Refined and Dined: 18th & Vine BBQ

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Walking up to a charming, homey building on Maple Ave, I am struck with compelling sensory overload. From a crackling pit just outside the door of the restaurant flows and even more exciting smell of pit smoke and meaty goodness. Though the ‘que may hail from Kansas City, this joint is so much a part of Dallas’ restaurant scene. From Pitmaster Matt Dallman and Chef Scott Gottlich comes 18th & Vine BBQ.

Everything about this place says class. From the white shirted wait staff, to the welcoming bookshelves and decor stocked with reminiscent heirloom pieces. Its tough to imagine that I’ll soon be downing some of Dallas’ best bbq, but I welcome the challenge.

Our waiter, Victor, starts us off with a few cocktails. I go with a fresh and well spiked Wood Shed Tequila Martini, my guest decides on the Rhapsody Martini filled with raspberries. Both are quite delicious and strong at that. Martinis in a BBQ spot? I’ll take it! For starting bites we decide on house favorite ‘Burnt Ends’ and pit-fired oysters. The Burnt Ends are as succulent as they are crispy. Sauced to perfection and served along side pickles and red onions, I’d put these up there with the best. The oysters are extremely well seasoned and the topped is creamy and crispy. Textural heaven in a bite!

Our waiter tells us to begin saving room for our main courses as most are quite filling. We adhere to his advice and go with a “Two ‘que plate”, the BBQ Braised Beef Cheek and Pork Chop with BBQ Pork Belly. Boy was I sure glad we listened to him because portion sizes are huge. No complaints here! The brisket and ribs are not to be missed, glistening with moisture and flavor, both pack a great amount of bbq punch. I about found my happy resting place in the form of the creamed spinach side that comes with the beef cheek. Gooey, savory and creamy goodness when paired with the parsnip and Akashi grade beef. Another comforting dish elevated by Chef Gottlich, the pork chop. Served with traditional notes like pit sweet potatoes and granny smith apples, the pork really shone though with a certain elegance and could feed an army.

Decidedly, every BBQ meal I eat must end with something sweet. 18th & Vine has no shortage of dessert game! The fried apple pie served with a sour cream sauce is as devine as it is decadent. Get that with a side of homemade ice cream! Another notable sweet, the seasonal crostada. I know what your thinking, isn’t pastry too fancy for a restaurant serving ribs and burnt ends? That’s where you’re wrong. Get the fig crostada, throw back an Old Fashioned and call it food coma happiness.

*Big thanks to 18th & Vine for having this BBQ lover in!

J.Hilburn Puts Chic Twist on Heritage for Fall

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There are many men’s clothing brands out there who claim to get it. They try to understand what it takes to make a man feel comfortable in his clothes, and fit the pieces so well that it’s as if the dressing process is a dream. I’ve come to appreciate those brands for being a part of the dapper mans wardrobe and daily routine.

​Founded in 2007, J.Hilburn is the world’s fastest-growing luxury men’s brand. Believingtruly custom menswear starts with a personal fitting, and the brand has a growing network of over 3,000 Personal Stylists who are trained and certified to help men create a more personalized wardrobe – from power suits to weekend denim and sweaters – that reflect their own style and character.

I was invited to explore their all-new fall 2015 collection and I couldn’t get enough! From custom shirt fitting to exploration of the brand, the unveiling had it all. The Fall 2015 Collection embraces the brand’s return to its heritage, excellent craftsmanship and personal style. Suits, shirts and trousers are all crafted of fabrics from the finest mills in the world, and are delivered to you at a value that is impossible for traditional retailers to match. The brand has increased their fashion offerings and continues to grow their styling program across the country. The company identified different guys to represent their everyday clothing choices. From Mr. Luxe to Mr. Classic and all iterations in between.

For a truly tailored look on life, J. Hilburn has you covered.

5 Spring Fitness Tips for Active Dallasites

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Before you step out the door, lace on your running shoes or think about working up a sweat, there are some key fitness tips I have in mind for you. These are little bits of healthy knowledge that I wish I would have known before getting my workout on in Dallas.

1. Hit the Trail Early

Whether you are a fan of the Katy, Santa Fe or White Rock Trails, the key to avoiding mass chaos and crowds is to get out there early and get ‘er done. Another plus to beating the rest of the city is also getting the best times and experiencing the coolest weather. Trust me, the temperature is only going to climb and with it the body count of walkers, runners, bikers and everyone else out there trying to get healthy like you.

2. First Class is Free!

Before you fork over the big bucks for a group workout or class based fitness class, be sure to check and see if you can experience the first class for free. With so many new studios popping up all over town, your business is more important than ever. Most fitness studios are willing to give you a sampling of their classes for free and the group situation provides an opportunity to ‘bring a friend’ for free the first time around. Who knows, you might get hooked based on the free class! (My favorite class to try out for first timers is Flywheel!)

3. Show up and be Present

Just like a job or educational class, you oughta be ‘all in’ when you exercise in Dallas. After polling some of Dallas’ top instructors and fitness experts, the number one complaint is the zombie effect. Coming into a workout with no want to be there is just as bad as not showing up. Own your health and when you are hitting the weights or spinning away into the sunset, show some effort.

4. Texas Sun, Drink a Ton

Muggy Clouds, Blazing Sun or somewhere in between. Texas heat takes no prisoners and DFW gets the brunt of the warmer weather each year. Heading into a shaded studio? Hydrate. Going for a quick jog or long run? Hydrate. Walking the dog with your favorite fitness tracker on? Hydrate. Did I mention hydrate?

There are a billion ways to get active in DFW and I certainly didn’t get around to mentioning them all. The moral of the story is making sure that you are aware of what you can do to increase your fitness potential this Spring and into Summer, using some of my favorite tools and tips.

Havana Great Time

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Fried Plantains, Cuban Sandwiches, Cafe con Leche and Ropa Vieja. These 4 food delicacies are the building blocks of the Cuban diet. The greasy pressed sandwiches and strong coffee drinks are staples that deserve to be done right in order to pay true homage to the island nation from which they hail. C. Señor! in Oak Cliff is giving Dallas locals bites of Havana in a perfectly cozy way.

Owners Hal Dantzler and Tony Alvare have filled the limited menu with items that truly transport the diner. On a particularly sunny afternoon, I dined on some of the house favorites and soaked in the international experience. The menu is small — a pressed Cuban sandwich, a beef-and-chorizo burger and three other sandwiches: fried mahi, Portobello, and turkey with cream cheese and jalapeño jam. Any sandwich can be ordered as a taco, too. The stand also serves Cuban coffee and yucca fries, don’t miss those either. I loved the Cubano and Cuban burger when I stopped in and the service is friendly and fast to those who choose to wait at one of the nearby picnic tables.

 

Snap Kitchen Makes Busy Fall Season a Breeze

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You’ve felt the cooler weather, the Pinterest recipes for soups and stews are circulating your group of friends and the cravings hit for the seasons most indulgent food items. Fear not says Snap Kitchen, purveyor of grab and go handcrafted food that supports a commitment to local, organic ingredients and healthy cooking. With the newest location now open in Preston Royal Village in North Dallas, I stopped in to get the low down on keeping committed to healthful eating in the midst of busy season. “Arriving just in time for the busy holiday season, Dallasites can find comfort in knowing they can pick up a healthy, freshly made meal on the go, without compromising on taste or experiencing the post-meal guilt that often comes with dining out.”

Snap Kitchen’s Lead Dietitian and Local Marketing guru Daniel Magoon guided me through the new store and opened my eyes on new ways to stay healthy during the holiday season. With allergen-free friendly options, swap outs for heavier familiar dishes and a plethora of fresh juices to choose from, I felt more comfortable. Daniel led me through the typical Snap Kitchen process for choosing which dishes meet their seasonal savvy approval and how their latest dishes can be a better pick for your next meal. Snap Kitchen provides a quick way to get your meals with a nutritionist at the ready if needed. Fall menu items in Dallas include Moroccan Chicken With Cauliflower “Rice”, Gluten Free Vegetable Lasagna and a Harvest Kale Snack. The flavors of the season are in full effect without the guilt of the heavy calorie count. Now that meals are a ‘snap’, why would you ever choose to go back? You wouldn’t.

Stop in to The Snap Kitchen Preston Royal Village store located at 6025 Royal Lane Suite 314, Dallas, TX 75230 for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and yes even dessert. Hurry up!

Summer Guide to Dallas

Wiping sweat, finding air conditioning and moving happy hour to a shaded spot. It’s Summer in Dallas and the groans and moans of hitting the hot pavement are in full effect. But with a few simple tips from yours truly on how to do Summer the right way, you won’t be sweating a thing.

Summer Cut 

Accredited salon owner Chad Rookstool has been loving on locks for quite some time here in town. Located in Victory Park, his work is ‘shear genius’ amongst those who know what it’s like to sit in his chair. A visit to his salon will have your mane ready take on the hot days of the season and coming back for more. “Chad Rookstool Salon cares about all the details but, even more, we care about how you feel while in the salon chair.”

Cool Down

Alabama based Steel City Pops has invaded DFW just in time for the rising temperatures. Their Dallas location is tucked into the Lower Greenville neighborhood and on any given evening, you’ll find a line out the door of folks looking to grab an ice cold treat. They make their ‘pops’ from all-natural or certified organic ingredients, locally-harvested as well. Choose fruity (Blood Orange, Blueberry Basil, Cantaloupe) or creamy (Avocado, Banana, Buttermilk, etc) and enjoy!

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Shape Up in the Shade

You set that intention to go for an early morning or late evening run or workout when the Summer blaze is set to medium-high, but does it happen? Nope. My solution? Find an indoor endorphin machine that gets your blood pumping without the heatstroke. My picks explore both high intensity and centering balance. Shift into gear in a dark room with Flywheel Sports in Highland Park where the beats pick up and the legs do the same. Another great indoor activity is yoga and the crew at Vital Fitness Downtown Dallas are taking chakra to chic.

Summer Salads 

If you crave a hearty dish in the warmer months of the year like me, I’ve found two go-to solutions for you. The word ‘salad’ scares most people. You think of a scant layering of lettuce, a few veggies and a ‘hey, I need more than that to fill up’ protein scattered on top. Fear not, Dallas. My two recent favorites are going to blow your mind and keep you cool. One of the most underrated restaurants in Dallas in my opinion is Dive Coastal Cuisine in Snider Plaza. Chef/Owner Franchesca Nor brings the beach to our city and puts out plates of seafood love. Next time you’re in, order the Soba Noodle Salad with Seared Ahi Tuna. My second pick comes courtesy of Uno Immanivong and her seasonal Guacamole with Charred Corn. The creamy dip at Chino Chinatown comes paired with wonton chips and a side of me sitting on the Trinity Groves patio inhaling this.

So there you have it, my hot picks to stay cool. Survey says you’ll be tip toeing your way around many a pool and drinking a Texas classic margarita this Summer. If you find yourself in need of a covered haven, take a few notes and let me know how these pan out for you!

Lunch Savvy at Stephan Pyles

The man who built “New Millenium Southwestern Cuisine” has orchestrated a variety of restaurants and concepts in his illustrious career. It’s his signature restaurant, Stephan Pyles, that keeps a twinkle in the north Texas sky. Building on the tastes, flavors, aromas and textures from Texas, South America, Spain, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Pyles creates stunning plate after plate.

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down to a landmark lunch at the restaurant that brought the southwest to Downtown Dallas. An open bar longer than a Texas tall tale greets diners as the dining room opens up to the F.I.G. sided patio. Dallas artist Polly Gissell provided inspiration for the namesake restaurant with desert cactus motif work and Pyles did the rest. The kitchen is open and glass enclosed letting us sneak just a glimpse of the magic going on inside.

You’ll see a good mix of patrons dining about. Mostly business men doing deals over Wood-Fired Flat Iron Steak, Chimichurri, Crispy Crushed Potatoes and House Ricotta. Ladies who lunch are seen sharing their Mary Kay laced beauty secrets paired alongside Local Garden Greens with Really Good Olive Oil, Balsamic & Spanish Sherry Vinegars and Paula’s Deep Ellum Goat’s Cheese. Don’t think you’ve got to be either to take part in the lunchtime culinary adventure at Chef Pyles joint though. Younger set, visitors from out of town and everyone in between flock to dine.

 

Lunch is the perfect opportunity to sample Stephan Pyles without burning a hole in your pocket. A Hickory Grilled Wagyu Beef Hamburger ($14) is elevated but grows more and more familiar with each bite. The “Pork Milanesa Salad” is made up of a Breaded Pork Cutlet atop Local Greens with Candied Pecans, Paula’s Caciotta Cheese, Apples, Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette. It’s a spicy bite that when combined with the cool greens and citrus is a bite that won’t weigh you down for the rest of the day. Seasonal starters like the Tacos del Dia, today happened to be Mahi with Charred Lime, are the south of the border street food you crave taken to the next level. The wood fired market fish, Trout, was crisp and set with a tomato and zucchini pasta salad.

Don’t skip the sweets during your midday meal either. The Pastry department at Stephan Pyles concepts, once headed by Keith Cedotal who now resides at Stampede 66, are experts at their game. During lunch, we were treated to “Black Forest Clafoutis” with Dark Chocolate Custard, Luxardo Cherries, Tequila-Citrus Chantilly and Cherry Ice. Not overly sweet and cut nicely with the cherry flavor, the dessert set nicely alongside a cappuccino to die for. Chocolate and coffee, perfect jolt on both ends.

Do yourself a great favor and treat yourself to a taste of one of Dallas’ finest restaurants and top New Southwestern dining spots. Choose from an inspired selection of sandwiches, salads and main courses specially created for lunch by Chef Pyles and be delighted.

Stephan Pyles

1807 Ross Avenue, Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75201