smoke-d

Smoke replaced Cliff Cafe not too long ago and I couldn’t wait to try it.  I should have, though.  The tortuous route there due to two different wrecks started our day off on a bad note and the bbq restaurant had the potential to turn things around … but didn’t.

We were greeted by a host suited in overalls, a plaid shirt, and a sport coat - a surprising combination but he owned it.  We were led to a table in the back corner and had to step over AV equipment.  Sitting down, the tablecloths were topped with brown paper; a cozy touch but it proved to be annoying because it got caught every time I tried to move my arm.

We were delighted to hear that there was a mimosa deal so we each ordered a glass and began our mission to have a Sunday funday kicked off with bottomless mimosas.  They were strong and pretty darn good … but weren’t refilled quickly; we had to ask twice to get refills.  Finally, at the end of the meal we were given a pitcher.

Now for the service and food:  the menus were awesome - if you want to order family style, you fill out a scantron sheet.  Sounds efficient but we somehow got a wrong side, an extra 1/2 order of ribs, and were even charged wrong in the end.  Skip the beans - they tasted disgusting (the waiter even pulled a face when he tasted one).  Also, don’t bother with the “fresh out of the oven” biscuits because they came out cold in the middle and the pot holding the jelly they claim to make fresh every day was empty.  To top it all off … it was really expensive.

A friend actually made the comment when they started setting up the AV equipment that if the music is as good as the food we had better get out of there quickly.  Bottom line:  I would have been a lot happier if they just left Cliff Cafe there.

Extras:  large room with a pool table, plenty of parking, great view of Dallas from the Belmont Hotel, and a hotel conveniently located next door if you have too much to drink

Drink strength: 4 
Overall: 2

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $1.50 off all drinks
Sunday | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | $11 bottomless mimosas

Smoke
www.smokerestaurant.com
901 Fort Worth Avenue (beside the Belmont Hotel)
(214) 393-4141‎

Chan Thai

Toting the best happy hour in North Oak Cliff on a sign outside, we saw “thai” and “free appetizers” and couldn’t get through the door fast enough to test it out.  While the restaurant was much larger than we expected, we sadly have to shoot down that it was the best happy hour … even just in North Oak Cliff.

When we arrived, we were the only two people in the bar area so we had our choice of tables.  The first one at which we sat was wobbly.  So we moved.  The second, wobbly.  The third already had sugar packets under the offending legs so we settled.

While the drinks were cheap, they weren’t very strong at all and the free apps weren’t anything special.  The only drink worth order is their rum concoction dubbed the Samui.  Olivia’s only comment on our experience was, “That frozen rum concoction got our nights started off just swelllll!”

My best advice:  Ask them not to bother with the appetizers and to keep the Samuis flowing.

Drink strength:  2 
Overall:  2.5

Chan Thai Restaurant
www.chanthaidallas.com
312 West 7th Street (in the Bishop Arts District) | (214) 948-9956

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $3 house wine, $2.50 well drinks, and free appetizers