Tom I.'s Profile

I was in Dallas for a conference and was staying at the Hyatt Summerfield which is a mile+ from downtown. My friends and I were not all that impressed with downtown Dallas and so we looked for something closer to our hotel and came across The Ginger Man which is nestled in a rather pleasant neighborhood.

We went on a Monday afternoon for lunch and it was all but empty. The day was warm enough to sit on the back patio where we had a nice lunch and a couple-three beers. The draft selection offered a nice range of styles and breweries. I tried a couple from (512) Brewing Company out of Austin, which I had never come across before. The bartender was quite helpful in guiding me and my friends toward excellent choices.

The food was above average pub food. We shared a nice cheese plate and I had a bratwurst with onions, sauerkraut and mustard.  

All in all, a rather nice find.

I've been to Parc twice so far for breakfast and have been impressed. The first time I was there was on a chilly and rainy and sometimes snowy day and the other was on a sunny but really cold day, and I found the cozy atmosphere and the big cups of coffee really hit the spot. We had the same waiter both times and she was friendly and attentive.

The first time, I had the Brioche French Toast with Apples and Hazelnut Butter, which was fabulous. The more recent time, I had the Oatmeal Brulee which was absolutely delicious with a side of Brioche Toast that came with butter and a really yummy apricot jam. Did I mention the big cups of coffee? And very good coffee at that.

Parc is really close to where we live, so I am looking forward to trying it for something other than breakfast and am especially looking forward to getting there on a nice day when we can sit outside.

I wasn't wowed by Roberto Cafe and I mean that as a compliment. There's nothing fancy or extravagant going on here. Just simple, well-prepared Italian food in a cozy and friendly atmosphere. It's a BYOB, so if you have some good Italian wine on hand, it can make for a comforting, inexpensive dinner.

My friend and I both started with lentil soup which was lighter than most lentil soups that I have had but no less tasty. When then shared an order of gamberi e fagioli served in a light lemon sauce. It included asparagus which was a little tough, then again it is January and not prime asparagus season. Similarly, the tomatoes on the complementary bruschette were winter-bland.

For entrees, I had fusilli e granghio. The light pink cream sauce had the right touch as cream sauces can sometimes be overbearing. The pasta was pleasantly al dente with just the right amount of crab meat. As much as I love crab meat, a little goes a long way for me. Again, just the right touch. My friend enjoyed her gnocchi Roberto. I had a taste and found it to be likewise nicely done.

The cafe is small and I can imagine it fills up quickly on weekend nights. We went for an early Sunday dinner and had no problem getting seated right away. Unfortunately, it was on a 20 degree night and we were close to the door which made for a somewhat chilly dinner.

The service was attentive and friendly. We did not have dessert but still had wine left and felt comfortable lingering as we finished and never felt rushed despite not ordering anything else.

They have an outdoor patio which we are looking forward to trying in the spring.

I'm going to upgrade my rating for Chicago Brewing Company to 4 stars based on the last 2 times I went there prior to moving away. The food which I originally thought was just OK seemed to have gotten better and more interesting. The last time I was there, my friend and I shared a sampler of their wild game sliders. I believe we got the alligator, jackalope and wild boar. And, as always, they have a nice, rotating selections of their own locally brewed beer.

It takes some time to truly appreciate Avril 50. The first few times I was in there, I was intimidated by all the stuff stuffed into this little shop and suffered from sensory overload. I went in wanting coffee, which is the first thing one sees when walking in. Initially, I always just got my coffee and got out, perhaps out of a subconscious fear that the packed shelves were going to fall on me.

Over time, I ventured deeper into the store to discover an impressive selection of magazines and a unique collection of cards (recommended if you want to send something other than the tired old Hallmark crap). The store also carries an unexpected variety of food, including muffins, biscotti, chocolate and sandwiches. Avril 50 also has a big selection of smoking products.

Each day, they provide a variety of different coffees in addition to the mainstay Avril Blend. The coffee is out in pots for self-service, which in lesser hands would be stale and burnt. But the coffee is always at the perfect temperature and the place is busy enough that none of the coffee ever seems to have been sitting very long.

The same guy is always in there (the owner?) when I go in and is always friendly. He seems willing to chat if you are but willing to just wish you a good day if you want to get in and out.

Because of how packed the store is, I feel like every time I go in there, I'll discover something new.

I go here fairly often for lunch and always enjoy it. The food is always fresh and tasty and the service friendly. I've enjoyed a wide variety of eats here, from sandwiches to salads to soups to baked goods, and they've all been equally delicious. Picnic is small, so seating is tight inside, but they also have some outdoor seating.

I'm sure I'll just be repeating many of the previous reviews, but this is an awesome cocktail bar. The drinks are unique and change seasonally. The bartenders are exceptionally knowledgeable. Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar and ask questions. It's an education. They will help you navigate the unfamiliar ingredients and guide you to something you'll be happy with.

My favorite of the moment is The Dead Turk: Bulleit Bourbon, Ramazzotti, Carpano Antica Formula, Rothman and Winter Apricot, and Bitter End Moroccan Bitters.

Pub and Kitchen is the first place we went to after we moved to the area and we've been back a few times since. Great beer selection. Great cocktails. Upscale pub fare. The Parliament burger is heavenly. It's hard to resist it when I go in, but I've managed at dinner to try their specials on a couple of occasions. Had an excellent short rib special one night, and, most recently, a mahi mahi special served with choizo kale and mashed pumpkin.

The atmosphere is great on nice days when they have the windows wide open. It can get dark inside at night and rather noisy when it's crowded. But overall, a comfortable neighborhood pub.

I recently moved into this neighborhood and was thrilled to find Jet Wine Bar a couple of blocks away. They offer a small but very well-curated wine selection. The bartenders are knowledgeable and very helpful in guiding customers to wines that fit ones taste. They also have a nice selection of liquor but I haven't gotten around to trying any cocktails there because the wine in so enticing.

The food has been exceptional and very appropriate for a wine bar. The olives, cheeses, tarts all pair well with the wines available. It's the perfect neighborhood bar!

I've only been here once but I was quite impressed. I shared a bowl of shrimp and corn chowder which was perfectly creamy and just a bit spicy. I also had a ham, brie and spinach panini which was likewise delicious. The ingredients were obviously fresh and of high-quality. The service was super friendly.

The coffee was good but not great and the atmosphere feels a bit cafeteria-ish for the quality of the food.

It's located on the north side of Franklin Field which makes it a bit hard to find but it's definitely worth seeking out.