Key Dining

KeyDining

THE 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, centercut 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., 817-336- 8000, 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. Glassenclosed 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. 777 Main St., 817-877-3388, 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. Open for lunch Wed.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 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 reservations are suggested, and Thurs. night reservations get you free tickets to the Stockyards Championship Rodeo! Fort Worth Stockyards, 204 W. Exchange Ave., 817-882- 6405, www.horseshoehillcafe.com. JOE T. GARCIA’S - A Fort Worth institution. When Mr. and Mrs. Joe T. Garcia first opened in their home to diners in 1935 there were 16 seats. Eventually, the famed TexMex outpost has poured out onto their famous, twinkle-lit patio and now seats up to 1000. It continues to be familyrun to this day, and the original recipes are still in use. Joe believed the best advertising to be word of mouth, and he was right. Eighty-five years later, the fare and ambiance keeps people coming back in droves. While the lunch menu features things like chimichangas, tamales, soups, and salads, the dinner menu is succinct: sizzling fajitas or enchiladas. The portions are generous which is good, because the tequila to margarita ratio is, too. Fortunately, the family filled in their backyard pool years ago to curb instances of enthusiastic swimmers… Great for casual nights and special occasions alike. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 2201 N. Commerce St., 817-626- 4356, www.joetgarcias.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. Open 24 hours every day. 1509 S. University Dr., 817-336-0309, 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. 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, 817-336-1009, 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. Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.- 11p.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. 11:00 a.m.-2 p.m. & Sun. noon-3 p.m., closed Mon. 7200 Camp Bowie Blvd. 817-731-7673, www.therosegardentearoom.com. From the Fort Worth CVB From the Fort Worth’s New(ish) Coffee Shops By Laurie James, Visit Fort Worth

These seven coffee joints are spread all over Fort Worth, with most offering environmental sustainability along with your latte.

ARCADIA COFFEE

Peace, love, funky art, good Karma and recyclable coffee cups have come to the Near Southside. The vegan food options make a nice change from traditional coffeehouse fare, and whether you want drip coffee or a smoothie, your options are wide open.

BLACK COFFEE

Owner Mia Moss worked at a nationally franchised coffeehouse in her teens, and brought that love of coffee and coffeehouse community back to her own neighborhood. With two signature coffee blends (The Eastsider and the rich, dark, strongerthan-death Poly Blend) Moss has created something truly unique.

ROOTS COFFEEHOUSE

Owner Janice Townsend’s newest location on the Near Southside features traditional coffeehouse favorites along with some fun, exotic tea blends. The Matcha Ado About Orange offered a kick of Topo Chico with cold-pressed orange juice, matcha, and your choice of dairy or oat milk.

RACE STREET COFFEE

The west side expansion of Dallas’ Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters fits right into the neighborhood now known as the River East. Bring your own cup for your to-go coffee and save a dollar. If you just want your Joe to go, they’ll sell you a compostable cup and part of the money goes back into the company’s sustainability fund for environmental projects.

TOASTED COFFEE + KITCHEN

Toasted Coffee wins the food and beverage game on this list. In addition to coffee with a variety of non-dairy milk options, Toasted also offers a full menu and cocktails, beer and wine. From Primal and Vietnamese coffees to drips and smoothies, there’s a lot to enjoy on the menu.

LAZY DAISY COFFEE

Brightly decorated with mustard yellows and hanging flowers, Lazy Daisy invites patrons to extend their stay while serving brew supplied by Counter Culture Coffee, two variations of chai (masala chai and a golden turmeric chai) sourced by Rishi Tea.

SUMMER MOON COFFEE

Summer Moon’s second Tarrant County location lies on Main Street between the Magnolia Avenue and South Main Village. Whether you can taste the difference or not, you’ll be charmed by the location and the food options, which include some very tasty gluten-free pastries.