Out & About

December 2011

Dec. 3, 10 and 17

Santa Days

The Plaza at Preston Center will host Santa’s annual visit 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each Saturday. The event, which also features live reindeer and free professional photographs by John Hudson Photography, is free to attend. However, visitors are encouraged to contribute to The North Texas Food Bank.

8300 Preston, 469.232.0000, theplazaatprestoncenter.com, free

THROUGH DEC. 23

Storytime with Santa Claus

Each day Santa Claus will share his adventures from the North Pole with children of all ages. Stories about elves, reindeer and venturing around the world will entertain the audience, just as they have for the 20-plus years that Santa Claus has visited NorthPark Center. Storytime takes place at 10:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday and noon Sunday, and will continue until Dec. 23.

8687 N. Central, 214.363.7441, northparkcenter.com, free

DEC. 10-11

Annie, Jr.

J Youtheatre presents Annie, Jr. 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Zale Auditorium at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas. The musical, directed by Linda Leonard, follows the adventures of a spirited orphan as she finds her new home.

7900 Northaven, 214.739.2737, jccdallas.org, $10-$16

DEC. 13

Patricia Cornwell

Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Park hosts Patricia Cornwell at 7 p.m. Cornwell will be signing copies of “Red Mist,” the latest novel in the Kay Scarpetta series in which the heroine attempts to discover what happened to Jack Fielding, her former deputy chief.

7700 W. Northwest Highway, Suite 300, 214.739.1124, bn.com, free

DEC. 22

Menorah lighting

NorthPark Center welcomes Rabbi Dubrawsky from the Chabad of Dallas to help celebrate Chanukah Wednesday at 6 p.m. on Level One near Nordstrom. Complimentary refreshments will follow the lighting of the menorah in the Festival of Lights.

8687 N. Central, 214.363.7441, northparkcenter.com, free

DEC. 28-29

Celebrating 10 Years

The Cambridge School of Dallas is “Celebrating 10 Years” in December with Cambridge Sports Day on Wednesday and the Celebrating 10 Years Reunion on Thursday. The events are open to faculty, students and families — both former and current. The sports day will pit current and alumni Lions against one another from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the school’s gym. The next evening, attendees should eat dinner and then head to Off the Grid, 1723 Kelly, for the Celebrating 10 Years Reunion.

3877 Walnut Hill, 214.357.2995, cambridgedallas.org, $20 more local events or submit your own

PRESTONHOLLOW.ADVOCATEMAG.COM/EVENTS

Dec. 20

Carols & Candlelight

The Orpheus Chamber Singers perform a concert of popular and obscure holiday carols in a candlelight setting at 7:30 p.m. at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. 9800 Preston, 214.546.1252, orpheuschambersingers.org, $5-$30

DEC. 2-DEC. 20 Holiday performances at NorthPark Center

NorthPark Center hosts various neighborhood music groups this month as part of its “Sights and Sounds of the Seasons.” Performances will take place either near the fountain near Dillard’s or on the lower level beneath the food court, called NorthCourt:

Episcopal School of Dallas Lower School

ESD Singers, 2 p.m., Dec. 2, Dillard’s

Preston Center Dance, 2:30 p.m., Dec. 4, NorthCourt

Winston School Eagle Band, 4:30 p.m., Dec. 4, NorthCourt

The Hockaday School Upper School Dance Students, 12:30 p.m., Dec. 6, NorthCourt

Episcopal School of Dallas Middle School Choir, 2 p.m., Dec. 6, Dillard’s Court

The Hockaday School Lower School Choir and Orchestra, 4:30 p.m., Dec. 7, NorthCourt

The Hockaday School Middle School Orchestra and Choir, 1:30 p.m., Dec. 8, NorthCourt

Episcopal School of Dallas Upper School Concert Choir, 2 p.m., Dec. 8, Dillard’s

The Hockaday School Voices in Harmony Gospel Choir, 3 p.m., Dec. 10, NorthCourt

The Hockaday School Upper School Orff Ensemble, 3:30 p.m., Dec. 13, NorthCourt

The Hockaday School Upper School

Concert Choir, noon, Dec. 14, Dillard’s Court

St. Marks School of Texas Choir, 11:45 a.m., Dec. 15, Dillard’s St. Alcuin Montessori School

Troubadour Choir and Knights Choir, 2 p.m., Dec. 16, Dillard’s

Preston Hollow Dance, 2:30 p.m., Dec. 17, NorthCourt

Temple Emanu-El Adult Choir and Junior Choir Concert, 6 p.m., Dec. 20, Dillard’s 8687 N. Central, 214.363.7441, northparkcenter.com, free

Delicious Italian Princi

Italia has a modern, upscale look and authentic dishes prepared by renowned chef Kevin Ascolese, but this isn’t just for the rich crowd. “We’re trying to be very value-driven,” owner Patrick Colombo says. “We’re not dealing with big corporate expense accounts. This is for the neighborhood.” The moderately priced entrées feature pizzas baked in a wood-burning oven, homemade pastas and artfully prepared bruschetta (the fig and gorgonzola is heavenly). Colombo’s Italian inspiration comes from a culinary tour with his family of Venice, Tuscany, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. “I was struck by how simple everything was. There was not a big focus on presentation as much as using a ripe tomato.” Chef Ascolese’s extensive résumé includes his role as an opening chef at The Mansion in 1980 and the mind behind Cru wine bar. Princi Italia incorporates a rustic Tuscan farmhouse design with charming chandeliers made from wine barrels. “It was a very dark space, and we wanted to open it up and make it more lively,” Colombo says.

—EmilyToman

PRINCIITALIA

5959 Royal, Suite 707 214.739.5959 princiitalia.com

AMBIANCE: TUSCAN-STYLE

PRICE RANGE: $9-$16 FOR LUNCH; $12-$20 FOR DINNER

HOURS: 11:30A.M.-10P.M.MON.-SAT.; 4-10P.M.SUN.; OPEN UNTIL 11 P.M.FRI.

TIP:

THIS WINTER, THE PATIO WILL BE OPENAND TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED.

More Italian Spots

1 Ruggeri’s

From plain old spaghetti to veal Parmesan, everything is good at this fine dining spot.

5950Royal, 214.750.0111 ruggerisrestaurant.com

2 Zio Cecio Cucina Italiana

Don’t let the fancy name fool you. This is a casual spot but with upscale taste from chef Francesco Farris. 4615 W. Lovers, 214.351.1100 ziocecio.com

3

Aboca’s Italian Grill

This slice of Italy opened a few months ago at Meadow and Central and offers Italian staples on the cheap with most pastas under $10. 10455 N. Central, Suite 118 214.346.1700, abocas.com

FOOD AND WINE ONLINE

Visit prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/dining