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S ummer is heating up with a bustle of happenings. Lines are forming outside the Dallas Museum of Art with foodies queuing to try Socca, the museum's new al fresco cafe developed by chef Sharon Hage at the recently unveiled Eagle Family Plaza. Note: Socca is one of the first restaurants in Dallas to feature the Mediterranean specialty that the restaurant is named after: a savory, gluten-free chickpea crêpe found throughout the south of France … Hilton Hotels & Resorts expands into Dallas by way of Canopy by Hilton, the chain's newest hotel concept — think more boutique, less conference-y. Canopy targets vibrant, culturally rich neighborhoods, so its new Dallas environs (Uptown) fit the bill. We await its opening in fall 2017 at the intersection of Cityplace West and Oak Grove … The retail revival at Victory Park continues with Nardos Design on Victory Park Lane, where Dallas designer Nardos Imam offers her resplendent collections of custom bridal, evening and cocktail dresses … In late July, The Halal Guys — who started with a setup on 53rd and 6th in Manhattan, and now have restaurants across the world offering their famous menu of chicken, gyro and falafel with red or white sauce — open a location at 5444 Lemmon Avenue. Gabriella Bradley THIS JUST IN… Nardos Imam eveningwear Rendering of Canopy by Hilton I f you're reading this, you haven't yet fled Texas for the summer in search of margaritas at Woody Creek Tavern, hikes up Ute trail and lazy mornings at the mountain manse. Before you hop the jet — destination Aspen, naturally — take note of a must-attend contemporary art happening. This unconventional art exhibition landed on our radar due to one name that has been top of mind for Dallasites: Neville Wakefield, the curator who was the talk of the town this spring when he masterfully selected the auction art for the MTV Re:Define gala. July 11 through August 20, Wakefield, along with art advisor Meredith Darrow, opens an adventurous show dubbed "Mount Analogue" — a visual exploration of the physical and mystical struggles behind conquering peaks. (Apropos for Aspen, no?) The curatorial vision is played up by the exhibition's location: Performance Ski, Aspen's most notable ski shop, which has been adapted to house works from Richard Prince, Sterling Ruby, Paula Crown and Rob Pruitt. "Mount Analogue," July 11 through August 20, Performance Ski, 408 S. Hunter St., Aspen, 970.925.8657; info@ darrowcontemporary. com. Christina Geyer Wendy White's Völkl II, 2015 For Seasonal ASPENITES David Benjamin Sherry's Putting Grapes Back On The Vine, 2014 COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND MORAN BONDAROFF GALLERY. IMAGE COURTESY THE ARTIST F or any well-bred woman — from pretty young things to ladies who lunch — a beautiful monogram is requisite. Since its quiet debut in 2014 in a quaint office- style space upstairs in Highland Park Village, Ellis Hill has served customized stationery, invitations, holiday cards, bedding, linens and gifts. Recently, owners Margretta Wikert and Kerri Davis moved their beloved shop into the main mix of HP Village boutiques with a glossy storefront next to Peeper's. The two-story space, formerly home to Celebrity Café, is sleek, elegant and perfectly prepped with pale-pink walls, a mod brass-banister staircase and stylish loft. The spot is packed with invites, cocktail napkins, desk sets and more, all awaiting your monogram. Ellis Hill, 65 Highland Park Village, 214.693.5649, ellis-hill.com. Linden Wilson Pen to Paper S prezza is a little slice of Italian heaven nestled in a modest brick building on Maple Avenue, just north of Oak Lawn. This is the much anticipated new restaurant from chef Julian Barsotti (Nonna, Carbone's), with a vibe and menu that echo its namesake: sprezzatura, the nuanced Italian term for studied nonchalance. Backing the venture are the entrepreneurial brothers behind Henderson hot spot The Dram: Chris Donohoe, Martin Donohoe and DJ Donohoe. Sprezza is less formal than Barsotti's other eateries, with a relaxed atmosphere and a simple and sophisticated menu of Roman favorites, handmade pasta (spaghetti carbonara, blue crab linguine, quail gnocchi) and pizza al taglio so good that it's already created a foodie buzz. Libations channel the great boot country, too, with a wine list strictly limited to Southern Italian winemakers and craft cocktails rooted in Italian spirits. Sprezza, 4010 Maple Ave., 972.807.9388, sprezzadallas.com. Linden Wilson WHEN IN ROME A ustin-based Stag Provisions for Men, which opened in a temporary Knox-Henderson location in 2014, has unveiled a permanent, roomier locale on Cole Avenue that appeals to the confident, laid-back gentleman (Johnny Depp and Matthew McConaughey are customers). Conceived in Austin by owners Don Weir and Steve Shuck, the store pairs high with low, mixing vintage classics with new collections from mainstay American designers (Ralph Lauren RRL, Jack Spade, Filson, etc.), all in tandem with contemporary art, vintage furniture and small-batch goods from local craftsmen. Stag Provisions for Men, 4525 Cole Ave., 214.599.2143, stagprovisions.com. Linden Wilson STAG PARTY Sprezza ALL PHOTOS BY IMANI CHET LYTLE Stag Provisions IMANI CHET LYTLE Ellis Hill in Highland Park Village GUSTAV SCHMIEGE