Megan "Megaroni_n_Cheese" S.'s Profile

This is my go-to gift place.  Not sure what to get someone who has everyone.  Perhaps someone who's a member of The Finer Things club?  This is your place.  You can sample around and try everything, but I like to get people the Dude Sweet box- I think that's what it's called.  It's $20 and has maybe 12 varieties- half "dude" or savory chocolates, and half sweet.  They're pretty little things.

Also- I think this place symbolizes the spirit of Bishop Arts.  High quality artisans who are so proud and detailed with their craft.  It's a fun place to visit.  Chat up the staff, or the master chocolatier, Katherine, who is usually working in the shop. They love what they do.  They'll tell you about the products, what they pair with, give you samples.  

They even sell a few unusual items like unique ice cream bars and occasionally hot chocolate.  If you are lucky enough to go when they have hot chocolate get it- and ask for the pistachio cream.  I dream of that stuff.

This is kind of a mixed bag.

Space: I like the atmosphere of SugarBox- a variety of seating options, and an additional room makes this a great place to hang out.  The room is available for private rental, or share it with others.

Someone else has already said it- but the espresso drinks are a little sad.  You may already know this- but a latte is steamed milk with a light layer of foamy milk on top.  A cappuccino is half steamed milk and half foamy milk.  I ordered a cappuccino- it came out with less foam than a latte should have.  That was pretty disappointing- it didn't feel at all like what I ordered.  I consider this to be a training issue, and hope someone reads these reviews and acts on them.  Or take them off the menu if that's an easier option.

I didn't get a cupcake or a cakeball, but they all looked good.  I've heard great things about the red velvet cakeballs, so I will gladly get one on my next visit here.

The macaron I got was sorta good.  I had never had a macron before so I don't have anything to compare it to.  I can't really rave about it, but I have no complaints either.  I tried the hazelnut one.

The warm weather gave us a taste of what summer will be like. And Deep Ellum Brewing Co is probably what I'll be drinking this summer.  

I have been seeing Deep Ellum beers at many places around town: Union Bear, Cane Rosso, The Foundry... So this was an excellent opportunity to try several of the variations.  The IPA and Blonde were my favorites.  The Pilsner was very popular with others, but wasn't my top pick.

The beer garden is really nice. It's bigger than I expected, and with a stage, has the potential to be a great venue for various events.

Two thumbs up, Frances!

This place is neat-o.  I think this is just the beginning for this area of Dallas- Southwestern part of the city? Trinity something something?  If more places open like The Foundry, this will quickly become a destination.

The Foundry- primarily a beer place.  They do have a full bar, but you can see the emphasis is beer.  The bar and wait staff were extremely friendly. I initially ordered from the bar, where the bartender was all to happy to let me sample varieties I was unfamiliar with- thank you!

After choosing a Deep Ellum IPA, we found a seat in the freight car renovated with living room thrift-store-style furniture.  The couch was comfortable, had a fan above (ah, that will be very useful in the coming months), was shaded, and had a great view of the garden space, and kind of a view of the reinvented-palette stage.  

After sitting down, I realized that there was wait staff.  She explained that she can bring a limited list of appetizers out, but if you want chicken from Chicken Scratch you need to go in to that separate building to order.  But they will give you a number, you can return to your spot, and they will bring it to you. I did not try the chicken this time, but that juts insures that I will return, because from what I saw it looked good.

On a weeknight after work, this was a very family-friendly place.  I saw probably five+ families here with kids of all ages (running around the gravel area).  Didn't bother me, but I know a few people I was with thought it was strange.  Whatevs...

So if you want to go- let me know, I'm down for this place any time.

My first time to Tates's- I like it!
There was one group celebrating a birthday, and among the 10 of them, the volume of the room sometimes got really high, but once they left things went back to normal.

I tried the eternal flame. The idea of this drink is delightful- strawberries and jalapenos- oh yeah!  But I didn't really taste any spiciness to the jalapenos, so it was not all that I wanted.  I did really enjoy their new drink the Spice 75, a variation of the French 75, it was quite delish.

Noticed that the patio table came with mexican blankets.  I like that!  I'm notoriously a cold person, and who doesn't love to wrap themselves in a blanket.  Unfortunately for me, it was a beautiful day, so of course the patio was packed before I even got there. Boo!  But next time, I will go out there.  Especially love the Christmas lights on the patio, that will bring me back on a warm Spring night!

With such a massive drink list, I was happy to narrow my focus to just the Yelp Drinks specials.  I had a Moscow Mule and a Pimm's cup and enjoyed both. I had a sip of the Forza Di Canio, that was interesting!  I can't identify what most of the ingredients are in that drink (even when looking at the menu which states them), and likewise I can't describe the flavor.

People's Last Stand has been open for at least 4 months now, and I think that some people might not know of its existence.  But it's a nice space- some interesting art on the walls, some nice bartenders, and a variety of drinks to please everyone.

I want to tell you the magic question to ask.  If you see an online listing for a car at Omega- before you drive out there, ask specifically "is this a salvage title?"  If the answer is something mumbled about a "rebuilt title," you have your answer.  Adjust your expectations on whether the car is now priced THAT good (salvage titles should usually be reduced by almost 50% in value).

The issue is we were about to drive a great distance to see a car here.  We explained that we don't live in the area.  We repeatedly asked him to tell us about the car. He explained that the rear quarter panel had been replaced, but that was it, and that it was the most insignificant repair.  We called several times with any questions we can think of.  We explained that we would be taking it to a mechanic to get a general inspection of the car's condition, is there anything he can disclose that we might expect to see.  

Nothing.

So I would say save yourself the time and ask this specific question before you go out to visit.  If you do decide to buy a car here, ask to see the title first so that you verify that it is/isn't a salvage title.  Too bad some people don't have the courtesy to be a little more up front with the information.

Apart from office birthdays, I almost never buy full size cakes, so I didn't think I'd ever have much reason to come here.  But wait- you can get a mini cake!  A bundtlet is a perfect size.  I suggest eating half of a bundtlet as a serving.  So if you split them, this is a fantastic way to rationalize buying several different flavors!

I've tried a number of the flavors now and don't remember having anything I didn't like.  However, the lemon stands out as a favorite- as does the lemon raspberry.  I remember the White Chocolate Raspberry being good- and it's one of my friend's most favorite cakes of all time.

The shop is really small, but I didn't even notice that the first few times I went there.  The staff is always very friendly, they usually come out from behind the counter to show you what they have and to point out the free sample.  Yes- go grab a free sample.  They seem to always be on a table off to the left.  Delicious!

The week I visited Chesterfield, I had also visited another newly opened restaurant.  The other restaurant was rough around the edges and not well thought out.  Chesterfield has an awesome look.  Every texture, color, fabric, wood, light, etc. seems to be carefully planned and executed.  This place has some bling.

I am confident a place like this can, and will, do well.  The only thing I'm interested in is how the location will affect it.  If it had opened on Knox Henderson would it have gotten lost in the shuffle?  Being downtown makes it stand out, because there's nothing else quite like it downtown (thinking of it as a bar more than a restaurant in this regard).  I want good things for downtown, which seems to have a 1 step forward and 2 steps back revitalization process- so hopefully it all works out.

Lunch menu is not super extensive, but gives options.  Sandwiches are big and piled high.  I opted for turkey.  The taste of the turkey was awesome and flavorful.  

And the biggest claim to fame right now is the $1 lunch cocktails.  I say yes, yes, yes.  Lucky was overseeing the place on the day my coworkers and I went, he chatted with us, and gave us a sample of a lime gimlet type drink.  It was good, and I would like another.  I also need to try more drinks from their big drink list- I'm really curious to see all their variations of ice.  I believe I've heard there's at least 6 variations (cubes, crushed, chipped, etc...)

This place has crossed all their Ts and dotted all their Is.  My fingers are crossed they stand the test of time.

Muffins are awesome. They're kind of a socially acceptable way to eat cake at any time of the day.  On a recent 70 degree day in Dallas, I decided that an iced chai and a patio should be on my lunch agenda.

Oak Lawn Coffee does have sandwiches for those seeking traditional lunch food. But seeing a blueberry muffin- well, it was love at first sight. While on the topic of the muffin- it was really good.  Not too moist- but not dry- and sprinkled with light sugar on top.

Both times I've been to Oak Lawn Coffee there's been just one barista on staff.  When I went in the after-work hours, this seemed fine.  The day I went at lunch though, this was more inconvenient.  Each drink is carefully hand-crafted.  Two orders are not prepared at the same time.  In other words, not the best place to go if time is a priority.  I don't fault them for this, but do wish that multitasking and efficiency counted for a little more.

This is a chill place.  Not huge, but with a variety of seating- couch, comfy chairs, chair and table, seats at the bar, and a patio.  Very nice neighborhood joint.