74 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 AMERICAN Kenny’sWoodFiredGrill Everyone loves Kenny’s restau- rants, including the Burger Joint, Italian Kitchen and Smoke House. What makes the Wood Fired Grill location perfect for date night, though, is its classy supper club décor and simply put, the food. Steaks, chops, burgers and fish are all perfectly prepared and delicious. Every meal starts with Kenny’s famous popovers and in our humble opinion, should include their half-pound jumbo lump crab cake. It’s too delicious not to order! Try a Grey Goose martini – their vodka is kept on tap at 28 degrees. Smooooth. 5000BeltLineRd. | Dallas (972)392-9663|kennyswoodfiredgrill.com LazyDogRestaurantandBar Reminiscent of a Jackson Hole, Wyoming après-ski lodge, this Addison outpost at the Village on the Parkway offers something delicious for everyone. From comfort food classics such as burgers and big salads to heartierfareincludingLambStroganoffandHousemaidVeggieLasagna, Lazy Dog feels like the perfect place to replenish all those calories you burnedoffontheslopes(ormorelikely,holidayshoppingattheGalleria). VillageontheParkway|Addison (469)754-1300|lazydogrestaurants.com NEWLISTING! Newk’s Fast-casual, healthy dining is, no doubt,quicklybecominga“thing” in North Texas, and Newk’s is an ideal place to jump onto that bandwagon. Everything here is made from scratch, and there’s something on the menu for even your pickiest eaters to love, from fresh salads, delicious soups, and pizzas to a plethora of drool-worthy sandwiches. There’s even a special menu section devoted to Mac & Cheese (we crave the Six Cheese Pimento with Bacon version). Dine in, orderonline,orcheckoutNewk’sGrab-N-Go. 5960WestParkerRd.|Plano (469)298-2071 6750GaylordPkwy.,Suite290|Frisco (214)494-4602|newks.com PDQ You know how it is when you’re hungry and want something quick, but you also want it to be on the healthier side, and, oh yeah—you don’t want to get out of your car? Think PDQ. While this acronym typically stands for“Pretty Darn Quick,”(and they are!) in this relatively new, but rapidly expanding concept, it stands for “People Dedicated to Quality.” While the menu is decidedly poultry-driven, it’s also surprisingly varied, with several good-for-you fruits and veggies tucked into unexpected but delicious places. Zucchini fries and Blueberry Coleslaw (try it!) sit unpretentiously alongside hand-battered chicken tenders served with made-fresh-daily sauces.The salads are generous, fresh, and filling, and tosatisfyyoursweettooth,tryahandspunmilkshake. LocationsinFrisco,Plano,Murphy eatpdq.com SixtyVines What could be better than a great glass of wine? How about a great glass of wine—on tap? Not only does this mean that each glass pro- vides the best possible taste at the perfect temperature, reusable kegs equallessspoilageandlesslandfill.Butlet’sgettothefood:Smallplates like Manila clams with creamy white wine chowder broth or wood-fired cauliflowerwithlemondillyogurtareperfection.Hungrierappetiteswill find plenty to choose from too, such as fregola served risotto style, then topped with crispy wild mushrooms. The burger, made with Akaushi beef, is something you’ll dream about later, and entrees, such as chick- en, fish and chops, are solid choices. Perfect for both large parties and intimategatherings. 3701DallasPkwy|Plano sixtyvines.com WhistleBritches The logo says a lot: Chicken. Biscuits. Beer. But what it doesn’t convey is that Chef Omar Flores and his team pickle brine each and every bird, creatingoneofthejuiciest,mostflavorfulchickenexperienceswe’veever had. And atWhistle Britches, it is all about chicken: half chickens, whole chickens,roastedchickens,friedchickentenders—evenchickensglazed withpomegranatemolasses.Sidesandstartersarecomfort-driven,such aspickledjalapenopimentocheese,servedwithsaltines.Ordeviledeggs with country ham.Three cheese mac. Grits with gouda. Are you hungry yet?Brunch,lunchanddinnerserved,alongwithaniceselectionofcock- tails,beerandwine.Dessertsarestraightforwardandtotallydecadent. 6110FrankfordRd. |Dallas whistlebritcheschicken.com ASIAN HowardWang’s While the Grills and the Brasserie offer slightly different menus, Howard Wang’sisfamousfornicely-sizedportionsofwell-seasonedAsianFusion food, served in a sleek, contemporary atmosphere. Large round tables makeittheperfectplacetomeetupwithfriendsafterwork,orhostabig family gathering. Whether you opt for something hearty, such as Kung PaoChicken,orBeefandBroccoliStirFry,orlighterfare,suchassteamed chickenandvegetableswithsauceontheside,you’resuretoleavesatis- fied.There’saniceselectionforvegetarians,too.Afullbar,includingbeer, wineandmixology-drivencocktails,roundsoutyourmealperfectly. hwrestaurants.com 4343W.NorthwestHwy.,Suite345|Dallas (214)366-1606 1471E.SouthlakeBlvd.|Southlake (817)488-4666 3223LemmonAve.,Suite103|Dallas (214)954-9558 Mr.Wok From Tom Chung Ramen to Egg Foo Young and everything in be- tween—everything is good. Do notmisstwooftheirmostpopular dishes: Peking Duck and Beggar’s Chicken. The succulent duck is carved tableside and made daily; when they run out, they’re out— sogetthereearly.Afterthemeat’s been carved, your server will ask whether you want the bones in a soup orstir-fried.Askforalittlebitofboth—you’llthankus.Beggar’sChicken is a whole chicken stuffed with Chinese sticky rice that’s been stir-fried with shallot, Cantonese sausage, veggies, and five-spice powder and then wrapped in lotus, bamboo leaves, and bread crust, sealing in the juicesandflavorsduringit’s22-hourbasting(yes,22).OrdertheChicken twodaysinadvance;it’sworththeforethought.BYOB. 260014thStreet|Plano mr-wok.com RoyalChina A family-owned Dallas favorite since 1974, Royal China offers an exten- sivemenuofpopularChineseandChinese-Americanclassics,suchasCa- shew Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Shrimp with HoneyWalnuts—and all are consistently delicious. But it just might be the noodles—house made, from scratch—that keeps existing fans happiest and newer ones clamoring for more. Try the Dumpling Sampler and/or Xiao-Long-Bao (soup dumplings) – each one gives you a wonderful, chewy bite of dumplingandinside,broththatismeanttobeslurpedonceithascooled a bit.This is the kind of place where you find yourself asking your server what the guy at the next table ordered, so you can have it next time. Serviceisexceptionallyfriendly.Fullbar,too. 6025RoyalLn.,Suite201|Dallas (214)361-1771|royalchinadallas.com NEWLISTING! SamuiThai Upscale Thai décor makes it a sophisticated option for evening dining but don’t overlook the lunch specials—generously portioned and very reasonably priced. Too many menu choices to decide? Start with the Original Sampler Platter with something foreveryoneinyourpartyincludingChickenSatay,SunWrappedShrimp, Calamari,BagsofGold,MonsoonRoll,SunshineRoll,andVeggieTempu- ra.BigBowlSoupsareamealinandofthemselves,andstandoutentrees includePadKeeMow(widericenoodles,eggs,basil,andveggiesinlight soy sauce and paprika) and Panang Beef (flank steak simmered in coco- nut panang curry).There’s also a nice cocktail menu—we keep coming backfortheLycheeMartini. 5700LegacyDr.,SuiteA1|Plano (972)398-2807|samuithai.com BARBEQUE Kenny’sSmokeHouse No doubt about it—Texans love barbecue. But the thing that makes Kenny’s Smoke House so special is that it offers more than just standard Texas barbecue fare. Tasty eats like smoky Pulled Pork Tostadas are fea- tured alongside must-have brisket, sausage and ribs. Even sandwiches andsaladsgettheSmokeHousetreatmentwithingredientslikesmoked turkey and smoked bacon, and don’t miss the Smoked Gouda Mac n Cheese.Afamilystyleto-gomenumakesthisagreatpartyoption,too. 5760LegacyDr.|Plano kennyssmoke.com SMOKE What’snottoloveaboutSmoke?AtthePlanolocale,thefoodisdelicious, 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. Andsinceit’sdatenight,afterall,don’tmissthefireroastedoysterswith scampi butter, chorizo and ash salsa. The Dallas location is smaller and charming with a retro feel (it’s adjacent to the Belmont Hotel), offering many of the same menu items as the Plano outpost and all of the same, excellentTexas-sizedhospitality. 2408PrestonRd.| Plano (972)599-2222 901FortWorthAve.|Dallas (214)393-4141|smokerestaurant.com BURGERS GrubBurgerBar While this is definitely a darn good burger bar, a few surprises on the menu take it up several notches. For lighter fare, the Ahi Tuna Salad is tossed with a kicking-it wasabi-teriyaki vinaigrette. And you certainly wouldn’t expect Crawfish Pistolettes at a burger joint, now would you? Andthenthere’smade-from-scratchétouffée,wrappedinaFrenchbread rollandservedwithhousemadeMississippiComebackSauce.Veggie burgers are actually flavorful, as is the JiveTurkey Burger with pesto, chipotle aioli and avocado. Optional burger toppings are fun and in- ventive,fromfriedeggstoghostchilisauce.Anddon’tmissthe“killer milkshakes and generous appetizers, enough to make a serious dent inyourappetite. 4925GreenvilleAve.,Suite150|Dallas (972)370-3636 8255PrestonRd.,Suite300|Plano (972)535-5157| grubburgerbar.com Hopdoddy Hopdoddy believes “happy burgers” start with “happy cows” – hu- manelyraisedandwithoutanyaddedchemicalsorhormones.Infact, justabouteverythingatHopdoddyis“happy”:localandorganicveg- etables,handcutfries,madefromscratchbuns(includinggluten-free options)andcraftbeers.There’snotableservice,perse,butstaffhelps you find a seat and is more than“happy”to bring you refills or any- thing else you need.Waits at the Preston Center location can be long atlunchbutworthit. hopdoddy.com PrestonCenter|6030LutherLn.,Dallas (214)363-2337 3227McKinneyAve.|Dallas (214)871-2337 5100BeltLineRd.|Addison (972)387-2337 Jake’sUptown:Burgers,Beer&Atmosphere Now this is where you take out-of-town visitors for a really great, no muss/no fuss Texas-style hamburger. Yeah, there are a couple of obligatorysaladsonthemenubutreally,whocares?Ifyou’reatJake’s, you’re there for fried, battered and delicious. Even desserts are fried. Really, it all goes back to the famous poppy seed buns, all crunchy and toasty. “Vegetables” include Fried Pickle Chips and even Fried Green Beans (See, Mom? We’re eating our greens!). There are giant TV screens everywhere, showcasing a plethora of near and far sports channels, and beer is always frosty—whether in bottles or on tap. Serversarefriendly,andyou’rewelcometostayforaslittleoraslong asyoulike. MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW jakesuptown.com Kenny’sBurgerJoint Whetheryou’reinthemoodforareallygreat,classicburgerlikeZed’s StraightUporsomethingalittledifferentlikeMushroomBrieorBlack & Blue (with Cajun spices and bleu cheese), Kenny’s doesn’t disap- point.LoadedCheeseFriesarethebombhere,andifyou’rereallyfeel- ingindulgent,don’tforgetthethickcutonionrings—they’reepic. kennysburgerjoint.com 1377LegacyDr.|Frisco (214)618-8001 5809PrestonRd. |Plano (972)378-0999 VillageBurgerBar Remember Monk’s on Sein- feld, the café where the group gathered regularly to nosh and chat? That’s how it is at Village Burger Bar in Watters Creek. Yes, the food is stellar (Cheffed-Up Gourmet Burg- ers, Truffle Fries and Decadent Shakes), but it’s also a place where family comes first. Many custom- ers pop in several times a week to watch games and let the kids run around. 957GardenParkDr.|Allen(469)854-6616 5700LegacyDr./Plano(972)801-2772 www.villageburgerbar.com CAFÉS, DINERS & COFFEEHOUSES BreadWinnersCaféandBakery Is your family having a tough time deciding what’s for dinner (or breakfast or brunch)? Bring ‘em on over to Breadwinners. Southern Lump Crab Cakes with spicy remoulade? No problem. Free-Range Roasted Chicken with fresh herbs, seasonal vegetable orzo, and pep- padewvinaigrette?Yep.Big,juicyGreenChileJalapenoBaconBurger? Of course! How about 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 Akaushi Strip Steak & Eggs or one of several Eggs Benedict varieties, you won’t be disappointed. Stop by themouth-wateringbakeryonyourwayoutforalittlesomethingto enjoylater,allbyyourself. Uptown,InwoodVillage,Plano,NorthParkCenter breadwinnerscafe.com CaféBrazil While this Dallas staple offers a varied menu of appetizers, soups, salad, entrees, desserts, coffees, and more, ingredients lean heavily toward Mexico—not Brazil. We’re okay with that though because tasty,comfortfoodoptionsabound. Breakfastportionsaregenerous, andmostentreesincludeasignaturesideofcrispyRoastedRosemary Potatoes or Fried Sweet Potatoes. Migas with housemade chorizo really hit the spot. Several locations are open 24 hours on the week- ends,andtheUniversityParklocationisopen24hoursalways.It’snot easytofindthatinDallas! MultiplelocationsinDFW|cafebrazil.com Cindi’sNYDeli If you’re looking for authentic NewYork deli food, go to Cindi’s. Now. Oh, and it just happens to be owned by a lovelyVietnamese woman namedAnhVo.Housemadebagelsandbreads,Reubens,pattymelts, generousomeletsandmatzoballsouparejustafewofthethingsthat keeptransplantedNewYorkersandoriginalDallasitesalikeflockingto Cindi’s—morning, noon and night.The menu’s huge, so suffice it to say, if you’ve got a taste for something, Cindi’s probably has it—and it’sallgood.Breakfastservedalldayandcateringavailable.Withloca- tionsthroughouttheMetroplex,there’ssuretobeaCindi’snearyou. FivelocationsthroughouttheMetroplex cindisnydeli.com CoffeeHouseCafé This little jewel box offers delicious 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 European style, handcrafted, mostly organic and all that. If you feel like a date night athome,theyevenofferadrive-through.It’sallgood.Butreally,you hadusatdrive-through. 6150FrankfordRd. |Dallas (469)248-0554|coffeehousecafe.com CrossroadsDiner Earlier this year, Crossroads relocated to the NE corner of Preston and Campbell, making this formerWalnut Hill favorite even more conve- nientfornorthDallasites.Yes,thefamousstickybunsareooey,gooey, andover-the-top,studdedwithchoppedpecans,caramel,andcinna- mon—butthisisadinerafterall. Youcan’tgowrongwiththemade- from-scratch, blueberry pancakes and hearty frittatas, but you’ll also wanttotrylunchtimefaresuchasMyMom'sEggSaladSandwichon wheattoastorthesublimeCrispyFriedChickenandWarmBriesand- wich.Crossroadswelcomeskidsandlargeparties,and,whilethisbusy placedoesn’ttakereservations,simplydownloadtheNowaitappand you'llgetatextwhenyourtableisready. 17194PrestonRd.|Dallas crossroads-diner.com DeliNews Sometimes,you’vejustgottahaveasandwich–areallybig,juicyone onpillowybread,piledhighwithdelimeats,cheeseandcondiments. And Deli News, a true NewYork-style deli, restaurant and bakery has servedthebestforthepasttwenty-twoyears.They’vegoteverything the ex-New Yorker is looking for: whitefish, chopped liver, pastrami andmore.Buttheydodinner,too.Dineinortakeout(theyalsocater) fromtheirhotfoodmenuincludingbeefstroganoff,boiledchickenin thepotwithmatzoball,stuffedcabbagerollsandbraisedshortribs. 17062PrestonRd.|Dallas (972)733-3354|delinewsdallas.com DreamCafé This favorite breakfast-lunch-dinner-brunch spot, equally popular among young, energetic families and sleepy singles sporting di- sheveled hair, offers something for everyone: vegetarian entrees so hearty you’ll never miss the meat; gluten-free dishes; breakfast itemsfordinner(ChickenandWaffleswithbacongravy?);andplenty more. Just looking for a nosh?Try the Blue Cheese Chips loaded with apple-smoked bacon and scallions or theThai Crab Fritters with lem- ongrass, lime leaf, buttermilk, and chile. With friendly service and cocktail offerings, the dream is very much alive. Now with a location inLakewood. Addison,Uptown,Lakewood thedreamcafe.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’tenoughtomake you jump in your car, maybe the friendly and knowledgeable baristas will win you over with one of their delicious hot beverage options, 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,thisiswhereyouneedto be. In business for over 104 (!) years, which in Dallas terms is practi- callyliketheMesolithicera,verylittlehaschangedinthelastcentury atHPOFSF,exceptforthegraciousadditionofcentralair-conditioning. Oh,ifthoseoriginalbarstoolscouldtalk!Momsandbusinessmoguls 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 craving a malt, cooler, float, freeze, soda or sundae, they’reallsublime. 3229KnoxSt.|Dallas highlandparksodafountain.com Lekka It’s a restaurant/bar. It’s a gallery/gift shop. It’s Lekka!Whether you’re lookingforuniquegifts,Himalayansaltlamps(youneedone!),orthe perfectspottomeetupwithfriendsforaheartysaladandsandwich, tremezzini(pitabreadstuffedwith,forexample,mozzarellaandarti- choke) or a slab of decadent pie or cake, Lekka has something for ev- eryone. Enjoy the spacious patio on warmer days—though inside is equallyinviting.Wementionedthedesserts,right?Rightlydescribed as a“Slice of Heaven,”pieces of pie are generous and worth a visit all bythemselves.ChoosefromBananaCaramelPecan,KeyLime,Double Chocolate Fudge and many others—all made from scratch. Open for lunch and dinner every day with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. 17606PrestonRd.|Dallas (972)735-8425|lekkashop.com OPENINGSOONat1921NHendersonAve. inDallas Norma’sCafé Since 1956, Norma’s has been serving up its own brand of delicious fare and down-home hospitality. From giant omelets stuffed to the brim, to burgers, sandwiches, and so much more, narrowing down your choices can be a challenge. Everyone loves Norma’s biscuits, but don’teattoomanyofthemoryouwon’thaveroomforthingslikethe Chicken Fried Steak (one of DFW’s best), Open-Faced Pot Roast Sand- wich on Texas toast served with mashed potatoes and smothered with gravy, or the ubiquitous diner Patty Melt, positively oozing with Swiss Cheese and smothered onions. Don’t forget the pies!You can’t leavewithoutindulginginoneofNorma’sMile-HighCreamPies™;the coconutversionisanotherworldlyexperience. Addison,Frisco,OakCliff,ParkLane|normascafe.com SnugontheSquare Snug is like a hug, tucked into a square. Does that make sense? May- be it will when we tell you Snug offers delicious hand-crafted coffee goodEATS Dining Guide Our editors scoured the greater Dallas area for tried-and-true dining destinations that are family-friendly (even teens!), affordable and delicious. Herearesomeofourfavorites. goodEATS