2012, it’s been a good run. We thank you for the native beers, bowling alley bars and slew of fancy new restaurants. Yup, just a solid effort all around. Now, let’s put some champagne on ice, sit back and admire your work.
At this time last year, we had exactly one Dallas brewery. But now, Deep Ellum’s been joined by the likes of Peticolas, Four Corners and Lakewood. And more are in the works. You may never drink another West Coast IPA again. Well, now, let’s not be rash.
In a one-month span, you ate oxtail buns with Matt McCallister (FT33), mind-blowing chili with Stephan Pyles (Stampede 66) and some fresh shellfish with John Tesar (Spoon). The result: you’re pretty full. And that’s your standard measure of success.
You’ve always enjoyed pool parties/cocktails, and 2012 gave you two more places to flex your mai-tai-powered backstroke. First came Ku De Ta, and then Sisu Uptown Resort. A couple of stylish spots for sunbathing all day and dancing all night. Mornings are still for sleeping.
That Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge was under construction for... seemingly forever. Finally, it opened. And hey, now there’s the growing Trinity Groves development over there. You’ve already got Four Corners Brewing Co. and Babb Bros BBQ, with plenty more places to eat/drink on the way. 2013 is looking very promising/brisket-y.
Highway underground, green park on top—yeah, you know the place. And it’s great. But the real accomplishment here: ensuring that park is fully stocked with food trucks and ping-pong tables. It’s just good business. And a better lunchtime activity than, say, tackle football.
If you’ve seen one bowling alley, you’ve seen them all. Unless it’s this one. Because this place trades warm beer and terrible food for classic cocktails and stuff you really want to eat (looking at you, fried quail). Plus it’s all decked out with handsomely exposed brick. It’s still got the funny shoes, though.
2012: bad year for the Rangers, great year for brunch (decent trade-off). Specifically, the kind of brunches where DJs are required, dancing on tables is encouraged and setting fire to champagne (okay, it’s just sparklers) is actually a thing. You love a little pyrotechnics with your frittata.
