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ÁTICO - On the 6th floor of the SpringHill Suites in Fort Worth’s Historic Stockyards sits Ático, Chef Tim Love’s latest, an inviting rooftop eatery and bar with a luxurious feel. The panoramic views of the Stockyards and glimmering lights of downtown are more than enough to keep you coming back trip after trip, but the carefully curated food and drink menu are what sets Ático apart from all the dining options available in the Stockyards. A wide array of Spanish-inspired drink and food options are available to those looking to expand their horizons and take a quick trip to Barcelona. ¡Vamos! Tue.-Fri. 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Kitchen closes at 9 p.m. each day, restaurant closed Mon. 2315 N. Main St., 682-255-5112, www.aticoftworth.com. THE BISCUIT BAR - #TheBiscuitBar has finally come to Fort Worth, and I couldn’t be more grateful or, suddenly, hungrier. Located in the Stockyards’ hip Mule Alley, Biscuit Bar is the brainchild of Jake and Janie Burkett. After undergoing a personal family tragedy, in classic southern style they were showered with a bounty of literal comfort food. One item kept standing out and repeating itself, though: biscuits. So, the couple played with the idea of creating a build-your-own-biscuit bar at home, featuring biscuits made from scratch and lush toppings such as fried chicken, maple syrup, scrambled eggs, gravy, crispy bacon, and, of course, butter. Every menu item was created in the Burkett home kitchen, and the growing family decided to give the gift of comfort food right back to DFW. Come for the biscuits, stay for cocktails called “cereal sips” like their Cinnamon Toast Punch. Be sure to allocate time for a food coma snooze afterward. Sun.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. 128 E. Exchange Ave., #640, www.thebiscuit.bar. CAFÉ MODERN - Café Modern’s artfully crafted cuisine is served against the backdrop of Tadao Ando’s iconic architecture in the thriving Fort Worth Cultural District. They believe that great menus start with fresh, naturally produced ingredients which are cooked exclusively from scratch, using whole grains and vegetables, cage-free eggs, and humanely treated chickens and beef raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. They blend seasonal foods from local artisan producers with diverse culinary traditions from around the globe. Café Modern’s Executive Chef is Texas native Denise Shavandy. She has a wide range of experience in the culinary arts and is thrilled to be in Fort Worth, as her culinary career got its start at The Pegasus and Spice International Café. From farm fresh, seasonal, local ingredients, she uses classical culinary techniques that preserve nutrition and maximize healthfulness. Lunch Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., brunch Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., full bar service Wed., Thurs., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Lunch/ bar service Tues. & dinner Fri. will resume at a later date. For reservations, call 817-840-2157, 3200 Darnell St., www.themodern.org/café. CATTLEMEN’S FORT WORTH STEAK HOUSE: Steak isn’t only for dinner- try the daily lunch menu! You can get a luncheon steak that includes a baked potato, salad and their famous homemade rolls. Start your meal off with a savory appetizer: “Shoot’em Up Shrimp,” crab cakes, calf or lamb fries, onion rings, and the list goes on. Cattlemen’s offers BBQ ribs, lobster, chicken, pasta, pork chops, and “The Old Texas Standby” chicken fried steak. Prime rib is served on Friday & Saturday nights. Cattlemen’s charcoal-broiled extensive steak selection has been called “the ultimate in a fine steak.” Steaks can be ordered with a variety of enticing sauces like teriyaki, cognac pepper corn, béarnaise, or gorgonzola. Seafood selections include lobster, jumbo shrimp, crab cakes, halibut, salmon, tilapia, and catfish. Top off your dinner with a homemade dessert: apple or pecan pie, cobbler, banana pudding, chocolate cake or New York style cheesecake. Private banquet rooms offer seating for 10 to 120. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m. 2458 N. Main St., 817-624-3945, www.cattlemenssteakhouse.com. EDDIE V’S PRIME SEAFOOD - Seafood, steaks, and rhythm. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood was inspired by the great classic seafood restaurants of New Orleans, San Francisco, and Boston. Eddie V’s offers the freshest seafood, right off the docks and USDA prime, center-cut steaks - aged 28 days and broiled to perfection. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. Get in rhythm in the V-Lounge with dining and live music nightly. Open Mon.Thurs. 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 4 p.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Museum Place, 3100 W. 7th St., 817-3368000, www.eddiev.com. ESPARZA’S - If you land at the DFW International Airport hard up for Tex-Mex, first of all, I understand you. Second of all, you’re in luck. Touted as “independently owned, internationally known,” Esparza’s is perched in the same town as the airport: Grapevine. Since 1985, the Restaurante Mexicano has served up delicious fare that includes Tex-Mex classics like enchiladas and tacos, but also innovations like fried avocado stuffed with brisket and an assortment of quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, salads & desserts. They have a patio strung with lights and call themselves “the margarita capital of Texas.” Enough said. Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 124 E. Worth St., Grapevine, 817-481-4668, www.esparzastexas.com. GRACE - A dining experience like no other in Fort Worth. Owner Adam Jones, known as the city’s host for the unparalleled level of hospitality and service in his restaurants, invites you to enjoy “Modern American Classic” fare created by award winning Chef Blaine Staniford. In a comfortable modern setting that embodies the city’s energy, guests can enjoy the outdoor terrace on Main Street and a spectacular bar featuring unique seasonal cocktails and a separate menu for bar snacks. Glass-enclosed temperature-controlled wine cellars house a selection of Old and New World wines. For private events, four private dining rooms with multimedia capabilities seat 12-60 guests. Appetizers include lamb belly dumplings, oysters, kona kompachi, and beef tenderloin tartare. From the dinner menu, choices include bacon wrapped stuffed filet, Maine lobster, Duroc pork shank, and various chicken, fish, pasta, soup, and salad dishes. Mon.Sat. 4 p.m.-9 p.m., closed Sun. 777 Main St., 817877-3388, www.gracefortworth.com. HORSESHOE HILL CAFE - Grady Spears, the celebrity chef known as the “Cowboy Cook,” serves up the best chicken fried steak in Fort Worth seven different ways with his award-winning sides and appetizers. A Cowboy Brunch is served Sat. 10 a.m.-noon and features biscuits and gravy, peppered bacon, and dishes like beef tenderloin scrambled egg tacos. Dinner reser-
vations are suggested, and Thurs. night reservations get you free tickets to the Stockyards Championship Rodeo! Wed. & Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Sun.-Tues. 204 W. Exchange Ave., 817-882-6405, www.horseshoehillcafe.com. OL’ SOUTH PANCAKE HOUSE - A menu to suit every taste. Famous for their signature German pancake, a crepe style cake filled with fresh-squeezed lemons, whipped butter, and powdered sugar, they also offer the “Dutch Baby,” a smaller version of the same. Ol’ South has many savory breakfast options, such as The Skillet, a fluffy homemade biscuit smothered in home-style gravy with eggs, hash browns, cheddar cheese, your choice of meat, and an array of toppings. On offer for those looking for healthy options are grilled Cajun salmon, a turkey avocado wrap, grilled chicken spinach salad, and more. From an egg white Greek omelet to sinfully good southern chicken and waffles, from a juicy T-Rex Burger to sizzling breakfast tacos, Ol’ South Pancake House has it all. Sun.-Wed. 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. 24 hours. 1509 S. University Dr., 817336-0309, www.olsouthpancakehouse.com. PARIS COFFEE SHOP - Family-owned since 1926, there’s a reason this historic Fort Worth “Watering Hole” has been around for over 85 years! Mike Smith’s Fort Worth landmark has the invitation “come on in” at the entrance. Open for breakfast six days a week and lunch five, Paris Coffee Shop offers classic breakfast menu items including eggs any style, French toast, breakfast tacos, waffles, and Denver and Greek omelets, biscuits and gravy, and oatmeal. Sides include bacon, hash browns, and cinnamon rolls. Lunch features sandwiches, veggie plates, soups, salads, and an extensive a la carte selection. Desserts include mile-high meringue pies, cobblers, homemade cookies and pies, and ice cream by the dip. Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (breakfast & lunch), Sat. 6 a.m.-11 a.m. (breakfast only). 704 W. Magnolia, 817-335-2041, www.pariscoffeeshop.net. PRESS CAFE - Casual breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, curbside cocktails/family dinner packs, and weekend brunch? Count me in. For all of it. Press Cafe’s extensive menu includes notables like crab mac n’ cheese, banana walnut waffles, ahi heirloom salad, and short ribs. All of their burgers are made/ground in-house (including the veggie patties), and are just $10 during happy hour (Mon.-Thurs. 3 p.m.-6 p.m). Press is right on the Trinity, so when your day calls for some good, old fashioned contemplation and clearfork martinis while staring at a body of water, this is your place. Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (breakfast 7 a.m.-11 a.m.), Sat. & Sun. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (brunch 7 a.m.-2 p.m.) 4801 Edwards Ranch Rd. #105, 817-570-6002, www.presscafeftworth.com. PROVENDER HALL - prov·en·der | \ ˈprä-vən-dər \ Definition of provender; 1: dry food for domestic animals: FEED; 2: FOOD, VICTUALS. Ugh, don’t you love it when a bunch of hot millennial chefs open and operate an atmospheric, American West restaurant and feed you Skillet Cornbread with Whipped Honey Butter and Slow Smoked Beef Rib for Two, that you secretly try to eat for one? With the help of Chef Scott Lewis and Kellen Hamrah, Chef Marcus Paslay of Clay Pigeon and Piatello Italian Kitchen fame is at it again, this time in the Stockyards’ Mule Alley. The large outpost’s open kitchen specializes in meats either smoked or cooked over their wood-burning grill, all accompanied by an array of southern classics like their Pimento Cheese, Hoppin’ John, and Cheddar Cheese Grits. They have a robust liquor list and, given their location, of course they have a quality Moscow Mule on hand. But they’ve also got a little ditty called Golden Cheeked Warbler I have my eye on… Thurs. & Sun. 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. 122 E. Exchange Ave. Suite 110, 817-782-9170, www.provenderhall.com. REATA RESTAURANT - Choosing from the best that southwestern food has to offer, Reata (Spanish for rope) offers a menu that ranges from steaks to Creole dishes to southern standbys like their West Texas Pecan Pie. An example for the first course is Reata signature jalepeño and cilantro soup. The main course could be pan-seared pepper crusted tenderloin with port wine sauce with sides like bourbon creamed corn and bacon wrapped asparagus. Finish your meal with a dessert classic or something new, like dessert tacos with caramelized bananas and chocolate gravy. Reata has a carefully selected wine list that complements its Texas cuisine and delicious cocktails like their Clear Fork Cherry Vodka Limeade. Reata is the name of the ranch in the movie Giant made in 1956, based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Lunch every day 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 310 Houston St. in Sundance Square, 817336-1009, www.reata.net. RODEO GOAT - In a stiff competition between Rodeo Goat and some other really good burger places, Rodeo Goat was recently named the “Best Burger in DFW.” The Goat really is the G.O.A.T.! Some of their choices include Bad Hombre with maple bacon, gouda, swiss, Rahr & Sons (local brewery) Ugly Pug onions, mango pico, cream cheese spread, and Rahr & Sons Buffalo Butt Burn Hot Sauce and the Oh Whitney, featuring garlic-roasted cremini mushrooms, pickled onions, gruyere, and soy caramel glaze. Rodeo Goat also has homemade vegan patties and Impossible burgers! Must-have sides are hand punched fries, Texas caviar, and cheese fries surprise. Wash it all down with a wide range of beers and finish with dessert: a milkshake or goat balls. What’re goat balls? You’ll have to go to find out. Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 2836 Bledsoe & Currie St., 817-877-4628, www.RodeoGoat.com. THE ROSE GARDEN TEA ROOM - The Fort Worth location is located inside The Mercantile and Arlington’s inside Gracie Lane, two curated marketplaces of 200+ dealer booths with impressive collections of gifts, home décor, antiques, fashion, furniture, and more. The Rose Garden is a delicate blend of English tradition and old southern charm with an assortment of soups, salads, fruit, and sandwiches. Their entrées are the very popular Rose Garden Variety which is a sampler plate of chicken salad, fresh fruit, quiche, soup and a pumpkin bread sandwich, and all dishes include their famed “toasties” for the table. There are several delectable desserts and specialty coffees and teas, including a three-course high tea. Arlington location: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sun., 4720 S. Cooper St., 817-795-3093. Fort Worth location: Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. & Sun. noon-3 p.m., closed Mon. 7200 Camp Bowie Blvd. 817-731-7673, www.therosegardentearoom.com. SHAKE SHACK - Hear ye, hear ye! Fort Worth finally got its very own Shake Shack. Longtime lovers of the Shack will be thrilled, and people who’ve yet to go to one will be receiving a personal wellness check from me. It’s simple, really: burgers, hot dogs, fries, and shakes... and one fabulous muenster and cheddar cheese-stuffed portobello burger for vegetarian friends. Let’s just say this- people love Shake Shack so much they get tattoos of the logo and cater their weddings with it. As if serving their Texas special Cold Shot Concrete made of vanilla custard, chocolate custard, malt, salted caramel, dark brown sugar, and chocolate toffee isn’t enough, Fort Worth’s Shack is also partnered with Alliance for Children, a nonprofit that protects Tarrant County children from child abuse. Sugar coma and philanthropy? Ideal. Wed. & Thurs. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., closed Mon. & Tues. 122 E. Exchange Ave. Suite 160, 817-885-5420, www.shakeshack.com/location/stockyards-tx.