I Live In Dallas

Dallas Aquariums: Excellent for Exploring Marine Life

Lillian — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:53:53 +0000

While Dallas, Texas, may be a landlocked city, it does offer opportunities to get close to marine life, primarily through the Dallas World Aquarium and the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park. Both options offer a great chance for local residents to get out of their Dallas apartments and homes, and explore great marine life on display.

The Dallas World Aquarium

The Dallas World Aquarium is a world-class aquarium filled with thousands of fish, birds, amphibians and other animals. The aquarium opened in 1992 in an old warehouse in downtown Dallas’ historic West End district, and has expanded since. The aquarium has five primary exhibits, each showcasing the sea life, birds and animals that are native to the geographic region it represents.

The Wilds of Borneo exhibit is the teaser, as it is just prior to the ticket gate. This exhibit features animal life from Australia and Asia, including exotic colorful fish; tree kangaroos and fairy penguins. The Orinoco is a South American river which winds its way through major rainforests. Visitors get a glimpse of this very important rainforest ecosystem through the Orinoco Secrets of the River display which shoots up seven stories. See animals and fish which inhabit the ecosystem including crocodiles, piranhas, monkeys and toucans, to name just a few.

The aquarium exhibit itself allows you to get up close to the fish which swim in the Pacific Ocean, play on a coral reef or venture through a kelp forest. The highlight of this exhibit is a huge tank filled with all kinds of sea life that you see while walking through a protected glass tunnel.

The other exhibits are South Africa, with its penguins and storks, and Mundo Maya which brings the Mayan culture of Mexico to life with its exhibits of animals and plants found in folklore. The highlight of Mundo Maya is another walk-through tank.

The Dallas World Aquarium is located at 1801 N. Griffin Street. Since the aquarium stresses preserving the world’s ecosystems, it discounts tickets $1 to people who show they got there via public transportation.

The Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park

The Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park is not as big as the Dallas World Aquarium, but it is still a must-see for anyone interested in marine life and provides an alternative created with the kids in mind. Because it is a children’s museum, the exhibits are built at kid-level and also feature many hands-on activities kids will enjoy.

The Children’s Aquarium divides its displays by marine systems, rather than by geographic region as the larger museum does. These systems are: the freshwater zone, intertidal, shore, near shore, offshore and stingray bay. Each zones features fish and aquatic animals that commonly live in that zone.

The Children’s Aquarium is affiliated with the Dallas Zoo, located elsewhere in Dallas. While the zoo does not have an aquarium on those premises, it does have exhibits of some aquatic animals, such as Galapagos, tortoises and crocodiles. Located at 1462 First Avenue, the Children’s Aquarium opens daily at 9 a.m and is open seven days a week, excluding a few major holidays.

Photo Credit 1: Worldtravel212.com
Photo Credit 2: TexasExplorer.com

Best Pizza in Dallas

Delia Jo — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:11:06 +0000

There are few foods in the world that transcend age, location, and class as pizza seems to do. No matter what country I've been in, after about or week or so I start craving a pizza, and I've easily been able to find a local pizza place without fail. They're all incredibly different and each has their own distinct personality. This got me thinking about how most everyone loves a good pizza, and had me yearning to discover all the great pizza in the culinary melting pot that is Dallas.

With literally hundreds of pizza restaurants in Dallas to choose from, chances are you'll never have a chance to try them all. Which is why I've pared down the list to an elite Top Five of Dallas Pizza.

You're probably asking yourself, "What does this girl know about good pizza', right? Well, it's a good thing you asked, because, as one of the pickiest-eating children ever created, pizza is one of the only foods I liked as a child. When other kids carried sandwiches in their lunch-boxes, or, heaven forbid, ate in the school cafeteria, I carried pepperoni, cheese, and crackers, and made mini pizzas of my own. And so began my longest relationship ever: my love for pizza.

The most basic ingredients in a pizza (crust and sauce) are the first things I used to compile this list. I sampled, among other different selections, a basic margherita pizza at each of these places to most fairly compare and contrast the good and the best.

That being said, there are vast differences between different kinds of pizzas. You're probably familiar with NY style versus Chicago style, but in Dallas there are also a few Napoletana style joints with a dog in this fight. In case you aren't familiar, Pizza Napoletana (or Neapolitan) is typically made with San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. In order to meet the standards of the Associazone Vera Pizza Napoletana, the dough must consist of wheat flour, natural Neapolitan yeast or brewer's yeast, salt, and water. It must then be kneaded by hand or by low-speed mixer. Then it is hand formed and baked for 60-90 seconds at 905 degrees Fahrenheit in a stone oven with an oak-wood fire. Who knew a pizza could have so many rules, right?

Enough chit-chat, let's get on with the countdown.

Fireside Pies (Photo by Zachary Harris)

5. Fireside Pies: I'm not even going to lie to you. The first time I ate at Fireside, I ate so much I got sick. But that was my own fault, as self-control is not something I excel at, especially when impeccable food is involved. The only thing to blame Fireside for was making that pizza so darned lovable. One of my favorite pizzas I've eaten is their Hatch chile pepper pie, which only comes around once a year during Hatch chile season. However, every single other item I've eaten at Fireside, I have found to be flavorful and addictive. The Triple Roni, which I'll admit might be heavy on the grease-age, is topped with truffle oil and seems to be quite popular. From the plethora of toppings to the crackling warm crust, I knew from first bite that Fireside would be on my Dallas Top 5 right away.

4. Dough: When asked their best pizza, I was recommended their Margherita and the Preston Hollow.

Tangy tomato sauce, fresh, melt-in-my-mouth mozzarella, and fresh

Margherita Pizza at Dough Pizzeria

basil melted harmoniously atop the fresh Neapolitan crust. The fresh ingredients in Neapolitan pizza make me not feel quite as guilty about eating that whole thing in one sitting. The Preston Hollow pizza is topped with crumbled sausage, pepper, and caramelized onions. Talk about strong flavors, this one threw my breath for a loop, but maybe if I had a toothbrush with me it would have been better. ;)

Also, I probably should mention that the San Antonio location was featured on one of my favorite shows, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and it seems, they know they're good and are dang proud of it. Don't get me wrong, the pizza is stellar, the dough perfectly crisp, the sauce sparklingly filled with flavor- a worthy recipient of in the Top 5 pizzas in Dallas.

Regular pie slice from Coal Vines

3. Coal Vines: This one is a tad bit tough for me to explain. The individual parts of the whole pizza didn't wow me, but the combination of them all creates a stellar pizza. Sauce is used sparingly, thankfully, because it was a bit too tomato-ey for my palate. The crust, though amazing when piping hot and fresh, lost its allure after the first couple of slices. But somehow, the sauce, the crust, and the hearty toppings come crashing together for a to-die-for collision of tastiness. Always a huge fan of spices, I love that they topped their regular pie (seen here, reheated) with oregano. There are very few foods I will eat reheated, but pizza is the best, and I'll say hands down that Coal Vines pizza tastes the best reheated, even though the crust loses its allure. Coal Vines cooks their pizza in a coal fired oven at about 700 degrees. I like this style less than the Neapolitan ones cooked at a higher temp, it feels that it burns in more flavor in the other type ovens as well. While they claim NY style pizza, it seems the crust is a little crunchy and the pizza not greasy enough to be called that. Another menu highlight at Coal Vines is their White Pizza - with mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and oregano. This pizza is on a level all its own. If you're not in the mood for normal pizza, definitely give their White Pizza a try.

Grimaldi's pizza; Credit: star5112, flickr.com

2. Grimaldi's: Is it NY style? I'm really not sure, it feels sort of New York-y but has traits of a mixture of styles. So I don't know what to call it, besides fabulous. Think thin, floppy crust, and more toppings than you can count on all your fingers and toes. While you may have to wait a while for your pie, it will be hot, bubbly, and fresh from the oven, and just begging you to sink those pearly whites into it. The red sauce is slightly spicy, which is so much more exciting than all those ketchup flavored ones around town. The only negative thing I have to mention is that their prices are pretty stinkin' high. I've ordered the same exact pizza at Coal Vines, Cane Rosso, and others for about 8 dollars cheaper, so I'm not sure how they get away with it, but I'll say sometimes it's worth the splurge for a date night.

1. Okay guys, I just couldn't do it. There are more than 5 staggering pizzas in Dallas. Therefore my quest for top pizzas ends with 2 places in the number one spot. That's right, a tie. These two places both knocked my socks off and rightfully shall share the privilege of being declared the best pizza in Dallas.

So, in no particular order:

Delia Pizza at Cane Rosso

Cane Rosso: I was skeptical after I heard all the hype, after all, I'm the girl who refuses to watch Star Wars, Harry Potter, Twilight, or anything else that is overly hyped. But I folded on this one, for the sake of you readers. And man, was it ever worth it. Of course I had to try their "Delia" pizza (what a rockin' name, btw), topped with fresh mozzarella, roasted grape tomatoes, arugula, and spicy bacon marmalade. It lived up to it's name. What a spectacular fireworks show of contrasting flavors! Their crust has a perfect consistency, their toppings taste like they came from the farm in the back yard, and the sauces are perfect complements to them all. This hype is well-deserved. Cane Rosso's Neapolitan pizza is sure to continue satisfying Dallas residents' tummies for years to come. I might just hafta watch Star Wars now, the hubby will be thrilled!

Truffle pizza at Olivella's

Olivella's: I didn't happen upon this little gem until near the end of my research, and I am so incredibly happy I found it. I would've hate to have missed Dallas co-titleholder for best pizza. Let me start by raving about their Truffle pizza, seen to the right. This was the most intense, perfect pairing of ingredients I've seen in ages. Truffle oil, mozzarella, mushrooms, and sundried tomatoes created a heavenly experience some people only dream about. The place is small, tucked away near SMU. But the pizzas are larger than life. You can watch them prepare it as you prepare your taste buds for a euphoric occasion.

Well, friends, there you have it. Delia's rundown on the best pizza in Dallas. Feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts and/or any places I might have skipped. Peace, love, and mozzarella.

Les Miserables at the Winspear in Dallas = Pure Magic

Damany — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:15:14 +0000

Credit: Deen van Meer

Last week, I had the honor of celebrating the holidays and knocking a pretty sizable thing off of my bucket list. I got the chance to walk through the doors of Winspear Opera House, sit down with my girlfriend, and experience what can only be described as pure magic. Les Miserables lit up the stage and for just shy of three hours, had everyone in the room captivated. At the risk of sounding like that gushingly doting kid who falls in love for the first time, I'll say that the performances by this amazingly talented cast, helmed by J. Mark Mcvey as Jean Valjean and Andrew Varela as Javert, were nothing short of magic. The characters were both torn and endearing, believable and exciting, and I found myself sucked into the world of 19th century France. Amidst war and turmoil, strife and frustration, this is the story of one man's fight for redemption and another man's refusal to accept that redemption can and does come to all.

I won't bore you with a retelling of the tale, as the Les Mis site does a pretty great job of that for you, but I will say that this is one of the best adaptations of a novel I have ever seen, and one of the best performances I have seen grace the Winspear stage. With sweeping set designs, amazing light choreography, and a score that sounds as if it were recorded instead of being performed live because it's so moving, I can't say enough great things about this performance.

Credit: Deen van Meer

My one tip for those attending who haven't bought tickets- don't sit in the very front. I know that it's the cool thing to do when you're attempting to impress a date, but paying the high prices for the tickets only ensures that you have a very expensive reason to get a neck massage the next day from craning to take it all in (but then again...maybe that's the point of a good date). Grab a seat in the middle toward the back of the orchestra or toward the front of the orchestra terrace and be prepared to leave your jaw somewhere south of the chair in which you're sitting. Oh, and prepare for the chills and possibly tears that come during the singing of "Who am I."

You've been warned.

AT&T Performing Arts Center Presents: Les Miserables

Through January 1, 2012

Times and Tickets Vary

AT&T Performing Arts Center

2403 Flora St.
Dallas, TX 75201

The Best Hot Chocolate in Dallas

Dallas Foodie — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:30:34 +0000

As the weather gets colder and coffee shops get warmer, there is one drink on the beverage menu that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves— hot chocolate. As someone who has never liked coffee and didn't become a tea drinker until several years ago, I've drank a lot of hot chocolate in my life. The richness, viscosity, and presentation can vary greatly, so first, let's take a look at what makes a good cup.

Hot Chocolate at The Pearl Cup

Like many Americans, I grew up on the idea of hot chocolate being made from hot water or milk mixed with a powder that comes from Hershey's or Nesquik. Unfortunately, this is not actually hot chocolate. Actual hot chocolate consists of two core ingredients:

Cream (whipped or liquid, i.e. milk)
Melted chocolate

In the purest form of the words "hot" and "chocolate", solid dark chocolate is melted with a touch of cream to keep it smooth. This is what I was served this past Spring at a Paris tea salon, La Maison Angelina. Founded in 1903, Angelina is world famous for their "Chocolat L'Africain" hot chocolate recipe, which is so thick it starts to chunk back into a solid state as it cools. I took a video so you can see what I mean.

A melted chocolate and cream drink is a rare find in the United States (Dallas has two!), but I found it everywhere in Paris from their most famous tea salon, La Duree (founded 1862), down to the common street corner brasserie. Check out the six different hot chocolates I had in Paris and note what they have in common:

Most French hot chocolate is a much darker (purer) chocolate color than the Dallas photos you'll see below. The French also usually serve hot chocolate with the two core ingredients in separate containers, thus allowing you to mix your desired ratio of cream to chocolate. I haven't found this presentation yet in the U.S.

I've learned that the key to finding a good hot chocolate in the United States is to ask what kind of chocolate they use to make it. Ideally the answer would be "melted chocolate", but if the answer is: "I don't know", "Hershey's", or "chocolate syrup", then I don't order it. "Powder" is okay as long as it's a decent brand of cocoa powder, which is likely to be Godiva or Ghiradelli, unless you're at a chocolatier shop.

Now that you know what I look for, here is my list of best hot chocolates in Dallas. Click to jump to your favorite place or scroll to read them all. You can also follow this list on Foursquare and save my tips to your to-do list: Best Hot Chocolate in Dallas on Foursquare.

Dude, Sweet Chocolate
La Duni
Paciugo
Rise No. 1
The Old Monk
The Pearl Cup
The Crooked Tree
Starbucks

Also:

The Great and Terrible
Tasted, But Not This Season
Need to Taste

Dude, Sweet Chocolate: A+

The most ugly, tiny cup in town is the most delicious one. Hands down, this is the best, thickest, darkest hot chocolate in Dallas; very similar to the French hot chocolates above. It's also topped with the most unique topping—frothed white chocolate (that's why you can't see the lovely dark chocolate color underneath). And don't balk at the tiny cup, because your body won't want to consume more pure chocolate than this cup can hold! Tweet @DUDESWEETDALLAS

La Duni: A

La Duni offers two hot chocolate varieties, both made with melted Belgium chocolate. Their "French" hot chocolate is made with half-and-half, while their "Latin" hot chocolate is made with whole milk. They also offer "Viennese Truffle Iced Chocolate Milk", which is the French version served over ice.

Pictured above is La Duni's French hot chocolate. It's wonderfully frothed on top, with a very good, rich chocolate flavor that tastes similar to Parisian hot chocolate. The chocolate is slightly bitter and was served with a container of sugar packets in case you want to sweeten yours. The only reason why this hot chocolate didn't get an A+ is because of that whipped cream on the side. Unfortunately, it tastes more like pure whipped butter than whipped cream. Someone needs to go easy on the mixer. Tweet @LaDuniLove

Paciugo: A

Going off the purist's path, I thought hot chocolate with 2–3 scoops of gelato sounded like a good idea, and it was. They call it Cioccolata Affogato. Most surprising to me, the gelato didn't melt much before the hot chocolate turned into a cold chocolate drink with scoops of gelato still frozen in it. Luckily, they started with a good, thick, Italian hot chocolate, or else when it went cold I don't think it would have tasted as good. Tweet @PaciugoGelato

Rise No. 1: A-

At this French soufflé restaurant you will find the only hot chocolate set up in Dallas that looks like the trays of hot chocolate they serve in Paris. Alas, the ingredients here are already mostly mixed for you. Further departing from an authentic French presentation, this hot chocolate is served table side in a French Press, which never happened to me in Paris. The hot chocolate flavor is slightly bitter, a bit liquidy, and therefore not as flavorful as La Duni and Dude, Sweet. The whipped cream is also very sweet, reminiscent of ReddiWhip, although I'm sure they whip their own cream here. It's an exciting French presentation that falls short of it's perceived authenticity, but for Dallas, this is still a very good cup of hot chocolate. On the menu you'll be looking for "Chocolat Chaud en Chapeau", where "chaud" is French for "hot". Tweet @risesouffle

The Old Monk: A-

The "Knox Chox" is hot chocolate with butterscotch schnapps, which is quite delicious. Served with a tiny bit of whipped cream on top, the base hot chocolate was not over or under chocolatey, and the alcohol couldn't be tasted (dangerous!). Note to servers: straws are not for hot beverages. Tweet @OldMonkDallas

The Pearl Cup: A-

With a Mexican spiced and regular hot chocolate to choose from, you can see above I've had several hot chocolates here. Depending on who makes it, the regular cup is middle-of-the-road to slightly watery in terms of chocolate richness. The layer of froth on top is thin, but still appreciated. The Mexican version is spiced with nutmeg, hazelnut, cinnamon and other spices, which I love. Sometimes they put a latte design on top, sometimes not, and sometimes the design is made with cocoa, cinnamon, or chocolate syrup. For people who like their dose of chocolate one level below the thick, dark chocolate French versions, this may be your A+ cup of hot chocolate in Dallas. Tweet @The_Pearl_Cup

The Crooked Tree: B

A most luscious layer of hot chocolate froth can totally negate the need for whipped cream, and Crooked Tree delivers on this, but only sometimes. On one occasion (photo on left) I was served whipped cream and chocolate syrup; on another occasion (photo on right) there was just a thick layer of froth on top. The chocolate syrup on top tastes more like real melted chocolate than Hershey's syrup, but the hot chocolate itself is average, tending towards a watery consistency. Minor bonus for the homey variety of mugs. Tweet @crookedtree

Starbucks: B-

For times when you can't get to the cool coffee shops and chocolatiers, there is always Starbucks. I'm willing to close my eyes and try to discern whether franchised food is distinguishable from an independent coffee shop, and Starbucks hot chocolate is not that bad. It has a decent chocolatey flavor and more sugar than the rest, but at least they ask in advance if you want whipped cream. The main benefit here is that you can order your hot chocolate upside-down and sideways, just like any other drink on their menu, so go crazy with a nonfat sugar free vanilla grande hot chocolate. Tweet @Starbucks

The Great and Terrible

In seeking the best of any food, I always try the item more than once in the same place to check for consistency. These two places have served me both the best and worst hot chocolates I've had in Dallas, so I don't know what grade to give them.

Bread Winners Cafe

In years past, I recall having "A" level hot chocolates here, but when I went to photograph them for this article, myself and a friend were served the most thin, milky hot chocolates I've had in Dallas. On the left is their regular hot chocolate and on the right is right is Mexican spiced hot chocolate. Both tasted more like milk than chocolate (note the milk color of the regular one). The Mexican spice smelled marvelously like cinnamon and nutmeg from two feet away, but the chocolate flavor wasn't really there. In the past, their hot chocolate was served with a spoonful of homemade whipped cream floating on top, but that didn't happen this time. Tweet @Bread_Winners

Oddfellows

The first time I had hot chocolate here (top photo), I watched the barista make it with something that looked like a chocolate paste, which he said was Zooma brand chocolate mix. It tasted full of dark chocolate flavor, yet without being too rich, too thick, or too watery. I was impressed. The barista wasn't happy with his latte design though, so I went back two weeks later to check their consistency and get a better photo. Unfortunately, this second hot chocolate was awfully thin on the chocolate, tasting nothing like the first one, but with a better latte design. Tweet @OddfellowsOC

Tasted, But Not This Season

Seattle's Best Coffee

The only reason I didn't re-evaluate this one is because I haven't seen a Seattle's Best Coffee shop since the Borders in West Village closed. I remember their hot chocolate wasn't called "hot chocolate" on the menu, but I don't remember what they code named it. I do recall it had a thick chocolate consistency, a rich chocolate flavor, whipped cream on top, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup straight out of a Hershey's bottle. I'd order it again (sans Hershey's syrup) if I happen to find a Seattle's Best Coffee shop again.

Dream Cafe

I didn't re-evaluate their hot chocolate this season because I've already ordered it more times than I would have liked. The three or four hot chocolates I've been served here were always 1.) so piping hot that it didn't cool enough to drink until I was done with my entire meal and ready to leave, 2.) served in an actual glass, which I couldn't pick up because it was so hot (see #1), and 3.) didn't taste as delicious as these other places. However, there is a small possibility that I burnt off my taste buds in finding out that it was ridiculously hot.

Chocolate Secrets

About two years ago they made hot chocolate from your choice of two or three different cocoa powders, but I haven't had their hot chocolate in too long to grade it.

Need to Taste

If you know of a hot chocolate from a chocolatier, bakery, independent cafe, or barista who knows how to manipulate chocolate into a divine beverage, please leave a comment to let me know. I'll get this list started with a Bishop Arts chocolatier who tweeted me an invite to taste their hot chocolate on the day I had to close my research for this article:

Coco André Chocolatier (Tweet @CocoAndre)

Get Your Tickets for Tonight – ETO Presents Fair to Midland at the Granada Theater

Neil Lemons — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:08:13 +0000

Ty Griffin of EscapingTheOrdinary.net is hosting tonight's concert at the Granada Theater to further local and excellent music by providing a stellar concert experience for 100s of attendees. Concert-goers will be driving as far as Denton, San Antonio, and even Lubbock to see this melody of bands gracing the stage for the first time ever in this particular lineup. With a ticket purchase you'll receive a free ETO: Volume Two CD and a T-shirt while supplies last. Get your discounted tickets right now using this special link: http://bit.ly/ETOpresentsFTM.

What: Musical performances by Fair to Midland, Dead Letter Circus, White Elephant, The Nicholsons, New Magnetic North
Where: Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Avenue
When: TONIGHT, Dec. 23rd, 2011. Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets: $14 Get them here: http://bit.ly/ETOpresentsFTM

Griffin has previously released two musical compilations, Escaping the Ordinary Volumes One and Two, composed of bands he considers yet-to-be discovered by large audiences. Volume One features bands such as Fair to Midland and Here Holy Spain. As an active fan of the progressive hard rock, he has included a diversity of talent and styles on his compilations with hopes of catching the interest of the greater mass-download audience. The more recent Volume Two features and unprecedented 23 bands such as Dead Letter Circus and Dredg.

Read recent interviews and articles with Ty Griffin:
Dallas Morning News
YouPlusDallas
The Daily Toreador (Texas Tech's paper)
CBS's Indie Verse

For more information, visit:
http://escapingtheordinary.net/
http://facebook.com/escapingtheordinary
http://twitter.com/escapingtheord
http://granadatheater.com/
http://facebook.com/granadatheater
http://twitter.com/granadatheater

DALLAS INSIDER SECRETS: Random Playlist, Side A

Rania Batrice — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:37:48 +0000

If you’ve ever read any of my previous articles, you know that I’m not really into sugar coating anything. So in the interest of my writing style staying consistent, this article will be no different. I hated Dallas. Every time my travel schedule called for a trip to Dallas, my stomach turned, and I swear I broke out in hives. “No, no. I’ll never move to Dallas... I’m an Austin girl.” I would always say when my trips had to become more frequent. In a million years I didn’t think I could be happy in Dallas, Texas. I am, in fact, an “Austin girl”--I love hiking, climbing, camping, being on the water, art, and music. I love the food, atmosphere, laid back state of mind, and pretty everything else that Austin has to offer. But I will admit, openly and whole-heartedly, my mind has been changed.

No, I haven’t gone over to the dark side and decided that anytime I leave the house I will be dolled up and “presentable” by some Dallas standards. I have found the pockets of Dallas, the little surprises, that make you feel welcome no matter who you are or how you're dressed. It started with the discovery of Southside on Lamar and the entire Cedars neighborhood area, which has evolved into a fabulous and eclectic mix of amazing places and special events that have me claiming Dallas these days. These are off the beaten path Dallas gems that you won’t find advertised, but will find to be among your new favorite places.

With the holidays upon us, I thought now was just as good of a time as any to share some of my favorite finds right here in Dallas, TX. Since this is somewhat of a random list, below is Side A of this “mixed tape." You’ll want to stay tuned for Side B coming soon.

What: SouthSide on Lamar
Where: 1409 S. Lamar
Phone: 214-428–4848

Beautiful & historic SouthSide on Lamar building

This historic structure was the Sears Catalog building from 1910-1993. Now owned by the innovative and forward-thinking developer, Jack Matthews, it has been transformed into an artist community and destination location like none other in Dallas. Matthews has always and continues to support and encourage the growth of the artist community and has welcomed great talents like fashion designer, Abi Ferrin, painter Rolando Diaz, yoga aficionados at Tsada Yoga, and so many more. Another sweet surprise you’ll find inside the SouthSide on Lamar building is the very cool, very chill Opening Bell coffee house. They serve fair trade coffee beverages in addition to beer and wine. My favorite amenity to this location is the live music you’ll find Monday through Saturday nights. Make sure you try their Italian cream soda, breakfast tacos, and the wide variety of UMPQUA Oatmeal flavors they have to offer.

Opening Bell Coffee inside SouthSide on Lamar

To live, work or play, SouthSide on Lamar is a unique and laid back location with friendly and helpful personnel that make you feel like you’re not in Dallas at all!

What: King Spa and Sauna
Where:2154 Royal Ln
Phone: (214) 420-9070

King Spa entrance

I have never been the kind of girl to splurge on spa visits. Maybe it’s the Catholic guilt I was raised with, maybe it’s just the angst I feel when spending too much on something I can’t take with me and use again, but I have just not quite been able to justify regular splurges of the sort. That is, until now. A dear friend of mine introduced me to King Spa and Sauna, and I have to say, I’m in love. This massive facility includes multiple baths and steam rooms for both men and women (in separate corridors of course), as well as couple and family-friendly therapeutic sauna rooms that each include different healing and relaxing qualities.

King Spa Pyramid Room

Among my favorites are the Base Rock Room, Oxygen Room, and the Pyramid Room. You can also enjoy delicious Asian cuisine as well as fantastic massages for an extra charge. What's my favorite thing about this place? You get access to the entire facility for 24 hours for only $25.

What: Company Café (Lower Greenville & Katy Trail)
Where: 2217 Greenville Ave, also 3136 Routh
Phone: (214) 827-2233, also (214) 468.8721

Belmont Burger with Sweet Potato Fries

I have always enjoyed healthy food but always felt that the gluten-free craze was a fad; no judgment passed on my end for anyone out there who subscribes to the gluten-free methodology, but it’s just not for me. I have, however, discovered a restaurant that is organic and gluten-free, and beyond delicious. It’s called Company Café, and it is a go-to location for myself, meetings, and my out of town guests. I have never had anything I didn’t love off of their menu, but among my favorites are their award-winning, gluten-free chicken and waffles infused with bacon and jalapeno. Yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds. Also a must-try are their loaded sweet potato fries and gluten-free chicken fried steak with jalapeno gravy. For an extra special treat, order the “deep bowl” with buffalo meat, and tell your server that Rania says to add mushrooms and salsa. Trust me, its awesome. The barista salad is not one to miss, made fresh daily and fun to pair with the stuffed portabella mushroom. Truly, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything on the menu that is not a winner.

What:Cedars Social
Where: 1326 S Lamar St
Phone: (214) 928-7700

Cedar Social "library" is relaxing & cozy

Drinks anyone? This new hotspot is a cocktail adventure every single visit. To be completely honest, the drink menu is a little bit intimidating, but their knowledgeable staff can always point you in the right direction and make great suggestions. The mixologists are among the best I’ve ever experienced and pour some of the greatest cocktails made only with the freshest and tastiest ingredients. There are so many to choose from, but among my favorites are the Shakedown Highball, the Celery Cup, the SouthSide, and the Texas Fizz. Cedars Social also has a great breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Some of my favorites to nibble on are their eggs benedict, crab cake sliders, roasted asparagus, and deviled eggs. Yes, that's right, deviled eggs. They’re amazing and a must-try. I’ve become slightly obsessed and tend to try to take any and every happy hour meeting at Cedars Social because it’s just that good.

What: Lee Harvey’s
Where:1807 Gould St.
Phone: (214) 428-1555

Lee Harvey's is perfect for a relaxing night out

One of the observations that set me over the edge about Dallas was the seemingly prevalent rule that if you did not wear makeup and take hours to get ready, you weren’t worthy to dine or drink at certain establishments. I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, and sometimes (OK, let’s be honest, all the time), I want to have a drink at the end of the day wearing my flip flops, jeans, and no makeup. I want to relax, unwind, and do nothing else. I’m not going for anyone else except me. My intention is not to turn heads, garner attention, or meet the man of my dreams (I already found him). I just want to have a damn beer without pretentious stares. Lee Harvey’s is that place—the place where “come as you are” is actually embraced and enjoyed. My favorite Lee Harvey’s story happened one night after an event. I was with a friend, and we were both dolled up but decided we didn’t have the energy to change before we finished off with a quick night cap. A nice young man touched my arm and said, “Can I ask you something? Why are you so dressed up?” That was when I knew I was in love! Lee Harvey’s sells one of my favorite beers, Lone Star, and the bartenders even remember to let me solve the riddles under the caps before trashing them. They also have a fantastic menu that includes two for one burgers on Tuesdays. Some of my favorites are the grilled cheese sandwich (ask them to add tomato and sour cream), the Roadrunner, and their famous onion rings. They have live music on their outdoor patio on Saturday nights, and when it gets a little chilly, they light their outdoor fire pits. It is the perfect location for a relaxing and inexpensive night in Dallas.

Local Lifestyle Blogger Rounds Up Gift Recommendations from Over 30 Dallas Design & Style Bloggers

Neil Lemons — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:07:49 +0000

Local Lifestyle blogger Katie Anderson, will be publishing a 12 Days of Holiday Gift Guides post series using the brain power and tastes of over 30 Dallas-based design and style bloggers. They will be sharing their top gift picks for the holiday season for the weekdays November 28th through December 13th in order to make her readers' lives easier.

When asked what sort of recommendations will they be offering and will they pertain to everyone, Anderson said, "The gift lists are as diverse as the list of bloggers. Readers will find something for everyone on their list and every budget."

Anderson says this is the first time she has ever done something like this with so many local bloggers, and that she knows about 80% of these writers in person, but some only online. Two of the bloggers are mutual friends of I Live In Dallas, and we hope to connect with the rest this year.

Participating bloggers include:

Joslyn Taylor, Simple Lovely;

Bradley Agather and Alison Gross, Luella & June;

Kyle Knight, Knight Moves;

Kelly Slott, Fabulous K;

Jaclyn Welch, Streets of Sparkle;

Amber Venz, VENZedits;

Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry, Hello, Splendor;

Haley Schultheis, Nonsense & Sensibility;

Cynthia Smoot, Oh So Cynthia;

Sally and Molly Miller, A Piece of Toast;

And over 20 additional Dallas-based design and style bloggers.

Dying to know what they have to say? Check out the first blogger's recommendations today.

About Modern Eve
Modern Eve, authored by Katie Anderson, is a popular lifestyle blog that provides an inside look into life as a modern wife living in Dallas, TX. Regular posts feature original content related fashion, party planning, home decor and travel. For more information on Modern Eve, visit http://www.Modern-Eve.com.

A Local Urban Foodie’s Dallas Favorites for Thanksgiving

UrbanEpicurious — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:00:29 +0000

Thanksgiving is quite possibly my very favorite holiday because, let’s just be honest here, I love to eat. Thanksgiving Day is the day when you can graze to your heart's content, take a nice, long, tryptophan-induced nap, then wake up and do it all over again - with pie (Mmmmmm, PIE).

This year, I set out on a mission to find local ingredients in Dallas to prepare my Thanksgiving feast, and I’m quite pleased to report that our locally grown, organic food options are this Urban Foodie’s dream come true. This got me thinking about, not only what I’m going to make to eat, but reflecting on how truly grateful I am to live in Dallas where I have so many great food options right outside my door, some even within walking distance of my home.

Fall Gourds at Dallas Farmer's Market | Photo Credit: Bev Garvin-Urban Epicurious

Why Buy Fresh, Buy Local?

Buying fresh, local ingredients is a great way to go green, support your local community and improve your health all at the same time. Because food is grown and produced locally, it doesn’t have to travel very far to get to your table. This means the ingredients are fresher because they arrive to you faster, which is a greener alternative to food that has been shipped long distance, or imported from other countries.

Local food also tastes better. Ask any well-known chef in Dallas, they’ll tell you they purchase local ingredients whenever possible. The reason is the quality is superior, and using better ingredients equals better food. It tastes better because it’s delivered at the peak of freshness, when the vitamins and minerals are at their highest concentration, which not only tastes great, but is actually more nutritious, and healthier for you to eat, too.

For me, buying fresh, locally grown ingredients is a no brainer. I'm supporting local independent business owners, butchers, bakers, farmers, and chefs who bring me amazing ingredients, and food that tastes great, it is healthier to eat, and it's better for the environment, win–win!

Where to Buy Fresh Local Ingredients in Dallas:

My Perfectly Cooked Brined Turkey | Photo Credit: Bev Garvin-Urban Epicurious

Gobble, Gobble – No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without a delicious cooked turkey, and if you haven’t been to Rudolph’s Market & Sausage Factory in Deep Ellum, you’re in for a real treat. They’re a real live traditional butcher shop, complete with everything a meat lover could desire, including fresh turkeys. You can call ahead to reserve your a bird, or just walk right into the market to pick one up. Rudolph’s has whole fresh turkeys, free range birds, turkey breasts and whole smoked turkeys as well. They offer a wide variety of unique things in their store, including bones. Yes, you can purchase bones (turkey, as well as many other types of bones). Bones are used for making soup stock and I will use them to make extra homemade turkey gravy to accompany my delicious bird! Rudolph’s is located in Deep Ellum at 2924 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226 (214) 741-1874.

Dressing vs. Stuffing – Dressing is made in a pan and baked in the oven. Stuffing is the same thing, only it’s actually cooked inside the bird, hence the reason it’s called “stuffing.” Turkey stuffing recipes vary in different parts of the country. Up north, it’s made with breadcrumbs, oysters, and water chestnuts, but in Texas, we do it “Southern Style” with cornbread, sausage, and mushrooms. And the most delicious sausage in Dallas is made locally at Jimmy’s Italian Food Store. Jimmy’s is well-known for many wonderful things (Italian sandwiches, their deli, cannolis, pizza dough, and even wine tastings), but they’re best known for their sausage, which is why so many local Dallas restaurants feature Jimmy’s Sausage in dishes on their menus. Jimmy’s is located at 4901 Bryan Street (at N. Fitzhugh Avenue), Dallas, TX 75206 (214) 823-6180.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme - Tom Spicer, aka "Spiceman," is the ultimate spice shop in Dallas. It supplies many of Dallas top restaurants with fresh locally grown spices of all kinds, and exotic produce like seasonal wild mushrooms, hearts of palm, and hand-trimmed artichokes, just to name a few. Spiceman's F.M. 1410’s wholesale/retail chefs’ market is located just two doors down from Jimmy's. When you go there, be sure ask to be added be added to Spiceman's mailing list, he sends out weekly email updates to let you know what's in currently in season at his market, located at 1410 N. Fitzhugh Avenue (near Bryan Street), Dallas TX 75204 (214) 954-7994.

Local Produce Shed 1 at Dallas Farmer's Market | Photo Credit: Bev Garvin-Urban Epicurious

A Thanksgiving Cornucopia – No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without the traditional side dishes, and desserts. At my house, our favorites include mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (not the kind with marshmallows on top - ick), green bean casserole, corn pudding, Vidalia onion pie, Parker House rolls, herbed butter, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce (not that stuff in the shape of a can), apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and let's not forget, my grandmother’s fudge pie with fresh whipped cream. Everything at our house was made entirely from scratch and it was so, so, so, good. That’s the stuff family Thanksgiving traditions are made of. Did I mention pie?

Banana Creme Pie R&D Kitchen - I Love PIE! | Photo Credit: Bev Garvin-Urban Epicurious

No matter what your traditional Thanksgiving dinner family favorites are, you can find just about any kind of produce you need (fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc) to make those sweet and savory delights in Shed 1, (the Local Produce Section) of the Dallas Farmer’s Market. Everything sold in Shed 1 is grown within 150 miles of Dallas, and many have been grown organically (without the use of chemicals, or pesticides), although not all are “certified organic” due to the cost associated with that designation. Shopping at the Dallas Farmer’s Market is a great way to discover what’s in season, find fruits and vegetables you've never tried before, and spend a leisurely day sampling the freshest food Dallas has to offer. The Dallas Farmers Market is located at 1010 S. Pearl Street, Dallas, TX 75201, (just south of Downtown Dallas), (214) 670-5880.

I’m sincerely thankful Dallas has so much to offer from a local market perspective. These are just a few of my Urban Foodie favorite places to buy fresh, local ingredients in Dallas. I hope you’ll check them out for yourself, I know you’ll be glad you did. I’ll be writing more about Dallas merchants, stores, markets, chefs, and restaurants that are doing creative and interesting things within the local market soon, but I’m always looking for new places and noteworthy hidden gems, so feel free to share your favorites with me in your comments, or on Twitter: @UrbanEpicurious.

An Insider’s Guide to Lakewood: Part 2 of the “Where Should I Live In Dallas?” Series

Mike — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:50:39 +0000

The iconic Lakewood Theater.

So after a loooong hiatus, I’m back with the continuation of my five part series, "Where should I live in Dallas?" This post is all about Lakewood, a neighborhood that I've affectionately come to refer to as…

View of Downtown from White Rock Lake.

Dallas for People Who Hate the Big City

With wineries, lakeside recreation trails, great restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene, Lakewood is sort of like northern California minus the debt and exorbitant house prices (OK and maybe a few more conservatives). This tucked away corner of Dallas undoubtedly has something for everyone.

Where is this urban oasis you might be wondering? Despite intense debates over the borders of Lakewood, most would agree they encompass Mockingbird Avenue to the north, Buckner to the east, Abrams to the west, and Gaston / Garland Rd to the south.

Long story short, it’s just west of White Rock Lake. Despite being only minutes from downtown, this neighborhood couldn't feel any different than the hustle and bustle of Uptown or Downtown.

Who lives in Lakewood?

Do you love crowds, loud noises, congestion, a plethora of foreclosed condos, and chain restaurants? If so, then Lakewood is probably NOT for you.

It is however perfect for runners, cyclists and hikers thanks to it's ideal location next to White Rock Lake, rolling hills, and minimal traffic. Residents are highly involved, neighborly and value recreation and education. It should be pointed out that Lakewood is in DISD - yet it boasts one of the cities top high schools in Woodrow Wilson (also the first in Dallas to begin offering Pre-International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme classes).

The only downside to Lakwood that I can find is that you’ll need to hang onto your car. It's not very walkable, even by Dallas standards, and public transportation is minimal in this part of Dallas.

Lastly, since housing prices have remained strong thanks to Lakwood’s ideal location, this area tends to skew towards families and empty-nesters. But don’t let all this “family” business dissuade any young professionals out there. Lakewood knows how to party!

Where to “party” in Lakewood?

The answer to this question really just depends on who you are. If you like bands like the Old 97's, Polyphonic Spree, indie movies, or the occasional art festival, check out the historical Lakewood Theater (pictured at the top of the article). This iconic theater is ideally situated within walking distance to just about all the best restaurants, bars, and shops including Dallas’ first eco-free independent store, Green Living (***Update: Green Living is now located in the Design District.***)

Times Ten Cellars in Lakewood.

Maybe you’re the type of person that prefers to sip wine at a vineyard with your closest friends. If so, then look no further than Times Ten Cellars or The Wine Therapist. The former is Dallas's only urban vineyard. So even if the wine wasn’t delicious (which it is) it would be worth checking out just for the novelty of seeing an urban vineyard. Then again, maybe you’re the type of person that wants to sing Karaoke with your friends. If so then warm up those vocal chords and head over to The Goat every Wednesday or Sunday night. The Goat is blues central and has a lot of character.

If you’re more like me and prefer drinking a pint of Guinness, then the Cock and Bull has your name written all over it. Not only does the Cock and Bull have one of the best atmospheres in Lakewood, but they also have one of the best burgers.

And speaking of places to eat…

Where to eat in Lakewood?

Lakewood may not boast the biggest number of Applebee's like some our suburban neighbors may wish, but what it lacks in corporate "flare" it more than makes up for with local flavor. In fact, some of Dallas most famous eateries have been here for decades like Matts Rancho Martinez. There's also plenty of local Italian places like Angelo's Spaghetti House, or Penne Pomodoro. You can also get some excellent pizza at Cosmo's, which has a 1960s decor in-which you can revel in the nostalgia while enjoying movies on VHS from the 80s & 90s. There's even a Farmer's Market held twice a month throughout the year.

Legal Grounds Coffee is an ideal spot if you need a snack and some coffee while you read/study/etc. After coffee you can head over to the Lakewood Landing if you need to check another dive bar off your bucket list. Last but certainly not least, one place that I've been dying to check out is Green Spot market which boasts an ample selection of healthy, organic, natural foods and beverages.

Well folks, that's all I've got for now. For a more complete list of upcoming events, check out our Lakewood Neighborhood Guide:

Or if you happen to be searching for apartments in Dallas (we've got you covered for that as well).

Stay tuned for my next installment...

Phenomenal Acting is Plentiful in Dallas Theater Center’s To Kill a Mockingbird

Jennifer S. — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:03:26 +0000

When you write a book like "To Kill A Mockingbird," do you think you know it’s going to become a classic? I always wonder that about the seemingly humble Harper Lee. After a Pulitzer Prize, numerous other awards, millions of copies sold and even an Oscar-winning film adaptation though, I guess you know what you’ve got.

Dallas Theater Center’s production of Lee’s classic story of race, the law and growing up, carries on the American tradition of the last fifty years and pays homage to a story that at this rate, may never become irrelevant.

Set in a small Southern town in the 1960’s, Lee’s story follows the young Scout and her father Atticus Finch as they both deal with racial inequalities in their own way; Finch by representing a young black man accused of rape in a time in which a white man’s word was always taken over that of a black man and Scout, by watching her father and his interactions with his close-minded neighbors.

Anyone who grew up during the Civil Rights era, especially in the South, can probably relate. Even the younger generation however, knows racism is far from an issue of the past, hence the intensely personal connection many feel with Lee’s masterpiece.

The DTC produced play is an admirable attempt at squeezing such a powerful story into a two-hour production. It’s also the first time the theater has co-produced a play with Fort Worth’s Casa Manana and the acting in this play is therefore phenomenal.

DTC company members Sally Nystuen Vahle as Miss Maudie and Matthew Gray as Heck Tate shine, while Casa Manana company members Morgan Richards as the adorable Scout and Akron Watson as the accused Tom Robinson turn in stellar performances as well.

Director Wendy Dann elicits powerful performances from almost her entire cast and award-winning actor Jeremy Webb is an excellent Atticus. Seriously, the courtroom speech will give you goose-bumps.

The acting and staging of the play are well worth the ticket price. My only complaint is the play was too short. All of the action seemed just a little rushed, meaning the, in my opinion, necessary emotional connection between the actors, the story and the audience, never really clicked.

Despite the few areas in which it falls short, DTC’s "To Kill A Mockingbird" should definitely fit somewhere in your upcoming weeks; it’s never a bad thing to be reminded of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

Dallas Theater Center’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" runs at the Wyly Theater, part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, through November 20. Visit www.dallastheatercenter.org for show times and ticket prices, and get some theater in your life Dallas!