It takes only one drink to get me drunk. The trouble is, I can’t remember if it’s the thirteenth or the fourteenth.

George Burns

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!

cuba libre

Truth be told, my group was set on Vickery Park for brunch.  Since the wait was going to take quite a while, we took a walk down the street and ducked into Cuba Libre to check out their drink specials.  DING DING DING, WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER … $5 bottomless mimosas and bellinis and $5 bloody marys AND their patio is dog friendly (my best friend’s dog, Leo, tagged along for brunch).

We gathered around the table and our waiter took our drink orders (though we could tell the idea of alcohol made him shudder from his activities the night before).  There were so many tempting options on the menu for food we had trouble picking so we made some snap decisions, laid back, and sipped our drinks.

The bellini is frozen and very sweet, one was enough so it was great that they let us switch between the bellinis and mimosas with our bottomless deal.  The first round of bloody marys were had to stomach.  They weren’t very strong and they tasted quite terrible actually.  When the manager came around to check on us, I let him know how I felt about the bloody mary and he apologized.  Two minutes later we saw him run across the street and come back with a bottle of bloody mary mix – what a champ.  Needless to say, round two was much better!

In the future, I’d say that you can’t go wrong with the steak and egg tacos and their delightful blood orange mimosa.  That’s what I’ll be having on my next brunch trip!

Cuba Libre
www.cubalibredallas.com
2822 N Henderson Ave | Dallas, TX 75206
(214)827-2820

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $2 off specialty drinks, $20 pitchers frozen drinks
Tuesday | all day | 1/2 off frozen drinks
Wednesday | all day | 1/2 price mojito pitches
Saturday & Sunday | until 4 p.m. | $5 bottomless mimosas and bellinis, $4 bloody marys

Desperados

This little gem on Greenville is usually completely missed or thought to be a strip club. It isn’t a strip club, but an escape from dallas’s typical Mexican restaurant scene.

On the patio the music isn’t too loud and the greenery and small fountain make you forget that you are sitting right beside Greenville and Electrique Boutique.

The margaritas are strong and a great deal for only $3.50 (they were dubbed the best margarita in Dallas by The Margarita Society) and the drinks are somewhat stout.  (Plus, the kitchen ran out of small glasses so my last drink was served in a HUGE glass).  The wait staff is very attentive and won’t steal your credit card if you leave it on the table. … And the food is pretty.darn.good. 

Since I haven’t ever seen it crowded, bring a group of friends and experience this little beauty for yourself.

Desperados
www.desperadosrestaurant.com
4818 Greenville Ave | Dallas, TX 75206-4120
(214) 363-1850

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 3-7 p.m. | $3.50 margaritas, $2.75 domestics, $2.85 wells

blue fish

After a run I felt like having something somewhat healthy and begged my friends to meet me at Sushi on McKinney.  Not having been since the reopen and lured by the huge BYOB sign out front, I couldn’t wait to eat.  Turns out … they got their liquor license and everything has almost doubled in price compared to the old haunt.  So off to Blue Fish we went.

… and what a great choice it was.  Pleasantly surprised by the Monday night 1/2 price wine special, we ordered a bottle and started picking out our rolls.  The Ahi Tower was delightful, and paired with the miso soup, delicious.  I wish I was a food critic to really explain why their sushi is so great, but I don’t have the repertoire to do it justice.  Suffices to say it was fresh, well rolled, and yummy.  I ended my meal with a vodka water (in true Susie tradition) which was only somewhat potent.

I think I’ll try to come back here for a $1 sake Thursday because our bill sneaked up on us and put a bigger dent in my wallet than I’d have hoped for a Monday night.

Blue Fish
www.thebluefishsushi.com
3519 Greenville Ave | Dallas (other locations in North Dallas, Los Colinas, and Florida)
(214) 824-3474

Specials:
Monday | 1/2 price selected bottles of wine
Tuesday |  Ladies Night: Blue Fish Martini special
Wednesday | draft specials 
Thursday | $1 sake

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

You’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.

Dean Martin