimmed. According to my research, it will make people think you’re “adventurous.” (I don’t know about this one. I’ve seen people who slept in their car, and “adventurous” was not the adjective that leapt to mind. But I’m just quoting the experts.)

» Dark clothes hide stains. And direct sunlight will get rid of odors. Handy things to know before those romantic interludes at the job fair.

» If no shower is available, use baby wipes, hand sanitizer and baby powder. Also, do not use cologne. You will give off two very distinct fragrances. This will just confuse the people who were already trying to avoid you.

» Keep a sharp eye out for work opportunities, because eventually you will want to go back to living in one place. Preferably one that doesn’t have an ignition switch.

And who knows? Some of us may get one last shot at owning a home. Then, I’ll be able to lie on my deathbed with only one regret.

Wishing I’d have spent more time looking for a better bed.

BRING THE CITY HOME »

Connie Gauntt

Clearing the mind with the help of a fly rod

She’s just gotten back from a week in Alaska, fly fishing for steelhead at Baranof Wilderness Lodge, reachable only by boat or seaplane. Now Connie Gauntt is catching up at the offices of Gene Allen’s Gifts in Arlington, the threestore chain that she owns with her husband, Doug, and heads as president. “It’s so beautiful up there; it’s good to get away, get your mind off the big city life,” Gauntt says.

But this isn’t only about vacation; this is about skill. The Fort Worth woman’s fishing prowess got her featured as “Miss May” – holding a big steelhead, a rainbow trout that spends part of its life in the ocean – on the lodge calendar this year. She has also landed a world record from the International Game Fish Association.

“I have three passions: my family, retail and fly fishing,” Gauntt says.

What got you hooked on fly fishing? We first started fly fishing about 13 years ago when my husband (Doug) and I became empty nesters. He’s always been a bass fisherman, but sitting on a boat didn’t appeal to me. I had seen pic-

tures in magazines of people fly fishing, and I told him, “I think this is something I could do.”

I never guessed that, down the road, I would be as avid as he is. The first fish I caught was a little bitty cutthroat trout. The feeling of that fish on the end of the line! I dreamed about it that night. I was surprised I loved it like I do.

It’s the challenge and the total relaxation you get from it. And it’s always about learning something new.

Tell me about your world record. I got that on our second trip to the lower Laguna Madre off the Texas coast.

We go down there to fly fish for redfish. I caught a ladyfish. That wasn’t what I was trying

to catch, but it ended up being a record in the line class and for that type of fish. I don’t know if it’s still an active world record, but I get a lot of mileage out of that!

When you start wading those flats, you are looking for fish. Sometimes it’s just the wake in the water or the shadow. You really have to concentrate. Redfish tail while they’re eating; that’s about as exciting as it gets, when you see those tails.

If you can get your fly right where they are, it’s like an explosion. Your line starts flying. It’s like a rodeo.

Let’s talk about retail for a minute. How did you come to take over an Arlington icon like Gene Allen’s? I worked for (the late) Mr. Allen as a store manager, then buyer, and then general manager. When I knew the stores were for sale, I didn’t want to do anything else. That was in ‘96.

There are still the three stores. The one on Little Road and I-20 just celebrated its 25th anniversary; that’s the baby. The store at Randol Mill and Fielder is 45 this year, and the one at Park Row and Bowen had its 40th anniversary last year. I’ve got about 48 employees, all women. We even have a woman delivery driver now.

You and your husband have fly fished in Chile, New Zealand, New Mexico, Alaska, Montana, the Bahamas and elsewhere. Do you have a favorite? I’d say that place (Baranof Lodge in Alaska). We’ve been there nine or 10 times. Our dream is to take our grandsons. They’re 6 and 9 years old; we can’t wait to take them up there, to introduce them to nature.

a whimsical approach to motherhood » by shauna Glenn

Since When Do You Call Me Shauna?

Or, is this how people get to padded rooms and imaginary friends?

Over the years, I’ve learned some things from my teenagers. Besides being extremely annoying and narcissistic, they’re also acutely aware of how things “make them feel.”

Major eye roll.

I’m not sure if this holds true with teenage boys — I have the distinct pleasure of having teenage daughters. By the time my fourth child (and only boy) is a teenager, I’m sure things will be completely different for him. For one, I will be so old and beat down from dealing with girls for so long that his life will probably read like something out of an article in Maxim magazine. I’ll probably most likely encourage him to be a UFC fighter, buy him a motorcycle and hand him the keys to the liquor cabinet. Because, really? Will I even care at that point?

I’m thinking if I’m not in a padded room eating Styrofoam dinosaur shapes and talking to my imaginary half-man/half-unicorn friend, Zenith, my life will be considered a win.

I said IF.

Some days I’m not so sure I will make it. Because I’ve already started talking to myself. And I swat at bugs that aren’t there. And on really BAD days I have the urge to bite my own shoulder. Is this normal?

One thing is for sure … teenage girls keep you on your toes. Their mood can change so quickly that if you’re not ready for the extreme shift from happy to psychotic, you can get whiplash. I might even suggest you keep a neck brace under the bathroom cabinet just in case. Or just wear it all the time. That’s what I’ve started doing. Plus it makes them crazy. “OH MY GOSH, MOM, you’re not going to wear that neck brace to my track meet AGAIN, ARE YOU?”

Why yes, I think I will.

Lately, I’ve experienced what I like to call the I’m Afraid To Go To Sleep For Fear Of Being Stabbed In The Throat syndrome. That’s not the official medical term for the disease, but if you Google it, you will find that I’m Afraid To Go To Sleep For Fear Of Being Stabbed In The Throat (or IATGTSFFOBSITT as it’s more commonly known) is also Webster’s definition of the word TEENAGER. Coincidence? I think not.

Here is just one example of what my life is like with THEM.

“Mom, I need to go get makeup.”

“Fine. We’ll go to Walgreens after school.”

“WALGREENS? I need GOOD makeup.”

“Do you have any money to buy ‘good’ makeup?”

“WHAT? You’re not going to pay for it?”

“Um. No.”

“GAAAAAH. But you’re the MOM. You’re supposed to pay for my stuff.”

“How old are you again?”

“Sixteen.”

“You should really get a job.”

Head spins completely around.

“I don’t have time to get a job.”

“Because you’re too busy texting your friends?”

“Whatever, Shauna.”

“Since when do you call me Shauna?”

“Gosh, Mom. You’re so annoying.”

“Yes. But I have good makeup and you don’t.”

“I hate my life.”

“Yeah? Well join the club.”

“I want a different family.”

“Can I help you pack your bag?”

Makes a loud moaning sound and then slams bedroom door.

I swat at the fly buzzing around me and then walk to the kitchen to pour a glass of water for my friend, Zenith. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s the only one who truly understands me.

We live, work and make all banking and loan decisions right here in Fort Worth. So, while other banks may call you, “that customer in Texas,” we’re likely to call you, “neighbor.” Call us to find out how we can help your business; one neighbor to another.

Share your “Omni for Me” experience by contacting us today. If you’re not an OmniAmerican business customer, call us to begin creating your own “Omni for Me” story.

fwsnapshots

Looking Ahead

Vision Fort Worth's 20/20 Awards were awarded to forward-thinking companies that make Fort Worth a better place for young talent to live, work and play.

Let us ORCHESTRATE your dream.

For the perfect products for your kitchen or bath, stop by a Ferguson showroom. It’s where you’ll find the largest range of quality brands, a symphony of ideas, and trained consultants to help orchestrate your dream. With showrooms from coast to coast, come see why Ferguson is recommended by professional contractors and designers everywhere.

2010 Dream Remodel

Redoing an older home provides both challenges and opportunities.

A new home has consistent construction and materials throughout. In some cases, builders have even started with a truly blank slate — a completely bare lot with no existing landscaping.

But a renovation is different.

And so it is with the Fort Worth, Texas magazine 2010 Dream Remodel at the divide of Colonial Country Club Circle and Colonial Parkway.

The home is being remodeled for Mary and Tom Bates through Glendarroch Homes, owned by their sons, Tim and Tom Bates.

The original home, built in 1939, has been doubled in size, and the original structure was stripped to the studs for this project. Working with a house that old, and one that has such a visible presence in Fort Worth, presents challenges.

Take flooring, for example.

“The house was built many years ago and then remodeled subsequently,” says Mike Masters of Masters Flooring. “The wood floors in the existing part of the house were milled many years ago and have an age factor. Our challenge was to add new floors, blend them in with the old and re-finish all of them so that the transition appears seamless.”

Masters Flooring is one of a number of local firms that have joined with the magazine to make the remodel a true dream. Proceeds from tickets for tours of the house — now scheduled Sept. 2 - Sept. 26 — will benefit Cook Children’s Medical Center through Jewel Charity.

An old swimming pool had to be removed and a new one con-

structed with minimal damage to the existing surroundings.

“Working around existing trees is not unusual,” says Glen Bullard of Fort Worth Custom Pools. “However, the challenge was to protect trees and shrubbery that were generations old that were in the vicinity of the swimming pool area.”

Contractors work on Dream Homes and Dream Remodels for a variety of reasons. Generally, such projects benefit some charity in the community, and that’s good. They often are more complex and therefore more interesting projects than the ordinary job. And they allow the companies to show off their work — and that’s both exciting and challenging.

“Every Dream Home job — we’ve done a bunch — is like a shot in the Olympics,” says Todd Brock of Aaron Iron Works Inc. “You feel the overriding theme of displaying your ‘talent’ on a stage. You know that you’re not only there to perform for the customer, but for a larger audience since it’s going to be public. You want to achieve greatness not only for yourself, but for those who will be witness to what you’ve done.”

And the job Aaron is doing on this house is very complex.

“This particular style of railing has more welding per foot than any railing we’ve done,” says Brock. But he doesn’t know yet how rewarding it will be. “I won’t know that until we get a ‘thumbs up’ from the homeowners,” he said. “That’s one of our primary goals.”

It’s a new experience for Mark Singleton of Fort Worth Lighting.

“This is my first experience with a Dream Model Home,” he said.

Partners

in the 2010 Dream Remodel

» Aaron Ornamental Iron

» Dorian’s

» Fashion Glass and Mirrors

» Ferguson Enterprises

» Fort Worth Custom Pools

» Fort Worth Lighting

» Franklin Insulation

» Grand Home Designs

» IMC-International Marble Collection

» Masters Flooring

» Omniview Windows and Doors

» Overhead Door

» Pierce Hardware

» ProScapes

» ProSource Floors

» Sherwin-Williams Co.

» Vineyard Wine Cellars

“It is a learning experience. This job is very eclectic.”

He’s pleased to be included just because of the experience itself.

We asked the vendors whether they were presented with extraordinary challenges.

Leslie Wadle of International Marble Collection may have spoken for all of them.

“It is not challenging,” Wadle said. “It is a privilege.”

Masters agrees.

“It is always rewarding to take an older home like this and be part of transforming it into a modern jewel and blending the old with the new seamlessly,” he said.

Mike Poe of Fashion Glass and Mirrors says his company does all sorts of jobs from small remodels to large mansions and high-rise condominiums.

“However, it is always rewarding to be involved in a remodel project of an older home in an area such as Colonial,” Poe said. “We specialize in the challenging jobs. Our experience in helping homeowners turn their dreams and visions into reality is what sets us apart.”

One reward, say the vendors, is working with the Bates family itself. “Incredible,” one said.

“The respect and trust they have placed in me is very special,” said Bullard. “They have selected a professional team of contractors with many

years of experience to create their dream home and swimming pool.”

Brock called them “a great group of folks” and wanted to thank them for the opportunity.

The family was barely into the project when Tyler Bates, young son of Tom and Jennifer Bates, was diagnosed with a serious illness.

“The thoughts and prayers of all their friends, contractors, employees and loved ones are with them,” said Bullard. “Our wish is that anyone reading this article please put this family in their prayers.”

Mary Bates is out of town much of the time at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis where Tyler is undergoing chemotherapy. She praised the companies working on the house in an earlier interview.

“They all came to me and said you don’t worry about anything. We’re going to get all this done,” Bates said. “It’s just amazing how everything has just fallen into place.”

The Bates family is a strong family, said Bullard. They wanted there to be something for everyone in the pool design — sun benches, hot tubs and a swim-under grotto with a slide.

“I’m not sure the slides are just for the grandkids,” he said.

Honorary Chair

Marshall Howard first graduate of KinderFrogs • Class of 2004 and Event Chairs

Kathryn and Matt Carter • Christine and Wilson Martin invite you to save the date for

LE P FROG

September 22, 2010 at the home of

Betsy and Steve Palko

Mira Vista Estates

Dinner, live auction and chance packages to benefit our littlest Horned Frogs at TCU!

For more information or to purchase a table sponsorship, contact Michele Cole at 817.257.5562 or m.cole@tcu.edu

port

Ebby Halliday, REALTORS

FOCUS: Residential Real Estate. HONORS: Ebby is the No. 1 residential real estate company in Texas and 12th in the nation. HISTORY: Founded in 1945 as a one-woman, one-office operation, Ebby is now comprised of more than 1,600 sales associates and staff in 30 offices, including two offices in Tarrant County, that serve more than 12,000 square miles in North Texas. WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THEM: This year, Ebby Halliday is celebrating 65 years of service to North Texas with an unparalleled reputation for service and professionalism. SPECIAL INTERESTS: Ebby Halliday founded her company on the principle of service: service to the client, service to the industry and service to the community. Today that spirit of service is

The Helen Painter Group Realtors

SPECIALTY: The 52-year-old Helen Painter Group Realtors specializes in Residential Real Estate and Property Management (which we launched 50 years ago and do incredibly well) and Relocation, of course. AWARDS/HONORS: We are honored each and every day by our clients who are loyal and happy and by our fellow realtors who we work with to make the sales happen. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Clients who refer their friends and family to us and clients who

contact us time and again to help them with the next phase of their life. WHY CHOOSE THEM: We spend our days searching and finding solutions for our clients whether it is finding the right home or selling property for clients who need to sell. Our clients are our focus, our energy is devoted to them and our time is dedicated to creating a win-win result for them. COMPANY MOTTO: Trust our Reputation, Count on our Character. FREE ADVICE: Choose wisely. Most realtors are

PICTURED: (seated, left to right) Steve Halliday, Dick Holmes; (standing, left to right) Mimi Klotz, Amy Brown, Grace Taylor, Martha Gensheimer, Cathy Taylor, Kate Taylor, Melissa Clifton, Debbie Norris.

gtaylor@helenpainter.com,

ctaylor@helenpainter.com, ktaylor@helenpainter.com, mclifton@helenpainter.com, dnorris@helenpainter.com

 436 Wyndham Crest, Westworth Village

3/3.5/2.5 Rare opportunity in sought after Westworth Park across from Shady Oaks CC in Fort Worth. Perfect for families w children. Separate laundry room with all bedrooms up, each with separate bathrooms. Lovely covered patio with back yard great for entertaining. Fireplace in master. $495,000. Christi Hardy – 817.676.2742



3/3.5/2.5

Williams Trew has been able to make its mark on the real estate landscape of Tarrant County in just 10 short years. But it’s our 1088 collective years of experience that set us apart. Nowhere will you find a real estate firm that is better equipped to address the needs of homebuyers and sellers in Fort Worth. We

It comes with the territory.

Fabulous downtown Fort Worth condos! Private entrances, elevators and garages, $535,000-$715,000 Jenny Price, 817-602-7817

4409 N. Cumberland Rd., $395,000 4/3.5/2, Stunning Views of Downtown and TCU, Carl Roland, 817-570-9408 & Joani Youngblood, 817-570-9410

5631 Byers Avenue at Roaring Springs, .717 acre, 3/3, $685,000 Jerry Taylor, 817-632-9471

4801 Collinwood Ave., $479,900 3/3.5/2, Westside, close to Cultural and Museum District, Joani Youngblood, 817-570-9410 & Carl Roland, 817-570-940

1709 Carleton Avenue, Just one block from River Crest Country Club, 4/4.2, $1,299,000 Martha Williams, 817-570-9401

127 Dixon Wood Court, Aledo, 4/3.5/3, pool, 724,000 Debbie Pearce, 817-235-7275

2845 Oakbriar Trail, Stonegate, 4/3, $445,000 Martha Williams, 817-570-9401

1825 Warner Road, Updated In Berkeley, 3/2, $415,000 Jerry Taylor, 817-632-9471

4733 Trail Bend Circle, The Woods, 3/2.1, $599,900 Joan Trew, 817-570-9403

1201 Thomas Place, Rivercrest, 4 Bedrooms, 3 baths, $750,000 Jackie Prowse, 817-570-9402

www.rocky-creek-ranch.com, 10 - 50 acre lots from the $140's - $650's, Mary Margaret Richter, 817-999-9134 Allen Crumley, 817-480-9502

5054 Birchman Ave., Meadowmere/Arl Hts, 2/2+study, $274,500 Cecile Montgomery, 817-632-9472

3691 Encanto Dr., 5/3.5/4, 1.044 ac., $989,000 Rosemary Conaway Gillespie, 817-614-4140

9341 Bella Terra Drive, Monserrat, 5/6.5/4, pool, 2,275,000 Debbie Pearce, 817-235-7275

3750 W. 6th Street, Monticello area, Craftsman styled 4/4+/ gameroom, $799,500 Brenda Anderson, 817-233-0891

SIGNA TURE

4404 Overton Crest, Overton Crest, 4/7.1, $1,700,000 Joan Trew, 817-570-9403

1101 Hidden Road, Rivercrest, 4/4.5, $995,000 Martha Price, 817-570-9425

3801 Encanto Dr., Westcliff, Magnificent backyard, pool, 1.3 acre lot, 4/3.5/3, $1,495,000 Suzanne Burt, 817-570-9414

102 Trinity Bluffs Road, Panoramic Bluff Views, 5 acres, 4/4.5, 3 Living Areas, Study, and a Pool, in Aledo ISD, $787,500 Donna Leonard, 817-996-4426

5537 Byers Ave, River Crest, 2 bed/3.5 bath w/ pool, $579,000 Whitney Neal, 817-903-3772

1005 Picasso Drive, So7 Townhomes, 3/3.1, $525,000 Patty Williamson, 817-632-9466 3813 Briarhaven, Overton Woods, 4/3.2, $989,975 Joan Trew, 817-570-9403

732 .840

820 Aviator-1 bed/1.5 bath apartment masterfully situated in an airplane hangar at Hicks Airfield. $299,000 Whitney Neal, 817-903-3772

Award winning custom homebuilders, Sam Noel and Lee A. Hughes have combined efforts to create a distinct product specifically for Fort Worth. Noel, Owner of Monument Homes and Hughes, CEO of M averick Homes, have long been industry leaders in North Texas.

FORT WORTH CREW

Park Place Motorcars Congratulates Ft. Worth Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) on its 25th anniversary and extends best wishes for continued success down the road.

Constructive Spirit

Eighty seldom-seen paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, drawings and films by artists across the Americas are showing at the Amon Carter Museum. To learn more, turn the page.

things to do in July

to list an event

Send calendar information to Fort Worth, Texas: The City’s Magazine, c/o Paul K. Harral, executive editor, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 130, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, or e-mail ideas to pharral@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.

Museums

OMni TheaTer, ThrOugh July » A variety of entertaining shows are available throughout the month, including Animopolis, Sharks, Avatar, Adrenaline Rush, and Van Gogh: Brush With Genius. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. 817.255.9300.

geOrgia O’Keeffe and The far Way: naTure and iMage, ThrOugh SepT. 6 » In partnership with the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, N.M., the Cowgirl Museum displays an exhibition of one of the most famous artists of the 20th century and 1991 Honoree, Georgia O’Keeffe. National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, 817.336.4475.

COnSTruCTive SpiriT: abSTraCT arT in SOuTh and nOrTh aMeriCa, 1920S –50S, ThrOugh SepT. 5 » Featuring approximately 80 seldomseen paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, drawings and films by artists across the Americas. Amon Carter Museum. 817.738.1933.

anSel adaMS: elOquenT lighT, ThrOugh nOv. 7 » An exhibition of forty landmark and lesser-known works by the renowned artist-photographer drawn from the Carter’s holdings and a private collection. Amon Carter Museum. 817.738.1933.

leOn pOlK SMiTh: The TaMarind liThOgraphy WOrKShOp, ThrOugh deC. 5 » An exhibition showcasing the works of a Native American painter considered one of the founders of “hard-edge” abstract art. Amon Carter Museum. 817.738.1933.

MaSTerWOrKS Of aMeriCan phOTOgraphy: pOpular CulTure, ThrOugh July 18 » Images of moments of recognition that bind culture together and remind viewers of photography’s ability to reflect shared lives. Amon Carter Museum. 817.738.1933. nOble planeTariuM, ThrOugh July » Learn more about astronomy through programs presented at the Noble Planetarium. Fragile Planet, Texas Night Sky, and One World, One Sky, Big Bird’s Adventure will be showing throughout the month. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Schedule: tinyurl.com/july-noble, 817.255.9300.

The STOry Of india: The MeeTing Of TWO OCeanS, July 11 » Motion picture, 2 p.m. An installment

of a six-part adventure about the riches and diversity of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Museum auditorium, free admission. Kimbell Art Museum. 817.332.8451.

STar parT y, July 17 » Monthly parties hosted by the Noble Planetarium staff and the Fort Worth Astronomical Society held near the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Guests will be able to view the stars through telescopes and learn from astronomy experts. The party begins at dusk and ends at 10:30 p.m. Admission is free. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. For more information, visit fwmuseum.org/star-parties or call 817.255.9300.

leOnardO da vinCi: Man, invenTOr, geniuS, ThrOugh SepT. 6 » Learn of the diverse works of a true Renaissance Man. Tickets: adult $14, children and seniors $10. Admission for museum members is free. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. 817.255.9300.

afTer hOurS aT The KiMbell » Second Saturdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join with other art-lovers for music, gallery tours and cocktails (cash bar). July 10: The Dallas Jazz Orchestra. Nonmembers: $10. Kimbell Art Museum, 817.332.8451.

firST friday’S aT The MOdern » The first Friday of each month, the StarTelegram, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and Café Modern team up to offer live music and cocktails from 5 to 8 p.m. July 2: Nick Kithas and Friends. Special cocktail: Roman Candle. Modern Art Museum, 817.738.9215.

SeCOnd SaTurday aT The Sid riChardSOn MuSeuM, July 10 » 1 p.m. guided tour on artists who shaped public perception of the American West. Sid Richardson Museum. 817.332.6554.

fOurTh SaTurday aT The Sid riChardSOn MuSeuM, July 24 » 1 p.m. guided tour of paintings by Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and other late 19th century artists. Sid Richardson Museum. 817.332.6554.

Music

Shen yun, aug. 4-5 » Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, brings about 100 dancers to the stage for the cultural and artistic

production, Shen Yun, hosted by the Southern USA Falun Dafa Association and New Tang Dynasty Television Dallas. To learn more, visit shenyunperformingarts.org or call 888-907-4697. Bass Performance Hall, basshall.com, 817.212.4280.

verizOn TheaTre » Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, 972.854.5111.

July 5 » My World North American Tour. Justin Bieber with Sean Kingston. 7 p.m.

July 16 » Weird Al Yankovic, 8 p.m.

July 27 » Barenaked Ladies, 7:30 p.m.

billy bOb’S TexaS » Billy Bob’s Texas, 817.624.7117.

July 2 » Justin McBride

July 3 » The Band Perry

July 3 » Randy Rogers Stockyards Stampede (outdoor). M.C. Hammer, Ryan Bingham, Everclear and more

July 9 » Kyle Bennett Band

July 10 » Luke Bryan

July 16 » Josh Abbott Band

July 17 » Ted Nugent

July 23 » Colt Ford

July 24 » Restless Heart

July 30 » No Justice

July 31 » Lee Ann Womack grapevine Opry » Grapevine, 817.481.8733.

July 3 » God and Country: Celebrating American freedom and independence

July 17 » Legends: Making Time With Patsy Cline: Songs of the legendary “Queen of Country”

July 23 » Gospel Country Showcase

July 24 » Country Music Showcase

July 31 » Fabulous Fifties Jukebox: Along with rock tunes, the fifties also brought us many memorable ballads

MaSTerWOrKS COnCerT SerieS» Southlake Town Square, 817.329.5566.

July 3 » King Creole

July 10 » Rhett Butler Band

July 17 » White House Harmony

July 24 » Zack King Band

July 31 » Me & My Monkey “The Beatles Tribute”

MaSTerWOrKS COnCerT SerieS» Other venues, 817.329.5566.

July 10 » Nana Puddin’, Colleyville City Park, 5205 Bransford Rd.

July 22 » Rachael Bigham, Hurst Public Library, 901 Precinct Line Rd.

July 22 » Freddy & The Falcons, Austin Street Plaza, corner of Oak & Austin, Roanoke

July 28 » Kobushi, Keller Town Hall Patio, 1100 Bear Creek Parkway

lOneSTar MuSiC SerieS » Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. 972.237.5000.

July 2 » Robert Earl Keen

July 17 » Kevin Fowler/Roger Creager

Third ThurSday Jazz SerieS » A six-concert series featuring well-known musical acts. July 15, Mack Goldsbury Quartet celebrates the sound of the Texas tenor sax. 6:30 p.m., Fort Worth Central Library. 817.871.7705.

an evening WiTh daWeS and fOrT WOrTh’S OWn Telegraph CanyOn, July 14 » Casa Mañana Theatre, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. 817.332.2272.

Stage/Theater

ETiquETTE unravElEd, July 8

Through July 18 » Lake Simons unravels a silent tale through the inanimate objects surrounding her on stage in a solo piece spanning clown, puppetry and dance. Hip Pocket Theatre. 1950 Silver Creek Rd., Fort Worth. 817.246.9775.

Edward abbEy — wild and iron Sky, July 22 Through aug. 1 » An intense examination of the journals and thinking of the brilliantly irascible, incorrigible, environmentalist, Edward Abbey. Musical narrative provided by Fort Worth guitarist Darrin Kobetich. Hip Pocket Theatre. 1950 Silver Creek Rd., Fort Worth. 817.246.9775.

JoSEph and ThE amazing TEchnicolor drEamcoaT, July 23–29 » Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic Broadway musical retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his incredible abilities and his fantastic coat. Casa Manaña Theater at the Bass. Bass Performance Hall. 1.877.212.4280.

bluES in ThE nighT, July 23 Through aug. 15 » The universal language of the blues wails out full and strong in this revue of 26 hot numbers

that tell of the sweet, sexy and sorrowful experiences three women have with the lying, cheating snake of a man who does them wrong. Jubilee Theater. 817.338.4411.

SomEThing inTangiblE, Through July 24 » A story about the struggle of two brothers to create art as they work together to run a Hollywood Studio in the 1940s. Circle Theatre. 817.877.3040.

concErTS in ThE gardEn, July 2, 3 and 4 » Old Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic, Patriotic songs, heartpounding marches and fireworks for an exciting Independence Day celebration. Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. 817.665.6000.

rolEplay, Through July 25 » A comedy in which a couple’s attempt to tell their parents about their engagement does not go as planned. Stage West. 817.784.9378.

lEading ladiES, Through July 3 » Desperation for cash leads two English actors to dress up as women in order to claim the fortune of a dying woman. Theatre Arlington. 817.275.7661.

ThE dixiE Swim club, July 23

Through aug, 22 » In this comedy, five Southern women, who met on their college swim team, reunite every August to recharge their relationships and renew their spirits. Theatre Arlington. 817.275.7661.

ThE 25Th annual puTnam counT y SpElling bEE, July 30 Though aug. 22 » A musical comedy that centers around a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School in Putnam County, N.Y. ONSTAGE in Bedford. onstageinbedford.com. 817.354.6444.

comedy

curTiS nEEdS a ridE comEdy Show, ongoing » A comedy troupe made up of TCU alumni light up the Four Day Weekend stage with laughter for weekly improvisational shows. Four Day Weekend Theater, 817.226.4329.

Four day wEEkEnd, Friday and SaTurday, ongoing » The popular improvisational comedy troupe performs skits and songs based on audience suggestions. Four Day Weekend Theater. 817.226.4329.

hyEna’S comEdy nighT club, ongoing» Various performances each week ranging from local to national stars. Hyena’s Comedy Night Club, 817.877.5233.

Sports

TExaS rangErS » Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, 817.273.5100.

July 2-4 » White Sox

July 5-7 » Indians

July 8-11 » Orioles

July 22-25 » Angels

July 27-29 » Athletics

TExaS moTor SpEEdway: Scion drag-n-brag pluS Show-nShinE, July 9, 16, 23 and 30 » Back for a second year! Bring your own vehicle to drag race among other locals or kick back and enjoy the grass roots competition. Come out early and take part in the Show-n-Shine competition by entering your vehicle or walking through the display of cars. Texas Motor Speedway. 817.215.8500.

ForT worTh caTS »La Grave Field, Northeast 7th Street, 817.332.2287.

July 6-8 » vs. El Paso Diablos

July 13-15 » vs. Pensacola Pelicans

July 16-17 » vs. Shreveport-Bossier Captains

July 28-31 » vs. Shreveport-Bossier Captains

other attractions

STarS undEr ThE Sun, Through July 27 » An opportunity for families and friends to watch free outdoor movies in downtown Fort Worth. Sundance Square. 817.255.5700.

FirST Sunday Film club, July 11 » Come and view the free films shown once a month at the Central Library. This month, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945, B/W, 110 mins., not rated) will be featured. Central Library. 817.871.7323.

indEpEndEncE day Train, July 4

» All riders receive a novelty American flag. Train departs at 1 p.m. from the Grapevine Cotton Belt Train Depot and returns at 6 p.m. Or hop aboard the Trinity River Run, departing the Fort Worth Stockyards Station at 3:15 p.m., returning to the Stockyards at 4:15 p.m. Grapevine Vintage Railroad. 817.410.3185.

log cabin villagE, Through July » Closed July 2 (City of Fort Worth furlough day.) Scheduled activities give children the chance to experience 19th century frontier life. The events throughout the month include hands-on sessions that instruct kids on early food preparation methods, woodworking and weaving technique, and many other skills. Log Cabin Village. 817.392.5881.

10 local chefs, as voted on by the Fort Worth, Texas magazine readers and the Top Chef Panel, will compete against each other in three culinary challenges. Five chefs will compete in the first and second challenge, with the top two from each advancing to the finals.

Morrison Showroom will be host to each competition on July 8, Aug. 5 and Sept. 9.

So come join the party!

No charge for first two challenges but must RSVP Cash Bar RSVP to rsvp@morsco.com

Final challenge $75 per person •

Open Bar & Heavy Hors D’oeuvres RSVP 817.259.0920 For Additional Information, Please Contact: Kathy Mills, Promotion Director 817.560.6129 kmills@fwtexas.com

july2010

110 now open: Cast Iron 112 revIew: KInCaId's 114 lIstIngs

Rustic Elegance

Cast Iron Restaurant located inside the Omni Hotel in downtown Fort Worth serves updated versions of Southern comfort foods. To learn more, turn the page.

Eating at the Omni

Cowtown’s Cast Iron Restaurant transitions from an easily forgotten eatery to a standout hotel restaurant.

Located inside the Omni, Fort Worth’s Cast Iron Restaurant definitely has style. A variety of textures and materials — stone, wood, leather and rich textiles — decorate the space. Dark woods and rich colors like maroon and mustard give the restaurant warmness, while cream walls, tabletops and booths keep the look from being too heavy. Long, familystyle tables fill most of one side of the dining room. On the other side, a massive fireplace provides visual and physical warmth. Tooled leather placemats and hammered silverware contribute to Cast Iron’s rustic elegance.

Serving local and regional food, the restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The dinner menu (labeled “supper”) is filled with updated versions of Southern comfort food.

Breakfast Buffet / A la Carte

Monday-Sunday: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Closed daily: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Early this year we visited the restaurant. The environment was pleasing, but the meal was forgettable. Although the food wasn’t bad and was a step above typical hotel fare, it wasn’t outstanding. However, recently we revisited the restaurant and were pleased to see that it has improved.

Omni Hotel, 1300 Houston St., Fort Worth 817.535.666 $$-$$$

For the past few months, Cast Iron has had a “Texas Two Step” portion of the menu, which changes monthly. Several appetizer and entrée options feature seasonal and locally grown ingredients.

When we visited, we chose Paula’s Fried Mozzarella ($8) as an appetizer from the special section of the menu. Crispy, fried breadcrumbs hugged two flat circles of melting mozzarella. The cheese rested on a bed of chiffonade dandelion greens. A side of balsamic-marinated grape tomato halves acted as a dressier, sweeter version of marinara. An additional side of cilantro pesto added earthiness with its

herbs and saltiness from its Parmesan cheese. Paired with the tomatoes, the pesto nicely enhanced the fried mozzarella.

On the regular menu, appetizer options included Chipotle Chicken Chowder, complete with sweet corn dumplings, but we tried the Blue Crab and Shrimp Enchilada ($9). Beautifully plated, a corn tortilla enveloped a crab and shrimp mixture. Roasted corn, diced onions, black beans, diced red and green peppers, cilantro and goat cheese topped the enchilada. A butterflied, chili-rubbed shrimp set to the side had terrific smoky flavor but was a bit overcooked. Mole and tomatillo sauces added extra color, flavor, and moisture.

Entrees on the “supper” menu ranged from steak to salmon and from free-range chicken to Texas cheese steak sandwiches. We decided on the Cowboy Ribeye ($21). Beautifully blending flavor and tenderness, the grilled steak had nice flavor. Simply but nicely presented, it was topped with blue cheese and cilantro chimichurri. The blend of herbs, olive oil, tomato, garlic and spices stood up to the steak’s heartiness. Although the steak was good, it was cooked closer to medium rare, and we ordered medium.

Each steak came with our choice of a miniature cast iron dish of “fixins.” The black-eyed peas with andouille sausage were salty and slightly spicy. The baked stone-ground cheese grits were quite tasty and one of the best parts of our meal.

Off the seasonal section of the menu, we tried the Southern Fried

Windy Meadows Farm Chicken ($18) entrée. Located approximately 100 miles northeast of Fort Worth, Windy Meadows Farm raises chickens sans hormones and antibiotics, letting the poultry’s full flavors shine through. Two pieces of boneless breast meat were moist, and their fried batter was crunchy. Redeye gravy smothered the chicken. Pieces of cured ham gave the gravy depth. Although it was a bit over salted and peppered, the gravy’s flavors enhanced the chicken.

An accompaniment of tomato coulis was OK but not completely necessary. A side of wilted spinach was heavily flavored with garlic and a bit too much salt. A sweet potato biscuit also came with the dish. Dense and gooey in the center, it didn’t add anything to the meal.

For dessert, we tried the Old-Fashioned Brownie Skillet with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. A warm, gooey, cake-like brownie was topped with a scoop of homemade ice cream. Super sweet fudge sauce surrounded the brownie and ice cream, and a duo of whipped cream and strawberry served as a garnish.

The pinnacle of our meal was the Burnt Banana Pudding dessert. Served in a martini glass, the pudding tasted of real bananas, not imitation banana flavoring like some restaurant’s versions. Bits of banana were mixed throughout, and whipped cream crowned the pudding. On top, a halved banana had a caramelized sugary coating — much like the top of crème brulee — that crunched with each stab of the spoon. A homemade vanilla wafer was slightly chewy and a welcome stand-in for the usual out-of-box alternatives.

on dining and wining at local mainstays » by camille torres

A Fort Worth legend: A fresh-ground Angus chuck hamburger and onion rings from Kincaid's.

Tried-andTrue Hamburgers

Kincaid’s keeps generations coming back for its back-tobasics burgers and throwback style.

Ask a few Fort Worthians which restaurant has the best burgers around, and it’s almost guaranteed at least one will say Kincaid’s Hamburgers. Founded in 1946 as Charles Kincaid Grocery and Market, the original Kincaid’s location on Camp Bowie is a Fort Worth staple.

In 1966, O.R. Gentry, the store’s meat cutter, started making hamburgers to make use of the excess ground beef each day. Gentry bought Kincaid’s one year later. Word about the grocery store’s burgers quickly spread, and eventually the store morphed into a restaurant.

Original location: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Sunday

Others: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Multiple Locations

Although it now has six locations in Tarrant and Parker counties, Kincaid’s is staying true to its roots. Each location, which is still owned by the Gentry family, has retained the flagship restaurant’s same style, simple menu and signature burgers.

817.732.2881, kincaidshamburgers.com $

The restaurants’ exteriors may vary, but inside they all have pistachio green walls that are heavily adorned with photos, framed articles and signs. Red-and-white picnic-style vinyl checkered tablecloths cover the tables, and, somewhere in the family-oriented restaurant, you’ll see a sign that says, “Where Friends Meet to Eat.” At each restaurant, customers order at the main counter, and employees write the orders down on what will be the burgers’ paper bags.

All Kincaid’s burgers are made from USDA Angus chuck beef, which each location cuts and grinds in-house daily. Hormone, antibiotic, pesticide and preservative free, the meat is never frozen. The buns are Mrs Baird’s, and the pickles are from Best Maid, both local companies.

On our recent visit, we went for the classic hamburger ($5.25, cheese is an extra 45 cents) that has won numerous local and national “best burger” accolades for Kincaid’s. The old-fashioned, half-pound patty was cooked on a flattop griddle. (A junior burger is also available for pint-sized appetites; its patty is about half as thick.) Like all the burgers at Kincaid’s, ours came with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions.

The hamburger’s patty was more than an inch thick. With an absence of seasonings, the meat’s true flavors shone through. Extra juicy, the patty was a bit greasy, just how a good burger should be.

We also tried a bacon cheeseburger ($7.25), which featured thick, meaty bacon that punched up the burger’s flavors. Its cheese was slightly melted onto the patty, a result of placing the cheese on the patty when it was still on the griddle.

The Chili Cheeseburger ($6.50) was extra messy. Meat chili fell out as grease dripped to the burger’s paper wrapping. Onions were thinly cut into slivers, so they packed the perfect, not too overpowering, punch. For sides we tried Kincaid’s onion rings ($3.50), French fries ($1.75) and stuffed jalapeno ($1). In my opinion, the restaurant’s onion rings are some of the best around. Thick with an incredibly crispy coating, the ring’s batter adhered to the onion perfectly. Ranch dipping sauce put the onion rings over the edge with its extra blast of flavor.

The classic crinkle-cut fries were tender in the center with a slight crunch on the exterior. The two stuffed jalapeno halves were seeded and deveined. Filled with pimento cheese, the peppers weren’t groundbreaking, but the spicy, fresh jalapeno and cold, mild cheese were a nice pairing.

For dessert we had a chocolate shake ($3.30) made with Blue Bell ice cream. Sweet, creamy and thick, it was the ideal accompaniment for the meal.

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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

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 restaurant be considered for the list, contact Paul K. Harral at pharral@fwtexas.com.

american

Arlington / Mid-Cities

5 & diner » 522 Lincoln Square, Arlington, 817.277.7900. This 50s-style diner offers tasty food in a fun, casual setting. 6am-10pm daily. $ B L D

Bl ACkFinn restAur Ant & sAloon » 4001 Bagpiper Way, Ste. 101, 817.468.3332. When you come to BlackFinn, prepare to eat great food in a fun environment. With a flat-panel TV at every booth, can you say game day? 11am-2am daily. $-$$ L D (✹ T

BJ’s restAur Ant And Brewhouse » 201 Interstate 20 E., 817.465.5225. What started as a Chicago-style pizzeria in California is now a national chain that boasts everything on the menu tastes better with a BJ’s beer. 11am-midnight Sun.-Thu.; 11am1am Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D

CheF Point CAFe » 5901 Watauga Rd., Watauga, 817.656.0080. Eat gourmet in a gas station! Located inside a Conoco station, don’t expect white tablecloths in this cafe, whose motto is “Fill’er-up outside, fill’er-up inside.” This unique restaurant features everything from delicious burgers to stuffed steaks and lamb chops. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri.; 7am-10pm Sat.; 10am-8pm Sun. Breakfast Saturdays. $-$$ L D

dAve & Busters » 425 Curtis Mathes Way, 817.525.2501. Dave & Buster's is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and fun house because it serves a variety of classic bar and grill food, along with with many video games. 11am-midnight Sun.-Thu.; 11am-1am Fri.-Sat. $$ 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. 10am6pm Mon.-Sat.; 1pm-5pm Sun. $ L ( houlihAn’s » 401 E. 1-20 Hwy., 817.375.3863. Look no further for your favorite American dishes as well as

Asian- and Italian-inspired entrees. The food here is made fresh and from scratch. 11am-midnight, bar 2am Mon.Sat.; 11am-10pm, bar midnight Sun. $$-$$$ L D (✹ T

huMPerdink's restAur Ant And Brewery » 700 Six Flags Drive, 817.640.8553. Visit Humperdink's after a fun-filled day at Six Flags or to watch a big game. Guests can enjoy the many flat-screen TVs while enjoying sports bar and grill cuisine. 11am-midnight, bar 2am Mon.-Sat.; 11am-2am Sun.-Sat. $$ L D (✹

MAC’s BAr & grill » 6077 W. I-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-midnight Fri. & Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $$ L D (

MArket street » 5605 Colleyville Blvd., 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-10pm daily. $ B L D (✹

no Frills grill » 4914 Little Rd., 817.478.1766. Other locations: 801 S. Main St. #109, 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.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm 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. 11:30am-3:30pm Mon.-Sat.; 12pm-3:30pm Sun. $ L ( the sAnFord house » 506 N. Center St., 817.861.2129. The comfort-

able Victorian-style inn just north of downtown offers exquisite dining. Reservations requested. Breakfast Hours 8am-9:30am Mon.-Sat.; 8am-11am Sun. Lunch Hours 11am-2pm Tue.-Sat. Dinner Hours 6pm-9pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ B L D (✹ T

southern reCiPes grill » 2715 N. Collins St., 817.469.9878. A restaurant that offers up great atmosphere and a choice of chicken, seafood or steak. 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat. $-$$ L D( ✹ ventAnA grille » 7005 Golf Club Dr., 817.548.5047. Located inside the clubhouse at Tierre Verde Golf Club. Serves all meals, but a great pick for an evening out! 6:30am-9pm Sun-Thur; 6:30am-10pm Fri. & Sat. $-$$ B L D ( ✹

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-midnight Fri. & Sat.; 11:30am-10pm Sun. $ 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 BuFFAlo Bros Pizz A wings & suBs » 3015 S. University Dr., 817. 386.9601. This perfect college hangout offers ice cold beer, pizza, wings and sub sandwiches. It's also a great place to catch the game. 11 am-11 pm Sun.Sat. $$ L D

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. Lunch Hours 11:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner Hours 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thur; 5pm-midnight Fri. & Sat.; Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm Sun. $$$ L D ( ChArleston’s » 3020 S. Hulen St., 817.735.8900. You can get as casual as coaching shorts, though we’d suggest one think better of it. There’s nothing casual, though, about the hickorygrilled pork, Idaho rainbow trout and classic baby back ribs. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am9pm Sun. $$ L D ( ✹ the Covey restAur Ant And Brewery » 3010 S. Hulen St., 817.731.7933. Offering a combination of styles, one side of this fine dining establishment is a comfortable brew pub with its own on-site brewmaster, and the other side is a classic restaurant serving creative cuisine and fine wines. 11am-11pm 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 E. Belknap St., 817.222.0883. Other locations: 6200 E. Lancaster, 817.451.6180; 5401 S. Hulen St., 817.361.8500; 5401 Blue

Mound Rd., 817.625.4115, Dinner Friday Nights. 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 Pl ACe » 5701 Curzon Ave., 817.735.4408. A westside favorite for good home cooking. Excellent service and a friendly atmosphere. 10:30am7pm Tue.-Thur.; 10:30am-8pm Fri.; 10:30am-6pm Sat. Closed Sun.-Mon. $-$$ L D (

Fred’s tex As CAFe » 915 Currie St., 817.332.0083. This great music venue features innovative food combinations, from hamburgers to green chili pork roast with sweet potatoes and sourdough battered chicken-fried steak and gravy. The outdoor patio only adds to the attraction of the fun café. 10:30ammidnight Tue.-Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. Closed Mon. $$ 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. 7am-3pm Mon.-Fri; 10am-2pm Sat. & Sun.; 5pm-10pm Thur. & Sun.; 5pm11pm Fri. & Sat $ B 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. 11am-9pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-8pm Sat.; 11am-3pm 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.; 7amnoon 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. 7am9pm 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

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your fuzzy house shoes and join the party. Open 24 hours. $ B 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-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Breakfast Only 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. Lunch Hours 10am-3pm Mon.Sat.; Dinner Hours 6pm-9pm; Sunday Brunch 10am-1pm Sun. $-$$ L D

POP’S SAFARI ROOM » 2929 Morton St., 817.877.0916. 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. 9am10:30pm Mon.; 9am-11pm Tue.-Thur.; 9am-midnight Fri. & Sat.; Lunch Hours 11:30am-2pm; Dinner Hours 6pm-9pm $$-$$$ 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-3:30pm MonSat.; 12pm-3:30pm Sun. $ 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 Sun.-Thur.; 6am10:30pm Fri. & Sat.; 10am-2pm Sun. $$ B L D T (

WESTSIDE CAFÉ » 7950 W. Camp Bowie Blvd., 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 Blvd., 817.989.4650. A delightful dining adventure for lunch with excellent service. 11am-3pm Mon.-Sat $$ L ( kEllER/lAkE COUNTRy

HARbOR ONE » 9315 Boat Club Rd., 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. Lunch Hours 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner Hours 4:30pm-9pm Mon.-Fri; All Day 11am-9pm Sat.; All Day 10:30am-9pm Sun. $ L D

Cl ASSIC CAFE » 504 N. Oak St., 817.430.8185. This cozy house comforts guests as they enjoy some truly fine casual dining. Lunch Hours 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner Hours 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 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.-Fri.; 6am-3pm Sat. & Sun. $ B L D

PRAIRIE HOUSE RESTAURANT » 304 S. Hwy. 377, 817.491.4855. Open since 1999, this eclectic and authentic Texasstyle 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 MercedesBenz 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. 7am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 7am-10pm Fri. & Sat. 7am-9pm Sun. $$ B 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. 11am-11pm 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. 3pm-2am Mon.-Fri.; 11am-2am Sat.; 11am-midnight Sun. $ L D ( ✹

WEATHERFORD

ClEAR FORk GRIll » 29 Crown Road, 817.441.2300. Clear Fork Grill boasts true Texas cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. Utilizing lots of local ingredients creates flavors as big as Texas! 10am9pm Tue.-Thu.; 10am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D (

FIRE OAk GRIll » 10114 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: 11:30am-2:30pm Friday Only; Dinner: 5pm-10pm Mon.-Sat. $$-$$$ D (

asian

ARlINGTON

GENGHIS GRIll » 4000 Five Points Blvd., Ste. 189, 817.465.7847. Customize your own bowl of Asian stir-fry with Genghis Grill's wide variety of meats, spices and sauces. Lunch: 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D (✹

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-9:15pm Sun.-Thur.; 10:30am-10:15pm 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.; 11am-11pm Fri.; Noon-11pm Sat.; Noon-10pm Sun. $$ SUkHOTHAI » 423 N. Fielder Plaza, 817.860.4107. A tiny restaurant that serves healthy Thai cuisine. No MSG is found in the cooking here. Try the chicken satay or the steamed spring rolls. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-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 ( TU DO RESTAURANT » 2410 E. Arkansas Ln. #356, Arlington, 817.277.8836. Offering an inventive menu, Tu Do serves Vietnamese cuisine in a relaxed and welcoming setting. 4pm-midnight Mon.-Thur.; 4pm-2am Fri. & Sat.; 4pm1am Sun. $ 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.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri. & Sat. 4pm-9pm Sun. $ L D ✹

FORT WORTH

ASIA bOWl & GRIll » 2400 Lands End, Ste. 115, 817.738.1688. From Vietnamese and Korean to every possible variety of Chinese cuisine, the offerings on this menu are sure to please any palate. Fresh ingredients combined with complex flavors make this a fabulous dining experience. 11am-9:30pm Sun.Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ 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.; 5:30pm-9:30pm 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. 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thur.; 5pm-midnight Fri. & Sat. $$ 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., Ste. 130, 817.294.0808 L D. Other locations: 2600 W. 7th St., Ste. 101, 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-9pm Mon.-Sat.; Closed Sunday. $ 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-9pm Daily $-$$ 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. 11am-10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-11pm Thu.; 11am-1am Fri.; Noon-1am 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-9pm Mon.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun.; 3pm-7pm Happy Hour daily. $ L D ( ✹

SUSHI AXIOM JAPANESE FUSION RESTAURANT » 4625 Donnelly Ave., Ste. 101, 817.735.9100 L D ( ✹ Other locations: 2600 W. 7th St., 817.877.3331 L D ( ✹ 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. $$

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 high-quality food and service to keep patrons coming back for more. Enjoy the fresh and flavorful dishes in an elegant, yet casual, atmosphere. 11am-9:30pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am10:30pm Fri. & Sat. $ L D (

THAI TINA’S » 600 Commerce 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.” 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri. & Sat.; 3pm-8pm Sun. $$ L D

TOK yO CAFE » 5121 Pershing Ave., 817.737.8568. This Camp Bowie hideaway delivers great sushi at reasonable prices. Please come casual. 11am-10pm Fri.; 12pm-10pm Sat. $ L D ( ✹ GRAPEvINE

EDOHANA HIBACHI SUSHI » 1501 Hwy. 114 Ste. 100, 817.251.2004. Table-side food preparation is just part of the experience—a fabulous sushi bar includes many delicacies. Lunch: 11:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Thur.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri.; 5pm10:30pm Sat.; 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. Lunch: 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5pm-9:30pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-9:30pm Sat.; 11:30am-8pm Sun. $-$$ 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. Lunch: 11:30am2:30pm Mon.-Fri; 12pm-3:30pm Sat. & Sun.; Dinner: 5pm-10pm Sun.-Thur.; 5pm-11pm 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.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.; noon-11pm Sat.; 11:30am-9pm 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, takeout, drive-thru and catering. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-9:30pm Fri. & Sat.; 11am-8:30pm Sun. $ 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 (

COOPER'S OLD TIME PIT BAR- B -qUE » 301 Stockyards Blvd., 817.626.6464. It's all about the meat at Cooper's. Guests can enjoy their barbecue in the large dining area or on the indoor/outdoor patio overlooking the Fort Worth skyline. 11am-8:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am9:30pm Fri. and 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, drivethru and catering. 11am-8pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. $

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

fwdish:listings

our town by storm. Although pork is the house specialty, chicken and beef dishes are also available. 11am-9pm Sun.-Wed.; 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri. & 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.; 11am-10pm 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. 11am-8pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri. & Sat.; 11am-4pm Sun. $ 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 (

tR aIlBoSS BuRgeRS » 140 E. Exchange Ave, 817.626.7777. Same owners but a new concept. This restaurant, formerly part of the Riscky’s chain, focuses on what it does best, burgers. 11am-9pm Sun. & Mon.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri. & Sat. $-$$ L D ✹

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. 10:30am-11pm Mon.-Fri.; 11am-9pm Sat. & Sun. $ L D

brazilian

foRt woRth

teX aS De BR a ZIl » 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. 4:30pm-9:30pm Sat.; Brunch 11am-3pm Sun.; Dinner 4pm-9pm Sun. $$$ D T (

gRapeVINe

BoI Na BR a Z a » 4025 William D. Tate, 817.329.5514. Tasty food served with Brazilian flair. Offers constant choices of meat by servers at your table. 5pm-9:45pm (last seating) Sat.; 5pm-8:45pm (last seating) 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. Breakfast Hours 7am-11pm; 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat. $ B 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 cheesesteak 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

olD towN hamBuRgeRS » 2406 W. Park Row Dr., 817.276.9191. A burger and fries treat that is an excellent hot spot for lunch and a quick dinner. 11am-9pm Daily. $ 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 cheesesteak sandwiches, fried okra, stuffed jalapeños and chicken strips means you’ll never eat the same thing twice. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-10pm 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 goodtasting burgers and fries. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am9pm 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-9pm Sun.-Tue.; 11am-10pm Wed. & Thur.; 11am-1am Fri. & Sat. $ L D T ( ✹

m & o StatIoN gRIll » 200 Carroll St., 817.882.8020. Located inside Leonard's Department Store Museum, this nostalgic diner features award-winning burgers. Try the Bleu Cow, stuffed with bleu cheese and bacon. 11am-3pm Mon.; 11am-8:30pm Tue.-Sat.. $ L D pappa’S BuRgeRS » 2700 W. Freeway, 817.870.9736. 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-9pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri. & Sat. $-$$ L D ( ✹ the pouR houSe SpoRtS gRIll » 2725 W. 7th 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. 11am-2am Mon.-Sat.; 11am-midnight Sun. $ L D ( 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. 11am-9pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri. & Sat. $ 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 chickenfried steak. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-6pm 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.; 10:30am9pm Fri.-Sat.; 10:30am-3pm Sun. $ L D continental

aRlINgtoN

CafÉ at DaIReDS » 2400 W. I-20 (Temporarily Closed for Remodeling), 817.465.9797. Other Location: 15 Skyline Dr., Arlington, 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. 12pm-6pm Sun.; 9am-6pm Mon.; 9am-9pm Tue.-Thur.; 9am-6pm Fri.; 8:30am-5:30pm Sat. $-$$ 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. 6:30am-4pm Mon.-Thu.; 6:30am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $-$$$ B L D T (

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., Ste. 244, 817.989.1400. Other Location: 501 Carroll St., Ste. 658., 817.332.0500. 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. $

eSpeR aNZ a’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. $

j. R ae'S » 935 Foch St., 817.332.0090. "Not all cheesecakes are created equal" boasts J. Rae's. This new dessert bakery offers delicious cupcakes, distinctive cookies and a variety of cheesecakes. 9 am-6pm Mon.-Fri.; 10am-4pm Sat. $

jaSoN'S DelI » jasonsdeli.com. From sandwiches to salads, Jason's Deli offers healthy, fresh and even organic foods in a relaxed environment. Hours vary. $-$$ L D

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 ✹; 1409 N. Collins, Arlington, 817.548.8726 B L D ✹; 2140 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. S. 817.416.5566 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., Ste. 120, 817.837.1077 B L D. Other locations: 1540 Keller Pkwy, Ste. 107, 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-2pm 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. 10am-5:30pm Tue.-Fri.; 10am-4pm Sat. $-$$ B

SwEET SAMMIES » 825 Currie St., 817.332.0022. Specializing in signature treats, Sweet Sammies makes cookies from scratch daily. 10am-9pm Sun.-Wed.; 10am-10pm Thu.-Sat. $

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. 10am-5:30pm Tue.-Fri.; 10am-4pm Sat. $ B L

YOFE CAFE » 817 Currie St., 817.966.2065. Healthy grab and go sandwiches and salads are perfect for the diner on the go. They also offer fresh yogurt parfaits, smoothies and frozen yogurts all made with fresh ingredients. 6 am-8pm Mon.-Fri.; 6am-10pm Sat.-Sun.

$ B L D

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. 6:30am-2pm 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. $

fwdish:listings

your guide to local flavor

eclectic

Arlington

BoudreAux CAjun KitChen» 4000 Bagpiper Way, 817.557.3700. The Boudreaux Cajun Kitchen serves overthe-counter delicious Cajun cuisine in a fun atmosphere with lively Cajun music. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.Sat. $$ L D ✹

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. $$ D ( the Melting Pot » 4000 Five Points Road, Ste. 119, 817.469.1444. Experience attentive service, fine wines, the highest quality fresh ingredients, a variety of cooking styles, unique sauces and your favorite chocolate fondue. 5pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.; 3:30pm-11pm Sat.; 3pm-9pm Sun. $$-$$$ 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 reStAur Ant & 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. 11am10pm 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.

Lunch: 11am-2:30pm Tue.-Fri.; 11am3pm Sat & Sun. $$ L ( ✹

KiMBell Art MuSeuM » 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.332.8451, ext. 251. For reservations call 817.332.8541 ext. 277. 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. Lili's offers unpretentious global cuisine. Enjoy the Gorgonzola fries, innovative comfort food and championship burgers.

Delicious! Lunch Hours 11am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat.; Dinner Hours 5:30pm-9pm Tue.-Thur.; 5:30pm-10pm Fri. & Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

SPir Al 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 ( ✹

z AMBr Ano Wine Cell Ar » 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. 5pm-10pm Mon.Thur.; 5pm-midnight Fri. & Sat.; Closed Sundays. $-$$ D T ( ✹

SouthlAKe

SAndell A’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). Lunch: 11am2pm Mon.-Fri.; 11:30am-2:30pm Sat. & Sun.; Dinner: 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Thur.; 5:30pm-10:30pm Fri. & Sat.; 5:30pm10pm Sun. $ L D (

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-2am Fri. & Sat.; Sunday available for private parties. $$ L D (

ChAdr A Mezz A & grill » 1622 Park Place Ave., 817.924.2372. Creative dishes featuring spicy Lebanese food and homemade Italian. 11am-3pm Mon.-Tue; 11am-10pm 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 (

MAhAr AjA » 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.; 5:30pm10pm 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.; 5pm-10pm 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! Lunch: 11am-2pm Mon.Sat.; Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm Tue.-Sat.; Sunday Brunch 11am-2pm Sun. $$$ L D ( ✹

l A MAdeleine » 6140 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.654.0471. 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 6:30am10pm 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.; 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ B L D ✹ SAint-eMilion » 3617 W. 7th St., 817.737.2781. Well-concocted country French dishes, including duck, lamb, steak tartare and fresh fish. Full bar. 6pm-9pm Tue.-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.-Thur.; 5pm-11pm Fri. & Sat.; 11am-8pm Sun.; Closed Mondays. $$ D ( greenWood’S » 3522 Bluebonnet Cir., 817.921.6777. A great place to venture out and try some traditional German cuisine. Lunch: 11am-2:30pm Thur. & Fri. 4pm-9pm Tue.-Thu.; 4pm10pm Fri.-Sat.$$ 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 (

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

italian

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-midnight Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

itAliAnni’S » 1601 Precinct Line Rd., Hurst, 817.498.6770. 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 ( ✹

l A 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 ( ✹

Moni'S » 1730 W. Randol Mill Road #100, Arlington, 817.860.6664. Head to Moni's for its family friendly environment and for reasonably priced Italian cuisine. 11am-10pm Mon.-Sun.; $$ L D ( ✹

nizz A Pizz A » 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 Pizz A CAFÉ » 5712 Colleyville Blvd. Ste. 130, 817.605.7555. This pizza café offers interesting and high-end 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. Lunch: 11:30am-2:15pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5:30 pm-10:15pm Mon.-Thur.; 5:30pm-11pm Fri. & Sat.; 5:30 pm-10pm Sun. $-$$ L D (

PreSPA'S » 4720 Sublett Road, Arlington, 817.561.7540. Other location: 3100

fwdish:listings

your guide to local flavor

W. Arkansas Lane #B, Dalworthington Gardens, 817.459.2775. The ambiance at Prespa's attracts couples, families and parties. Guests can enjoy fresh Italian cuisine in their choice of a brightly lit dining room or a dimmer, more romantic setting. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$ L D ( ✹

Reflections of bella vita » 1507 N. Watson Road, Arlington, 817.633.0877. Located in the Admiral Hotel, guests can enjoy an elegant ambiance and a mouth-watering Italian menu. Breakfast and Lunch, 6am2pm Sun.-Sat.; Dinner, 4:30pm-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 4:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 4:30pm-9pm Sun.11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $ B L D (

RUGGeRi’s RistoR ante » 32 Village Ln., Ste. 10, 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. Lunch: 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 5pm-10pm Mon.-Sun. $$ L D ( ✹

foRt WoRtH

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. 11:30am1:30pm 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 RistoR ante baR » 215 E. Fourth St., 817.332.0033. This new Tuscan-Italian eatery offers a range of dishes. For more traditional, try the Spaghettini Pomodoro, or for a heartier 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.; 5pm11pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ D (

la Pia ZZ a » 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 PiZZ a » 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

Entrees-To-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. Lunch:10:30am-1pm Mon.-Fri.; Dinner: 4pm-9pm Mon.-Thur.;4pm-10pm Fri. & Sat.; Closed Sundays. $ 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.; 5pm-11pm 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. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm 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. 11am10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri. & 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.; 5:30pm9pm 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. 11am-2pm Mon-Fri; 5pm-10pm MonSat. $$ 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 Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a must. Don’t skip the heavenly chocolate peanut butter cup dessert! Large menu offers many choices for everyone. 11am-11pm Sun.-Thur.; 11ammidnight Fri. & Sat. $ L D

RUffino’s italian RestaUR ant » 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. Lunch: 11am-2pm Tue.-Fri.; Dinner: 5pm9pm Tue.-Thur.; 5pm-10pm Fri. & Sat.; Brunch 10am-2pm Sun. $$ L D ( taveRna RisotteRia » 450 Throckmorton St., 817.885.7502. Hand-tossed pizzas, risottos, pastas and entrées that include beef tenderloin, sea bass and yellowfin tuna. The bar offers beer and wine, and the bottomless mimosas are divine. Sunday brunch. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri. & Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $-$$ 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. Highquality 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, 817.749.6262. 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. 11am10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri. & Sat.; 11am-9pm Sun. $$ L D ( feRR aRi’s italian villa » 1200 William D. Tate Ave., 817.251.2525. This upscale restaurant boasts authentic Italian cuisine. Owned by the Secchi family, Ferrari’s serves century-old family recipes with a modern twist. 11am-2pm Mon.-Fri.; 5pm-10pm Mon.Thur.; 5pm-10:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$-$$$

L D

R avioli » 120 E. Worth, Grapevine, 817.488.1181. Excellent ingredients and huge portions will satisfy the biggest appetites in your family. 11am-2pm Tue.-Sat.; 5pm-9pm Tue.-Thur.; 5pm10pm 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-11pm Fri.-Sat. Fort Worth: 11am9pm Sun.-Mon.; 11am-10pm Tue.-Thu.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $-$$

YUcatan taco stanD » 909 West Magnolia Ave., 817.924.8646. With potent margaritas and Latin inspired dishes, Yucatan Taco Stand offers casual dining surrounded by warm colors with both indoor and outdoor seating. 11am to 10pm Mon.-Wed.; 11am-Midnight Thurs.-Fri., Kitchen Closes at 10pm. Sunday Closed. $$ L D ✹

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 10:30am-2pm. $$ D ( scaMPi’s MeDiteRR anean 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 sumptuos Mediterranean cuisine and wonderful wines in a warm, European-inspired setting. Underground Lounge 4pm - close Tue.-Sat.; Lunch: 11am-2pm Tue.-Fri.; Dinner: 5:30-10pm Tue.-Sat.; Closed Sun.-Mon. $ $ L D (✹

mexican

aRlinGton

abUelo's » 1041 West I-20, 817.486.2622. The courtyard-inspired dining room at Abuelo's creates an elegant ambiance, but the prices are reasonable and suitable for a casual night out. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D (✹

cHUY's » 4001 Bagpiper Way, Ste. 199, 817. 557.2489. The colorful and inviting atmosphere of Chuy's allows anyone to make themselves right at home. Guests can enjoy fine Tex-Mex cuisine for a reasonable price! 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D T ✹

colleYville/GRaPevine

esPaRZ a’s » 124 E. Worth St., 817.481.4668. Located in a 19thcentury 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 R ancH » 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. Britishthemed 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 RestaUR ant » 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., 11am9pm Sun. $$ L D

cabo GR anDe » 115 W. 2nd St., 817.348.8226. Good service plus Mexican dishes in a festive atmosphere.

Enjoy ribs, snapper and fajitas outside on the patio. 11am-10pm Sun.-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 S. 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 TexMex 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 r anCho 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. 11am-9pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $-$$ L D (

esPeranZ a’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-the-border 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 (

FUZZ y’s taCo shoP » 2917 W. Berry St., 817.924.7943. Other Locations: 2719 Race St., 817.831.TACO. 5710 Rufe Snow, 817.465.3899. 510 East Abram, Arlington, 817.265.8226. The favorites for late nights are tacos, big burritos, great enchiladas and beer. A TCU student hot spot. 7am-midnight Mon.Wed.; 7am-1am Thur.; 7am-3am Fri. & Sat.; 7am-10pm Sun. $ 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.; 11am-11pm Fri.Sat.; 11am-10pm Sun. $$ L D ( ✹

L a 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-10pm Mon.-Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat. $ L D

L a PL aya maya » 6209 Sunset Dr., 817.738.3329. Other locations: 1540 N. Main St., 817.624.8411. 3200 Hemphill St., 817.924.0698. Traditional Tex-Mex is well done, but the seafood is better. A must-order here is the succulent ceviche (raw fish) cooked in lime juice, then mixed with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro and peppers. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 10am-11pm Sat.; 10am-10pm Sun. $ 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.; 11am9pm Sun. $ L D

Los vaqUeros » 2629 N. Main St., 817.624.1511. Other Location: 2880 W. Berry St., 817.769.3070.11am11pm Mon.-Fri.; 11 am-midnight Sat. $ L D ✹ Located across from Billy Bob’s Texas, this northside favorite is a great place for inexpensive, but absolutely delicious, Tex-Mex. You cannot find better beef fajitas. 11am9pm 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. Latenight 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. $

oLd riP's teX meX » 3105 Cockrell Ave., 817.207.0777. Named for a Texas lizard legend, Old Rip's is Tex-Mex at

its finest. Huge windows and spacious seating make this the prime TCU locale for large gatherings, as well as delicious brunches complete with bottomless mimosas. 7:30 am-9:30 pm daily (open later for private parties or if there is a crowd). $-$$ B L D (✹ 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. 11am9:30pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-10pm Fri.-Sat. $ L D ( ✹

red CaCtUs restaUrant » 3005 S. University Dr., 817.927.2933. Located across the street from TCU campus, Red Cactus supplies counter-service burritos, tacos and breakfasts to the local college crowd. They describe their cuisine as fresh-Mex. 9am-9pm Mon.-Sun. $ B L D ✹

rio mamBo » 6125 SW Loop 820, 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.; 11am9pm Sun.; Closed Mon. $$ B L D ( UnCLe JULio’s » 5301 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.377.2777. A West Fort Worth cult eatery, and it’s easy to see why. This national chain has blended the best parts of Southwestern cuisine with Mex and Tex-Mex, giving guests a flavorful dining experience. 11am10:30pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11:30pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹ soUthLaKe

mi ChUL a’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.; 11am9:30pm 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 Tue.-Thur.; 11am-10pm Fri. & Sat.; 10:30am-9pm Sun. $-$$ L D ( ✹

seafood

arLinGton

Fish City GriLL » 3900 Arlington Highlands Blvd., 817.465.0001. This casual restaurant offers tasty treats from the sea at tasty prices. Try the blue crab stuffed mushrooms or the Fish City sandwich. 11am-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.; 5pm11pm Fri. & Sat. $$ L D T ( ✹ eddie v’s » 3100 W. 7th St. 817.336.8000. This fine-dining establishment is perfectly nestled in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Diners can expect an award-winning menu with selections that are flown in daily, as well as an extensive wine list offering American and European vintages. Open daily at 4pm. $$$$ 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. 11am-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am11pm 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. $$ L D ( ✹ ra ZZoo’s » 318 Main St. in Sundance Square, 817.429.7009. Other location: 4700 Bryant Irvin Rd. in Cityview, 817.292.8584. Why go to Mardi Gras when you’ve got Razzoo’s at home? Less fancy than the competition, they offer Louisiana favorites, as well as specialty drinks, like hurricanes, gator punch and worm burners. 11am-11pm Sun.-Thur.; 11am-2am Fri.-Sat. $$ 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

your guide to local flavor

margarita is too tasty for words. 11am9pm 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.; 10am-11pm 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-10pm Mon.Thur.; 11pm-11pm 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: 1586 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: 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 9am-10pm Sun.; Southlake: 11am-10:30pm Fri. & Sat.; 9am-9:30pm 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. Dinner

Hours 5:30pm-9:30pm Tue.-Sat. Closed Sun.-Mon. $$$ L D (

GRAdY'S RESTAURANT» 2443 Forest Park Blvd., 817.922.9980. Grady Spears does it again with his latest restaurant venture. Grady's serves up cowboy dishes with a twist. 5pm-10pm Tue.-Sat. $$$ 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. Lunch: 11am2pm Tue.-Fri.; Dinner: 5:30pm-10pm Tue.-Thur.; 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 South-

west. 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 RESTAURANT & 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. 11am2:30pm 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, 5pm10:30pm daily. $$ L D T ( ✹

TILLMAN'S ROAdHOUSE » 2933 Crockett St., 817.850.9255. This update on the classic Texas roadhouse offers really good food, drinks and music in an inviting atmosphere. From the menu to the decor, Tillman's combines the rustic and the lush. 11 am-11pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am-2pm Fri.-Sat.; 10:30am-11pm Sun. $$$ L D (✹

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. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri. & Sat.; 3pm-10pm Sun. $-$$ L D ( TRAIL dUST STEAK HOUSE » 2300 E. Lamar Ave., 817.640.6411. The large and lively atmosphere make this a good place for a night out with the family. They serve a wide variety of steaks and have a tasty appetizer selection, to boot. 11am-10pm Daily. $$$ L D ( ✹ FORT wORTH

bAILEY'S PRIME PLUS » 2901 Crockett St., 817.870.1100. Bailey's offers exceptional steakhouse cuisine including both dry- and wet-aged steaks, seafood dishes and outstanding desserts. 11am-10pm Mon.-Thu.; 11am11pm Fri.-Sat.; Bar stays open until 1am Fri. and Sat. $$$ L D (

bOb’S STEAK ANd CHOP HOUSE » 1300 Houston St., 817.350.4100. One of the top steak houses in the country, Bob’s Steak and Chop House, has come to Fort Worth and is located inside of the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. You’re sure to become a regular after experiencing their stellar service, extensive wine list and quality food in an upscale atmosphere. 5-10pm Mon.Thu.; 5-11pm Fri. and Sat.; Closed Sun.

$$$$ D T (

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

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.; 4pmmidnight 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 caramely dessert served in a skillet or a flaming steak with 150proof fuel. The huge open hickory grill gets your attention right away. 11am10pm Mon.-Thur.; 11am-11pm Fri.; 9am-11pm Sat.; 9am-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. 11am10pm Sun.-Thu.; 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$ L D ( ✹

THE KEG STEAKHOUSE & bAR » 5760 SW Loop 820, 817.731.3534. Other locations: 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: 4pmmidnight Mon.-Thur.; 4pm-1am Fri. & Sat.; 4pm-11pm Sun. Arlington: 11am10pm Sun. $$$ D ( L AMbERT’S » 2731 White Settlement Rd., 817.882.1161. Lambert’s serves bold ranch cuisine in a big city setting. Enjoy country cooking and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. 5pm10pm Mon.-Thu.; 5pm-11pm Fri.-Sat.; 11am-3pm Sun. $$ 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. $$$ D T ( KIRbY’S STEAKHOUSE » 3305 E. Hwy. 114, Southlake, 817.410.2221. A fine dining experience featuring prime-aged, bone-in ribeye and pepper steak. Excellent seafood, as well. 4:30pm-10pm Sun.-Thu.; 4:30pm-11pm Fri.-Sat. $$$ D T ( wEATHERFORd

THE wILd MUSHROOM STEAK HOUSE ANd LOUNGE » 1917 Martin Drive, 817.599.4935. The Wild Mushroom has a warm and inviting ambiance that remains calm and unhurried. Live piano music entertains guests as they enjoy their meals of perfectly grilled steaks, fresh salmon and much more. 5pm-9pm Mon. - Fri.; 5pm10pm Sat. $$-$$$ D (

Forest Park Zoo Names New Giraffe

Wildest Dreams

The winning name for the young giraffe, Goldie, came from Patricia Ann Scott, who sits closely as Goldie and her giraffe companion, Topper, enjoy their meal at the Forest Park Zoo. Now known as the nationally recognized Fort Worth Zoo, it is the oldest zoo in Texas. The City Zoo opened in 1909 in Trinity Park with a lion, an alligator, two bear cubs, a peacock, a coyote and some rabbits. Later, the zoo relocated and was renamed the Forest Park Zoo and ultimately became the zoo as we know it today.

A Family Tradition

Arlington residents Dr. Robert and Glynda Reames have been loyal MercedesBenz owners since 1977. Throughout the years, these parents to two girls and proud grandparents to three grandchildren have owned a handful of the covetworthy autos, and for good reason. Dr. Reames—an endodontist who specializes in root canals—is partial to Mercedes-Benz for their unparalleled luxury and impressive performance. He currently motors to and from work in a CL550, while Glynda—an area coordinator for the children’s program for Bible Study Fellowship—travels around North Texas in the fuel-efficient ML320 CDI. And since it boasts such impressive gas mileage, the Reames often hop behind the wheel of the ML to travel to and from a variety of locales, including Colorado, Kansas and Austin.

But it’s not just Mercedes-Benz that has earned the couple’s loyalties. The Reames have also been devoted Park Place customers since 1985. Having purchased their current autos from Park Place Motorcars Bedford, they continue to return to the dealership for their superior sales and service. For the Reames, Park Place isn’t merely a place to purchase a car. Instead, it’s a family tradition founded on trust, reliability and friendships formed with the sales team, which is why Dr. Reames admits he’s a Park Place customer for life. bedford 3737

ft. worth

5601 Bryant Irvin Rd. 888.833.3427

www.parkplacetexas.com