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(Just A Bridge Away) Casa Rubia, 3011 Gulden Lane, 469.513.6349, casarubiadallas.com At the base of the breathtaking Calatrava — just a short hop from downtown across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge — you'll find Trinity Groves with its twinkle-lit trees and cluster of restaurants. The latest opening, the Spanish-flavored Casa Rubia, is the handiwork of Jonn Baudoin and chef Omar Flores, the duo behind the much-lauded Driftwood in Bishop Arts. "We wanted to do something unique," Baudoin says. "Omar was passionate about introducing Spanish cuisine and showcasing tapas reinvented with his own style and technique." The sleek interiors by designer Stefania Morandi features a rubia (blonde)-on black motif with natural wood, honey-hued walls and saffron velvet banquettes. The centerpiece art is a monochromatic rendering of the ceiling at Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. The tapas offerings range from simply salted Marcona almonds to the complex cordero: Moorish spiced lamb belly in pomegranate molasses with drifts of whipped parsnips. Choose from Spanish cheeses and cured hams, such as the coveted jamon Iberico de bellota. Seasonal seafood is prominently featured: trucha (speckled trout), pulpa (octopus), razor clams, Nantucket Bay scallops and Cape Cod mussels. On the alcachofas plate, lemon-tinged, crispy baby artichokes are paired with delicate slices of mojama, air-dried tuna and saffron aioli. Parties of four or more should try paella del dia, the saffron rice specialty with an ever-changing mélange of fresh seafood, meats and vegetables. Also under Iberian influence are the specialty cocktails, beer and broad list of wines and sherries. "A glass of sherry pulls it together," says Baudoin, "as an apéritif or to take you through the meal. It's nice seeing people experimenting with the possibilities and having fun." Terri Taylor Design Buzz Everything is new again and lines are coming and going at George Cameron Nash showrooms in Dallas and Houston. Powerhouse designer J Randall Powers is the new director of design at GCN in both cities, while continuing his personal design business. "It's a complete reinvention of how a showroom should look and how furniture and fabric lines should be presented," Powers says. "This isn't just fresh paint," agrees George Nash. One major addition to the showroom is Dessin Fournir, where Powers, in an unprecedented move, has reworked Fournier finishes and fabrications for custom pieces for the GCN showrooms. Dessin Fournir president Chuck Comeau was so pleased with the reworked designs that he's adding them in the collection. More to come next month. Talk about a good hair day! Dallas' Drybar locations now open at 7:30 am, so you can have perfectly tousled tresses all day long … A happy birthday is in order: Blushington has just turned one — the perfect excuse to pop in before a night out on the town or a camera-ready occasion … Is your New Year's resolution to renew and decorate? You'll be in good hands at the newly expanded Restoration Hardware on Knox. The enhanced 11,400-square-foot shop now has an even greater breadth of globally curated collections of furniture, lighting, textiles, bath ware and decor … This month, the Design District welcomes Pohlenz Cucine Moderne, owned by Tulsa architect Scott Pohlenz. The showroom showcases Italian cabinet manufacturer Valcucine. For an appointment, call manager David Arnwine at 214.760.1116. Lauren Scheinin T GREEN SPACE AS White Cube he Dallas Contemporary rolls out one of the largest and most significant exhibitions devoted to contemporary design ever organized in North Texas, titled "Lavish: Design in Dallas," opening January 11 (through March 9). As befits its prime spot at the heart of the reinvigorated Design District, the DC transforms its cavernous interiors into an elaborate stage set featuring dreamlike tableaux for six Dallas innovators who are crafting new-century contributions in the realms of jewelry, fashion, textiles and sculptural installations. Contemporary director Peter Doroshenko takes curatorial reins in this greatly anticipated presentation that brings into the limelight a half-dozen local talents (intriguingly, all women): Megan Adams Brooks (textiles), Josephine Durkin (kinetic sculpture), Sue Gragg (jewelry), Nicole Musselman (an interactive fashion installation; we can't wait to try on her designs), Angela Scott (handcrafted shoes) and Joy O. Ude (including an installation of lunchboxes). In keeping with the over-the-top successes of recent dynamic fashion- and design-minded museum mountings (Jean Paul Gaultier at the DMA in 2011, Ken Price at the Nasher in Megan Adams Brooks' Blue Jay I, 2013 Spring 2013), the DC's take on this subject promises to cross-pollinate its white cube with a topical mix of the alluring, the exquisitely minimal, the perfectly understated, with perhaps a dash of the Baroque, thus positing a case for Dallas as a nexus for a new, carefully considered culture of detail and design. Catherine D. Anspon HARRISON EVANS Olé, Olé! Lavish Indeed O Christopher Bond and Bradly Brown installing Brown's Partially Buried Cereal Aisle, 2013, at PRKD ne of spring's most eagerly watched curatorial endeavors takes place not in a gallery or museum but on the lawn of Henry C. Beck Jr. Park, adjacent to Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.). Here, the Dallas Art Fair has commissioned Dallasbased artist/catalyst Brandon Kennedy to curate a threepart series of exhibitions leading up to year six of its annual convergence (April 10 through 13). Part one, under the brand PRKD, unfurled last fall. Titled "Subject to Change," the alfresco sculptural installation featured five Dallasbased talents who served up smart takes on the traditional notion of the heroic bronze or marble monument. Simple, often surprising materials held sway — we were captivated by Bradly Brown's witty take on that prosaic staple of the grocery aisle, kid's breakfast cereal, presented in conversation with offerings by Jesse Morgan Barnett, Ludwig Schwarz, Lucia Simek and ringleader Kennedy. Next, we'll be lining up for the big reveal of PRKD deux, come early February. Dallas Art Fair provided an advance peek of a few enigmatic photos by Kennedy, which merely whetted our appetite. "I envision the PRKD project to reimagine the possibilities of interaction and dialogue between the artist, viewer and the public sphere," Kennedy says. Follow us on Twitter (@PaperCityCA) for the official PRKD Two announcement. Catherine D. Anspon IF THE SHOE FITS… T here's a new man in town with the answer to our prayers. Yosi Samra, a second-generation shoe designer from New York City and the pioneer of the fold-up ballet flat, has set up shop and opened a Dallas Yosi Samra headquarters, in addition to his New York office. "I have made amazing contacts and great friends in such a short period of time," says the designer of his move. "My new post here only betters the label because we have an understanding of two different customer mentalities: east and south." His eponymous footwear line is available in more than 1,000 boutiques across the U.S. and in 85 countries. Launched in 2009, the collection incorporates beautiful leathers with unique details and has since expanded to include children's shoes and handbags. "Dallas is the new land of opportunity," Samra says. "I'm looking forward to building my brand here, cultivating relationships with amazing people — and, of course, the food." $66 to $150, at Stanley Korshak; yosisamra.com. Lauren Scheinin We're in the midst of a ramen revolution! Teiichi Sakurai, chef and owner of Tei-An, will join the noodle action when Ten opens in May at the long-awaited Sylvan Thirty development. This 750-square-foot, 13-seat noodle shop will dish out tonkotsu, miso and shoyu ramen varieties. Can't wait? Dallas' first ramen restaurant, Tanoshii Ramen + Bar, is now ladling at lunchtime. Satisfy your cravings Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 2:30 pm … Uptown will get a taste of Thai when CushCraft Thai Street Eats debuts mid-month at The Quadrangle. The menu is made up of three sections: Humble Homey, featuring traditional Thai cuisine prevalent in open markets; Swanky Citizen, including everyone's favorite Thai items (think Phat Thai and Papaya Salad); and For Chefs, creative and chef-driven items that will rotate monthly … Your weekend will pack more of a punch now that Pakpao has debuted a new Thai-inspired brunch menu, available every Sunday at 11 am … Stampede 66 by Stephan Pyles shines. Known as the best "True Texas" dining experience, this Stephan Pyles concept was recognized as one TH of the 33 Best New Restaurants in America, by thrillist.com — the only selection from Dallas-Fort Worth … There's a new restaurant on McKinney, and it's bringing the rustic charm. Barter (under the reins of chef Andrew Dilda, previously with Tim Love's Woodshed Smokehouse) has taken over the former Private Social space with a menu offering "Dallas' take on contemporary cuisine" … Max's Wine Dive celebrates the New Year with a new happy-hour menu. Wind down from the day with a pork belly and apple quesadilla, duck Restaurant Buzz Casa Rubia JANUARY | PAGE 7 | 2014 poutine and, of course, one of Max's classic champagne cocktails … Lower Greenville is in fact, going green now that Crisp Salad Company has debuted across the street from Trader Joe's. Opt to build your own salad or choose one of the signatures crafted from the masters themselves — including Killer Kale, Street Taco and Curry Waldorf. With more than 70 toppings and dressings, the menu has reached new heights, with the option to make any salad into a wrap or flatbread … It's a sad day for caffeine lovers, as Pearl Cup Coffee has shuttered its original locale on Henderson Avenue. However, keep your eyes peeled. This independent specialty coffee shop known for its Pearl Latte is on the lookout for the perfect replacement location. Lauren Scheinin E R E S I D E N T E X P E R T S. MATHEWS-NICHOL S.COM | 214.350.0711