Inside Oak in the Dallas Design District

Word is out; Oak is open, and the reviews are pouring in! Elegant, sexy, sophisticated, and perfect are all words that have been used to describe the ambiance and food of the Design District’s newest eatery. And not only is Oak wowing food critics in the press, it’s winning among patrons, garnering an impressive four out of five stars on Yelp.

Read a sampling of the reviews and check out the beaucoups of stunning photos of their food and space brought to you by a handful of Dallas’ premiere publications:

• D Magazine – Side Dish Blog - First Take: Oak in the Dallas Design District
• Dallas Observer – City of Ate – Oak Now Open in the Design District (Photos)
• Crave DFW – First Look: Oak
• Thrillist – Oak: Gutsy by Design (District)
• UrbanDaddy - Oak – A DJ-Fueled Dinner Spot in the Design District

Have you tried out Oak yet? Leave your first impressions in the comments below!

Photography by Desiree Espada via D Magazine Side Dish Blog

Kay Agnew at her new restaurant, Bridge Bistro, on Riverfront Boulevard

They say change is a good thing, and that is certainly the case with Kay Agnew’s new Bridge Bistro in the Dallas Design District. Formerly operating as Margaux’s in the International on Turtle Creek on Irving Boulevard, the Bridge Bistro is sporting a new address as well as an updated menu. Kay Agnew, proprietress and restaurant darling of the Design District, is thrilled to finally be opening in her new space.

“After being closed for almost four months, it is so exciting to finally have people walking through the front door,” says Agnew. “It is so nice to see all of our friends and customers that we haven’t seen in a while. It’s like reuniting with family.”

Bridge Bistro's Strawberry Mint Flavored Iced Tea

Earlier this week, my coworkers, Ruth and Michael, and I ventured over for lunch to check out the new space and try out the new menu. The restaurant was remarkably easy to find, and parking was a breeze.

“We also have parking available in the back,” said Agnew.

As the buzz gets out about her new locale, I am confident that will be a good tip to remember.

Kay, the ever gracious hostess, greeted us at the door with hug and a warm smile. Ruth and I couldn’t resist taking her up on her strawberry mint flavored iced tea offering, which was tasty and refreshing.

The menu was classically Kay, featuring her signature cajun dishes as well as American eats and an enticing selection of lunch-perfect soups, salads and sandwiches.

I ordered the chicken salad sandwich with sweet potato fries. The sandwich was served on a fresh and fluffy roll, and the chicken salad was just to my taste. The sweet potato fries were equally delicious — just the perfect blend of soft and crispy.

Apricot Field Greens Salad with Chicken

Ruth ordered the apricot and field greens salad with chicken, which she described as fresh, tasty and a nice healthy choice. Michael opted for the enchiladas which he said were “terrific” and still his favorite.

The dining room is open and airy with large glass windows pouring in natural light. A classy, yet relaxed atmosphere made for an inviting ambiance.

Though I didn’t get a chance to sneak a peek, the restaurant’s back space, named “The Twilight Room,” is open for event rental.

“The Twilight Room is available for parties as well as business luncheons or breakfasts. We have already booked it for design seminars and even a burlesque show! We’re really covering all ends of the spectrum,” says Agnew. She is also continuing Margaux’s catering as usual.

Now open at 921 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Bridge Bistro currently is serving breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Plans for dinner, weekend brunch and special events are in the works and will commence as soon as they receive their liquor license.

Kay also mentioned that there are future plans for a rooftop patio, which will boast beautiful views of the Big D skyline as well as the new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge (the inspiration for the restaurant name.)

“My intention is to truly make our restaurant a neighborhood hangout — a place where people can come to meet up with friends and just relax,” says Kay.

I, for one, am glad that Kay is back in action and have added Bridge Bistro into my regular lunch spot rotation!

To get updates on menu specials and upcoming events, visit the Bridge Bistro website at www.bridgebistrodallas.com or like Bridge Bistro on Facebook.

Oak is slated to open for business on Monday, December 19. I know I’m excited to try it out. Aren’t you?!

This weekend while flipping through the latest issue of FD Luxe I spotted a snippet about Oak — the Design District’s new restaurant. For the first time, I got a peek at the rendering of what the buildings new facade will look like. Located in the space beside BoConcept, the Oak rendering features plenty of patio seating and a cool new spruced up entrance.

For those of you who are in LOL on a regular basis, you’ll know that construction is well under way and has been progressing quite quickly. It’s neat to see how the pieces in this picture are taking shape! If you haven’t been by in a while, drive down to check it out. Or wait until Oak opens…a date that isn’t too far off!

Check out the excerpt from FD Luxe below for more fun details or read it online at DallasNews.com.

Break out your ukulele, don a lei and surf on into The Meddlesome Moth tonight at 6 pm for a beer dinner with owner and brewmaster at Maui Brewing Co., Garrett Marrero. This luau inspired meal features roasted pig and lomi lomi (a traditional Hawaiian salmon dish). The five-course menu has been designed to pair perfectly with 5 exclusive, rare Maui Draughts which will be served with dinner.

This intimate 50-person beer dinner will be hosted on the patio. There are limited tickets left, so call The Moth at (214) 628-7900 to reserve your spot.

For those who prefer beef to roasted pig, come to The Moth on Thursday evening at 6pm to take part in DFW Burger Meet-up. For this night, and this night only, The Moth will serve not one, but TWO fantastic burgers for your enjoyment. Chef Chad Kelley is creating a special burger just for this event! The Brie and Fig Pasture Burger will feature a grass-fed beef patty with Fig Jam and Melted Brie, bathing the top along with heirloom tomatoes. Sounds delish, right?

No reservations required, but you’re asked to kindly RSVP on Facebook.

Photos via MauiDish.com and ElementInteractive.com

Empire is an IPA that, according to Meddlesome Moth cicerone Matt Quenette,  has “sauvignon blanc qualities,” including a dry finish. Coming in at 6.6% ABV, this beer is going to be a rare treat!

Tonight promises to offer perfect patio weather so gather a group of friends and come enjoy this rare brew!

Photo via EatDallas.org

The Austin native, Grubbins reports, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and worked at Danube in NYC and with David Bull at the Driskell Hotel before being hired by John Tesar to be chef de cuisine at the Mansion on Turtle Creek in 2008.

Tommy DeAlano and his partners Richard & Tiffanee Ellman say they’ll  have a formal release next week, but for now I’m just excited to hear that we’ll have another top-tier chef serving up eats in Lower Oak Lawn!

Today Ruthie’s Rolling Cafe makes its Design District debut, serving up lunch from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at The International on Turtle Creek. The latest gourmet food truck to hit the streets of Dallas, Ruthie’s specializes in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Try one of their specialties or create your own by choosing from  five different cheeses and meats, served on six different types of bread!

The weather’s great and the sandwiches are delish so treat yourself to a long lunch!

150 Turtle Creek Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75207
www.InternationalonTurtleCreek.com

Tonight is primed to be twice as nice as The Moth shares a special cask of TWO, a Double IPA brewed in honor of Austin-based 512 Brewing’s second anniversary.

Hop heads will enjoy this limited production brew which has been heavily hopped with over 4 pounds per barrel of Simcoe, Magnum, Nugget and Ahtanum. According to the 512 website, this Double IPA is “ is a big, malty ale with delicate hop and rich malt aroma, complex hop flavor and sustained smooth hop bitterness.”

While you’re down in the Design District, go ahead and register for The Moth’s upcoming Lips of Faith Beer Dinner. Hosted on September 12, the dinner will feature a six course meal with beer parings hosted by Lauren Salazar of New Belgium Brewing Company and is sure to be a great time!

Photo Credit: BeerTownAustin.com

What do Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Scarlett Johansson and tonight’s rare brew at The Moth have in common? They’re all blonde bombshells!

That’s right. Tonight The Moth will be serving up a special cask of Blonde Bombshell from Texas-based Southern Star Brewing Company. A rich, creamy golden colored ale fermented at a cool temperature, Blonde Bombshell boasts “hints of yeasty bread and a touch of hops.” This rare version has been infused with Jasmine for an extra special treat.

For more rare beers, mark your calendars for The Moth’s special Lips of Faith Beer Dinner hosted on Monday, September 12 by Sensory Specialist, Lauren Salazar of New Belgium Brewing. Chef Chad Kelley will prepare a six course meal with rare beer pairings, including Transatlantique Kreik, a collaboration with Boon.

Seating is limited so call 214.628.7900 today to reserve your spot!