Category Archives: Neighborhood

libertine bar

Did you know that it’s possible to spend 7 hours in a bar and not realize it?  Well, I haven’t done it in 3-1/2 years but Thursday night proved that it isn’t too difficult to do at the right bar.  We ate, we drank, we laughed, and we enjoyed the Libertine Bar quite a bit.

Between the two of us, we tried every drink on the classic cocktail menu and then some – and they were good.  The Dark n Stormy, Pimm’s Cup, The Bronx, etc. … all were delightfully different and intriguing (and considerably stronger than expected – watch out for the Aviator!).  Matt had the pint of the week so he could have a cool pint glass, but in the end he forgot it (bust).

The staff at Libertine contributed to the fun.  They were incredibly outgoing and friendly without crowding us or being annoying.  The other thing that contributed to the fun was the AMAZING, nay, delicious food.  If I could only have one bar’s hot wing’s for the rest of my life, it would be Libertine’s.  Ordinary hot wings these were not, they were pork shanks that FELL off the bone, literally.  This plate of food was what dreams are made of and I can’t wait to have them again.

When you visit, make sure you clear your schedule because, yes, it is that great!

Drink Strength: 4
Overall: 4.5

Libertine Bar
www.libertinebar.com | @libertinebar
2101 Greenville Ave | Dallas, TX 75206-7125
(214) 824-7900

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | 1/2 price classic cocktails and $1 off all drinks
Wednesday | 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Texas beers night | $2.50 bottles or drafts
Thursday | 6-9 p.m. | Pint Night – keep the glass
Sunday |  1/2 price food

Coal Vines Uptown

Walking into my favorite pizza place in Dallas last week, it felt different … and I liked it.  The new menu items sound incredible and the extra seating made me hopeful that I’d never have to face another 45 minute wait for a table!

The pizza at Coal Vines is TO DIE.  My best friend from Austin orders a white pizza (not the white special) to take back with her each time she visits.  Yes, it’s that delicious.

The mimosa was just ok; they didn’t jump on the bottomless bandwagon as so many brunch destinations have so I don’t know if I’d come here just for their drink specials.  Their wine selection is good and they also sell  retail if you want to take it home to enjoy.

The people who dine at this establishment are the Uptown see-and-be-seen type.  They stop here and gobble a pie and guzzle a bottle before hitting the town.  The only problem with that is that every time I eat here, I leave so full that I can’t rally for a fun night out!

Stop in and grab a glass of wine and a pizza; don’t forget to be extra nice to their New York implant, Uncle John at the front door!  Everyone in Dallas should try this place once to know what good pizza tastes like.

Coal Vines Pizza
2404 Cedar Springs Rd | Dallas, TX 75201
(214)855-4999‎
www.coalvines.com

Specials:
Sunday | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | $4 mimosas, poinsettias, Pompelmos, and peach lemonade bellinis

The Library Bar at the Warwick Melrose

The Warwick Melrose has been a long-time lap of luxury for Dallasites that this girl only just had the chance to experience after 6 years in this city.  I am so glad that I finally found my way over to it.

The milieu was sultry and elegant due to the dim lighting and the live jazz (they have live music most nights).  From the moment we sat down our waiter was eager to serve us whatever we desired – even if it included random bar trivia.

The men got scotch and were served much more than the usual “three fingers.”  The ladies partook in the cosmos which are touted as “world class” for a reason.  They were smooth and not too sweet – though I don’t think I’d have more than one because they were a bit small and, let’s face it, I like my drinks.  Laura usually doesn’t drink “girly drinks” because they are too sweet but she loved the cosmo.

Bottom line: while we enjoyed our time at the Library Bar on Cougar Cosmo Friday, but we didn’t see enough cougars on the prowl to make it worth missing their Wednesday night offering; you will find me there soon!

I wanted to do my first video review from the Library Bar but it was a wee bit too dark to do a decent lighting job – but keep your eyes open for one soon!

The Library Bar
warwickmelrosedallas.com
3015 Oak Lawn Ave
Dallas, TX 75219-4134
(214) 224-3144

Specials:
Sunday-Friday | 7:30–9 p.m. | Domestic Beers and Segura Viudas Champagne by the glass for $3

Monday | 4–9 p.m. | $5 Martinis, $7 specialty martinis
Tuesday | 5-9 p.m. | $6 classic cocktails and wine by the glass, live jazz
Every second Tuesday of the month will feature a wine event from 7-9 p.m. with complimentary tastings of four wines. Reservations not required.
Wednesday | 4–7 p.m. | Free bowl of Five Spice Calamari, $5 house cocktails
Thursday | 4–7 p.m. | $6 Tequila drinks
Fridays | 4–8 p.m. | “Cougar Cosmo Fridays” $7 for The Library’s world class Cosmo
Sunday | all day | $5 Bloody Marys and Mojitos

The Warwick has some great events coming up … click here to see what the Warwick has to offer!

Taverna

The Lombardis know how to do brunch. $1 mimosas and bellinis can’t miss – but the food at Taverna makes the brunch that much better.

When I arrived, I was waiting on the rest of my 6-person party that was in from Pittsburgh. The waiter showed me to my table and entertained me until they showed … with one extra. “NO PROBLEM!” Another seat appeared without much drama. Five minutes later, another surprise guest. “NO PROBLEM!” Another seat appeared and all that was missing was a water.

As I mentioned, the food was great. The crab eggs benedict were (according to one of my dining companions), “The best I’ve ever had west of Pittsburgh!” There’s a compliment if I’ve ever heard one. I had the breakfast calzone and it was great, but make sure you split it because it’s HUGE.

The drinks, superb and quickly replenished … though I would say a big of creme de cassis would have made them a bit better. Pay attention to the small print; the drinks are only $1 if you get an entree.

Taverna was a great place for brunch – as all the Lombardi restaurants are!


Taverna
www.tavernabylombardi.com
3210 Armstrong Ave | Dallas, TX 75205-4131
(214) 520-9933
You can visit a Taverna in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin.

Specials:
Saturday and Sunday | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | $1 bellinis or mimosas with purchase of an entree

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

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen (closed)

 

We all know that Kent Rathbun can cook … little did we know the man who defeated Bobby Flay on “Iron Chef” is also a master of mixology behind the bar.

After sloshing through the rain, walking through the rotating doors into Blue Plate was like walking into a (classy) cabin – I almost expected to see a crackling fire and hear a triangle beckoning me for dinner.  The sidways rain outside begged a drink and our bartender, Autumn, served them up with a smile.

I had a Raspberrytini, Passionate Kiss, and the Rip Tide (Autumn’s creation).  All three were fantastic (and not only because of the price tag) and the various wines ordered around the table were enjoyed, nay, savored.  Special commendation should be offered for the Dirty Blue Martinis, a martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives (sadly, I am allergic to blue cheese so can’t give my personal opinion on this drink).

We ordered appetizers, chowed down on the bread basket, and sipped our cocktails without realizing 3-1/2 hours slipped by.  Nine o’clock on a Friday night cut our night short but we enjoyed every second in Kent Rathbun’s world … even though the plates weren’t blue.

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen
6130 Luther Ln | (214) 890-1103
www.kentrathbun.com/blueplate/dallas | @chef911

Specials:
11am – 6pm | half off $8 wine selections by the glass
11am – 6pm, 9pm – 11pm | specialty cocktails $5, traditional cocktails $4

Hurricane Grill (CLOSED)

Wednesdays are the best days for a happy hour.  It’s hump day, the day where you realize you still have two more whole days of work until the weekend.  For me on Wednesday, the happy hour to look forward to was at Hurricane Grill.

Walking in the door, a rush of all of the fun nights spent there listening to the live music and playing Big Buck Hunter entered my mind.  Snapped back to the present, I joined my party and ordered a $2 well vodka water.

The strong drinks encouraged conversation and a good time.  Our waiter, John, was a blast and cracked jokes to entertain.  Dinner was ordered and we all agreed that, while it tasted good, all three meals were overpriced.

Overall, a great evening.  Try it on a Wednesday for a night out — you won’t regret it (though you may regret some decisions made after having strong drinks!).

Hurricane Grill
hurricane–grill.com
2831 Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75206-6238 | (214) 827-2112