Dear John (err … TABC),
I’m sorry that things ended the way they did. I know we had something really great … but you had to go and ruin it. Was it me? Was I getting fat? Did I nag you too much? For whatever reason you decided to leave, good riddance. I’ve met someone else, and he’s really sexy, gets me drunk, and never makes me wait on him.
Love,
Susie Drinks Dallas (and the rest of Dallas)
My new love is Boxwood Tap & Grill, one of Dallas’ newest bars in the beautifully remodeled 80-year-old TABC space. With hardwood floors, large area rugs, and soft lighting, you may feel as though you’re in your own living room noshing on snacks and sipping cocktails (but with an extremely loud party all around you and cocktails better than you could hope to make yourself).
The crowd it very Uptown, but skews older Uptown. You’ll find plenty of dudes in suits after work and locals who schlepped the few blocks to the new neighborhood “hot spot”.
The menu by (the extremely pleasant) Chef Jason Wade is approachable, consists of sandwiches, salads, cheese plates, snacks, and entrees with some locally-sourced ingredients. (The cheese plate comes with these pillows of herby goat cheese heaven that aren’t to be missed.) Portion sizes seem pretty decent, but the “snacks” seem a bit small (though they’re pretty inexpensive, so they’ll still do … since they’re snacks and all).
The drink menu, while short, was created by Bar Manager Eddie Panozzo with a bit of help by cocktail master Jason Kosmas. Here are my thoughts:
- Nada Colada (roasted pineapple & cinnamon-infused rum, lime juice, coconut puree) | almost a non-frozen version of a pina colada, the cinnamon really comes out and give it a warmer taste
- Peche 75 (gin, pureed peaches, lemon juice, prosecco) | the peach flavor is quite refreshing, but the prosecco seemed a bit like overkill. I liked the touch of lemon juice to add a bit of complexity
- Mule Thyme (vodka, thyme, lime juice, ginger beer) | BRING ME ANOTHER! Zomg. I do love a Moscow Mule, but the added herbiness made this a bit more exciting than the new staple
- The Woods (rye whiskey, elderflower liqueur, Creole bitters, orange bitters) | Another drink that knocked it out of the park. I wish I’d have had one all to myself, but my drinking buddy for the night had the extreme prowess to order it. I wasn’t sure if the two different bitters flavors would fight too much, but they ended up blending beautifully and complimenting the whiskey. GET THIS DRINK.
The beer menu offers a wide range of local, domestic, and import beers on tap and bottled. Red and white wines along with a few sparkling wines. I’d recommend the 90+ … because it’s awesome. I didn’t have a chance to try the pitchers, but I plan to.
Once the weather cools down (which feels like it may never happen), this huge patio will be the place to be. Large umbrellas, a full outdoor bar, plenty of seating, and some TVs make it … well, awesome.
Brunch will start soon, and I hope drink specials will follow. Oh, and late night is a thing here.
Boxwood Tap
www.boxwoodtg.com | @boxwoodtg
2901 Thomas Ave.
(214)220-2901
Monday – Sunday: 4PM – 2AM
Dinner Menu: 4PM – 11PM
Late Night Menu: 11PM – 1:30AM