INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION
Modern-day Romance
Any museum or gallery is a great spot for a date, because the artwork is a natural launching pad for conversation. And opinion. (Yes, you want your date to have one.) The new Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth is the best of the bunch. A work of art itself, Tadao Ando’s architecture is fascinating enough to keep you musing whether you like the works on the walls. The museum has a sensational little restaurant, Cafe Modern, featuring food as fancy as, well, art. www.themodern.org.
Sculpture Pour Deux
The Nasher Sculpture Center is the most talked-about feature of Dallas’ emerging downtown Arts District and a destination for international art lovers. Ray Nasher’s extensive and varied collection, including works from Alexander Calder, Auguste Rodin, and Henry Matisse, should keep you viscerally occupied for hours – even if your date doesn’t. The cafe features Mansion on Turtle Creek fare, such as tortilla soup, so you’re guaranteed good nosh while you gaze at the Picasso in the garden. www.nashersculpturecenter.org.
Film Fanatics
The Magnolia Theater in West Village hosts Talk Cinema, the ultimate (recurring) date for movie buffs. Select Thursday nights at 7, you and your Ebert can view a film before the GP (that’s general public, folks), followed by a Q&A session with a real critic or filmmaker. The fun is that you don’t know what you’re watching until you get there – it could be anything from About Schmidt to Zus & Zo. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., so grab a drink at the bar beforehand. Afterward, get a late bite at Taco Diner or a scoop of tiramisu gelato at Paciugo. www.talkcinema.com or www.magpictures.com.
A is for Addison
No matter what’s on the playbill, WaterTower Theatre doesn’t disappoint. Under the tutelage of producing artistic director Terry Martin, this theater company has received accolades and much-deserved public attention. This month, David Sedaris fans rejoice in the return of Santaland Diaries; in January, the much-anticipated Spitfire Grill debuts; and the edgy Out of the Loop festival happens in March 2004. While you’re in Addison Circle, a little Thai at Royal Spice is nice, or take a trip around the world at Avanti Euro Bistro. WaterTower Theatre, www.watertowertheatre.com;
Latin Love
Nothing says lovin’ like something from a Latin oven, and nobody does it better than Dunia and Espartaco Borga at La Duni Latin Cafe. Start with a handcrushed lime margarita, and, after devouring a Cuban sandwich or Venezuelan arepa, finish with a decadent slice of cuatro leches cake. Pay the bill and head to the recently opened Latino Cultural Center designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legoretta. The building hosts a 300-seat theatre (Teatre Dallas performs here), gallery, artist workspaces, and a grand plaza for celebrations. Exhibits and performance art, such as festive folkloric dancing or traditional Latin American music, rotate periodically.
