GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MAY | JUNE 2017 73 SMOKE What’s not to love about Smoke? At the Plano locale, the food is de- licious, the service is spot-on, the décor is warm and cozy, and the beautiful, covered patios are romantic and also a great place for people watching. And since it’s date night, after all, don’t miss the fire roasted oysters with scampi butter, chorizo and ash salsa.The Dallas location is smallerandcharmingwitharetrofeel(it’sadjacenttotheBelmontHo- tel),offeringmanyofthesamemenuitemsasthePlanooutpostandall ofthesame,excellentTexas-sizedhospitality.smokerestaurant.com 2408PrestonRd.| Plano (972)599-2222 901FortWorthAve.|Dallas (214)393-4141 BURGERS Hopdoddy Hopdoddybelieves“happyburgers”startwith“happycows”–humane- ly raised and without any added chemicals or hormones. In fact, just abouteverythingatHopdoddyis“happy”:localandorganicvegetables, handcut fries, made from scratch buns (including gluten-free options) and craft beers.There’s no table service, per se, but staff helps you find a seat and is more than “happy” to bring you refills or anything else you need.Waits at the Preston Center location can be long at lunch but worthit.hopdoddy.com PrestonCenter|6030LutherLn.,Dallas (214)363-2337 3227McKinneyAve.|Dallas (214)871-2337 5100BeltLineRd.|Addison (972)387-2337 Jake’s Uptown: Burgers, Beer &Atmosphere Now this is where you take out- of-townvisitorsforareallygreat, no muss/no fuss Texas-style hamburger. Yeah, there are a couple of obligatory salads on the menu but really, who cares? If you’re at Jake’s, you’re there for fried, battered and delicious. Evendessertsarefried.Really,itallgoesbacktothefamouspoppyseed buns,allcrunchyandtoasty.“Vegetables”includeFriedPickleChipsand even Fried Green Beans (See, Mom? We’re eating our greens!). There are giantTV screens everywhere, showcasing a plethora of near and far sports channels, and beer is always frosty—whether in bottles or on tap. Servers are friendly, and you’re welcome to stay for as little or as longasyoulike. MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW jakesuptown.com Kenny’sBurgerJoint Whether you’re in the mood for a really great, classic burger like Zed’s Straight Up or something a little different like Mushroom Brie or Black & Blue (with Cajun spices and bleu cheese), Kenny’s doesn’t disappoint. LoadedCheeseFriesarethebombhere,andifyou’rereallyfeelingindul- gent,don’tforgetthethickcutonionrings—they’reepic. kennysburgerjoint.com 1377LegacyDr.|Frisco (214)618-8001 5809PrestonRd. |Plano (972)378-0999 CAFÉS, DINERS & COFFEEHOUSES BreadWinnersCaféandBakery Isyourfamilyhavingatoughtimedecidingwhat’sfordinner(orbreak- fastorbrunch)?Bring‘emonovertoBreadwinners.SouthernLumpCrab Cakes with spicy remoulade? No problem. Free-Range Roasted Chicken with fresh herbs, seasonal vegetable orzo, and peppadew vinaigrette? Yep.Big,juicyGreenChileJalapenoBaconBurger?Ofcourse!Howabout something more obscure, like Smoked Gouda Fondue with basil, or Pork Belly Sliders? Breadwinners has those, too. Don’t worry, if you’ve got a hankering for big, hearty breakfast items such as Beeman Ranch AkaushiStripSteak&EggsoroneofseveralEggsBenedictvarieties,you won’tbedisappointed.Stopbythemouth-wateringbakeryonyourway outforalittlesomethingtoenjoylater,allbyyourself. Uptown,InwoodVillage,Plano,NorthParkCenter breadwinnerscafe.com CaféBrazil WhilethisDallasstapleoffersavariedmenuofappetizers,soups,salad, entrees, desserts, coffees, and more, ingredients lean heavily toward Mexico—not Brazil. We’re okay with that though because tasty, com- fort food options abound. Breakfast portions are generous, and most entreesincludeasignaturesideofcrispyRoastedRosemaryPotatoesor FriedSweetPotatoes.Migaswithhousemadechorizoreallyhitthespot. Severallocationsareopen24hoursontheweekends,andtheUniversity Parklocationisopen24hoursalways.It’snoteasytofindthatinDallas! MultiplelocationsinDFW|cafebrazil.com Cindi’sNYDeli If you’re looking for authentic New York deli food, go to Cindi’s. Now. Oh, and it just happens to be owned by a lovely Vietnamese woman named Anh Vo. Housemade bagels and breads, Reubens, patty melts, generous omelets and matzo ball soup are just a few of the things that keep transplanted New Yorkers and original Dallasites alike flocking to Cindi’s—morning,noonandnight.Themenu’shuge,sosufficeittosay, if you’ve got a taste for something, Cindi’s probably has it—and it’s all good. Breakfast served all day and catering available. With locations throughouttheMetroplex,there’ssuretobeaCindi’snearyou. FivelocationsthroughouttheMetroplex cindisnydeli.com CoffeeHouseCafé This little jewel box offers de- licious breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices in a delightful setting. It’s the perfect place for date night or just about anything else. Their coffee is Eu- ropean style, handcrafted, most- ly organic and all that. If you feel like a date night at home, they even offer a drive-through. It’s all good. Butreally,youhadusatdrive-through. 6150FrankfordRd. |Dallas (469)248-0554|coffeehousecafe.com CrossroadsDiner Earlier this year, Crossroads relocated to the NE corner of Preston and Campbell, making this former Walnut Hill favorite even more convenient for north Dallasites. Yes, the famous sticky buns are ooey, gooey, and over-the-top, studded with chopped pecans, caramel, and cinnamon—but this is a diner after all. You can’t go wrong with the made-from-scratch, blueberry pancakes and hearty frittatas, but you’ll also want to try lunchtime fare such as My Mom's Egg Salad Sandwich onwheattoastorthesublimeCrispyFriedChickenandWarmBriesand- wich. Crossroads welcomes kids and large parties, and, while this busy place doesn’t take reservations, simply download the Nowait app and you'llgetatextwhenyourtableisready. 17194PrestonRd.|Dallas crossroads-diner.com DeliNews Sometimes, you’ve just gotta have a sandwich – a really big, juicy one on pillowy bread, piled highwithdelimeats,cheeseand condiments. And Deli News, a true New York-style deli, restau- rant and bakery has served the best for the past twenty-two years. They’ve got everything theex-NewYorkerislookingfor:whitefish,choppedliver,pastramiand more. But they do dinner, too. Dine in or take out (they also cater) from theirhotfoodmenuincludingbeefstroganoff,boiledchickeninthepot withmatzoball,stuffedcabbagerollsandbraisedshortribs. 17062PrestonRd.|Dallas (972)733-3354 delinewsdallas.com DreamCafé This favorite breakfast-lunch-dinner-brunch spot, equally popular amongyoung,energeticfamiliesandsleepysinglessportingdisheveled hair, offers something for everyone: vegetarian entrees so hearty you’ll never miss the meat; gluten-free dishes; breakfast items for dinner (ChickenandWaffleswithbacongravy?);andplentymore.Justlooking for a nosh?Try the Blue Cheese Chips loaded with apple-smoked bacon andscallionsortheThaiCrabFritterswithlemongrass,limeleaf,butter- milk,andchile.Withfriendlyserviceandcocktailofferings,thedreamis verymuchalive.NowwithalocationinLakewood. Addison,Uptown,Lakewood thedreamcafe.com FifthStreetPatioCafé This is a terrific place for patio dining—and they’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We adore the Bananas Foster French Toast, the Kentucky Hot Brown and the Frisco Cheesesteak (no- tice—we like decadent food!). Waits can be long, especially on weekends, but the food and the vibrantscenearedefinitelyworthit. 86215thSt.| Frisco (972)377-3483|5thstreetcafe.com FroggCoffeeBar&Creperie Cause sometimes you need a crepe,too!Andwhenthecraving hits, it’s time to head to Frogg. If the Nutella and Stuff crepe (with foster and caramel sauc- es, whipped cream, apples and cinnamon) isn’t enough to make you jump in your car, maybe the friendly and knowledgeable baristas will win you over with one of their delicious hot beverage op- tions, topped with beautiful latte art designs. Heartier appetites will appreciate their delicious soups, sandwiches and filling omelet crepes. ThisplacefeelslikealittlesliceofEuropeanheaven. LocatedinAllenatWattersCreek froggcoffee.com HighlandParkOldFashionedSodaFountain Craving nostalgia, along with THE best half ham salad/half pimento cheesesandwichintown?Withoutadoubt,thisiswhereyouneedtobe. Inbusinessforover104(!)years,whichinDallastermsispracticallylike theMesolithicera,verylittlehaschangedinthelastcenturyatHPOFSF, except for the gracious addition of central air-conditioning. Oh, if those original bar stools could talk! Moms and business moguls alike mingle over Frito chili pies, superior shakes and what we think simply has to be house made vegetable soup—it’s that good. And whether you’re cravingamalt,cooler,float,freeze,sodaorsundae,they’reallsublime. 3229KnoxSt.|Dallas highlandparksodafountain.com NEWLISTING! Lekka It’sarestaurant/bar.It’sagallery/ gift shop. It’s Lekka! Whether you’re looking for unique gifts, Himalayan salt lamps (you need one!),ortheperfectspottomeet upwithfriendsforaheartysalad and sandwich, tremezzini (pita bread stuffed with, for example, mozzarella and artichoke) or a slab of decadent pie or cake, Lekka has something for everyone. Enjoy the spacious patio on warmer days— though inside is equally inviting. We mentioned the desserts, right? Rightly described as a“Slice of Heaven,”pieces of pie are generous and worth a visit all by themselves. Choose from Banana Caramel Pecan, Key Lime, Double Chocolate Fudge and many others—all made from scratch. Open for lunch and dinner every day with live music on Friday andSaturdaynights.lekkashop.com 17606PrestonRd.|Dallas (972)735-8425 OPENINGSOONat1921NHendersonAve. inDallas goodEATS