Category Archives: Restaurants

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

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen (closed)

We all know that Kent Rathbun can cook … little did we know the man who defeated Bobby Flay on “Iron Chef” is also a master of mixology behind the bar.

After sloshing through the rain, walking through the rotating doors into Blue Plate was like walking into a (classy) cabin – I almost expected to see a crackling fire and hear a triangle beckoning me for dinner. The sidways rain outside begged a drink and our bartender, Autumn, served them up with a smile.

I had a Raspberrytini, Passionate Kiss, and the Rip Tide (Autumn’s creation). All three were fantastic (and not only because of the price tag) and the various wines ordered around the table were enjoyed, nay, savored. Special commendation should be offered for the Dirty Blue Martinis, a martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives (sadly, I am allergic to blue cheese so can’t give my personal opinion on this drink).

We ordered appetizers, chowed down on the bread basket, and sipped our cocktails without realizing 3-1/2 hours slipped by. Nine o’clock on a Friday night cut our night short but we enjoyed every second in Kent Rathbun’s world … even though the plates weren’t blue.

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen
6130 Luther Ln | (214) 890-1103
www.kentrathbun.com/blueplate/dallas | @chef911

Specials:
11am – 6pm | half off $8 wine selections by the glass
11am – 6pm, 9pm – 11pm | specialty cocktails $5, traditional cocktails $4

J. Pepe’s (closed)

Here’s the deal … I’d love to write a witty intro for J.Pepe’s, but I’m hungover from all the fun that started there last night! 4 drinks and an enchilada dinner into my evening I was only $13.50 down and somewhat buzzed (which for me rarely happens after only 4 drinks). Pretty fantastic for a Monday evening.

The drinks aren’t too watered down, and the bartender, Asher, was really nice (even though he wouldn’t replace our salsa??). I told him to make me my next drink when it got down to a certain line on the glass … and he did. Quite impressive. He even gave us input on a discussion we were having.

They also have a pool that people can actually use – enough said.

Bottom line: J.Pepe’s has the right idea … cheap drinks, friendly people, and a pool. Done.

J. Pepe’s
www.jpepesgreenville.com
3619 Greenville Ave | (214)821-6431

Victor Tangos

Did you know that, during Prohibition, vodka tonics were called “Victor Tangos” to ensure stealth when referring to the drink? Well, that’s the line the charismatic host, Greg Katz, fed us and immediately followed it with a letdown: vodka didn’t make its way into mainstream American culture until the 1950s (fact for the day) … it was a great story, but it’s really too darn bad that this isn’t true because that would have been a great reason to dub a bar Victor Tangos.

Barring the completely boring origin of the name, the bar has much to offer. For all you New York transplants (i.e. my boss), it did remind me quite a bit of The Volstead to which my expert in The City, Sam, took me. … for the rest of us it’s a great peek into the New York bar scene.

While the tastiness of the drinks and food cause you to overorder (and overeat!), it’s well worth it. Their signature drinks are stellar: the Pepper Smash, Moscow Mule, and the Lightening Bug. Their drinks are on the higher end of the happy hour price scale but are strong enough to make it worth it. The chicken and waffles (to the right) just won the best chicken and waffles in Dallas from D Magazine … and they are. Overall, great place for a couple drinks and dinner after work and an incredibly fun place to go on the weekends. There is a good mix of (beautiful) people there and it’s quite loud in there so you’re always sure to find someone to talk to, even if it is one of the bartenders (which I’d recommend because they are quite cheeky and fun).