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I n the menswear realm, the apparent rule of thumb for interior design is to rely upon wood-paneled walls, dimmed mason bulbs, leather upholstery and whiskey-equipped bars. Knot Standard, Dallas' latest menswear entrant, however, represents a rather welcome departure from this leaning. Residing within an understated bungalow on Henderson Avenue, Knot Standard has gone to great lengths to ensure the not-standard portion of its mission extends to its 1,500-square-foot storefront. The four-year-old company's Knox-Henderson showroom is its fourth uniquely tailored location, joining the ranks of a 150-year-old building on New York's 5th Avenue, a converted speakeasy in D.C., and a storefront within the Burj Khalifa's prestigious Palace Hotel in Dubai. Co-founder John Ballay states, "Dallas has a very discerning and savvy clientele, with appreciation for high-end clothing and specifically our custom product." Regional sales manager Russ Lowder describes the locale — with last year's arrival of Trunk Club and Bonobos coming later this year — as "the right, growing place" for men to stop on a lunch break, near top restaurants and downtown. As fit is the most important part of a custom suit, a Knot Standard- trained style advisor will take your 18 key measurements in the showroom. On the back end, the tailors and tech team build a 3-D wireframe of your body and digitally create a custom suit pattern. Lasers precision-cut the fabric and hand- assemble it exactly to your specs. Your personal pattern is saved, so you can have the same fit with every order. Fabrics, cuts and small personal details are Knot Standard's clear forté, with hundreds of choices of fabric and a vast selection of classic and modern options for detailing the buttons, lining, pockets, even your name embroidered in the color and font of your choosing. Pricing for a custom suit begins at a surprising $795, while shirts begin at $125. Turnaround, from measurement to delivery, is three to four weeks. Knot Standard represents a novel take on an otherwise androgynous tale of design and presentation — one that will attract men with its lack of pressure and its focus on comfort and dignity. Matt Alexander APRIL | PAGE 12 | 2014 Knot Standard, 5207 Bonita Ave., 855.784.8968, knotstandard.com/dallas CrushCraft Thai Street Eats, 2800 Routh St., 972.677.7038, crushcraftthai.com STREET EATS SHINE AT CRUSHCRAFT THAI SOUTHERN COMFORTS WITH CRUSHCRAFT, SEEKING COMFORT IN A PERFECTLY TAILORED SUIT, SEEING THE LIGHT AT BLIND BUTCHER WE'RE TAKING IT TO THE STREET AND BEING INSPIRED TO BUY AT ABI FERRIN. WE'RE LOVING APRIL. Walking into Dallas-based designer Abi Ferrin's new West Village boutique is much like walking into your best friend's living room — cozy, comfy and welcoming. The only difference is, this living room is stocked with chic colorful frocks, tops and accessories. "I started my business in my living room 11 years ago, so I wanted this store to convey the same feeling," says Ferrin, lounging on one of the purple tufted seats with her pup Dalton while Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" plays over her iPod speaker. "I want people to feel like this is a place they can come, sit, hang out and try on clothes." Named Texas' Next Top Designer in 2007, she won a prize package that included placement at Stanley Korshak and a showroom in the famed SouthSide on Lamar building. With her collection now sold in stores nationwide, Ferrin decided it was time to evolve her brand and put her stake in the ground, opening her own 1,100-square-foot shop in the heart of uptown Dallas to house her locally made ready-to-wear. "It's hard to get your point across through other retailers, because they carry just a little capsule of what we create, which is frustrating as a designer because I know how great everything looks when it's all together," she says. Operating under the motto "Fashion With Freedom and Purpose," Ferrin's designs are inspired by women and include a handmade button from her initiative The Freedom Project, which she founded in 2007 to aid those faced with seemingly impossible circumstances in poverty- stricken countries. "I always add some new inspiration to my current designs — something in my life that is exciting or interesting," she says. "I'm just waiting to see what inspires me next." Lauren Scheinin Abi Ferrin, 3699 McKinney Ave., 214.565.0055, abiferrin.com DRESSING UP WITH FERRIN Abi Ferrin Ferrin's living-room-ish boutique JASON ACTON STEPHEN DUX The sizzling, steaming, mingled aromas of freshly prepared food drift through Thailand's open- air markets. At the new Quadrangle restaurant CrushCraft Thai Street Eats, executive chef Paul Singhapong and general manager/owner Jack Nuchkasem replicate the fragrant street fare of their birthplace. After illustrious careers with combined stints at some of Dallas' most esteemed establishments (Cru Food and Wine Bar, the Crescent Court's Beau-Nash, the French Room at the Adolphus, the Omni and the Renaissance), the two men have come full circle to the cuisine they know best. "These are my own special recipes," Singhapong says, "duplicated by memory and by taste." CrushCraft's name refers to the age-old mortar-and-pestle method of crushing ingredients, and the chef is adamant about preserving the lost art of traditional techniques. The menu is cleverly divided between the Humble Homey (street grub), the Swanky Citizen (a step above) and For Chefs (the crew's craving). Try the Laap Isaan (#4), spicy ground beef served with crispy lettuce cups, or Moo Ping (#2), tender grilled pork slices with papaya salad and sticky rice, and Khao Soi (#7) is a heavenly curry soup with egg noodles and chicken. This Uptown Thai jewel is certain to be an after-hours gathering spot. Terri Taylor The Blind Butcher, 1919 Greenville Ave., 214.887.0000 THE BLIND BUTCHER OF LOWER GREENVILLE L ower Greenville Avenue hums these days with fresh storefronts, über- cool eateries and a renewed buzz. Look for The Blind Butcher, a jovial new pub house created by Matt Tobin and Josh Yingling (Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House) with partners Ryan Chaney (44 Build), Tony Bricker (Vickery Park, Meridian Room) and executive chef Oliver Sitrin (Village Marquee). Chef Sitrin's meaty menu features hand- cranked sausages and house-cured charcuterie with scrumptious side dishes and a mile-long list of beer, wine and cocktails. Inside the vintage façade, the pressed-tin ceiling and timeworn walls hold the secrets of another era. A long marble-topped bar skirts one side of the room, with communal tables dividing the center. Past the glass-front butcher case, the hallway leads to a large backyard seating area, perfect for mild spring nights. The tavern-style menu is great for sharing. On a recent visit, we gobbled up the pastrami- and sauerkraut-stuffed crispy egg rolls, dipping them in a house- made mustard laced with coriander and pepper. Tasting boards offer a nice option for sampling. Our sausage board included bacon bratwurst with kraut, brisket sausage with pickles and spicy Italian links with sweet red peppers, alongside Empire Bakery's pretzel bread. Side dishes aren't to be missed. Savory bread pudding swims in a black truffle cheese sauce. On a lighter note, there are bacon-flecked leaves of Brussels sprouts, salads with local greens and a tofu hot dog for vegans. Another shareable hit is the French-Canadian snack poutine, which pairs duck fat fries, brown gravy and cheese curds with optional add-ons like foie gras and a sunny-side up duck egg. Whether humble or elevated, this hearty dish, like the rest of the well- crafted menu, nicely complements the Butcher's convivial spirit. Terri Taylor Oliver Sitrin, Ryan Chaney, Josh Yingling, Tony Bricker and Matt Tobin Pastrami egg rolls Suit of arms Rubbed heritage pork chop