Category Archives: Neighborhood

A Warm Welcome at Ron’s Place

When it comes to bars, it’s nice to see that more and more are placing an emphasis on including Texas-brewed craft beer. A few weeks back, I had the good luck to try out the latest addition to Addison’s bar scene that does just that, Ron’s Place.

Take a proven recipe for success, add in copious amounts of beer and hard liquor, and you have something worth talking about. Ron’s Place opened July 23rd and is the latest on Addison’s restaurant row (a.k.a. Beltline). Ron’s Place is the brainchild of twins Mark and Dirk Kelcher, and these guys are seasoned professionals; they’ve been in the industry for more than 20 years. Locals may be familiar with their other bars (The Hub also in Addison and Ron’s Corner Tavern in Bedford). I have gotten to know The Hub since it’s the home to football watching parties for my alma matter, Texas Tech (GUNS UP!), so I was eager to see what they had in store.

The Kelcher brother’s newest endeavor is a smaller scale bar that focuses on craft beer and also has a vast selection of bourbon, whiskey and scotch . Inspired by their eccentric Uncle Ron and his obsessive beer can collection, they’ve created a friendly little neighborhood bar. (You know, like one of those places where everyone knows your name.) There is plenty of character packed into the place, given the modest size of the bar. Dimly lit, the walls are flanked with rustic-looking bookshelves displaying their booze and some of Uncle Ron’s famous international beer can collection. It’s a welcoming bar where you can go as you are, get a good drink and probably strike up a conversation with a fellow patron.

While the hard liquor they offer is worldly, I found that the beer list is mostly American. They pride themselves on taking advantage of domestic brewed beers and, get this … offer at least 12 Texas-brewed beers on tap.

During my visit, I managed to maneuver myself through the packed space to score a seat at the bar. I tried out two different beers I haven’t seen in many other Dallas bars. The first was a beer out of Montana’s Big Sky Brewing Co. called, funny enough, Moose Drool. Despite the name, this brown ale was rich, tasty and full of flavor. It was a bit creamy and could complement a wide variety of foods. The second beer I tried was from even further up north, the Alaskan White. This was a fairly typical style Witbier with hints of citrus and spice.

If you’re anything like me and suffer from analysis-paralysis when it comes to decision making, you will understand my appreciation for the concise beer descriptions on the menu. It won’t make the decision for you, but should help make the job easier. That said, the staff was very personable and attentive, and are glad to help out. The descriptions worked for me as both beers I went with were well worth it. Next time I will probably go for one of their Texan brews and maybe a whiskey (or two).

Tack on a short and sweet menu of bar food favorites and Ron’s Place has a winning combination that Uncle Ron would be proud of.

Maybe it was that I went on Grand Opening Day, or that it was happy hour and The Hub is next door, but parking spots were hard to come by. I ended up finding a spot behind the building without too many problems. Just know, when visiting Ron’s Place, go ahead and take the first spot you see, even if it’s a few doors down. (It’ll be worth the walk.)


RON’S PLACE
www.RonsAddison
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
4145 Beltline Road, Addison, TX 75001
(214) 628-0634

The Kelcher Brothers and Uncle Ron picked up the first two drinks for myself and the other patrons during its Grand Opening party.  Thanks, gents!

Village Burger Bar

I remember the days when weekend nights were spent at The Loon (RIP) and were often followed by late night burgers and fries at Village Burger Bar.  If I had a dollar for every time I called a cab to pick me up at VBB, I’d have about $7.  (I miss the days that I could do that and not feel like death warmed-up the following day. Damn y slowing metabolism and adult responsibilities.)

Village Burger Bar has been around for years and has proved its staying power.  So many other burger joints have come and gone, but they’re still around flipping burgers and slinging drinks until 2am in West Village — oh … and at three additional locations now.

Throughout the years, I remember craving their frozen rum & Cokes (which are a bit sweeter than what I usually go for).  On these 100º+ days, though, they’d be a welcome refreshment.  However, VBB recently switched out their longstanding Cuba Libre with an even more summery option–Frozen Cherry Limeades.  Let me tell you, folks … they’re dangerous.  They’re sweet, but not overwhelmingly so.  Make sure you bring a Sharpie to keep count of how many you’ve downed.

The next drink that hit the table (gently) was a Strawberry Martini (vodka, strawberry puree, simple syrup).  It packed a decent vodka punch … along with some serious vitamins.  The strawberry was just enough to give the drink some flavor without making it too goopy. 

While VBB is famous for its burgers (and bar), that’s not all it has to offer.  Their Grilled Buffalo Chicken Strips are a light way to start a meal, served “naked” with their hot sauce on the side.  However, if you’re into the whole “eat so much that I need to unbutton my pants” thing, go for the West Village Dip.  This dip’s legit, y’all … cheese, bacon, tortilla chips … damn.  I mean damn.

VBB offers “Bespoke Burgers” where you can choose your own patty (beef, turkey, or chicken) then pair it with any (and all) of 9 cheese, 14 sauces, and 17 toppings (including a fried egg, dried cranberries, and bourbon caramelized onions).  I kind of hate math, but my calculations show that you could make … a lot of different burgers.  If you’re not super into the whole “define yourself by your burger choices” thing, they offer eight suggestions.  My long time favorite has been the Swiss ‘Shroom Burger.  Make that happen sometime.

I took my dad along for this review and he’s a finicky eater.  (It was his second review with me and he’s getting good at it!  I don’t have to smack his hand anymore when he tries to take a bite of his food before I’ve gotten sufficient documentation.)   When I say finicky … I’m not kidding.  This man likes well done cheeseburgers, “plain and dry with ketchup only and a side of well done fries” … and that’s exactly what he ordered on our visit to VBB.  He said, as boring as his cheeseburger was, that it was a great burger and the accompanying shoestring fries were perfectly crispy.

To top off the meal, my dad got a tall, frosty glass of St. Arnold’s draft root beer.  I mean … I was sick to death that I was sick (literally) and couldn’t steal a sip of it.

They offer a full bar, the aforementioned burgers, paninis, plenty of sides (the siren call of the onion rings and truffle fries was nearly unavoidable), some desserts (hello, root beer float), and plenty of other deliciousness.

Overall, Village Burger Bar is as good as I remember it.  Now that I have eaten it (a bit more) sober than I was accustomed to previously, I realize the quality behind the menu.


Village Burger Bar
www.villageburgerbar.com
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

West Village: (214) 443 9998
Mon-Sat: 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Sun: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
 Allen: (469) 854 6616
 Legacy: (972) 801 2772
 North Dallas: (214) 484 4679

Whole Foods Uptown Dallas

Toot toot.  Whole Foods is coming to the trolley line in Uptown Dallas!  Yes, what we’ve all been waiting for has finally opened … Whole Foods Uptown will open tomorrow, August 12 at 7:30am!

I had the pleasure of taking a private tour of the store … and believe you me, there’s a lot to look forward to.  WFU will be trolley themed to honor Rosie, Betty, and the rest–their made-to-order sandwiches on their interactive touchscreen menus even allow you to order sandwiches named after our iconic trolleys!  The store even features wood from the very trees removed from the land cleared to build the store which was built partially on historic land.  Eight stories of Gables apartments will sit on top of the store  and 17 three-story townhouses will line the back of the store.

They have the shelves stocked with everything from (quite literally) soup to nuts–expect the fresh produce … which is now in place–and they’re ready to open to the public.  Opening day’s festivities include:

  • 7am – Dixieland Band and Notre Dame School cheerleaders
  • 7:30am – speeches and the breaking of the 6’ Challah loaf
  • 8am – the taproom opens early!!!
  • 6pm – Exclusive tapping and tasting of Post Oak Pale Ale (won’t be available to the public until September 18)

We all know what kind of amazing goods and produce Whole Foods features, but let’s get down to the real business … the booze.

The Uptown store will sell beer and wine, which were on the shelves begging to be consumed on our tour.  The wine selection rivals that of “the mothership”, Whole Foods’ flagship store in Austin.  The beer … phew … imagine in 36 FEET of cold beer. (That’s the length of a typical classroom.  Talk about getting schooled!)  They focus on local and craft beers in both the grab-and-go area along with the Taproom.  (More on that below.)

WFU’s Taproom is complete with 32 seats indoor and space outdoors.  (Ya know … for when it’s not hot as balls outside.)  Check out their 24 drinks on tap–19 beers, four wines, and even one local bourbon barrel-aged cold brew coffee.  Grab a drink and relax on their bar or patio complete with misters, six TVs, and a view of McKinney.  Don’t feel like hanging around?  Pick up a growler for your beer and/or wine to take some of the fun home.  (They’ll even sell kegs if you preorder them!)  Unique to WFU?  A firkin.  (WHAT THE FIRK DID YOU CALL ME!?)  The firkin, beside a unit of measurement (1 firkin = 0.697326051 of a keg), is a unique type of keg tapped on its side and theirs will be dispensed by a beer engine.

OH … and don’t forget that sharing is caring.  If you buy a beer for someone, they’ll note it on the “BEER IT FORWARD” board allowing the recipient to get a beer on you on their next visit!  (Sooooo who’s gonna buy me a drank?)

Other features of the store include:

  • Squeeze & Grind — a juice, smoothie, and coffee bar with an imported Italian espresso machine
  • A spacious parking garage with multiple floors and two electric car power stations
  • Racks for up to 24 bikes and a FREE bike repair kit
  • A custom filled cupcake bar (uhhhhh this is the only one in Dallas doing this … can I live here?)
  • More then 200 grab-and-go options including pizza by the slice sold 2 for $6!
  • A smokehouse with in-store smoked meats (and catering!)
  • A bunch of cheeses.  (What!? That’s super important.)


WHOLE FOODS UPTOWN DALLAS
wholefoodsmarket.com
Facebook | Twitter
2510 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
469-518-5814

Event Recap: Herradura Tequila Dinner at Mesero

The best place to be on July 23rd, the day before National Tequila Day, was in the upstairs private room at Mesero by Mico Rodriguez, located on Henderson Avenue. Guests at this private event donated $1,000 per couple to the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities to attend.

The night started with the Russ Hewitt Trio playing music while Tequila Herradura cocktails and brisket nachos, chicken flautas, and shrimp ceviche were passed to the hungry attendees.

Once the guests were called to be seated, Emmitt Smith was introduced to welcome everyone and speak briefly about his wife’s and his charity and what the evening had in store.

TequilaDinner-11

“Thank you guys for supporting Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities,” Smith said, addressing the intimate crowd before the dinner got underway. “The work that we do couldn’t get done without the help and support of people like yourselves. Tonight is an opportunity for everyone here to get to understand and learn about the Herradura culture.”

TequilaDinner-10

Smith continued to explain his experience traveling to Guadalajara and learn the entire process of how Herradura makes the tequila, and how “it is one the cleanest tequilas out there, and that makes the taste itself very pure.”

 

After the introduction, guests were guided through the dinner and tastings by global brand ambassador for Tequila Herradura, Ruben Aceves.

 

He began the dinner explaining the concept of a tequila dinner. “We are going to have dinner like we do in Mexico–where we drink tequila before dinner, with dinner and after dinner with desert.”

Before the salad course, Jose Cortes, a third-generation Jimador demonstrated the harvest of an agave plant while Aceves explained the process.

Each course consisted of a tequila margarita pairing that included Herradura Tequila–Silver, Reposado, Ultra or Selección Suprema.

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As each tequila was presented with its course and Aceves described their qualities and how each was made.

The Cazera Salad was served with the Meserita cocktail, made with Herradura Silver, Cointreau and citrus.

The second course sampled a cheese tomatillo enchilada, pollo brasa with chipotle cheddar grits and the Mico “12” a la Mexicana. The La Dona cocktail (Herredura Reposado, Cointreau and citrus) complemented this course.

TequilaDinner-6

The Pastel Cinco Leches was the final delicacy of the evening. It was paired with the El Santo (frozen Micorita made with Herradura Silver, house Sangria and Herradura Ultra). Herradura Ultra is the most recent addition to the Tequila Herradura family. It is an traditional Añejo tequila blended with premium Añejo tequila that creates a very smooth, subtly sweet tequila.

To cap off the evening, guests sampled the Extra Añejo, Selleción Suprema de Herradura, which is Tequila Herredura’s highest quality tequila.

This event raised $25,000 for the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, which provide educational opportunities and experiences to underserved children.  If you’d like to donate or learn more, visit www.emmittsmith.com.

If you want to sample these cocktails yourself, you can visit Mesero and experience your own tequila dinner!

Greenville Avenue Pizza Company

If there are two things I know for certain: it’s that it’s hot as balls outside and that pizza is the best thing that God made. (Only one of those is constant.)

Greenville Avenue Pizza Company (GAPCo) is the little pizza shop on Lowest Greenville that has supplied drunkards with the perfect late night food generously sprinkled with Pizza Crack (more on that later) since 2007. This food isn’t just any drunk food … it’s good enough to even eat sober. The owner, Sammy Mandell, spent the evening with our group and told us about his baby on Lowest Greenville that has gone from a small pizza shop to a rebranded, refurnished restaurant that was named one of the top 100 highest grossing pizzerias in the U.S. this past year. By which I’m not surprised at all because everything in GAPCo is made by hand–from the dough to their ranch.* The employees, from management to delivery drivers, are 100% behind Sammy and the brand and they support the shop and each other in spades. Like any great fast food restaurant, they ensure that their drivers are covered with the help of insurance companies similar to Insured ASAP (https://www.insuredasap.com/your-guide-to-insurance-for-food-delivery-drivers/) so they can deliver their meals without any worry. It’s part of the support they have pizza shop. this In fact, Sammy’s wife, Molly, not only takes charge of their snarky social media channels, but also rolled GAPCo’s meatballs for years. (They were even dubbed “Mollyballs”!)

BOOZE INFO: GAPCo offers Texas craft beers (uhhh and some wine)–Deep Ellum Brewing Company, Martin House Brewing Company, Cedar Creek, Saint Arnold, Shiner, and Eastciders dry cider. I mean … what’s possibly better than a cold beer and pizza when it’s 100º outside? (Maybe just following it up with a Steel City Pop from across the street.)

We’ll get to the pizza, but we have to chat about some of their other items first. (Because once pizza enters the conversation, that’s all there really is.) If you’ve never branched out past pies here, you’re missing out. The first thing that hit the table was a GIANT meatball and garlic knot. The Meatballs are 81/19 beef (the texture is perfect), lovingly hand-packed, and served with marinara sauce that takes five hours to make.

Their salads are delicious, fresh, crisp, and unique. The Brutus Salad was their take on a Caesar salad without being drenched in heavy dressing or sporting the cliche croutons (take a basic chicken Caesar salad, then add tortilla strips, diced jalapeños, and jalapeño Caesar dressing). The Italian Salad–romaine, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, parmesan, shallot vinaigrette dressing–was quite good, but I’d stick with the Brutus on my next visit.

Now, a pizza place with salads options … that’s super expected. But … a pizza place with wings good enough to stand on their own is a diamond in the rough. I don’t know if I’d ever attempt these spicy pieces of chicken goodness after a couple drinks, but sober, I’d eat the shit out of these fried Hot Buffalo Wings and would only pause to find a napkin and make sure my lips were still intact. And that aforementioned homemade ranch … it kind of makes these transcendent. The Lemon Pepper Wings had a perfect crisp to them if you’re into that not-as-saucy situation and the lemon flavor in the seasoning is surprisingly refreshing.

Hot Buffalo Wings

No … for the main event: the pizza. I think Bill Murray said it best when he said, “Unless you are a pizza, the answer is ‘yes, I can live without you.'” Amen, brother.

GAPCo’s pizza, like its other menu items, are made with homemade ingredients. You can TASTE the love in these slices. The fresh cheese, delicious meats, veggies, and more come together in a beautiful symphony of flavors and crispiness. Have it drunk and you’ll never ask your Uber driver to take you through the Whataburger drive-though again. The pieces hold up nicely without that sad wilting effect brought on by too much grease and not enough “crusture”. (Crust structure … it’s going to be a thing.)

I think it was all over for me when I had my first bite of the Supreme Pizza–pepperoni, ham, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, bacon, and olives. I mean … the bacon wasn’t just any bacon; it was just thick enough to really stand out in a crowded pizza but not feel like you’re missing a helping of eggs. (And once that Pizza Crack hits the cheese, you know it’s all over.)

Their famous Pizza Crack is made with garlic, salt, and their special mix of spices. Apparently they sell enough of this stuff that they’ve started selling jars of it. Full disclosure: a jar of this was one of the first things in the cabinet at my new condo.

Stay tuned to GAPCo for more new offerings coming up … they have a great product and are finding more ways to evangelize to the people of Dallas. Recently, GAPCo came out of the cover of night and they’re now open for lunch. The lunch special is $10 for a slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza, caesar salad, and a fountain drink. (And they’ll start offering brunch in August!)

GREENVILLE AVENUE PIZZA COMPANY
www.gapc.co | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
1923 Greenville Ave (Lowest Greenville)
(214) 826-5404

Hours:
open for lunch daily at 11am
open for dine-in and delivery until:
– 1am on Mondays
– 3am Tuesday – Thursday
– 4am on weekends

*Unlike some places … they don’t discriminate against ranch-eaters. (We’re people, too–we just happen to be Texans.)

Hickory by Kent Rathbun

Kent Rathbun. (Not Ken Rathburn or Kent Rayburn.)  However you may butcher his name … you know that he knows what he’s doing.  We can thank him for the amazing concepts like Abacus, Jasper’s, and (formerly) Blue Plate … and now his newest venture, Hickory Plano, can be added to the list.

Their amazing PR girl arranged a bus to take us alllllll the way up to Plano to check out the new concept … which, if you know me, was a huge treat because I hate to drive.  Like …I hate it real bad.

The drive took us up the Tollway just past The Shops at Legacy (the home of Kent’s Jasper’s).  Upon arriving, Kent greeted us and showed us around the newly renovated space.  Expect a lot of raw wood, metal, and deep reds and browns.

While Hickory is a BBQ joint, the drinks leave nothing to be desired (except maybe another one).  They offer a full bar that can crank out anything from a Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned featuring Makers 46 to classics–Moscow Mules, anyone?  If you want to get a little crazy, check out their Cactus Juice (Avion Reposado, Triple Sec, prickly pear nectar, and lime).  And make sure to check out their Texas cocktails featuring Deep Eddy drinks.

If you’re into the beer situation, they have some great local options, but certainly not an extensive list–select crafts on tap and a handful of bottled options.  Their wine list includes a couple Texas wines and a curated list of decently priced options.

When the food started hitting the table, we all knew we were in for a long night.  I LOVED the salad options, which sometimes can be a bit lacking at a BBQ restaurant.  I almost couldn’t get enough of the Shrimp & Crab Coleslaw that featured a spicy cilantro vinaigrette that I could just about take a straw to.  I would also have to say that the Fried Green Tomatoes with charred jalapeño ranch were unreal. (We may or may not have been fork-fighting for the last piece.)  A starter that cannot be missed is their Smoked Sausage Fondue featuring whichever of their house-made sausages they choose for the day with creamy, cheesy goodness.

When I saw the entrees, I was so thankful knowing that we had a bus to take us back as I knew I’d have at least half and hour to recover before getting behind the wheel.  (I mean that not due to the drinks … but due to the sheer amount of meat I was about to consume.)  Their options for mains range from traditional burgers and sandwiches (and some not-so-traditional ones) and meats.  Some seeeeerious meats.  Their “little red smokehouse” prepares heavenly cuts that are sold by the 1/2 pound like their Smoked Pepper Crusted Wagyu Brisket, Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast, and Shaved Roti Pork Shoulder.  All of the meats were quite flavorful and I’d return for any single one of them, but some were a bit on the salty side.  That just means that you need to balance the meats with their Charred Corn Bread which was UNreal.  Get into that and don’t miss the Round Rock Honey butter that comes with it.

All of the sides that we tried were good, but the Crispy Brussels Sprouts were in the only bowl that saw the light of day.  These things, y’all, are f**king amazing.  (And not just because I love Brussels sprouts.)  Don’t miss the Blackstrap Molasses Baked Beans, too.  I mean … these beans have bacon on top.

The meal was coming to an end (so we thought) when dessert came out.  Instead of one of their Shareable Desserts for the table, they brought us all of them.  We tried Maw Maw’s Buttermilk Pie, which was a light-ish option but wasn’t up my alley, the Texas Size Chocolate Cupcake, which had a bit of spicy bite to it, and the Skillet Cobbler, which I’d eat all day every day!  The crunch on top was a perfect textural balance to the gooey fresh berries it hid.

Overall, the meal was overwhelming … and I don’t mean because of the amount of food, but because of how amazing everything was.  I don’t know why I expected anything other than brilliance from Kent Rathbun!

Make the drive–just plan to give yourself some recovery time before driving anywhere after.  Because … meat.
HICKORY BY KENT RATHBUN
www.hickoryplano.com | Facebook | Twitter
8100 Dallas Pkwy #115, Plano
(972) 712-7077
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Jam & Toast Brunch at The Rustic

Brunch is a serious thing in Dallas.  I thought for a long time that it was a millennial thing, but I’ve learned from transplants that Dallas does it like no other city.  The Rustic knows this, and knew they couldn’t come to the picnic table with a weak brunch game … so their Jam & Toast Brunch was born.  Family style (and only slightly family-friendly), you can get into this brunch action for $17.95/person.  Let the delicious pictures begin … (You’d better get a napkin because your mouth is about to water.)

Y’all know I have to talk about the drinks first because … ya know … I drink Dallas and all.  Their drinks, while they’re available like any other boring brunch place by the drink, or you can really make it a Sunday (or Saturday) fun day and order by the pitcher for $20 a throw.  They have the traditional brunch drinks–mimosas, bloody marys, screwdrivers (or at least their takes on them)–but then they take them all up a notch with fun twists like beef straws for the bloodies and jam mixers for the mimosas.  The less typical drinks you can get into trouble with are their Corpus Crisp Tea (Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, Deep Eddy Lemonade Vodka, and freshly brewed sweet tea) and the Ruby Redhound (Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice).

The pitchers are all generous portions and pack a decent punch.  (As decent as you could really ever want from brunch cocktails as to not f**k up your whole day weekend.)  And I don’t know what all this “family-style” judgement is; I mean … I’m my whole family unit right now … so it’s ok that I drink the whole pitcher, right?

Rereading the last paragraph, I feel it’s time to tell y’all about the food they offer to balance the boozy goodness.  This food … is legit.  I just about needed someone to roll me away from the table after eating everything they had to offer.  The deal is that they’ll bring everything I’m about to tell you about–enough for everyone to share.

Traditional brunches usually have pig of some sort and eggs and some random pastry, and The Rustic has those all with a delicious kick.  The pork is bacon and sausage from Rudolph’s Market (this business was ridiculous and I was pissed that I had to share this and not eat the whole dish of bacon–don’t judge me); the eggs were “country baked eggs” with sharp white cheddar and chives (not my favorite); and the pastries were fresh donuts from local bakeries (the day we visited they’d come from late night donut hotspot, Glazed).  To make this brunch unforgettable, they didn’t stop there.  They also offer bite-sized French Toast (hand-cut challah, soaked in vanilla custard and topped with house-made rosemary syrup),  Smoked Cheddar Grits (creamy polenta cakes with roasted poblanos and smokey cheddar on sausage gravy) that had a nice smokiness without being entirely overwhelming, and Hot Chicken (Nashville-style spicy fried chicken and dill pickles).  The chicken was a bit spicy (which I enjoyed), but others at the table were less impressed with the heat.  The pièce de résistance of this brunch to me was the Cheese & Fruit plate.  Featuring an assortment of local cheeses, honeycomb, fresh fruit, and assorted breads, it was a nice addition to the table and gave us the chance to remix some of the other dishes by pairing them with the fruits and cheese.s  (Uhhhh the goat cheese paired well with just about everything on the table.)

Overall, The Rustic’s Jam & Toast Brunch is a decent deal. (I love to have a lot of different options … so this is a great ways for people like me!)  While this brunch is offered both Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm, try to get there before noon to enjoy the live music that they have outside.  (And thanks to one of the venue’s owners, Pat Green, you know The Rustic has some serious live music game.)

If you’ve never visited the hybrid backyard-style restaurant/bar/concert venue, you’ve obviously been living under a rock.  From Free Range Concepts (the guys that brought Dallas Bowl & Barrel, Mutt’s Canine Cantina, and more), it’s an ideal spot for anyone from families to weekend warriors.  The Rustic offers brunch, lunch, and dinner menus of “down-home comfort food” along with 40+ draft beers (many from Texas breweries), and even some Texas spirits on the full bar.


THE RUSTIC
therustic.com
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
3656 Howell Street (West Village)
214-730-0596

 

 

Topgolf Allen Summer Events

Last week I made the trek up to the great white north Allen to attend a Ladies Happy Hour at Topgolf Allen. I mean … it was a drive, but it was so worth it. If you’re not familiar with the Topgolf concept (where the hell have you been?), it’s a tech-forward driving range dreamt up by the Jolliffe brothers in Watfotd, England. Topgolf (Target Oriented Practice Golf) takes a traditional driving range and adds microchips to the golf balls and targets to the pins. The closer your ball gets to the pin, the more points you’ll get. You can find some extra background on Topgolf Allen in Brian’s recap of his visit.

Top Golf has really upped its game … not just its literal game (which it has), but its food, drink, and hospitality game, too. To start off our happy hour (hosted by me, Staci from 7onashoestring, McKinney Moms Blog, and the Dallas Blogger Collective). After introductions and a few words from some of the Topgolf peeps, we were treated to a “speed” wine tasting lead by a very knowledgable teacher. We tasted fives wines–(some seriously grapefruit forward) whites, roses, and a Layer Cake red (one of my favorite budget-friendly wines).

After the wine tasting, they opened up the floor to ceiling glass doors and let us take over the range. (Ok, not the whole thing … but we had room to spread out.) Even though I don’t know much about golf, I could tell this was an impressive driving range with modern facilities, Ace Driving Range Netting and plenty of golf balls to go around! Our group all had some natural ability (some more than others), so we grabbed the drivers and started the game. (I’d like to note that Brittany (pictured below) and I were neck-and-neck … though she did win. It really made me think about getting a golf simulator so I could get some practice in before our next golf outing.)

The gracious Topgolf team plied us with more of their delicious offerings–chicken & waffle sliders, s’more sandwiches, Green chili mac & cheese, and more. I like to think I’m more qualified than most Texans to identify good green chili menu items from bad (my sister and her husband live in Albuquerque and EVERYTHING is green chili-flavored), Topgolf’s Green Chili Mac & Cheese is damn good–just enough flavor to make it distinct, but not enough to smoke your taste buds. Everything was fresh and delicious with some seriously fun flavors and unique offerings. (I mean … who doesn’t want a chicken and waffle slider?)

Beyond delicious food, great service, a fun atmosphere, and a great game, what more could you want? Well … beyond live music and fun contests from time to time, they have Golf Bags. (And what driving range isn’t more fun after 30oz. of booze in a light-up novelty cup with crazy straws for just $15? I went with the Pineapple Express (Malibu Coconut Rum, 99 Bananas, DeKuyper Peachtree, orange juice & pineapple juice) and it wasn’t a mistake.

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They’ll be hosting two similar events later this summer, one for moms and another catered to couples. My advice? Go to one (or both) of them. Stay tuned to their channels to find out about these FREE events!
TOPGOLF – ALLEN
www.topgolf.com/us/ALLEN
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1500 Andrews Parkway, Allen, TX 75002
(469) 675-9730

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 12:00am
Friday: 9:00am – 1:00am
Saturday: 8:00am – 1:00am
Sunday: 9:00am – 12:00am