Private|Social

You’ve all heard about the “bright” new face on McKinney, Private|Social.  The food, good.  The service, fantastic.  The drinks, BLOW MY MIND AMAZING.  Rocco Milano (formerly of The Mansion) has, once again, showed up behind the bar and made a damn good cocktail.  When I learned of Rocco’s departure from the Mansion, I knew there was something good in store for Dallas’s bar scene.

I grabbed a small table on the porch on a crowded (inside) night and Eugene greeted me and made SURE I knew that happy hour was on but not for much longer - I love a water who looks after my (best?) interest.  When you get to Private|Social, find out where Eugene is serving and refuse to sit unless he’s your server.  Yes, he’s that good (he even offered to split the check without us having to say a word).

The scene is very Uptown and if you plan to go, plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to get a table/spot at the bar and don’t rush the experience (mostly because you can’t).

The drinks at PS were incredibly strong and had a character all their own.  I started with a Moscow Mule (I usually try to start with an old standard to test the drink strength).  The mule definitely was a treat, but wasn’t as good as the Mule at Cedars Social - but it’d be hard to beat the CS Mule.

Skinny Bubbles - not worth it.  It was too sweet and I decided not to waste my calories on it (though I’m not a huge champagne fan to begin with).

Vesper - I. DIE.  The Vesper was delicious even though it wasn’t James Bond’s Vesper.  The Vesper had more than taste … it had a kick to it.  I felt like I had been kicked with a shell-toed boot by the time I got to the bottom of the glass.

Italian Old Fashion - the classic with a twist, it was another of their drinks that one would have to drink SLOWWWWLY (because, well, it’s pretty damn strong, too).  Luckily, the brilliance that is Rocco is clever enough to use the correct ice for a scotch/whisk(e)y/bourbon-based drink, a giant ice ball which keeps the drink from getting watered down.

Things That Make You Go HUM - this was quite a treat.  It’s on the menu now, but when Rocco let us try it, it had only been thought up a mere 36 hours before.  A hint of licorice (absinthe), Hum Botanical, Strega, and bit of lemon, egg white, and syrup came together and have been added to my list of favorite drinks in Dallas currently.  This is a MUST TRY at Private|Social.

Somewhere in Between - Another new Rocco creation (now on the menu) that we got to preview and another winner.  Rum, lemon juice, and (Angostura) bitters make this drink that was passed around the table and became a quick favorite of all.  It’s another PS drink not to be missed.

Enjoy your time here (with the wonderful Eugene) - if you want to meet me, just offer to buy me a drink here and I’m all over it.  :)

PRIVATE|SOCIAL
privatesocial.com | @privatesocial
3232 MCKINNEY AVE. | 214.754.4744

Def Frisco’s Grille

We’ve all heard of Del Frisco’s Steak House and now we have the luck to have the new offshoot, Del Frisco Grille, in business in Uptown Dallas.  The reputation of the DFG owners proceeds the new restaurant, and DFG exceeds the high expectations that come with the name.  The first DF Grille opened in Rockafeller Center up in the Big Apple and we’re lucky enough to have gotten the second.

The staff is helpful, friendly, and ready to get you whatever you may need.  What you’ll need: drinks, delicious food, drinks, Nutella bread pudding, drinks … oh yeah, and more of their delicious food.  Our table had the cheesesteak eggrolls, wedge salad, grilled cheese and tomato soup, and the lamb burger.  The cheesesteak eggrolls were very good but a bit heavy (which was expected) and the lamb burger was possibly the best thing I’ve taken a bite out of in the last month due to the Tzatziki sauce.  

After our meal, Sabrina, the delightful general manager, wouldn’t allow us to leave until we took a bite of their to-die-for Nutella bread pudding (sounds awful, eh?).  I did my best to exercise a bit of self-control, but all was lost with the first bite.  I thanked my lucky stars for that girl for making me try it!  

DFG offers a full bar complete with specialty cocktails, (only one) champagne, about five or so whites and reds including some Del Frisco’s “Reserve” bottles, and shots (yup, shots).  I was tempted to try the Honey Badger (again, yup, the honey badger) which was Tuaca, fresh sweet & sour, and pineapple juice.  

Needless to say, like the restaurant, DFG prides itself on the creativity of its drinks and the freshness of their ingredients.  Their drinks have dashes of Tabasco or balsamic vinegar and sometimes even a jalapeno tossed in just for kicks.  I tried the Kilt-lifter comprised of Hendrick’s, St-Germain, Tabasco, and lemon.  I’ll just say of it that it was an experience - not too strong but it sure was delicious.

Now, have you ever had a skinny drink that was actually good?  Yeah, me neither (though if anyone has suggestions I’d be glad to hear them) until I tried the Skinny Cosmo at DFG — everyone in the group (including the guys) enjoyed it.  I’ve gone on a nutty diet and I can’t have many drinks, so their potent-yet-delicious skinny drinks are just what I need.

The decor of DFG is modern with a retro twist and plenty of art adorns the walls.  The second floor patio is absolutely awesome and they have some cutting-edge pillar heaters to keep you from catching a chill.  With bars both upstairs and downstairs, you won’t have trouble getting a drink (well, you might have a little less than some but only because so many people love DFG already).  Also, go into your visit with a dose of patience as the valets do a great job with the limited space they have. 

All in all, DFG is off to a great start.  Head in for delicious handcrafted drinks, steaks, and seafood.  They’ll make absolutely sure you enjoy your time there!

Del Frisco’s Grille
www.delfriscosgrille.com | @dfgrille
3232 McKinney Ave (at Hall St.)
(972)807-6152

The Crescent Club

The Crescent Club is one of the old-school mainstays in Dallas housed in the 17th floor of the Rosewood Crescent Hotel’s office tower.  Open only to hotel guests and members, Restaurant week allows us common folk the chance to experience this dark wood-paneled restaurant that is reminiscent of your grandparent’s country club.  The bar has a rich feel and amazing views of the city facing the Arts District and Downtown out of its bay windows.

Before a restaurant week dinner, my mom, sister, and I met in the dark bar for a quickdrink before our dinner.  I valeted my car and then rode up the 17 floors to the club level, took a right out of the elevator, and walked into the bar with a slight greeting from the gentlemen in the front hall that appeared to be the host.  I found my party and began to take in my surroundings.

The drink menu features 11 cocktails along with wines by the bottle and glass including dessert wines.  Their full bar serves up mostly classic cocktails with slight updates.  I ordered the Grand Pomegranate Cosmopolitan from our waitress and waited patiently, but the drinks took a bit longer than I expected.  My drink was slightly tart and not too sweet.  Their pours are generous, so much so that my mother and I only needed one drink before our dinner.

For my next trip to The Crescent Club, I think I’ll skip dinner as this year I wasn’t as impressed as I remember being in years past.  I recommend all Dallasites try to fit in a visit to this gentlemen’s gentlemen’s-type bar to experience the luxury and views.

Quick info: they’ll validate parking, serve snacks (just simple nut mixes, one sweet and one spicy)

The Crescent Club
200 Crescent Ct, Ste 1700 | (214) 871-8555
Crescent Club Web Page

Bar hours:
Monday - Thursday | 5-10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday | 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Membership info: (214)953-4387

Dee-licious

Dee Lincoln’s is all over social media right now, so naturally I HAD to try it.  The sister location to the new Uptown location is in Cowboys Stadium and was the first place IN THE US to have an enomatic machine for sparkling wine, a machine that keeps bottled intoxicants fresher, longer (up to three weeks), while doling out an appropriate serving.

Past the futuristic dispensers that line the walls, the look of the restaurant and tasting room (which they dub a “bubble bar”) is pink, silver, and white all over - maybe the most perfect bachelorette party locale I’ve ever seen due to the aforementioned color scheme and “private” seating areas complete with disco columns and shiny pillows.

Outside, you can enjoy the patio (erm, at least you will be able to when it cools down) complete with lighted “bubble” tables.  The area affords a nice bit of interesting foot traffic to keep things interesting.

The long and short of this place is that it’s fancy, and your tab will reflect that.  As my sister said, “This place isn’t for college students … or most of the $30,000 millionaires in Dallas!”  We each had a cocktail and shared a flatbread for a whopping $40!  You know it’s expensive when it would have been cheaper to go to Ocean Prime down the way!

While I disagree with the massive price tags, the food and drink were pretty great.  I ordered the DETOX TINI which I’d definitely get again, but only one because it was quite sweet.  My sister enjoyed the champagne float which was not only refreshing, but really nice to look at.  The next time I venture in, I will make sure it’s on a night out instead of a quick stop after dinner so I can enjoy my large drink and the buzz that comes along with it.

Drink Strength: 4
Overall:  2.5

Dee Lincoln
www.deelincolnstastingroom.com | @deelincolns
2101 Cedar Springs Road  | 214-979-WINE

“I dare anyone to go lower.”

The newest bar on McKinney has a lot to offer - low prices, good food, and fantastic service.  I ventured in thanks to my hard-working friends over at UrbanDaddy and I’m very glad I did, and I have plans to head back in within a week.  Saint John’s Wood is a great place to dodge the usual McKinney crowd and have a chill drink - though you do have to share a valet line with the Aura-goers (not that there’s anything wrong with them at all … just a different mind-set).  The atmosphere is laid back and there is PLENTY of seating - both upstairs, downstairs, and on the I’m-stoked-for-the-weather-to-warm-up-so-I-can-sit-on-it patio.

Our waitress, Luisa, was attentive and very thorough.  I used a different straw in my first drink and, upon bringing my second, she brought the same straw - I like that attention to detail.  The whole staff was just as amenable; they chatted to the customers, changed the channel so everyone could watch their team, and were just darn friendly.

Now back to the prices - if you take a good look at the receipt to the right, you’ll see that we had a soda, 5 drinks, and a snack for just over $20.  Granted, this is happy hour, but it’s pretty impressive.  They also gave us a last call for happy hour drinks - a couple bucks won’t make much of a dent, but I still like that.  The title is actually a quote from the owner when talking about his drink prices; he wants to have the lowest prices on McKinney.

As for the food, we had sweet potato fries and they were de-lic.  I can’t wait to come back to try the burger, which they say is the best in Dallas (we’ll see about that).  If it tastes as good as it smells, I may have to agree with them.

****side note: since SJW just opened, their prices were still being adjusted

Drink strength: 3.5
Overall: 4.2 

St. John’s Wood
2908 McKinney Ave | Dallas, TX 75204 
214-880-1700

Specials:
Daily | 3-8 p.m. | $3.75 wells, $4.50 calls, $4.75 wine by the glass, $3 domestic drafts, $4 import drafts, $3.50 domestic bottles, $4.75 import bottles 

this review is brought to you by the letter P.

The original article can be found on QUICKDFW.com.

You might feel like ordering up a cream soda instead of a vodka soda when you walk into the Stoneleigh P. This 37-year-old bar used to be a pharmacy (that’s where it gets its “P”), and it still carries the vibe of an old-school soda shop — glass displays lining the perimeter of the seating area, a magazine bank stocked with reading material and swivel stools at the long wooden bar.

But don’t worry: It has all the touches of a modern bar. If you accidentally brush the knee of the cute boy next to you, chances are he’ll buy you a drink with one straw, not two.

The P boasts an SMU-heavy crowd Thursday through Saturday, but it never seems too packed or boisterous. Though, you may have to squeeze your way through the entry, where people tend to congregate.

It’s also an ideal spot to use as a compromise with your sports friends. There are just enough TVs peppered around the place, so those who are interested won’t miss a play. Those who aren’t can nosh on good food or play pool, and still earn points for going to “watch” the game.

As for the service, let’s be honest: It’s not great. I’d go as far as to say it’s poor at times. I’ve been a patron for a few years, and can’t remember an instance in which I waited less than five minutes for a drink on a busy night. Also, check your ticket before you close out. While the drinks aren’t pricey — some beers will only set you back $2.50 — I’ve found that they can occasionally lose track of how many were ordered.

So, you may ask why I keep going back. Well, aside from the tasty pub grub (we’ll get to that later), it’s that entertaining crowd. The patrons always seem to be friendly and approachable, meaning you won’t have a hard time making conversation when you belly up to the bar.

What people are wearing: You might find a slew of dressed-up partiers, since the P is known as the standard pre- and post-formal/wedding/event spot for younger 20-somethings. If you want to find girls ordering Miller Lites in next season’s looks, this is the place to go. You’ll find a more casually clad crew on Sunday afternoons or during happy hour.

The drink: It’s all about the mixed drinks and bottled beer, so don’t rock the boat. Mixed drinks tend to go in one of two directions — incredibly strong, or without enough alcohol to taste. It depends on which bartender serves you and how quickly you can spit out your drink order. Don’t give them trouble, tip well and they’ll probably lengthen the pour a little.

The food: The menu has something for everyone — delicious salads for the weight-watchers, steaks for those looking for something a bit heartier and finger foods for those who’d rather save room for liquids. I recommend the Stoneleigh P Burger (it’s up there on the list of my favorites in Dallas) and the creamy queso verde is a must-try.

The music: Since there’s a jukebox, the music is at the discretion of the patrons. Basically, you’re going to hear the lineup from the last Austin City Limits festival, along with “Don’t Stop Believin’” and J. Geils’ “Centerfold.”

The smoking factor: Outside on the patio only.

Parking: Park on the street if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot, or valet at the Stoneleigh Hotel, directly across from the P.

Bottom line: The old watering hole may have spotty service at times, but it’s always on key with its fun clientele and good food.

social hour.

Let’s start with some education: the restaurant on Routh many Dallasites know of as Perry’s has changed its name to The Place at Perry’s.  Don’t be confused because they are both steakhouses - however, I am giving my thoughts only about the newly opened Perry’s on McKinney.  That being said, here we go!

My visit to Perry’s was one of the most enjoyable happy hours I’ve had in quite a while.  I have been back since my initial visit and loved it as much as I did the first time around - maybe even more actually.

From now on, you will be able to find me here most Fridays starting around 3:30 p.m. partaking in their Friday lunch special of Perry’s Famous Pork Chop served with whipped potatoes and homemade applesauce for only $10.95 before 4 p.m.  If a pork chop doesn’t tickle your fancy, take part in one (hell, two, three, or even four) of the Social Hour appetizer options.  My favorites were the fried asparagus with lump crab meat, homemade Polish sausage, and the Kobe burger.  My friend Casey made the following comment after eating the Kobe burger: “THIS burger for $6?”  Glances at girlfriend and says emphatically, “We’re comin’ back!”

After eating your fill, stay for a couple hours and enjoy the cocktail offerings they have for Bar 79 Social Hour.  There is a cocktail for everyone here.  If you can’t decide, try the flight of cocktails which includes three inventive concoctions in sippable sizes.  Their mojitos are the perfect drink for summer, hands down.  In addition they have a drink that is Perry’s take on a Manhattan that the men at the table thoroughly enjoyed (a few times over).  Their fruit is incredible and is prepared fresh daily; head chef Danny does fruit quality control daily to ensure it’s at its best.

Aside from the fantastic discounted food and drinks, the atmosphere is relaxing and inviting with live music to lighten the mood in the bar and entertain.  There is an air of sophisticated relaxation in the bar area and the patio boasts a giant inverted umbrella with plenty of seating.  If you want to catch a game without spending time at a dive bar, they have a TV behind the hand-etched glass bar (with hilarious quotes about drinking) so you can nosh on their brilliant food while watching.  If you can, try to get the middle table, though, you’ll feel like you’re in the VIP section!

The wait staff at Perry’s is unmatched; they offer VERY helpful suggestions, crack jokes, and are incredibly attentive.  Between Mark, Howard, Rich the bartender, Kennan, and Martin, our waiter, we were never in want for another drink or a even a napkin.

I’ll see all of you there on Friday.

Drink strength: 3.8 
Overall: 4.4

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
www.perryssteakhouse.com
2000 McKinney Ave., Suite 100 | 214-855-5151

Specials:
Social Hour | Monday-Friday | 4-6:30 p.m. | 1/2 price select seasonal cocktails, wines, and appetizers

Appetizers: cherry pepper calamari, escargot, seafood stuffed mushrooms,  homemade Polish sausage, Kobe burger (ground fresh daily) with fries, smoked chicken quesadillas, prime beef quesadillas
Live Music: Monday-Thursday | 6-10 p.m., Friday & Saturday | 6-11 p.m.

prime hour

The buzz around Ocean Prime in Dallas was palpable when it first opened.  The people of Dallas raved about it, but some critics weren’t didn’t feel the same about the new perfectly-located seafood restaurant.  My opinion:  don’t listen to the critics (except for me, of course), and make you own decision on this resto - I personally enjoyed myself the last couple of visits, as did my friends.

After all of my friends and I finally located the spot (it’s tough to find), we sat back to enjoy the two hour “Prime Hour” which boasts food and drink specials - most are about $4 or so off the regular prices.  Cocktails are $8 and apps start at $5.  The food is “shi shi” but still fills you up; definitely try the goat cheese ravioli and the fondue!  Also, eat as much of the popcorn as you can; at first you wonder why they would bring such weak sauce to the table - and then you try it … kaBOOM … the truffle garlic butter takes over and you can’t stop eating it.

For cocktails, there aren’t many choices on the Prime Hour menu, but they edited them well and there are some nice choices: the cucumber gimlet, the blood orange negroni, and the pineapple Finlandia martini.  Definitely try the aforementioned cucumber gimlet; the men at the table were sold on it after the first sip and couldn’t get enough of them.

The atmosphere is lively and the outside bar gets a little loud.  Inside you can enjoy live music and rub elbows with the businessmen from the Crescent and the *ahem* mature women (read: cougars) of Dallas.

Random additional comments:  they have extra large Sonic ice, the wait staff is très  attractive and sassy (in a good way), the bread basket is a must, ask for water refills, allow time for your drink to be made,  the bathroom doors need work so take a friend to guard it for you, don’t go in scrubby clothes, sit back and enjoy.

Drink strength: 3 
Overall: 4.3

Ocean Prime
dallas.ocean-prime.com | @oceanprimecmr
2101 Cedar Springs Road, Uptown | (214) 965-0440

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-6 p.m. | $5-8 select appetizers, $8 selectwines by the glass, $8 select cocktails

long live the queen

Fish and Chips with a Pimms and Lemonade - that is what you’d get if you were in London on a nice day with the sun shining after a walk in a park (patios are tougher to find over there, though!).  It’s also what you will get at the Londoner, Dallas’s very own spot of London life which is rumored to have the best fish and chips in Dallas.  The waiters and bartenders add to the authenticity because most of them have accents - someone seriously hold me back.

Review summed up: get your butt to this patio.  It’s great people watching, plenty of seating, dog
friendly, and the shade of two huge trees provides just enough shade to make it pleasant - there is even a 2nd floor patio if you want a private table.  Both patios give a great view of Downtown, too.

The decoration of The Londoner is somewhat intriguing if you can see it; it’s always a little bit dark inside.  The ceiling is adorned with mugs of all shapes, sizes, and themes - try to pick your favorite.  Also, pay special attention to the “Queens of England” piece on the wall of the stairs.

It’s a great place if you want to have a quick drink after work or if you want to grab a drink before heading out since its location is so ideal.  Tuesday’s happy hour is well populated along with Thursday’s and Friday’s.  Weekend nights here are manic - make sure you don’t expect to find a seat or a chance at the dart board.

Drink strength: 3.3 
Overall: 4.2

The Londoner
www.londoner.com
2909 Thomas Avenue | (214) 979-2333

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $1 off liquor, beer and wine
Sunday | 4 p.m. - close | $1 off liquor, beer and wine

state and allen

A spring day in Texas begs for a refreshing drink on a patio with big sunglasses.  My friend and I had a free afternoon and decided to find an early happy hour - State and Allen was our choice.  We chose it because they have an amazing selection of food, an extended happy hour, and a great patio.  The early happy hour allowed us to escape just before the suits hit the watering hole after work.

We immediately ordered vodka lemonades which we sadly had to add Splenda and
lemons to; the vodka, however, was generously poured.  Our waitress brought us drink after drink and plate of food after plate of food (not quickly, but she got the job done).  After much ado, we decided on tenderloin sliders and BBQ pizza - both were incredible.

The wrap-around patio provided a great showcase for watching the creatures of the State and Thomas area - both people and animals.  Speaking of, their patio is pet friendly and there are some really cute mutts.  The wait staff with even bring a water bowl for them!

With the 80s rock music and the lemonade vodkas flowing, we greatly enjoyed our time at State and Allen.

Drink strength: 4 
Overall: 4

State & Allen Lounge‎
stateandallen.com
2400 Allen Street | (214) 239-1994‎

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 3-7 p.m. | $3 wells, $2 domestics
Tuesday-Saturday | 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. | $3 wells, $2 domestics
Sunday | 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | $2.50 mimosas, $3 bloody marys, screwdrivers, and greyhounds