March 14, 2012

Last week we had a hankering for some vino, so–obviously–we made an impromptu lunch run out to Grapevine, the wine capital of North Texas. On a recommendation from a friend, we decided to drink dine at Winewood Grill, the latest concept from the folks who brought us Bob’s Steak & Chophouse and Mi Dia. Being Texans, it’s never too early in the day for red meat, so we noshed on the Tenderloin Bruschetta:

Yowza!–was this a treat–flaky bread topped with tenderloin, tomato jam, pine nut pesto, Parmesan cheese and balsamic reduction. We have to admit, it took a fair amount of restraint not to lick the plate.

Not ones to eat and flee, we decided to check out a few new hotspots along with a couple of old favorites on the Grapevine shopping scene.

First off, Great American West Gallery:

It has the largest gallery collection of Western Art and is situated in the old Grapevine Sun building.

Next up, we spied Morgan Dane Art Gallery & Studios next door to Best Store VETRO Glassblowing Studio & Gallery in the train depot:

This place presents an eclectic collection of fine art as well as some pretty cool jewelry.

Last–but never least, we stopped in at Best Store Red Shed Antiques, where one of our editors snagged this metal vanity set for just $85:

We’re strong believers that every woman needs a vanity. It just makes life fancier.

Last week we had a hankering for some vino, so–obviously–we made an impromptu lunch run out to Grapevine, the wine capital of North Texas. On a recommendation from a friend, we decided to drink dine at Winewood Grill, the latest concept from the folks who brought us Bob’s Steak & Chophouse and Mi Dia. Being Texans, it’s never too early in the day for red meat, so we noshed on the Tenderloin Bruschetta:

Yowza!–was this a treat–flaky bread topped with tenderloin, tomato jam, pine nut pesto, Parmesan cheese and balsamic reduction. We have to admit, it took a fair amount of restraint not to lick the plate.

Not ones to eat and flee, we decided to check out a few new hotspots along with a couple of old favorites on the Grapevine shopping scene.

First off, Great American West Gallery:

It has the largest gallery collection of Western Art and is situated in the old Grapevine Sun building.

Next up, we spied Morgan Dane Art Gallery & Studios next door to Best Store VETRO Glassblowing Studio & Gallery in the train depot:

This place presents an eclectic collection of fine art as well as some pretty cool jewelry.

Last–but never least, we stopped in at Best Store Red Shed Antiques, where one of our editors snagged this metal vanity set for just $85:

We’re strong believers that every woman needs a vanity. It just makes life fancier.

March 9, 2012

What do you get when you combine chocolate and art? ChocolateFest Grapevine, benefiting Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth!

Tickets are still available at the door for tomorrow’s “Day of Chocolate and Art” at the Palace Arts Center in Grapevine. Enjoy chocolate samples from area chocolatiers, caterers and bakeries, plus artwork by local artists and live music.

Adult tickets are $15 and children’s tickets are $5. All ticket proceeds will benefit Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth, an organization that helps individuals and families who are
in transition, in crisis or who are separated from their normal support systems and are
facing a travel-related crisis.

We’re pretty sure chocolate that benefits a good cause doesn’t have any calories…

January 17, 2012

It’s time to eat good in Galveston! This week (through Saturday) marks the city’s inaugural restaurant week, during which participating restaurants offer prix-fixe menus to showcase what they do best. For lunch and/or dinner, you can select from a stellar lineup of eateries–like Bernardo’s at Hotel Galvez, Gumbo Bar and Olympia–with meals priced at $10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $35, $40 or $45.

October 20, 2011

It’s here! One of our favorite celebrations of Texas wine and gourmet treats has arrived in the Hill Country–the annual Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest.

Thursday, October 20

Grand Opening Celebration at Messina Hof Hill Country, complete with Texas wine and heavy hors-d’oeuvres. $50/person

Friday, October 21

Celebration of Texas food and wine at August E’s Nouveau Texas Cuisine. $60/person

Saturday, October 22

This is the main event, people. Stroll Fredericksburg’s famous Marktplatz for Texas food, wine (and for the first time ever, beer too!), music, specialty booths, a food court and more fun than you can handle. All proceeds benefit the Market Square Improvement Project. Admission includes a souvenir festival wine glass, six tickets toward wine tastings and five sessions at Grape Expectations Cooking School.

Tickets available at the gate.

Adults: $20

Under 21: $5

Kids under 12: FREE

September 19, 2011

Summer travel within Texas is tough, because your choices are hot, hotter and hottest. But when fall rolls around and the temperature drops below 90, it’s a whole ‘nother story.

As a matter of fact, Travel + Leisure magazine ranked both Austin and San Antonio as being among America’s Top Cities for Fall Travel and America’s Best Cities for Foodies.

Austin ranks #8 on the list for fall travel because the city comes alive with the buzz and energy surrounding Longhorn football, and it ranks #15 on the list of foodie cities for its BBQ and Tex-Mex. Uchi, Barley Swine and TacoDeli are must-sees.

San Antonio ranks #14 on the fall travel lineup because its famous Day of the Dead festival is something to behold from October 31 – November 2. San Antonio makes the foodie list at #10 for its ethnic fare and BBQ. Head off the tourist grid to Southtown (south of downtown) for The Monterey and The Friendly Spot.