Out & About

September 2014

Sept. 20

Midtown Art Walk

On the third Saturday of each month, The Gallery at Midtown opens its studios, featuring sculptures, paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery, glass art and other artistic mediums. The exhibits run 6-10 p.m. Valley View Center, 13331 Preston, galleryatmidtown.com, free

SEPT. 5

North Dallas Chamber annual education forum

Learn the roles that education and business play in improving the future workforce during a discussion with William McKenzie, George W. Bush Institute editorial director, and Andres Alcantar, Texas Workforce Commission chairman, 7:30-9 a.m.

Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre, 5410 LBJ Freeway, 214.368.6485, ndcc.org, $40-$60

SEPT. 10

‘Father of the Bride’

Revisit this ’90s classic starring Steve Martin and Martin Short on the big screen at 7:30 p.m.

Studio Movie Grill, 11170 N. Central, 214.361.2966, studiomoviegrill.com, $2

SEPT. 11

Vision for Dallas

City council members discuss their ideas for improving our districts. Hear from Jennifer Staubach Gates, Lee Kleinman, Monica R. Alonzo and Philip Kingston 7-8:45 p.m. at an event hosted by the Preston Hollow Democrats. Northaven United Methodist Church, 11211 Preston, thephd.org, free

SEPT. 12

Movie night on the trail

Grab your blankets and picnic baskets, and join neighbors for a free movie screening on the Northaven Trail, featuring “Ratatouille,” at 6:30 p.m. Respite area of Dealey Park, 1090010962 Edgemere, northaventrail.org, free

Sept. 19 Carrie Newcomer

Folk musician Carrie Newcomer performs at 8 p.m. Her latest album is accompanied by Newcomer’s first book, “A Permeable Life: Poetry and Essays.” Twangtown Paramours open the show.

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, 9555 N. Central, 214.363.0044, $20 advance/$25 door

SEPT. 4-21

18th annual Jewish Film Festival of Dallas

View award-winning films that illustrate the Jewish experience during this annual series, which features various genres, including documentary, comedy and drama. The movies screen at theaters throughout Dallas. See the full line-up and buy tickets online.

Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven, 214.239.7128, jccdallas. org, $11

SEPT. 17

Tonier Cain signs ‘Healing Neen’

For two decades Tonier Cain was caught in the cycle of crack addiction, chronic incarceration and abuse. Meet the author as she signs copies of her book chronicling her source of inspiration and road to recovery.

Barnes and Noble, 7700 W. Northwest Highway #300, 214.739.1124, barnesandnoble.com, free

SEPT. 24

‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’

Discuss this month’s novel, Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” with members of the Preston Royal Library book club.

Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal, 214.670.7128, free

THROUGH JAN. 31

Vintage war graphic art

The Frontiers of Flight Museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of World War I with a collection of rare vintage poster art, including recruiting, propaganda and home front morale images from World Wars I and II. Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon, 214.350.1651, flightmuseum.com, $5-$8; free for children under 3

HOURS: 11AM - 9PM SUN. AND MON. 11AM-10PM TUES.-THURS. 11AM-11PM FRI. AND SAT.

AMBIANCE: TRADITIONAL PRICE RANGE: $10-$27

Ziziki’s, named for its signature Greek tzatziki sauce served alongside its souvlakis, gyros and salads, is nearing its 10th year at Preston and Forest. Like the playful take on the tricky traditional spelling of its namesake yogurt sauce, the fare at Ziziki’s includes the best of traditional Greek favorites — dolmades, souvlakis and mousaka — with a twist. Take the classic lamb gyros, for instance: they’re made with lamb, but Australian, organic, free-range lamb, which has a mild, less gamey flavor than the domestic variety. The cheese board includes French feta, which owners Mary and Costa Arabatzis prefer to the firmer Greek feta. For Costa, who also is executive chef, perfecting authentic Greek recipes began at an early age. Growing up, Costa would come home from school and help his grandmother bake homemade baklava. Though lacking professional culinary training, Costa has since perfected his family recipes and cooking technique at restaurants all over the country, including The Crescent. “The menu has changed quite a bit since we first opened,” Mary says. “At first, it was just chicken and lamb. Now we’ve added fish and the meat and cheese board.” And there are more playful additions on the horizon. Of course, the crowd-pleasing artichoke hummus dip is sticking around, but a new weekend brunch menu is beginning to draw a crowd all its own. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. brunch items such as blueberry, lemon and thyme pancakes, and a Greek omelet with feta cheese and Kalamata olives marry the best of American and Greek cuisine. At dinner, sip on Fix 1864, a Greek lager, or Kyklos Moschofilero, a Greek white wine, refreshing yet acidic enough to hold up to all of that flavorful grilled meat.

Whitney Thompson

TIP:

DON’T SKIP THE COCKTAIL MENU, WHICH WAS FASHIONED WITH HELP FROM MIXOLOGIST JASON KOSMAS, WHOSE COCKTAIL RECIPES HAVE BEEN SERVED AT FEARING’S, BOLSA AND MARQUEE GRILL.

And the winner is …

Cindi’s NY Deli

As part of Advocate’s yearlong best-of reader’s choice contest, we asked you to choose your favorite breakfast/brunch joint in the neighborhood, and Cindi’s NY Deli (11111 N. Central) came out on top. That’s likely because there’s a little something for everyone on the menu: from Southern favorites such as chicken-fried steak and eggs, to the bagel with lox, a New York deli staple. Plus, breakfast is served until closing time at 9 p.m., so you can come back later to try those cheese blintzes if you run out of room in the morning. Cindi’s owner Anh Vo, along with her husband and newborn baby, came to the United States as political refugees from Vietnam back in the 1970s and spoke no English. Vo told us in January 2012 that she knew nothing about Jewish food before opening Cindi’s in 1989 but “learned everything I could.” And it doesn’t hurt to have dedicated cooks who have stuck around since the beginning.

—Whitney Thompson

Runner-up: The Original Pancake House

Third place: Woodlands American Grill

Next up in our reader’s choice contest: best burger. To see the nominees and cast your vote, visit prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/bestof.