Hello Big D

Being new to Dallas, I wasn’t—and still am not—exactly sure what is a hole in the wall and what is another CVS pharmacy. A bit of exploring was obviously needed and after discovering a few Hispanic neighborhoods, I found lower Greenville. (Relax, I’m not going to say I discovered lower Greenville. Although it felt like it). But what I did find was the coolest antique store I’ve been to yet in Dallas. The one and only, Lula B’s. After a month of being a big city kid, I was under the impression that the word “antique” had a different definition in Dallas: expensive. However at Lula B’s they keep it reasonable. It definitely isn’t the dirty flea market we all secretly desire with 50 cent items underneath a pile of Happy Meal beanie babies, but they don’t ask for your left arm when you bring a glass to the counter. Maybe for longtime Dallas kids this is as well known as the Galleria, but still I feel like I should shed some light on my personal discovery.

If you are someone like myself who loves old, gaudy jewelry, stop what you’re doing and head to Lula’s now. Right when you walk in the door there is a dazzling display of everything outrageous to decorate your wrists, ears and necks. Everything from mood rings to button covers—which I found useful to hot glue to magnets and use on my refrigerator. Once past the jewelry, exploring the store is fun—and don’t forget to look up, old ceilings are so rad. I wandered around the store for quite some time. Is it just me or does it always seems that antique stores were made without windows and they unravel into this maze of nooks and crannies? Ideal location for the next scary movie. You might want to take some bird crumbs to leave a trail. Only kidding, birds aren’t allowed unless they’re embroidered and made of sequins.

The point is, Lula B’s has retro furniture, old matchbooks, your grandma’s aprons, bobble head razorbacks and so many more perfect random items to fill your house with. And its just the antiquing environment that is so awesome. You walk in and feel creative. I can’t stay coherent just imagining all the arts and crafts that could be made with old junk. It’s a wonderful high and everyone in Dallas should get a dose of it every once in awhile—even if Lula B’s is a known jewel.

Get directions to Lula B’s here.

Antiques, The Coco Kid | No Comments

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maximodallas.com

We recently got invited to a mock lunch service at a new restaurant in North Dallas. It’s called Maximo : Cocina Mexicana & Margarita Lounge. We were served a three-course meal and everything was really awesome. The menu is a mix of gourmet Tex-Mex and more traditional Mexican dishes, with influences from four regions of Mexico: Puebla, Yucatan, Veracruz and Oaxaca. My favorite part was the Guacamolero, who whipped up a fresh batch of the best guacamole, right at our table. Good chips. Good salsa. The entrées were amazing. I had a shrimp skewer, the Alambre de Camarón con Salsa de Tepache—which, unfortunately for everyone else, I couldn’t stop saying over and over again. We’re definitely going back to try some of their 30 some-odd tequilas. Hopefully we’ll live to write about that.

Contact info:
5301 Alpha Road
Suite 80
Dallas, TX 75240
Phone : 972.233.5656

Bars, Food, Junior, Restaurants, Uncategorized | No Comments

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Coffee is awesome. If you disagree, something is the matter with you. Dallas may not be Seattle, but there are some great places to grab a cup of Joe. Two coffee shops come to mind, each with a distinct atmosphere. Coffee Company in the Belmont District of East Dallas and Crooked Tree in Uptown are two very different but excellent places to purchase some jitters.

Coffee Company
6038 La Vista Dr. 75206

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This coffee shop has been described as a “hole-in-the-wall,” yet the humble, narrow interior evokes a warm atmosphere. Co-proprietor Danny Furr is ready to serve up delicious coffee by the cup (For just a dollar! Eat it, Starbucks!), or one of dozens of flavors that are freshly roasted and ground on the premises. Organic fruits and vegetables from the Dallas Farmers Market are offered fresh, and in the summer lots of local goodies are available, such as peaches and tomatoes. Don’t forget the wide selection of teas, as well. Pop in for a cup to go, because if your party is larger than two you’ll have to stand as you sip. On a side street off Skillman, Coffee Company can be a challenge to find, but look for the large red lettering and follow your nose.

Crooked Tree CoffeeHouse
2414 Routh St. 75201

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If Coffee Company is the perfect spot to enjoy some checkers with your neighbor, Crooked Tree is the perfect spot to enjoy checkers wirelessly with a friend in India. An eclectic young staff and equally interesting furniture have turned this house into a comfortable place to relax and enjoy gourmet, fair-trade coffee. On any given afternoon, you may find trouble finding a seat amongst the devoted regulars, all tapping away on laptops. Offering a good bit of space, the house may seat 25 comfortably. Sandwiches and pastries round out the menu, as well as some specialty drinks. Local art adorns the walls, though some pieces are best left unscrutinized.

If you want to sit and chat for a moment, Crooked Tree is perfect, but for those who prefer to enjoy their java at home, the most diverse, freshest options are to be found at Coffee Company. Either way, be careful, because coffee can be very hot.

Bars, Family, Food, Little Miss Dictator, Uncategorized | No Comments

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