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Cover Story

The Best of Big D 2006

Our annual roundup of the best of the city.
By D Magazine |

Every year it’s the same old fistfight. How to choose the “best” in a city that’s way more full of superlatives than we’d like to admit. Okay, Dallas isn’t known for being modest, or it would be “Fairly Big D.” But when it comes to what makes a town without beaches, mountains, or—so far—an NBA champion livable, we say we haven’t even begun to strut. Thus the annual dilemma/barroom brawl over what’s best of the best—from donut shops to dog sitters—and what’s merely better than anything in Austin or Houston. Sure, we’re choosy. But after more than three decades picking winners, we know what we like. We like the best.

BEST FRIENDLY ART DEALER

David Dike Fine Art

Forget the cowboy hat, the spurs, the big hair. Decorate your home with true Texas flair from David Dike Fine Art. He has a collection of oils, watercolors, and sculptures from Lone Star artists such as Jon Flaming, William Young, Randy Bacon, and Michael Cangemi. The gallery is also a great stop for new collectors, because Dike urges clients to “take their chosen artwork home and live with it” before it’s purchased. Awfully Texan of him. 2613 Fairmount St. 214-720-4044


BEST MEAN, DEAD LESBIAN IN A PLAY

Tina Parker

Kitchen Dog Theater’s co-artistic director Tina Parker sometimes farms out her formidable talents. When she played Inez, the “damned bitch” in Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit, for Classical Acting Company in Richardson, she was the best argument since Dante for staying out of hell. She’s also a terrific director, and nobody anywhere gives a better curtain speech. Her “howdy, howdy, howdy” (pronounced hidey, hidey, hidey)—is she making fun of Texas or not?—pulls in the audience for the craziest thing there is: live theater. 214-953-1055.


BEST BRITISH ACCENT

Emily Gray

Not only do she and her husband Matthew run one of the best theaters in town, Classical Acting Company, but British-born Emily Gray puts her voice—more Julie Andrews than Judi Dench—to use narrating books by Nancy Springer, Sophie Kinsella, Jasper Fforde, and others for Recorded Books (more than 15 by now), for which she’s won awards. Last year at the Leon Rabin Awards, the presenters asked her to read a list—just to make it sound better. 214-505-1655.


BEST COMPOSURE WHILE ACTING IN THE NUDE

Ian Leson and Diane Worman

Everybody made a big deal of the locker room scenes in Take Me Out at WaterTower Theatre earlier this summer. But that was nothing next to what Ian Leson and Diane Worman had to do in Tracy Letts’ Bug. For a whole, long scene, they were buck naked. Not only that, but they were beset with imaginary bugs—the kind implanted by the government. And they didn’t miss a line despite what the audience was looking at. That’s concentration.


BEST TAN IN A BOTTLE

Xen-Tan

Bronzing can go very wrong when you do it at home, by yourself. But locally based Xen-Tan makes it easy. Exfoliate and apply either the mousse or lotion to your skin, and you’ll get a natural, sun-kissed glow. A favorite among celebrities, local beauty Mattie Roberts even touts the product as “the best self-tanner I have found.” Bonus: the fresh almond scent means no stinky stench like other sunless tanners. Cost: $22-$39 per bottle. Available locally at Nordstrom. 972-473-9003


BEST USE OF COOKIES AND ICE CREAM

Pokey O’s

Except for the decision paralysis that occurs upon entering Pokey O’s, we are positively giddy about the prospect of pairing one of 14 types of cookies (milk chocolate chip, vanilla sugar, whole grain oatmeal, cinnamon, raisin, peanut chip, and the like) with one of 15 types of Blue Bell ice cream (mint chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, pralines and cream, and more) to create the ultimate, waistline-enhancing sweet treat. Better still, each sandwich only sets you back two bucks. You can’t beat it on a hot summer day. Although you’ll need to wait at least 30 minutes before swimming. 3034 Mockingbird Ln. 214-987-1200.


BEST SPECIALTY DRY CLEANER

Fosters Fine Cleaners

For those soiree evenings when things get, um, a little sloppy, the fine folks at Fosters will rescue your gown (or tux) from certain ruin. Yes, it will take awhile, but that’s because owner Amim Visram, trusted by the stores in Highland Park Village, is a perfectionist. He removes the stains by hand and, if necessary, will hand wash your entire garment. He recently saved a beaded Calvin Klein number for us (grease was the culprit) and an Art Ball frock that had seen a little too much action (from cocktails, Mr. Dirty Thoughts!). If Visram can’t get it out, he’ll tell you. And if he can’t, no one can. 4931 W. Lovers Ln. 214-350-6626


BEST MUSEUM STORE

Nasher Sculpture Center

Unlike most museum shops that carry an assortment of postcards, prints, and art books, the store at the Nasher is a destination unto itself. Thank Dana Mullins for that. Ray Nasher chose the former Neiman Marcus gal for her vision and experience in selecting pieces that are, as Mullins describes, a “little off-center and interesting.” Take the one-of-a-kind carved wooden jewelry from Hungary, the wooden wall hangings made from recycled ship hulls, the beautifully crocheted stuffed animals for kids. “I believe that art and design go hand in hand and therefore pay close attention to purity and detail,” Mullins says. Many of the pieces you’ll find at the Nasher aren’t available elsewhere in Dallas. 2001 Flora St. 214-242-5100.


BEST VINO VALUE

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

You might not think $27,000 for a bottle of 1847 Château d’Yquem is a bargain. But Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is actually offering the investment opportunity of a lifetime. A bottle of the 1847 was recently auctioned in Beverly Hills for $71,675. The vintage is considered one of the finest in the chateau’s 300-year history. But don’t fret if you don’t have the $27K. Pappas Bros. has 1989 Château d’Yquem for just $50 a glass. It is lick-your-lips delicious. 10477 Lombardy Ln. 214-366-2000


BEST PLACE TO LOSE $20

Nellies Sports Bar

Despite what the bad punctuation might suggest, there is only one Nellie, aka Don Nelson. And the former Mavericks coach can almost always be found at his namesake bar (at least, when he’s not chilling at his home in Hawaii). People have been known to ride a bus to this comfortable, blue-collar South Side establishment just to meet the man and shake his hand. He’s always accommodating. And that goes for shuffleboard, too. Nellie will take on all comers. But be warned: he won’t play unless there’s money on the line, and he doesn’t often lose. 1135 S. Lamar St. 214-428-4545


BEST SPA AND SNACKS

Solaré Day Spa and Cafe

Named after Native American healer Maria Solares, great-great-grandmother of owners Rosanne Best and Vincent Manguray, Solaré is serenity in Frisco. Here you can indulge in a Surf & Sand Body Scrub or a hot stone facial, followed by sweet potato fries and a crab melt, the latter declared “better than sex” by a Solaré regular. All of it can be enjoyed in the privacy of the dining room for spa guests or out in the sunny, cheery cafe. Try the pismo pumpkin waffle there, made with spiced puréed pumpkin and topped with pumpkin seeds, before stripping down for your restorative massage. Serenity now, indeed. 4851 Legacy Dr., Ste. 606, Frisco. 972-712-3030.


BEST GRASS SEATS

Frisco RoughRiders @ Dr Pepper Ballpark

Considering the team’s record, there’s a better chance of being hit by a kid rolling down the grassy 30-degree incline than catching a bomb hit by the home team. But bring a thick blanket and enjoy the view of the clubhouse, which looks more Nantucket than Wild West. Concessions go beyond the normal hot dog: the food is tasty, there’s a lot of beer, and they even have a swimming pool past the outfield wall. If Walt Disney designed a ballpark, this would be it. 7300 RoughRiders Tr., Frisco. 972-731-9200


BEST STREAM FOR A SPLASH

Dallas Zoo’s Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo

So you have a little darling. Every time you dare to leave the house with little darling in tow, you are forced to pack approximately 100,000 items. And it’s only natural that swim diapers and beach towels likely don’t make the list for a day at the Dallas Zoo. Rethink that. When your toddler catches sight of the very cool Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Foundation Stream, located across from the zoo’s restaurant, there won’t be a dry bum in the house. 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy. 214-670-6826


BEST JAZZ AND JUICE

LightCatcher Winery

Yes, North Texas produces decent wine—even delicious wine. But LightCatcher is the greatest of the grapes. Its 2002 Merlot—plump with black cherry and almond notes—was the Texas Grand Champion at the Saveur Texas Hill Country Food & Wine Festival. But what really gets our juices flowing is the Fort Worth winery’s Jazz Sundays. Once a month you can sip wine, snack on a light buffet, and sway to live jazz on LightCatcher’s terrace for a mere $10. 6925 Confederate Park Rd. (FM 1886), Fort Worth. 817-237-2626


BEST URBAN IN SUBURBIA

The Shops at Legacy

Always dreamed of shopping downtown without the parking hassles and hobos? Your squeaky-clean urban utopia is right off the Tollway. Brick sidewalks and oak trees wired with ambient jazz will make you forget you’re in the middle of Plano’s corporate campuses. The upscale shops and restaurants face each other across narrow streets, so there’s more shopping and less walking. Drink with chic locals at Crú, or do lunch at the trendy Taco Diner. 7200 Bishop Rd., Plano. 214-473-9700


BEST DOWNTOWN KID OASIS

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

It’s not just the chain bookstores that have what in the days of yore were known as kiddie corrals—stalls in grocery stores where children read comic books while their parents shopped. At the Dallas Central Library, a big chunk of the second floor is devoted to kids who aspire to be both literate and fun. Who doesn’t? Cool in the summer and warm in winter, the spacious rec ’n’ read area has storytime, kid videos, computer terminals, and lots of books that—gasp!—can be checked out, not purchased. Kids-only restrooms are a thoughtful extra. And cheap parking under the library (weekend maximum $3) eliminates any anxieties about access. 1515 Young St. 214-670-1400.


Meal Deals

You’re probably familiar with the Feed Me, Wine Me dinner—$45 per person for food, $70 when paired with great wines—offered every night at the Green Room (2715 Elm St., 214-748-7666). But do you know about Wine Me Wednesdays? Chef Colleen O’Hare offers a tapas-style menu that owner and oenophile Whit Meyers pairs with $3 wines from his stellar cellar.

Things are always hoping at Watel’s Allen Street Cottage (2207 Allen St., 214-720-0323). If he isn’t booking live music, owner René Peeters is putting together an eclectically French five-course dinner—usually on Wednesday and Thursday night—paired with wine for $59 per person. Think couscous and sliced duck, arugula and spinach salad, and a choice of veal or filet mignon followed by chocolate truffles.

If you’re lucky enough to live around the corner from 62 Main (62 Main St., 817-605-0858) in Colleyville, or have the energy to make the drive, the kitchen puts out a deliciously fresh, market-driven, four-course menu Tuesday through Thursday for a fixed price of $62 ($20 more to pair with wine). Don’t be surprised to see runners dashing across the street to the Colleyville Farmers Market for produce.

Country French ambience and a dining room with a view make Cacharel (2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington., 817-640-9981) a great destination. The restaurant offers a price-friendly, three-course meal—any appetizer, entrée, or dessert—from the menu and the staff will pair your choices with wine for an additional cost.

We love eating with our fingers, and at Queen of Sheba (14875 Inwood Rd., Addison., 972-980-9450) we gladly order the Ethiopian delights on the Queen’s Dinner. For only $30 you’ll be showered with an appetizer, entrée, dessert, wine, aperitif, and a pre-dinner hand-washing ceremony.

St. Martin’s Wine Bistro (3020 Greenville Ave., 214-826-0940) presents a wine pairing dinner for a week each month. It’s no wonder that the week is usually extended—four courses with four full glasses of wine for only $39.95 per person. Heck, you can barely order four glasses of wine for that.

BEST USE OF AN AVOCADO

Taco Diner

Taco Diner’s Los Cabos salad is a nasty (in a good way) Southwestern version of a Cobb salad. And when we need a fix of the lush, buttery flavor of avocado, we feast on the thinly sliced lettuce tossed with applewood-smoked bacon, tomato, chopped egg, blue-veined cheese, and chicken, slathered in Southwestern-style dressing and spiked with chipotle, paprika, cayenne, cumin, and chili powder. Other toppings notwithstanding, the salad has enough avocado to make the whole thing radiate with neon green goodness. 4011 Villanova St. 214-696-4944. Multiple locations


BEST EYE OPENER

Deborah A. Draper

Deborah Draper thinks everyone should have access to decent eyelashes. So the licensed aesthetician learned the art of eyelash extension, in which a client chooses an extension length (glamour or active), and Draper glues an extension to each and every eyelash. The procedure takes about two hours in her Dallas home. Clients return two weeks later to get a state of the union appraisal and replacement lashes if needed. And lest you think this service is for the ladies, let it be known that Draper boasts a male client. 214-349-7822


BEST PET PEACE OF MIND

Debbie’s TLC

The thing that Debbie Coffman’s clients notice is how apt she is to drop to the ground and nuzzle Benji—-and then arrange a play date with him. That’s because she is the city’s best pet-sitter. Maybe your cat Morris has a penchant for car rides. Coffman’s happy to chauffeur. She’ll also call and e-mail with reports of your fish, cats, dogs, birds, tropical fish, and shrimp (seriously). And if you’re merely having a long day at the office and can’t possibly let the dog out, she’ll pop in and offer the pooch some relief. No need for reservations nor extra charge for that if you’re a regular. 214-394-3915


BEST SURVIVAL TRAINING FOR A 2-YEAR-OLD

Patti Small

Patti Small won’t teach your toddler how to win swim meets. But Small will teach her just enough to save her own life if, God forbid, the little one falls into a pool in the split second you look away. Small has a one-on-one class that lasts 10 minutes per session. Kids learn to flip on their backs and float until help is on the way. It’s 10 minutes well spent. Call to arrange lessons. 214-243-3100


BEST CLOSE SHAVE

The Boardroom Salon

The best-kept secret in Southlake, the Boardroom Salon, allows men to be men. Think free beer, comfy leather chairs, and a pool table. And straight-razor shaves. Ask for Sonya McMillan and lie back as she foams you up, ties the towel around your neck, and works her magic until your skin is as soft as the day you were born. If it’s your first straight-razor shave, be prepared for it to hurt a little. Just don’t tell anyone. You are a man, after all. 1260 Main St., Southlake. 817-251-9600.


BEST CRIME-FIGHTING MECHANIC

Clay Hansard

We’ve all seen enough Dateline NBC to know that in addition to online predators, there are dishonest mechanics in our midst. Clay Hansard of Inwood Motors is not one of them. He has consulted for both the DA and the police department in their efforts to bust dishonest mechanics. As a result, Hansard has amassed a clientele who pretty much gives him carte blanche with regard to car care. And while you can say that about a lot of mechanics, how many of them fight crime in their spare time? 5215 Newmore Ave. 214-352-7884


BEST SHOW-SEEING PLACE

Granada Theater

For 70 years, the Granada Theater has housed the hippest entertainment in the city. That’s not easy. But it’s not hard to see why it has succeeded, with acts such as Mingo Fishtrap, Amos Lee, and Bob Schneider. If you’re lucky enough, and if you get to the show early enough, you can get close enough to see every facial expression, every bead of sweat. You can almost smell the beer on the artist’s breath. Or maybe that’s just the patrons. 3524 Greenville Ave. 214-824-9933


BEST CALL AFTER ONE TOO MANY

Wingman Designated Driver Service

If you’re too drunk to drive, don’t call a cab. Call Wingman. For a $15 pick-up fee, a Wingman driver comes to the party or bar. He’s on a moped. It folds into your car, in which the Wingman driver takes you home. It costs $2 for every mile driven, but if you live in Dallas, that’s cheaper than a cab ride home. You wake up in the morning—hung over, yes, but with your car in the driveway and no DUI on your record. 214-965-0808


BEST SHOP FOR HARD-TO-GET-SNEAKERS

Passport Exhibit Gallery

This is the store where sneaker meets art. Or rather, the sneaker becomes art. You’ll find Miami Vice themed Reebok Pumps here, non-rubber soled shoes from boutiques like Posture Magnetic, and exclusive pieces from We Are the Superlative Conspiracy. Passport’s stuff is usually only found in boutiques in New York, Hong Kong, and London. But owner Brian Erickson is a Dallasite, so he set up shop here. 3112 Swiss Ave. 214-443-5190


BEST PRIME RIB

Jasper’s

Everybody knows that Kent Rathbun knows how to shoot a lobster. But did you know that the prime rib he cooks at Jasper’s is the best in town? This isn’t your grandmother’s Sunday supper oven-roasted variety. The chefs roast the meat long and slow over hickory and oak at a low temperature. The result is a gentle smoky pink meat so tender the knife becomes superfluous. Shops at Legacy, 7161 Bishop Rd., Ste. G-1, Plano. 469-229-9111


BEST PLACE TO TESTIFY AND GET A CAR WASH

Quality First Car Wash & Detail

Owner Doug Jessie is a former Baptist minister now operating the best car wash in town. He and his crew come to you. They wash, vacuum, even detail your car—and they do it in your garage. You don’t drive anywhere. Jessie’s clients are a loyal lot, and he is in return. The reverend’s been known to visit hospitals when his customers fall ill. Try getting that sort of appreciation from the quarter machine. Call for appointment. 972-814-6614


BEST USE OF TOFU

Cosmic Cafe

Veg-heads near and far descend on this Indian restaurant. While you may ponder the mystery of what exactly comprises tofu (extract from soybeans), one bite of Cosmic Cafe’s curried tofu and spinach dish—sautéed with cumin, turmeric, and black pepper—and you’ll declare it the best thing to happen to America since the Beatles buddied up with Ravi Shankar. You can order the tofu à la carte or as part of another entrée, such as the Buddhas Delight. The best part: no cows are hurt in the making. 2912 Oak Lawn Ave. 214-521-6157


BEST LOCAL NUT

The Squirrel Brand

The best peanuts in town have to be the spicy Five Pepper Kettle Roasted Peanuts from the Squirrel Brand in McKinney. Owner Brent Meyer is, well, nuts about his nine types of small batch-roasted goodness, cooked in hot peanut oil. The result is a nut that is seared on the outside and creamy on the inside. He’s got peanuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, and at press time was developing a crème brûlée almond. And artisan peanut butter. We know. It’s, um—well “crazy” isn’t the word we’re looking for. 877-463-0100.


BEST CHEF

Avner Samuel

For 26 years, Avner Samuel has been making headlines from kitchens all over Dallas. Some for his innovative and tasty creations; others for his stubborn and sometimes flaky personality. For three years he’s toiled to put Aurora into the category of fine European-style dining. And with all due respect to our other celebrity chefs, Avner has been the only one to push the envelope. Or the rabbit. Or the live scallops. He elevates our sophistication by encouraging us to try new dishes—dishes you’ll find nowhere else in town. Twice a year he hits three-star Michelin restaurants in Paris and brings ideas home. For all his quirks and quips, Avner is as close as we get to a Michelin-type chef auteur. 4216 Oak Lawn Ave. 214-528-9400


BEST SCREW-UP COMPANY

Dallas Light Bulb Delivery and Victory Lighting Services Inc.

How many electrical companies does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two, and probably three technicians. But it’s worth it. If you’ve got a chandelier with a gazillion hard-to-find bulbs, Dallas Light Bulb Delivery will find the product. They’ll deliver them for free. They’ll even keep them in stock when those bulbs burn out in seven or so years. But after they’ve arrived on your doorstep, the light bulb gurus can’t screw them in for you (damn those OSHA restrictions). Instead, electricians from Victory Lighting Services Inc., under the same management as Dallas Light Bulb Delivery, will be out in a flash to twist your bulb. 2505 Willowbrook Rd. 972-241-2852 (Dallas Light Bulb Delivery) and 214-349-7979 (Victory Lighting Services Inc.)


BEST HOMEGROWN NEIGHBORHOOD CAFE

The Garden Cafe

The breakfasts boast sweet potato pancakes and build-your-own omelets. They vie for popularity with a daily lunch menu of East Texas-style favorites ranging from Mom’s meatloaf to chicken and dumplings. But what draws the crowds of lawyers, politicians, church groups, and locals from Old East Dallas is the ultra-fresh produce. In back of the hip cafe—with quarterly poetry nights—on Junius Square is a garden filled with corn, okra, peppers, squash, onions, basil, and whatever else makes for home cookin’, city style. Addictive and healthy—perfect vice. And dogs are allowed. 5310 Junius St. 214-887-8330


BEST CHEAP DATE

The Reel Deal

Dinner and a movie always sounds like a smart idea. Seventy-five to 100 bucks later, it is not. The kind (and frugal) folks at Mockingbird Station have a remedy. Start the night at Spike Global Grill munching on a fresh mint basil salad, tapas dinner plates, and a gelato dessert. Then proceed to the Angelika Film Center and catch the indie flick of your choice. The price tag? Only $22.95 a person, including movie tickets. The money saved can be spent on something else, like, say, a ring. 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln. 214-828-2229


BEST SALE

FIG Finale

We love high fashion. Our checkbooks do not. So when we heard Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG) marked down pieces, twice a year, at 75 percent off, from some of the best boutiques in town (Forty Five Ten, Premium 93, Krimson & Klover, and Tootsies), we put on our half-price Jimmy Choos, paid the $10 entry fee, and piled up on designer threads. Like, designer names you see in Vogue that you can’t afford. You’re in luck: the next sale is August 25 and 26. 1807 Ross Ave. 214-748-4344


BEST RIBS

Odom’s BBQ

Sonny Bryan’s fans, lay down your arms. Your day in the sun is done. The meaty, two-fisted ribs at Odom’s BBQ in West Dallas reign supreme. They’re smoked to a tender, flake-off-the-bone texture and slathered in a slightly sweet hickory-scented sauce. Odom’s serves the usual sides, coleslaw and potato salad, but they also dish up a mean sweet potato pie, lima beans, and collard greens. Don’t leave without at least taking a bite of the homemade spice cake with caramel icing. Once home, you’ll need a Tums. 1971 Singleton Blvd. 214-631-3538


BEST PLACE TO GO AFTER THE BARS CLOSE

Cuquita’s

Don’t let another after-hours consist of Natty Light and questionable Chinese food. Instead, party it up at Cuquitas with a mariachi band while downing inexpensive and authentic Mexican cuisine, such as huevos con chorizo, tacos de barbacoa, and chiles rellenos. Located between party streets Henderson and Greenville, it’s the perfect stop for singles. There’s no need to rush: on Friday and Saturday, you have until 4 am to eat your fill and get that hottie’s phone number. 2326 N. Henderson Ave. 214-823-1859


Where to Buy a Used Car

For used luxury cars, hands down, it’s Texas Cars Direct. The leading seller of used Jaguars in the country, its web site, www.texascarsdirect.com, is always up to date with great descriptions and ample pictures. You’ll also find a good supply of used Beemers, Benzes, and Land Rovers.

For used sports cars, you’ll find a big-kids toy store at J. Andretti Motors on Oak Lawn (www.jandrettimotors.com), with a huge selection of used Ferraris, Porsches, Bentleys, Maseratis, and an occasional Rolls-Royce. This dealership is without peer.

If it’s hard-to-find vehicles, boats, and RVs you’re after, well, many franchised new car dealers call Pete Conley at PC Auto Concepts when trading for cars. Since 1996, PC Auto Concepts has had a reputation for stocking hard-to-find used cars, boats, motor homes, and motorcycles.

Corvettes of Dallas has the largest showroom of used Corvettes in town. Whether you want a 2006 or a classic 1963 Stingray, Corvettes of Dallas, off, ironically, I-35 in Carrollton, will have your car in stock or know where to get it. Its website, has a slideshow link so you can shop from home.

Big Tex Auto Sales in Garland has tried to change the face of “buy here, pay here” car lots. Owner Jim Campbell is a man of integrity who understands if you sell a used car to someone who has had credit issues, and you stand behind that car, you’ll have a customer for life. There are a lot of used car dealerships that prey on the credit-challenged, but Jim is one of the good guys. —Jerry Reynolds, host of The Jerry Reynolds Auto Advice Show on WBAP 820 AM


BEST CINEMATIC HOTEL BAR

BarBelmont

This mod hotel sits on a landscaped stone bluff in Oak Cliff, making it a destination stop for those living on the other side of I-30. Order the Belmontini—a pomegranate martini with a splash of champagne—and take in the ever-rising and always shiny view of downtown. Every other Tuesday there’s “B” Reel at the Belmont—cult classics by the pool and cheap drinks at the bar: $3 beers and $4 wine. Heck, why not get a room and stay awhile? 901 Fort Worth Ave. 866-870-8010.


BEST SUMMER WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

Crime Solving 102

Last summer, our 6-year-old took this week-long class at the Science Place (now the Museum of Nature and Science), and he loved it. Every day was like a new episode of CSI, with the kiddo studying a different simulated crime scene and learning how cops catch bad guys. Every evening, dinnertime conversation was given over to discussing the latest developments in the forensic arts. And the best part: the kiddo got a crime-solving kit. A month after the class ended, he was still dusting our house for fingerprints. 1318 S. Second Ave. 214-428-5555.


BEST USE OF WAX

Wik Candles

Husband and wife Ron and Christy Sineni spent two years talking to candle enthusiasts before opening their store. They received hundreds of opinions about scent, jar shape, wick size, wax style, and color. From that top-secret data, the perfect long-burning, aroma-rich candle—available in 32 scents, such as Baby Powder, Beach Bum, and Campfire—was born. Take a trip to Wik and passionate Ron will teach you a thing or two, including how to trim the wick for your candle’s purpose and how to purchase the right one to fill the size of your room. 105 1/2 W. Hickory St., Denton. 940-243-4432. www.wikcandle.com


BEST REASON TO BUY OLD STUFF

Dolly Python

This store doesn’t disappoint. From clothing to jewelry to antiques and knickknacks, Dolly Python is the shack to hit when hunting for the rare and hard-to-find, for yourself and your home. If you’re looking for something old yet, you know, new and cool, the regularly restocked selection of vintage necklaces and cowboy boots will delight. But among all these are some more current items, too, like graphic tees by Tom Foolery and handbags by Naomi Stewart. Way better than whatever you’d find at Goodwill. 1916 N. Haskell Ave. 214-887-3434


BEST JAPANESE MAPLES

Metro Maples

A good nursery might have 20 or so varieties of Japanese maples in stock. When we recently checked in with Keith Johansson at Metro Maples, he had 68. He’s got about 14,000 trees, from 1-gallon Coonora pygmies to 45-gallon Beni Kawas. In fact, Johansson says he’s got the best selection of Japanese maples in a five-state area, and we’re in no position to argue. Pay him a visit and ask him to tell you about what he calls “the Maple Wars of 2000.” Just plan to do it on a Saturday, the only day he’s open to the public. 4890 S. Dick Price Rd., Fort Worth. 817-797-3419.


BEST CHERRY LIMEADE

JD’s Chippery

You know when you’re slurping down a cherry limeade and there’s something making you pucker? The gals at JD’s swear their special syrup—made from scratch with special cherries from Terrell—has the perfect amount of tang to create that authentic, not-too-sweet cherry taste. The limes add a hint of sour, and a secret concoction of sugar, lemon, and water finishes off the rest. But the best part is the perfectly sized crushed ice. It keeps the limeade chilled without watering it down and makes for a great crunchy snack finale, soaked in syrup. Snider Plaza, 6601 Hillcrest Ave. 214-363-2038


BEST BOWLING AND BEER

Jupiter Lanes

Forget about those impersonal bowling megaplexes with more than 100 lanes. Jupiter has 24, making it one of the smallest, homiest, and oldest—the place opened in ’57—bowling alleys around. Bumper bowling was invented here, and, cooler still, if you go on a Thursday evening, you’ll pay a $5 cover, $1 for shoes, $1 per game, and $1 for a 10-ounce beer. And if you order a pitcher, it comes with a frozen core that keeps it cold till you drain it. 11336 Jupiter Rd. 214-328-3266


BEST NEW BOUTIQUE FOR BABIES

Baby Bliss

A new addition has arrived at Snider Plaza, our favorite haunt for moms and babies. Baby Bliss is a specialty shop filled with hard-to-find items: Bugaboo strollers, Nurseryworks custom cribs, Dwell Baby bedding, and Charlie Rocket tees. Proprietors and parents Carrie and Clark Barnard constantly scour and stock the shop with the latest and greatest in innovative baby gear. If it’s style you want,  this is your spot. But, of course, you must pay for that style. Prices range from $9 for a pacifier pod to $780 for a Bugaboo. 6719 Snider Plaza. 469-232-9420


BEST MOTORMOUTH

Mark Followill

When it comes to play-by-play men, Brad Sham is true greatness. But Sham does football, a game in which the players regularly stand around and discuss what they’re going to do next. NBA action, by contrast, is unrelenting, and Followill describes it like no other—especially when he gets to work radio, unencumbered by television’s images. He’s quick. He’s cliché-free. He’s witty. In game one in the Phoenix series, Devin Harris drove, was fouled, and scored, “proving he’s all growns up,” Followill said, not stopping to pat himself on the back for the Swingers reference.


BEST SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Marlo’s House

Laura and Mark Petryk say their Mennonite restaurant is the only one in North Texas. We believe them because we haven’t come across a kitchen yet that serves holubschi (whatever that is). However, we do know shortbread: the sinfully simple, butter-rich cookie. And we declare that Marlo’s House makes the best around. Unlike common shortbread cookies that are dense and crumbly, these thin, crisp jewels—pardon the cliché—melt in your mouth. We’re sure those God-fearing Mennonites didn’t mean to create such a sinful dessert. But praise Jesus they did. 1456 Belt Line Rd., Ste. 120, Garland. 972-530-0912. www.marloshouse.com


BEST BUSINESS COLUMNIST

Mitchell Schnurman

Here is what the judges said about the Star-Telegram writer when he won the “Best in Business” award earlier this summer from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers: “When he grabs hold of something, you get the sense that he’s not going to let it go. Well-researched, well-written columns that have both a sense of outrage and a sense of fun.” That and a sense of fearlessness. Railing on American Airlines and the Wright Amendment when his paper’s editorial board supports both, criticizing the paper’s corporate owners, defending Exxon Mobil chief Lee Raymond’s outsized pay—Schnurman has brass ones. And his city is better for it. www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/columnists/mitch_schnurman


BEST GIFT SHOP

Napa Home

In one short year, this Austin transplant has entrenched itself as the gift shop in Dallas. Owners Randolph Phillips and Julia Elam have a smart, tailored inventory of affordable treasures perfect for any occasion. Olive oils for the epicure. China for the bride. Tomes for the bibliophile. And, thankfully, not a chintzy picture frame to be found. 4012 Oak Lawn Ave. 214-520-4880. www.napahometx.com


BEST POULTRY RUBDOWN

Marco Pollo Rotisserie

You might know owner A. Jack Ekhtiar from his successful Avanti restaurants: great Mediterranean fare with gourmet flair. But if you haven’t tasted Ekhtiar’s Peruvian rotisserie chicken, you’re missing the most succulent bird in town. At Marco Pollo, his casual Frisco eatery, Ekhtiar bathes his organic poultry in white wine vinegar, hand rubs it in lemon, then marinates it in his special South American nine-spice blend. Roasted over charcoal, the meat is tender and the skin is crispy, peppery, and worth every gram of fat. 3685 Preston Rd., Ste. 109, Frisco. 972-335-6680


BEST LATTE WITH YOUR LABRADOR

The Pooch Patio

This Oak Lawn dog haunt puts the “full” in full-service canine care. Self-serve grooming facilities, doggie day care, “Ulti-Mutt” party packages (insert groan here), and a bark-worthy retail boutique are enough to get the limpest tail wagging. But we really love how the Pooch Patio treats its non-butt-sniffing clientele, providing outdoor decks and patios for parent and pooch to hang out, have a beer or an espresso—the parent, not the dog—and debate the merits of organic kibble over dried pigs ears. (Come on, like you have to ask.) 3811 Fairmount St. 214-252-1550


BEST SOLE SEARCHING

Rocío Ildemaro

Local Venezuelan vixen Rocio Ildemaro—“Rosie” to her customers and friends —knows a little something about shoes. Not only do her custom-made beauties look fabulous, but they feel it, too. Every pair has a special foot cast and, from start to finish, she’ll help you design the exact shoe you want. Oh, and the best part? She’ll come to you, and do everything at your home. Forget Cinderella. We’ve found our own fairy godmother. 214-325-9310


BEST CONDIMENT

Spiceitup! Jalapeño Ketchup

As a college student, Ben Drum was in a West Texas chicken joint when he accidentally dipped a jalapeño in ketchup. Magic! He made a whole batch in his mobile home, and a taste sensation was born. Today, Drum runs the Jalapeño Ketchup Company in Richardson. Jake’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers serves the spicy stuff as a perfect complement to its crispy tots. If you’re lucky, your local grocer carries it. Or you can go right to the source. 400 N. Bowser Rd., Richardson. 972-889-888.


BEST VODKA WITH A VIEW

Ghostbar

Like moths to a flame, we can’t stay away from this luminescent—thanks to all those mirrored surfaces and LED crystals—lounge on the 33rd floor of the W Dallas Victory Hotel & Residences. The skyline (try to ignore all those cranes) sparkles through the floor-to-ceiling windows—a view rivaled only by the pretty patrons perched inside. Dallas is the third city to get a Ghostbar (the other two are in Chicago and Las Vegas), and, as you might expect, we’re paying for the privilege. Cover charge is $10 Sunday through Thursday and $20 on the weekends. But glamour doesn’t come cheap, baby. 2440 Victory Park Ln., 33rd floor. 214-720-9909


BEST HOUSE CALL

That’s Sweet

This skinny cook can cook. That’s Sweet, a homemade cookie company, is owned by model Amy Mueller, who creates divine cookies in eight varieties, including sugar, peanut butter, M&M, and milk chocolate chip. The cookies are adorably boxed and delivered to the address of your choice, along with old-school cartons of milk (for an additional charge). But make no mistake—Mueller is a fashion model after all—she’s keeping her eye on the bottom line. Instead of the traditional dozen, you buy her cookies in eights. 214-642-6373.


BEST REASON NOT TO CALL THE BABYSITTER

Harkins Southlake 14

Instead of paying a teenager to watch your kid, get the munchkin out of the house and to the movies. Date night with the little one may sound nuts, but for a small fee, CPR-certified pros will entertain him in the theater’s playroom while you watch a film of your choosing (finally). The PlayCenter gives kids popcorn and water, and parents get a vibrating pager in case of  emergency. 1450 Plaza Pl., Southlake. 817-310-0345


The Best Bands to See Live

These guys don’t want much. Just to entertain you and maybe, after the show, have enough money left over for tacos. In any case it’s money well-spent: our city’s stages have given rise to everything from Edie Brickell to Pantera to the Polyphonic Spree, and our music scene remains robust and varied. As for the acts to see today, the first should be Salim Nourallah, Dallas’ finest songwriter. He sings introspective songs, with a grit-and-honey voice and a McCartney-pop ear. His shows are a perfect reintroduction to live music if you’ve been away, each a tender communion between audience and performer.

Your second show should be Pleasant Grove. Organic, meandering, and capable of surprising energy, Pleasant Grove can be Dallas’ best live band, building their ambient-country-rock thing one emotion at a time until it swells to startling, satisfying heights. Next, imagine what high school could have been if you were much cooler.

The Strange Boys’ songs are incomprehensible, furious, and short, their show a punk rock vindication for everyone betrayed when they heard Iggy Pop in a cruise-line commercial.

To keep your fists pumping, pay for the privilege to see swaggering and cocksure Rose County Fair. Big songs with big hooks, Rose County Fair’s music melds roots and rock like an alt-country Alex Chilton.

Finally, hand over $10 at the door for The Happy Bullets. Waltzing, stomping, hooting, and hollering, the Happy Bullets are a joyful cacophony of horns and guitars, an upbeat Sgt. Pepper’s/Magical Mystery Tour of sound. Photos: Dike, Followill, Schnurman and Mueller: Dan Sellers; Nasher: Courtesy of Nasher Sculpture Center; Jazz, Baseball Player, Preacher, Garden Cafe, Car, Ketchup and Girl: Doug Davis; Sheba, Coffman, Wingman, Salad, Ribs and Chicken: Kevin Hunter Marple; Python, Sho: Elizabeth Lavin; Nourallah: Courtsy of Western Vinyl.

Author

D Magazine

D Magazine

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