I recently came back from a trip to Spain where most of my meals consisted of various tapas dishes. Tapas describe any small dish that’s meant as an appetizer or a snack. If you eat enough of them they can make up a whole meal. Sharing different small dishes rather than focusing on finishing one main course leaves lots of room for conversation and socializing. Throw in a little vino or cerveza and a round of tapas turns into a mini-party.

I didn’t have to think too hard to come up with a spot in Fort Worth that embodied this spirit. Shinjuku Station with its Izakaya concept serves small portion Japanese dishes that are meant to be shared. Izakaya is the Japanese equivalent of a Spanish tapas bar.

The small dishes at Shinjuku inspire conversation because of their creativity and unique flavors. You’ll find yourself cajoling your friends into trying each dish so that they can join you on a flavor journey. And it is quite a journey – you won’t find standard Japanese fare here. But that’s no reason to shy away. The staff provide lots of advice, suggestions, and answers to questions. The dishes range from deceptively simple to layered and complex.

For starters the stir-fried edamame comes sprinkled with some sort of addictive blend of spices that makes two orders essential. The hand made pork gyoza also leaves you wanting more. But slow down. You have to pace yourself so that you can try as many menu items as possible.

Shinjuku’s hokkaido scallops and tuna tartare should win a prize on appearances alone. Luckily the flavors live up to their good looks. Thinly sliced fried lotus root makes a beautiful base for tuna tartare and a pinch of scallops. These were a favorite of the table.

If you’re not into raw seafood try the delicately fried tempura king crab. The light batter provides a nice added texture to the delicious crab. Pair this with the foil wrapped wild Japanese mushrooms. Don’t let the appearances dissuade you, there’s a wonderfully deep and complex flavor in the mushrooms and the delicate brown butter sauce.

The sake steamed black mussels in yuzu butter are a “must-order” item. Just make sure to order a side of steamed rice so none of the tasty broth the mussels swim in goes to waste. The mussels are perfectly prepared and the broth manages to be rich and light at the same time.

The “Japanese Pizza” or Okonomiyake delivers a Momofuku-esque creation that unexpectedly combines flavors and textures. The base of the “pizza” contains shredded cabbage and egg. The pork belly topping comes through distinctly and makes for a very rich bite. If that’s not enough the bonito flakes that top the dish seem to be “dancing” on the pizza when it’s served to you.

On another visit we added some sushi to the mix. I loved the presentation of the spicy tuna hand roll in a little wooden stand.

We also ordered a roll and the special of that evening, toro tuna. The sushi tastes unbelievably fresh and the flavors were spot on. The rolls mixed in quite nicely with the other cooked dishes because they were easy to share. The only slight disappointment was the toro which didn’t quite live up to our expectations.

Our meals paired nicely with Kirin Ichiban beer and Shinjuku-Ritas.

Shinjuku Station provides Fort Worth with a unique dining experience in an understatedly cool space. My meals at Shinjuku Station with friends have been a joyful journey of discovery as each dish presented us with a culinary surprise. Going with friends is the best way to sample all the dishes. However, Shinjuku Station also has an intimate vibe inside the restaurant and a fabulous patio that would make it a great date spot.

Shinjuku Station
711 West Magnolia Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 923-2695

If you haven’t noticed yet, Freda’s, a new eatery has taken over the space formerly occupied by The Gallery Art Cafe in the Near Southside. Freda’s opened about seven weeks ago and serves breakfast, lunch, and coffeehouse offerings. They’ve gotten a slight makeover with warm yellow and red tones and cozy antiques scattered about. This looks like the perfect place for a casual lunch. After the lunch crowd fades, it’s a pretty quiet place to set up your laptop and get some work done over their free wi-fi. Freda’s has kept up the gallery wall and many of the art pieces displayed are also for sale.

Yesterday I made a quick stop there for some coffee and cake. My vanilla late and chocolate cake were both excellent. The chocolate cake was moist and flavorful without being too heavy. Pastries are not made on site, but I’m told the owner has a bakery on the East side of town and brings them in fresh every morning. The lunch menu sounds delicious with specials such as stuffed bell peppers and tomato basil soup and hope to stop by again soon to check it out. Anyone else been to Freda’s? What did you think?

Freda’s
609 S. Jennings
817-332-0333

Cat City Grill is the newest restaurant slated to join the ranks of Magnolia Avenue’s Restaurant Row. According to the Cat City Grill website, the restaurant is a collaboration between Lili’s Bistro owner Vance Martin and former Del Frisco’s chef Martin Thompson.  Though there is no opening date announced yet, the menu is posted on the website and has my mouth watering in anticipation.

Starters are coined “Shareables” and  include Gorgonzola Fries, made popular at Lili’s Bistro.  A few exotic items such as Escargot and Plum Brie mix with familiar items such as Nachos and Fried Pickles on the starter menu.  There is a size-able steak section on the menu, the Tips and Spaetzle dish stands out from the usual steak options.

The Sauteed Stuffed Calamari dish listed in the Seafood Section sounds crave-worthy as does the Ahi Tuna Niciose.  Other notable specialties include Stuffed Cornish Game Hen and a King Ranch Poblano.

I’m noticing the lack of a dedicated vegetarian option, but maybe they’ll dream up something before the opening.  The prices fall on the higher end, with the entrees ranging from $18 – $29.  In the meantime peruse the website and check out all the delicious sounding menu details.

Cat City Grill
1208 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Ok Fort Worth, time to support a local favorite. NbcDfw.com is squaring off Fort Worth’s Hot Damn Tamales vs. Luna’s Tortilla Factory in Dallas in order to find the Golden Local.

Luna’s Tortilla Factory produces a homestyle, old school tamal while Fort Worth’s Hot Damn Tamales takes a fresher, modern approach to this traditional food. Hot Damn Tamales uses 100% natural corn oil and uses premium ingredients for their filling like tenderloin, pork loin, and seafood. They even have several vegetarian and vegan versions.

So take a moment and VOTE HERE for Hot Damn Tamales as The Golden Local.

Yucatan Taco Stand is a great spot for a quick and delicious lunch as well as a nice spot for an afternoon aperitif in the form of a margarita.  Today we look at this lively spot in the Magnolia Avenue Restaurant Series.

Yucatan Taco Stand

The Vibe
A modern “taco stand”, with not a cheesy Mexican decoration in sight.  Instead you’ll find an urban look with clean lines and a slightly Asian flair (no Asian food is served though).  There’s a large fully stocked bar.  Outside seating under one of the several red umbrellas is a popular choice.

The Food
You won’t find Tex-Mex here, just a fresh, upscale take on tacos and other Latin dishes.  The folks that brought you Fuzzy’s Tacos push the concept forward into a more dressed up version while retaining some the some of the casual flair of Fuzzy’s.  Tacos come casually wrapped in foil and you serve your own drinks.

The Service
You order and pay at the front of the restaurant and your food is brought to you.  The cashiers at the front sometimes seem as befuddled with the process as the patrons do, patience is needed, after all you’re not leaving a tip.

Eat This
The tempura fish tacos are a must order item.

The roasted lamb cabrito sandwich makes for a memorable lunch especially when paired with fried plaintains.

The chile con queso are worth the calories and the $5, I could endlessly dip chips in this thick and creamy concoction.  If you’re eating on the lighter or meatless side the Grilled Vegetarian Bowl is supremely satisfying.

Yucatan Taco Stand
909 W. Magnolia
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Nonna Tata on Magnolia Avenue is definitely a draw for the food enthusiast.  Even folks from Dallas have been know to trek over to this small Southside spot to sample the true flavors of northern Italy.  This mini-review is part of the Magnolia Avenue Restaurant Series, read my full review here.

Nonna Tata

The Vibe
Fort Worth is fortunate to have it’s own Italian Grandmother in Nonna Tata.  The small and sunny yellow dining room with rustic tables and stools, maw-maw-ish curtains, and mouthwatering smells coming from the kitchen is what I would imagine a Nonna’s house to be like.

The Food
If you’re looking for or are curious about the real deal Italian food then Nonna Tata is as close as you’re going to get short of jumping on a jet plane direct to Milano.  Nonna Tata  captures the true flavors of Italy.  By that I mean, they take a few simple, selectively sourced ingredients and combine them to make spectacular dishes.

The Service
The waitstaff keep busy for such a small space, so it can be a bit slow at times.  They are knowledgeable about the menu and too busy to hover (yay!).

Eat This
The ever changing menu at Nonna Tata keeps you coming back.  Start with the Antipasti Platter which is a beautiful plate of Italian meats and cheeses.

Enjoy seasonal specialties such as the Pumpkin Soup or Pasta with Butternut Squash.  Order the handmade gnocchi or any other handmade pasta if it’s available.

Finish your meal off with a slice of almond cake or some cioccolata calda (hot chocolate).

Nonna Tata
1400 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76105

There was quite a mixed reaction to my posting on The Usual. Mostly there seemed to be outrage over the prices and cries of “this isn’t New York City”. While these are not prices we are used to, neither is the visionary environment or the excellent quality of the product. It’s worth a little extra to keep places like The Usual thriving. I mentioned the prices so no one would be caught off guard.

Brad Hensarling, the owner of The Usual has also crafted a response comment that I thought deserved to be highlighted.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback and for taking the time to check out The Usual. In response to those that might not totally understand what it is exactly that I’m trying to do I want to say a few things to clear the air. First, as we are establishing this business all feedback and criticism will be taken very seriously into consideration. On a personal level I appreciate what people have to say and understand that I have developed a format for a bar that most people around town are not used to. It has always been my intention to get the business off the ground and then begin to tailor it to the needs and desires of the patrons. Please know that it is an impossible task to know how people are going to interact with and feel about a business until it’s open. Now that we are beginning to receive feedback we can start making adjustments to be able to accommodate as many peoples’ preferences as possible.

As far as the pricing is concerned, I want to say that If you come in and drink strictly from the cocktail menu all night then it probably will be an expensive evening for you. That being said I do want to note that the drinks on the menu are ragingly potent with some items containing two, three, and four times as much alcohol than your average mixed drink. From what I’ve seen by serving patrons personally, the average customer is “well on their way” by the second or third cocktail. Also, these cocktails are made with fresh squeezed and organic juices, herbs, and spices which add both to the quality and price. If you’re not comfortable with the pricing of the menu then please feel free to enjoy whatever it is that you normally drink. At happy hour we take $2 off the price of cocktails and $1 off all beer, wine, and mixed drinks. That means that a Bud Light drinker can come in and enjoy a cold one in a nice environment for $2.50. If you enjoy a vodka tonic you’ll only be paying $3.50. That’s not bad is it? Keep in mind that we don’t use any rotgut liquor. Our wells are Monopolowa, Jim Beam, New Amsterdam, Cruzan, and Sauza Silver.

To those that are concerned that the flavor of the drinks is not going to be up to par I want it to be known that every drink comes with a guarantee. If you don’t like it, I’ll drink it and find you something you do like at no additional cost to.

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback whether it be positive or negative. All comments are viewed as constructive criticism and will be used to help us work out the kinks over the next couple of months.

Thanks for the comment Brad.  Also a big thanks for shaking your cocktail shaker and busting out fine drinks for the fine folks of The Fort.  Looking forward to my next Sidecar.

When I’m craving greasy, cheese laden food – Benitos beckons me. This is not the place to go if you’re watching your weight, but who cares after a few margaritas. Benitos fills the Mexican food niche on Magnolia Avenue.

Benito’s

The Vibe
Colorful Mexican decorations dominate the wood paneled decor. Everything from the chairs to the Mexican blankets contain color and make this casual Mexican food spot a happy place. If you’re not smiling when you walk in, just order up a margarita and that will change.

The Food
If you have a hankering for a greasy spoon Mexican food spot, Benito’s fits the bill. Benito’s serves up homestyle Mexican food and it’s been doing it for a while at this Magnolia street location. I appreciate the authentic Mexican flavors and spices that can be found in the selection of popular Mexican dishes. This used to be a long-standing favorite late night hangout because the generous grease factor works wonders for absorbing excess alcohol.

The Service
A friendly gentleman quickly seats you and asks if you want iced tea or a margarita, well that’s my kind of service – keep it simple.

Don’t worry if you didn’t pay attention in high school Spanish, Benitos provides handy translations on the menu should you need it.

The service is efficient and the food comes out quickly.

Eat This
Enchiladas swimming in cheese should satisfy your Mexi food cravings. If you’re looking for something lighter, the ceviche along with the chips and guacamole is a good choice.

One of the many combo platters is a handy option when you can’t make up your mind.

Wash it all down with a potent margarita. Benito’s is one of the few Mexican food spots that charges for chips, but they are ever so tasty with their guac and salsa – so it’s worth the splurge of a few extra dollars.

Benito’s
1450 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Today in the Magnolia Avenue Restaurant Series we look at the newest bar to hit Magnolia, The Usual. Though not a restaurant The Usual is a much anticipated addition to Magnolia. I see The Usual as the grown up version of the other bar on Magnolia, The Chat Room. The Usual reflects the same eclectic, easygoing vibe you’ll find at The Chat only in less smoky, more posh surroundings.

The interior of The Usual is unique and not something Fort Worth has seen before. Clean lined woods give a rustically modern look that are complemented by hints of silver and white for a slightly mod look. The uniqueness extends to the bar menu as well, with specialized drinks that focus on Prohibition Era cocktails.

My husband, some friends, and I recently tried several of the cocktails. The Sazerac, though small, packs quite the punch and is best sipped and savored.  The Martinez, a predecessor to the Martini, was also a crowd-pleaser with it’s strong flavors. The Sidecar turned out to be my favorite cocktail of the evening with it’s sugar rim and slightly sweeter, tangy notes.

I must mention the cocktails are priced from $11 – $15. I don’t mind the price because the drinks are meant to be appreciated and enjoyed. The interior design and the concept of the Usual give Magnolia Avenue and Fort Worth some cool cache so a few extra dollars for a cocktail is a small price to pay. And never fear the beer prices are much cheaper.

I couldn’t resist taking a photo of these fine gentlemen enjoying their drinks.  If you’re going to grab a drink in a tux, The Usual would be the perfect spot.

The Usual
1408 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Lili’s Bistro on Magnolia is the restaurant we look at today in the Magnolia Avenue Restaurant Series.  I look forward to trying many more tasty meals at Lili’s to give it the thorough review it deserves.  In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of what Lili’s offers.

Lili’s Bistro on Magnolia

The Vibe
Exposed brick walls and a vintage Mrs. Bairds Mural give this cozy restaurant extra charm.  The open kitchen gives you a peek into all the action going on there while not being distracting.  Lili’s has an intimate but energetic feel making it a great first date spot, in a nice but not trying too hard sort of way.    Outside seating gives you a chance to take in great weather and the action on Magnolia’s burgeoning pedestrian and bike friendly culture.

The Food
A wide range of menu options will make your dining choices difficult.  Lunch offers affordable and tasty selections that include their much praised Lili’s house burger.  Dinner options range from seafood to filets to lamb and delicious starters.  A selection of small plates (appetizers) makes a great meal to share with friends.  I appreciate the little details like the small bowls holding kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.

The Service
The service is friendly and knowledgeable.  With owner Vance Martin nearby you’re assured of a good dining experience.

Eat This
I think it’s obligatory to start every meal at Lili’s with their famous gorgonzola fries.

Lili’s turkey roulade is a popular lunch choice.  They serve a pretty sublime rack of lamb at dinner that would not be complete without a wine from Lili’s thoughtful selections.

I have quite the fondness for gnocchi and Lili’s serves up a delicious version accented by cracked black pepper flecks.  Also check them out on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays when select bottles of wine are half price.

Lili’s Bistro on Magnolia
1310 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth TX 76104
817.877.0700