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

holler for a … palmer? (CLOSED)

New to the Dallas happy hour scene, Charlie Palmer is a gem.  Like some of the other upscale restaurants around our fair city, Charlie Palmer offers to-die-for drinks and sumptuous food to snack on at a good price compared to the usual prices.

The hotel (The Joule) is intriguing with somewhat out-of-place decor that seems to still work – site: the large wheel in the lobby (their bathrooms are pretty interesting, too).  The restaurant has a nice ambiance if it is a little close to the Downtown traffic – but it is very chill and the patio is laid back with really interesting people watching.  Sit back in their comfy chairs and watch the beautiful people checking into the hotel and the businessmen and women hustling around after work – just keep your eyes open for the guy on the street that may try to sell you poetry when you’re waiting for your car at valet.

Speaking of valet, it’s $10.  Try to park in the parking garage across the street and it’s only about $5.

The drinks … let’s talk about the drinks … they.are.a.ma.zing.  They are incredibly creative and quite delicious.  You have your choice of six fancy cocktails for half off along with the Charlie Palmer private label ISC Pinot Noir or single malt scotch. Try the Perfect Pear which is perfectly sweet or the Thin Mintini which will take you back to your days in the Girl Scouts (or at least it did for me!).  If you want to feel that you’ve done your part to save the planet for the day, get the Treetini; Live it Green and VeeV will plant a tree for each one sold.

Get a little snack to go along with your drink.  I recommend the fries; while they come in a trough (which is somewhat troubling if you think about it) but the bearnaise sauce makes up for any discomfort about the serving plate.  Also try the lobster corn dogs … yum.  Enjoy a taste of the incredible restaurant’s small bites menu for 1/2 off during happy hour!

Try Charlie Palmer for its happy hour – at least so you can try their amazing fare and drink!  I know I’ll be back for more.

Charlie Palmer at The Joule
www.charliepalmer.com | @thejoule
1530 Main Street | (214) 261-4600

Specials:
Thursday and Friday | 4-7 p.m. | 1/2 price small bites menu and selected drinks

Drink what you want
Drink what you’re able
But when you’re drinking with Susie
You’ll be under the table

A toast from my cousin, Bill

Be careful to trust a person who does not like wine.

Karl Marx

a good place to land

At least they own up to the fact that they are a dive … because Lakewood Landing sure as hell is.  The dim lighting veils the locals and gives the atmosphere an intriguing feel – I think it’d be too dark to eat anywhere but the booths!  Stroll past the bar where the locals quietly sip their elixers and you will find a pool table, juke box, and Golden Tee complete with a couch for your VIP cheering section.  Don’t count on LL for game-watching because they have limited and small TVs.

It’s incredibly quiet in Lakewood Landing; my friend and I were holding the 2nd loudest conversation and were very aware of that fact (the loudest was two men that we think had been there since noon!).  On the weekends it livens up, though.

We ordered a drink and dinner; the first drinks weren’t very strong but the 2ndround seemed MUCH stronger.  The second the food hit the table, we dug in (in a big way).  They have INCREDIBLE wings and cheese fries – I can’t wait to go back to try more of their culinary offerings.

LL is definitely a much-loved local spot, but one everyone should experience for themselves so you can understand Lakewood residents in a whole new light.

Drink strength: 3 
Overall: 3.5

Lakewood Landing
www.lakewood-landing.com
5818 Live Oak Street | (214) 823-2410

Looks like we’ve lost another one … this one may have a juicy story, though!  Goodbye, Tom Tom Noodle House!

But the greatest love—the love above all loves, Even greater than that of a mother… Is the tender, passionate, undying love, Of one beer drunken slob for another.

Irish love ballad