not a lemon!

Thanks to a reader’s urging, I finally got my butt into Lemon Bar.  Walking in, I was delighted to see how many people were happy houring at the newest watering hole in West Village.  A few restaurants have tried this spot but none have succeeded as Lemon Bar already has seemed to do after only a few months being open.

While the specials are somewhat limited, the drinks are pretty darn great … and not too overwhelming.  I had to cut happy hour short to get to dinner and I wish I didn’t have to have done so … and I would have given my left ear lobe to have whatever food’s smell was wafting from the kitchen.

The crowd is very “West Village” - in a good way - and seemed to be a fun place to meet a new friend or two.  However, returning to Lemon Bar at night is a different story.  People begin to trickle in for the night shift around 8:30 and bring the party.  Friday and Saturday nights it’s almost impossible to move let alone get a drink.

Thanks for getting me into Lemon Bar, @tgospel!

Drink strength: 3.5 
Overall: 4

Lemon Bar
www.thelemonbar.com
3699 McKinney Avenue Dallas, TX 75204 | (214) 443-6043

Specials:
Monday & Wednesday | all day | $2 domestic drafts
Tuesday & Thursday | all day | $3 wells
Friday | til 8 p.m. | $3 wells
Saturday & Sunday | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | $8 bottomless mimosas and bellinis

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

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!

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

Specials:
Monday | $3 wells $5 you call its
Tuesday | 8-11 p.m. | $1 off all drinks & 1/2 off starters
Wednesday - Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $1 off all drinks 
Sunday | 8-11 p.m. | $1 off all drinks & 1/2 off starters

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 Allison 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 on a Wednesday.  You won’t regret it.

Abacus Restaurant
www.kentrathbun.com | @chef911
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

Cru Wine Bar

Thursday nights were always a big to-do.  My friends and I would get dressed up and roll over to West Village for Cru’s Thursday night special of half price bottles of champagne and sparkling wines.

The atmosphere in Cru is relaxed but quite formal and the people sipping their glasses of wine are movers and shakers.  The bartenders are always up for a quick chat as are the people perched at the bar.

Saunter over, sip a bottle of bubbly, and try some of their amazing cheeses … don’t forget to take your crew.

Cru Wine Bar www.cruawinebar.com
3699 Mckinney Ave | Dallas, TX 75204-4550 
(214) 526-9463