Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/184590
PC'S PICK OF THE NEW BITES BOÎTES We've puzzled out the abundant new bistros, cantinas, grilles and even a rathskeller or two — to fashion a culinary map of the delicious and well-designed WATERING HOLES THE DRAM: Per co-owner DJ Donohoe, this place is "neither nightclubby, nor pub-like." Instead, he and his co-owner/brother Chris Donohoe, along with co-owner Tommy DeAlano, have opened a place where crafty cocktails shine and bar manager Walter "Dub" Davis waxes poetic on the hefty whiskey menu. Outside, The Dram taps food trucks — Ruthie's Rolling Café, Nammi Truck — to park and serve late-night noshes. 2918 N. Henderson Ave., 214.826.3726; thedramdallas.com. entrées to our local scene. By Christina Geyer Sundown at Granada THE MASON BAR: This State CATERER-RUN and Allen-area stop has mastered the Uptown dichotomy: pretty young people swilling at the bar and, nearby, polished older types dining around a white-clothed table. From owner and man about town Brandt Wood, this spot is all about having dinner, as chef David Temple mans the kitchen, and staying well into the evening for cocktails. 2701 Guillot St., 214.220.0227; themasonbar.com. SISSY'S SOUTHERN KITCHEN & BAR: "You should walk out and feel like you've just left a family reunion," says owner Lisa Garza. Housed in the former Hector's on Henderson digs, Sissy's features an airy whitewashed sunroom for pseudopatio dining and a Dixie-inspired menu, executed by chef Jeffrey Hobbs. Pair the buttermilk-soaked fried chicken with Grandma's layered salad — swathed in Hellman's-based dressing, of course. 2929 Henderson Ave., 214.827.9900; sissyssouthernkitchen.com. SUNDOWN AT GRANADA: For a beer garden with musical roots, make tracks to Greenville Avenue. Granada Theater owner Mike Schoder and chef Patrick Stark have moved into the former Mike's Treehouse and The M Street Bar spaces and opened a two-story bar and restaurant. For pre-concert dinner, order the rosemary-glazed Kobe beef meatballs or the Shiner Bock brisket sliders. 3520 Greenville Ave., 214.823.8305; sundownatgranada.com. ROYAL SIXTY: Wendy Krispin is Oak Lawn Coffee OAK LAWN COFFEE: Formerly Urban Dog Coffee, this latte shop — now owned by Peter Louis and Ryan Fisher — serves up coffee from beans roasted by Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters' Shannon Neffendorf, as well as chewy homemade breakfast bars made from Dallas-based Impact Granola. In addition to how they donate a portion of their proceeds back to the community, we love Oak Lawn Coffee's morning brew in bulk — in caffeine-fueled sizes from 2.5 to 10 gallons. 2720 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.219.5511; oaklawncoffee.com. MASTERS OF REINVENTION MR MESERO: Mico Rodriguez has taken up residence in Knox-Henderson with his American-meets-Mexican eatery. Helmed by two chefs — known by their first names, Gallego and Fino — Mr Mesero serves up small bites, namely barbacoa tacos and Oaxaquenas enchiladas. As for the margaritas? You'll slip seamlessly into your second or third of the La Dona (Herradura Silver, Cointreau and citrus) and the skinny marg dubbed Size Two (Herradura Silver, citrus, Splenda). 4444 McKinney Ave., 214.780.1991; mrmesero.com. THE CHESTERFIELD: A New The Chesterfield The brie and wild mushroom queso at Royal Sixty BRIDGE BISTRO FOOD + DRINK: The new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge inspired design district foodie Kay Agnew to relocate and rename her beloved Margaux's restaurant as Bridge Bistro Food + Drink, and open an attached venue space called the Twilight Room. We're fans of the fully loaded bar with smart cocktails such as the Pont Neuf (rosé or champagne splashed with Grand Marnier and Lillet Blonde) and the Islas (Pisco, fresh citrus, sugar cane and bitters, shaken with an egg white). 921 N. Riverfront Blvd., 214.740.1985; bridgebistrodallas.com. SHANNON FAULK York City vibe brews at this Downtown destination from Bailey's Prime Plus owner Ed Bailey, with libations spun by barman Eddie "Lucky" Campbell. Herewith, the best time to stop in: a midweek afternoon for a bite from formerly New York–based DBGB Kitchen & Bar chef Michael Ehlert and a sip on the sidewalk patio. 1404 Main St., 214.741.2811; thechesterfielddallas.com. painting not only the town with her divine catering, but also the former Margaux's spot at the International Design Center on Turtle Creek. For a quick bite while scouting fabric samples, stop in Krispin's cobalt-blue boîte and order the rethought queso — an oozy sauce of brie and wild mushrooms — and Royal Sliders, stacked tall with bison, turkey and Portobello mushroom. 150 Turtle Creek Blvd., 214.741.2604; royalsixty.com. LANDMARK RESTAURANT: Landmark Restaurant APRIL | PAGE 42 | 2012 Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar Executive chef Mike Pacheco has shaken things up at the Warwick Melrose Hotel, reshaping its restaurant's menu to match the dining room's new decor. Reserve the chef's table — a focal point of the main dining room, with seating for up to 10 people. While supping, observe the space's new art. Design firm Duncan Miller Ullman Design commissioned photographs of local landmarks to mirror the hotel's storied interior. 3015 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.224.3152; landmarkrestodallas.com.