Author Archives: Susie O

Yes, madam, I am drunk. But in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.

Winston Churchill

the fish

After another happy hour, I was coaxed into visiting The Fish for reverse happy hour. Though reticent to stay out late on a Wednesday, it was SO worth it.

We ordered a few rolls and some sashimi and all of it was incredible. I wish I had been hungry so I could have eaten more. The Fish has made drink specials a snap: just have them all day everyday!

The sake bombs made this last stop a blast. We played my favorite sake bomb game: someone gives the group a topic and each person tells their story about it (i.e. first kiss, most awkward moment, etc.), and then SAKE SAKE SAKE BOMB BOMB BOMB. Makes for a fun night.

The outside seating at The Fish is either on a quiet street across from the driving range or in the breezeway and the seats are comfortable. Inside, the light was low and the plush booths were welcoming. The crowd, though sparse because we were there on a Wednesday, seemed an interesting bunch.

Make sure you try this place, and make sure you’re hungry (sake bombs fill you up quickly)!

The Fish
www.fishhouston.com/dallas
3636 McKinney Ave., Suite 150
Dallas, TX 75204
(214)522-0071

Specials:
EVERYDAY | ALL DAY! | $3 wells, drafts, and sake & selected food discounts

Thanks again to my two most reliable happy hour buddies, Matt and Brandon!

Alcoholism is the only disease that you can get yelled at for having.

Mitch Hedberg

The Blue Fish

Greenville
3519 Greenville Ave.
Dallas , TX 75206
214.824.3474

The Patio Grill

Every now and then a new bar opens that you just know will become one of your frequented locales. I drove by last week and saw construction on McKinney which piqued my interest, and after seeing The Patio Grill on Daily Candy, I decided I needed to try it.

When I walked into The Patio Grill there was construction all around as the owners prepared for the grand opening which will be in two weeks. I spoke with no fewer than three people at length before sitting down; quite a friendly bunch.

The workers outside were … wait for it, men … mounting a large screen for football games. As if strong drinks and sporting events aren’t enough, the waitresses and bartenders aren’t terrible to look at and are incredibly personable.

For the ladies: great people watching (it’s right on McKinney) and giant Jenga. I spoke with the “powers that be” and encouraged them to keep a Sharpie outside to break in the set – my block is pictured below! It’ll happen before too long anyway, ya?

While the menu is abbreviated until the official opening, we had the Portobello fries and they were delectable. They gave us a peek at the full menu and everything sounds incredible. The menu offers buffalo wings with DAMN sauce (among many others) – if you can eat all 10 wings with DAMN on them, your next drink is on the house; we tried some of the sauce … good luck.

Overall, a great night. I think everyone should make this porch a destination for the fall – and make sure you try one of their Three Olives Berry and Red Bull shots!

The Patio Grill
thepatiogrilldallas.com | @patiogrill
3403 McKinney Avenue
(214)720-3838

TABC (Closed)

The leaves are about to turn and the weather is cooling down … and in Dallas these things mean that it’s the perfect weather to hang out on a proch, and the one porch you can always count on for a crowd is TABC. NO NO NO, not Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission – that would just be silly, the Thomas Avenue Beverage Company.

The outside section is incredibly large and has quite a bit of seating. The wait staff is somewhat slow and not incredibly reliable but what they actually bring to the table makes up for it. The drinks are somewhat strong and not too expensive and even the smell of the pizza is delightful (served until 1:45 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays!).

Since it’s tucked in the heart of the State and Allen area, you WILL see a faces that you recognize and attractive people whose eyes you will want to catch. This is a great place almost anytime and there are quite a few other bars within walking distance.

Thomas Avenue Beverage Company
www.tabcdallas.com
2901 Thomas Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 979-0452

Specials:
Tuesday | $3 wells and domestics, $4 Cabernet and chardonney (4-7 p.m.), 1/2 price wine by the bottle after 7 p.m.
Wednesday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $3 wells and domestics, $4 Cabernet and chardonney
Sunday | bottomless mimosas $8

Abacus

Once again, Kent Rathbun has made an impression on my taste buds.

Abacus, the long-time Dallas icon of luxurious cuisine, also makes a mean martini. The atmosphere in the bar area is formal but welcoming. The connected couches mimicing tables create a homey feel without being casual — but you must dress to impress here (though I’ve never understood what EXACTLY that term means when clubs say it).

I met a friend for a late night drink and snack on a Wednesday. Abacus has responded to the floundering economy by creating an extra happy hour (late night at that!) and added the great Wednesday night special of an extra 1/2 off of the food at the bar – which is incredibly good.

We each had a sushi roll and a martini; both were brilliant. The generous portion of sushi could have been an entire meal (for a girl at least) and was only $9 and was some of the better sushi I’ve had in a while and it wasn’t even at a Japanese restaurant. The martini: perfection.

I personally don’t think you can go wrong with one of their specialty cocktails and the waiters will ensure you order a drink that you are going to love. What great people, eh?

Overall … make this a must-try for a late dinner (especially on a Wednesday). You won’t regret it.

Abacus Restaurant
www.kentrathbun.com | Twitter
4511 Mckinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75205-4213
(214) 559-3111

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 5-7 p.m., 9 p.m.-close | $2 off beer, wines by the glass, and cocktails | 1/2 price sushi, 9pm-close
Wednesdays | 1/2 off bar food menu