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Photo courtesy of Paris Baguette

An international bakery-café concept is expanding its North Texas presence:Paris Baguette has opened a location in Grand Prairie, at 2609 W. Pioneer Pkwy., in the parking lot in front of the Asia Times Square center, where it occupies a new mini-building along with a Kickin' Crab seafood spot and a 7 Leaves Tea shop.

According to a company representative, the bakery opened in January. This marks their third location in DFW, following Lewisville, which opened in 2019, and Carrollton, which opened in 2021.

Paris Baguette is known for its cakes, pastries, croissants, and breads. It was founded in 1988 by Korean businessman Hur Young-in, who started out with locations in South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and China.

They're owned by Paris Croissant, a division of SPC Group based in Seoul; their America headquarters are in Moonachie, N.J.

Their lineup includes classic French-style goods that sometimes incorporate Asian ingredients, such as buns stuffed with red-bean filling.

Many of their items are croissant-based, and more than a few incorporate savory ingredients like sausage and crab croquettes. They also have doughnuts, cronuts, cream puffs, and cream-filled pastries of all kinds, plus coffee drinks to go with.

There are super pretty fruit tarts, and people rave about their statuesque often multi-layer cakes.

As is the case with this style of bakery, most of the pastries are self-serve; you load them onto a tray and head for the cashier.

The first U.S. location opened in Los Angeles in 2005, one of many Asian-founded bakeries that specializes in French-style goods such as Mozart and Taiwanese bakery chain 85C.

They started franchising in the U.S. in 2015, and have since established 120 locations across the country, including 24 new cafes that opened in 2022 alone. That includes a location in Katy, their first in the Houston market which has been in the works for nearly two years, bringing the total number of locations in Texas to 20, either open or in development.

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Funnel Cakes and More in Arlington delivers exactly what it promises

State Fair News

There's a restaurant in Arlington dedicated to a State Fair favorite: Called Funnel Cakes and More, it's located at 2430 N. Davis St. #100, just north of I-30 near Fielder Road, and is exactly as advertised, with a menu of decadent funnel cake creations, plus some unique Southern treats.

The restaurant was originally founded by Jessica Espinoza, whose focus was on the sweet side with funnel cakes and gelato. New owner April Campbell is keeping that sweet specialty but adding some savory items, as well.

"We're definitely keeping the funnel cakes and have even added some new twists," Campbell says.

Updates include new flavors such as:

  • peach cobbler funnel cake, a hugely popular offering topped with peaches, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream
  • strawberry banana funnel cake, topped with sliced banana, and strawberry jam
  • Reese's peanut butter & jelly deluxe

But Campbell's big innovation is to add savory items, everything from wings to a funnel cake burger, with the funnel cake serving as a sweet and novel "bun."

"I am incorporating some light soul food, plus wings, burgers, and hot wing baskets," she says.

Campbell has worked in the medical field for more than 20 years as a physician's assistant, but this fulfills her entrepreneurial dreams.

"I always wanted to open a restaurant in honor of my late grandmother, whose cooking inspired me," she says.

Once she gets her liquor license, she'll add daiquiris. Meanwhile, she's currently fermenting what is sure to become a hit: pickles cured in Kool-Aid.

"It's a real Southern treat, with a flavor that's both tart and sweet," she says. "The longer you let them sit, the more sweet they become. We want to hold off, but people keep asking, 'When are they going to be ready?'"

Dusty Biscuits

5 ways to get your King Cake fix in Fort Worth (without eating King Cake)

Pastry News

Mardi Gras in 2023 is February 21, and that means king cake, the flashy seasonal treat that has been a New Orleans tradition since 1870.

With its proximity to Louisiana, Dallas-Fort Worth has always had a bounty of king cake options from which to choose, everywhere from supermarkets to local bakeries. Whether any of those king cake options are any good is another topic.

The baby is a cute schtick. King Cakes come with a little toy plastic baby that gets baked into the dough; whoever gets it and doesn't choke on it supposedly has good luck. There's that.

But the cake itself .... NewOrleans.com says that a prototypical king cake is somewhere between cinnamon roll and coffeecake, and is "frequently packed with fruit fillings and decadent cream cheeses."

That might be true in New Orleans — but DFW king cakes always seem dry and bready, with the only distraction being the signature garishly colored sugar, so crunchy, it hurts your teeth.

It's almost as awful as kolaches.

Fortunately, Fort Worth has creative king cake spinoffs that celebrate the spirit of king cake without forcing you to actually eat king cake.

Here are five:

Dusty Biscuits king cakeDusty Biscuits' beignet version of a king cake.Dusty Biscuits

Mardi Gras beignets at Dusty Biscuit Beignets. Fort Worth beignet shop does one of the most clever New Orleans crossover items, combining two NOLA favorites — King Cake + beignets — into one. Fluffy fried beignets get drizzled with a sweet cream cheese glaze, dusted with cinnamon sugar, then colored powdered sugar. They're such a signature that they do them year-round, and are 3 to an order for $6. During Mardi Gras season, they also do a mini-king-cake version, using their same beignet dough, but in a traditional round, with an iridescent purple plastic baby in the center. The mini-cake is $12 and officially serves 2 to 4.

Tricky Fish mambo cocktailLike a King Cake but in a drinkable form.Tricky Fish

Mardi Gras Mambo at Tricky Fish. Small seafood restaurant chain owned by Razzoo's is channeling its King Cake spin in the very best possible form: a cocktail. Called a Bacardi Mardi Gras Mambo, it features a blend of Bacardi rums, Ube (which is what gives it the Mardi-esque purple hue), King's ginger, pineapple, and lime. It's served tableside with a Tricky Fish shake which you get to take home for free. They'll be pouring it from February 10-21 at all four locations including Waterside in Fort Worth at 5917 Convair Dr., plus Dallas, Richardson, and Frisco.

King Cake Sugar Cookies at Blue Bonnet Bakery. Sometimes you just want a sugar cookie, and that happens to be a specialty at Fort Worth's legacy bakery. Their King Cake Sugar Cookies are their classic decorated sugar cookie, done with a backdrop of white icing and Mardi Gras-colored sprinkles on top, for 90 cents each. Simple but perfect. (They're also doing King Cakes, if you must.) 817-731-4233.

la madeleine king cake danishKing Cake Danish from La MadeleineLa Madeleine

Mardi Gras Danish at La Madeleine. The French bakery chain first introduced this seasonal pastry in 2019. It's described as a flaky Danish with a strawberry & cream cheese filling, topped with a fondant glaze and dusted with purple, yellow, & green sugar. It's basically croissant dough, fashioned into a Danish-like round shape, similar to their other Danish offerings such as lemon-blueberry Danish and ham & Swiss cheese Danish. $3.99, and it'll be available through March 7.

Keto King Cake at Unrefined Bakery. This roundup is supposed to be all things that are not King Cakes, but this local allergen-free bakery chain is the exception, since their King Cakes are not like the rest. It's a cute mini-Bundt cake version that's Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low Carb, Zero Sugar, Keto, Dairy Free, and Eat Fit, featuring a light glaze on top that sinks down into the cake, with a sprinkling of zero-calorie Swerve tinted gold, green, and purple. Think pound cake meets king cake. They're $15 each at all four locations including 3250 Hulen St., in Fort Worth.

Nena Postreria

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

This week in gluttony

Dry January got you down? There’s a class to mix up new mocktail ideas happening this week. For those of us still imbibing, make plans for a whiskey tasting, wine dinner, beer fest, and bubbly brunch with Western flair. For folks who prefer sweets to spirits, there’s a pastry pop-up in town just for you.

Tuesday, January 24

Fifth Anniversary Happy Hour at Fixe
The Southern restaurant celebrates five years in The Shops at Clearfork with a "throwback" happy hour, 4-7 pm. They will be pouring two customer favorites, Belle Glos Las Alturas and Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, and bringing back some of patrons' favorite dishes from their opening menu. Guests are encouraged to bring a donation for Cook Children’s. Reservations not required.

Wednesday, January 25

Nena Postreria Pop-Up at La Onda
A pastry shop from acclaimed Dallas chef Diana Zamora is opening soon in East Dallas, but Fort Worthians can get a taste in advance during a pop-up to be held at La Onda on Race Street. In addition to her signature Gansitos – chocolate-coated cream-filled cakes – Zamora will bring sweet corn cake, chocolate pepita cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, berries with citrus curd and sweet Mexican sour cream, and more. Visit her at the restaurant Wednesday through Friday starting at 4 pm until sell-out.

Woodford Reserve Tasting at Toro Toro
Learn about one of America’s most popular whiskey brands during this complimentary tasting, which will come with light bites from the Pan-Latin steakhouse for pairing. The event will run from 5-7 pm. Note that valet is complimentary for all Toro Toro guests.

Thursday, January 26

Dry January Mocktail Mixology Class at Refinery 714
Need a little inspo for making it through Dry January? The sky-high bar inside downtown’s Kimpton Harper hotel will host a mocktail mixology class from the 24th floor. After a mocktail toast, participants will create two specialty alcohol-free beverages under the guidance of Refinery 714’s bartenders. Class is $65, plus tax, and begins at 7 pm.

Friday, January 27

Pelissero Italian Wine Dinner at Hotel Vin
Indulge in King crab arancini, veal saltimbocca, Bistecca alla Florentina, tiramisu, and more during this four-course dinner at the glitzy Grapevine hotel. Courses will be paired with Pelissero wines, and winemaker Giorgio Pelissero himself will be on-hand to talk patrons through each. Tickets are $200, plus tax and gratuity, and an opening reception begins at 7 pm.

Saturday, January 28

Arlington Chef Brunch-Off
Two Arlington chefs – one from Ventana Grille and the other from Home Plate – will showcase their favorite brunch dishes during this tasting event to be held at the Texas Ranges Golf Club. Admission is only $12 and includes nine brunch-inspired bites. There’ll also be a cash bar. The event will run from 10 am-1 pm. Call 817-575-8299 for reservations.

Winter Fest at Martin House Brewing Company
Channel your inner snow bunny during this day-long ode to Old Man Winter at the riverfront brewery near downtown. A warm fire is promised, along with a burger truck, 90s cover band, and two new beer releases. One is called Icemare and it will have the highest alcohol by volume that Martin House has ever crafted. Tickets are $20 and include a souvenir pint glass and four pours. The event will run from 12-5 pm.

Sunday, January 29

PJ Brunch Party at Turning Point Beer
Feeling loungey? The Bedford brewery keeps things cozy during this Sunday Funday brunch party, which will feature mimosa flights, brunch beertails, coffee, and brunch bites. The PJ party will run from 10 am-3 pm.

Bubbles & Bites Brunch Tasting at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Sip sparkling wine paired with bites from nearly a dozen popular Fort Worth eateries during this brunch-time Stock Show event. A few of the participating restaurants include Atico, Don Artemio, Joe T. Garcia’s, and Wishbone & Flynt. The event, which will run from 11:30 am-1 pm, is presented by Texas jewelry brand Kendra Scott, which has debuted its new Yellow Rose line at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Tickets are $65.

Photo courtesy of Arlington Museum of Art

Arlington Museum of Art presents Eat Your Art Out

The Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with confectionary artists from throughout the region to present the fifth annual Eat Your Art Out.

More than a dozen confectionery masterpieces will be on display throughout the museum's galleries. Participating bakeries include Bronwen Cakes (Dallas), Buttermilk Sky Pies (Arlington), Sugarlicious (Lancaster), Sweet Kate Bakes (Mansfield), and Marcona Kitchen (Arlington). Arlington ISD student bakers from Bistro @ CTC will represent the school district's culinary program.

In addition to generous, sweet tooth-satisfying sampling, attendees will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, wine, coffee, and a champagne toast while participating in a raffle and auction.

This decadent event is the AMA's largest fundraiser of the year, providing support for year-round educational programs for all ages, community outreach, and the museum's ever-changing art exhibits.

Photo by Joey Garcia

Where to eat in Fort Worth right now: 10 restaurants to take holiday guests

Where to eat

Used to be, when out-of-town friends and families came to visit in Fort Worth, it was a cinch to find somewhere to eat everyone could agree on.

That’s no longer the case, obviously. Our friends and loved ones are now more particular about what and where they eat. Some will only eat at lavish, expensive restaurants, while others want good yet cheap. There’s at least one vegan in everybody’s families these days, and there’s bound to be someone in your group who insists on eating farm-to-table.

It’s hard to please everybody, but we’re going to try. As part of our annual tradition, for our December Where to Eat, we are pointing you in the direction of the best restaurants to take your holiday visitors, finicky or not, and show them the best Fort Worth has to offer.

Where to take the trendy food follower
No other food in Fort Worth is as hot and hip right now as barbecue, and luckily for those into following food trends, Fort Worth is home to what has been deemed the best ‘cue spot in the state. Goldees BBQ, found down a bumpy country road in southeast Fort Worth, was crowned the No. 1 barbecue spot in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine, and one bite of their rich and tender brisket, you’ll see why. Housemade sausage and meaty pork ribs are also must-gets, along with sides such as jalapeno cheese grits. Grab a couple slices of bread, too; it’s made in-house. Big crowds mean you’ll need to wait at least a couple hours, but it’ll be a fun wait. Those in line often get to know one another and sometimes there’s free beer and food samples.

Where to take the vegan
Fort Worth is known for burgers and barbecue, but it’s also home to some very good vegan restaurants, including Belenty’s Love, a Tastemaker Award-winning vegan Mexican restaurant near TCU. Every Tex-Mex staple you can imagine is served during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from tacos and enchiladas to nachos and burritos, all of which are made with meat and dairy substitutes. Popular items include portobello asada tacos, stuffed with strips of portobello mushrooms; a potato omelet, made with hashbrowns, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and vegan mozzarella; and the seafood nachos, a mountain of gluten-free chips doused with black beans, spicy cilantro lime rice, salsa, guacamole, and a mix of vegan crabcake and fish.

Where to take the tourist
Most tourists visiting Fort Worth want to spend time in the Fort Worth Stockyards, undoubtedly the city’s most popular tourist destination, with its old west feel, daily cattle drives, and cowboy-themed restaurants and shops. There are several new restaurants in the Stockyards, but the Hotel Drover’s on-site restaurant, 97 West, has a location that’s hard to top - it’s practically in the center of the Stockyards, within walking distance of attractions such as the White Elephant Saloon and Billy Bob’s Texas. 97 West is more chef-inspired than most Stockyards spots. Entrees include pan-seared redfish, chicken-fried New York strip, and smoked pheasant. There are also nice salads, pastas, and traditional burgers. Strolling around the restaurant and hotel is encouraged; tourists will certainly dig the hotel’s Texana décor and architecture.

Where to take the celebrity chef groupie
For better or worse, Tim Love is Fort Worth’s most well-known celebrity chef, so a celebrity-chaser is definitely going to want to visit one of his many restaurants. Love’s newest project is Tannahill's Tavern, a restaurant that doubles as a live music venue. Located in the Stockyards' Mule Alley development, Tannahill's serves cheffy bar food – items such as a wild boar sloppy joe, a fried bologna sandwich, and fried chicken and fried cauliflower bites. Heartier entrees include a housemade pappardelle, made with either boar ragu or in vegan form with Beyond Meat bolognese; steak and frites; and smoked baby back pork ribs. Concerts from local and national bands take place in the accompanying Music Hall, a 1,000-person capacity venue that hosts not just country bands but also rock, electronic music, and folk.

Where to take the outdoors lover
When it comes to patio dining, Branch & Bird is hard to beat: The American restaurant on the 12th floor of the Frost Tower downtown has a wraparound patio/balcony that offers a bird’s eye view of downtown. This time of year, you’ll get a nice view of the holiday lights and tree in the Sundance Square Plaza. The patio features two-top tables for small, intimate parties and big, comfy couches for cocktails and wine. An across-the-board food menu offers something for everyone, from crispy pancetta gnocchi, to shrimp linguini, to flatbreads topped with your choice of shrimp, steak, cheese, or buffalo chicken. There are soups and salads, too, plus rotating, seasonal cheesecakes.

Where to take the tightwad
One of Fort Worth’s essential cuisines is Tex-Mex, and there might not be a better place in town for cheap and of good quality than Dos Molinas, a long-running dive at 404 N. 25th St., on the city's north side. Housed inside a century-old building, Gloria Molina's charming little gem has been a hotbed for traditional Tex-Mex fare since it opened more than 40 years ago. Housemade flour tortillas are show-stealers, so large their edges eek out of their plastic holders. Entrees include excellent beef tips, super tender and spicy, along with plates of cheese enchiladas, tacos, tostados and burritos, all served with rice and beans, none priced more than $10. Daily lunch specials are in the $6-$9 range. Even cheaper is breakfast, served daily, including menudo, huevos rancheros, and chilaquiles, all priced $6-$8.

Where to take the big spender
Just as Fort Worth has numerous Mexican restaurants that are easy on your bank account, there are some that cater to big spenders, such as newly opened Don Artemio, one of the city’s best new restaurants. This stylish, upscale restaurant in the Museum District is more Mex Mex than Tex Mex; its menu is heavily inspired by food from the northeast Mexico region of Saltillo, where the original location of Don Artemio is located. The must-have appetizer is the build-your-own cactus tacos, served with warm, housemade corn tortillas. Entrees include the excellent chile hojaldrado, a cream cheese and pecan-stuffed poblano chile wrapped in puff pastry and served over tomato sauce; Chilean sea bass in a housemade mole sauce; and cabrito ribs with a cabbage salad and pickled red onions. There’s a large cocktail menu, plus a nice wine list, too.

Where to take the dessert lover
Dinner just isn’t dinner without the final – and most important – course: dessert. For that, take your out-of-towners to one of the most opulent restaurants in Fort Worth: Grace, located downtown, on the ground floor of the 777 Main building. Of course, dinner at Grace is highly recommended, but finding good desserts in Fort Worth is difficult, and that’s one of many areas where Grace takes the cake. The dessert menu consists of a half-dozen selections that strike a perfect balance between savory and sweet. For the latter, try the butterscotch pudding, made with salted caramel gelato, or the cookies and milk, served with shaken milk and Valrohna chocolate chip cookies. Those who prefer savory desserts, go with the spectacular olive oil cake with cara cara orange curd.

Where to take the hardcore foodie and prove FW has a foodie scene
One of Fort Worth’s best new restaurants, Beast & Co., dares to prove there’s more to Fort Worth’s food scene than burgers, steaks, and barbecue. So far, so good: Since opening earlier this year, the Near Southside restaurant has built a reputation with the foodie community for serving left-of-center dishes that go beyond the city’s norm. The restaurant’s menu rotates but recent favorites have included North African marinated olives, lobster bisque with a twinge of Thai flavors, whole fish served atop a banana leaf, and dumplings stuffed with charred eggplant. There’s a lively bar scene with cool cocktails and good happy hour specials.

Where to take a big group
Heim BBQ kick-started the craft barbecue movement in Fort Worth – their bacon burnt ends paved the way for everybody else’s. Of Emma and Travis Heim’s three DFW locations, the store in White Settlement is best suited for big groups. A large outdoor deck offers plenty of seating and if the weather’s lousy, there’s lots of room inside, thanks to oversized dining rooms. Other nice touches include an inside/outside bar and a menu that goes barbecue basics. In addition to brisket, ribs and sausage, there are, of course, Heim’s calling card, bacon burnt ends, plus excellent burgers, tacos made with in-house tortillas, and salads. Heim is one of the few local barbecue spots with a kids menu, too.

Photo by Joey Garcia
Goldee's serves the best barbecue in Texas.
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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Concerts in the Garden's hot summer lineup tops this week's 5 most-read Fort Worth stories

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here.

1. Fort Worth Symphony's 2023 Concerts in the Garden series brings Beatles, Star Wars, and Pat Green. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will offer 11 concerts as part of the 2023 Concerts In The Garden Summer Music Festival, taking place May 26 through June 11 at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The earlier dates for this year's season mean that the series will not include the traditional Fourth of July concerts. Here's the hot summer lineup.

2. These 10 beefy Fort Worth restaurants flip the best burgers in town. It’s a passionate subject in a city nicknamed “Cowtown” – burgers, that is. Everyone has their favorite, from unfussy classics to flashy gourmet versions with their aioli and brioche buns. We're throwing charcoal on the grill and stoking fires of debate by making Best Burger our "Wildcard" category the 2023 CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards. Here are the nominees.

3. Fort Worth's only vegan burger joint is calling it quits. A vegan burger joint in Fort Worth is calling it quits: Zonk Burger, the city's first restaurant dedicated to vegan burgers, which opened two years ago on Race Street, will close on April 2.

4. Heart health advocates raise over $800,000 at red-letter Fort Worth luncheon. The American Heart Association's annual Go Red for Women Luncheon is always one of the most anticipated fundraising luncheons of spring in Fort Worth. Nearly 1,200 patrons - decked out in red, of course - filled the Worthington's ballroom on March 3 to join the fight against cardiovascular disease.

5. Surprise, DFW has a new theater company and its first show is this weekend. What do Guiding Light, Bye Bye Birdie, and Oleanna all have in common? Arlington-raised actor, director, and producer Ryan Brown, who is one-half of Sweet Apple Productions with Jennifer Bangs. Their first production, David Mamet's Oleanna, runs March 30-April 2 in Stage West's performance space in Fort Worth.

Big openings and major comebacks top this Fort Worth restaurant news

News You Can Eat

This roundup of restaurant news around Fort Worth includes a big opening, some major comebacks, and lots of delicious new dishes to check out.

Here's what's happening in Fort Worth restaurant news:

Quince, a restaurant founded in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, which has been proclaimed the "No. 1 Rooftop Restaurant in the World," has opened a location in Fort Worth, in the WestBend development at 1701 River Run; it opened March 27. The menu features seafood including sushi and ceviches, steaks, salads, and bowls. There's steak au jus, tuna, tempura shrimp, chicken with ginger rice, filet with chateau potatoes, short ribs in truffle sauce on hummus with crunchy chickpeas, pasta fusilli with lamb ragout, New York strip, and a cowboy ribeye. They also serve brunch with dishes such as huevos rancheros, eggs benedict, French toast with berries and cream, chilaquiles verdes, and eggs shakshouka.

61 Osteria, the upscale Italian restaurant in Fort Worth, has launched weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am-2 pm, and weekday lunch from 11 am-2 pm. Brunch includes the Semolina Dutch Baby with luxardo cherries, lemon, and powdered sugar; scrambled egg bruschetta with ricotta, prosciutto, and hen of the wood mushrooms; House Granola with chestnut honey, farro, hazelnuts, and yogurt; and Mozzarella in Carrozza - battered mozzarella sandwich with tomato sauce, calabrian chili, and baked eggs. Lunch includes salads and sandwiches such as the Italian hoagie with Rovagnati cured meats, giadiniera, provolone, gem lettuce, tomato, and calabrian chili aioli; Broccolini Panino with preserved lemon, calabrian chili, provolone, mozzarella, and roasted garlic aioli; and Shaved Porchetta with castlefranco, provolone, mozzarella, fennel, and caramelized mostarda, all served with rosemary fries or a small Caesar.

The Original Mexican Eats Cafe, which has been open at 4713 Camp Bowie Blvd. for nearly a century, will not shut its doors at the end of March, despite previous reports to the contrary. According to a confusing post on their Facebook page, they've been given an extension of three months. “Well friends, we’ve been waiting for our Knight in shining armor, and He has ARRIVED!! We just secured a 3 month extension! Hopefully this will lead to a permanent stay! Nonetheless, we will stay here on Camp Bowie at least through the end of June!!” When asked who the Knight in shining armor was, the restaurant responded that it was "not an actual person, just a small miracle." Sure seems like the landlord cut them a break; wouldn't that guy be the knight?

Terra Mediterranean Grill is reopening in Crockett Row. According to a post on Crockett Row's Facebook page, the restaurant from Adam and Lena Chanaa returns after a four-year absence. Adam and his brother Jalal and their mother opened their first place, Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill, on Lower Greenville in Dallas in 1989. That closed, but they still have an Ali Baba in Richardson as well as one in Monterey, Mexico, plus a Terra Mediterranean in Plano. The Fort Worth Terra originally opened in 2009, but closed due to pandemic. They'll return to the West 7th district, in the former Patrizio space, and hope to open in late August. Before that, they'll be opening a Mexican restaurant across the street called La Cabrona.

Fred's Texas Cafe has launched a new menu with favorites and new dishes including chicken dishes such as tinga chicken salad, a hot honey chicken sandwich, and a grilled chicken Cobb. There's a veggie quesadilla with pepper jack cheese, black beans, corn, portabello mushrooms, and grilled onions, salads, and new burgers such as the veggie burger with a whole sautéed portobello mushroom cap, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mustard; and a salad burger featuring a Fredburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese.

La Madeleine has new limited-edition bakery items for spring: Blueberry & Lemon Individual Cheesecake topped with tart lemon whipped cream; Blueberry and Lemon Crepe with blueberry-cheesecake filling and fresh blueberries; and Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting. Three seasonal favorites are also returning: Lemon Blueberry Danish with blueberries and a lemon cream center; Lemon White Chocolate Chunk Cookie with tangy lemon glaze; and Lemon Poppyseed Muffin with a sweet lemon glaze drizzle.

Dog Haus has a new creation: the Pepperoni Pizza Sausage, a savory link with pork and fennel Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato, and oregano. Guests can get it the Würst Way, served on King's Hawaiian rolls with spicy basil aioli and grated cheese; the Corn Dog Way dipped in Dog Haus’ root beer batter; and “Sliced Way” grilled and sliced with spicy basil aioli. A new item in the Absolute Würst Sausage Series arrives each month.

Cowboy Chicken, famous for its rotisserie chicken, has added chicken tenders to its menu, served with honey blaze, ranch, BBQ, and honey mustard sauces.

Genghis Grill has partnered with chef Robert Kabakoff on a trio of new Fried Rice bowls: Kimchi Fried Rice with spicy pickled cabbage, fried rice, scrambled egg, in spicy Korean chili sauce; Jambalaya with chicken, sausage, shrimp, onion, bell pepper, and dirty rice; Farmhouse with chicken, bacon, jalapeños, ranch seasoning, fried rice with carrots, bell pepper, onions, and a cream BBQ ranch sauce. They start at $8.49.

Dunkin' has new Breakfast Tacos with scrambled eggs, sharp white cheddar cheese, fire-roasted corn, and tangy lime crema in a soft flour tortilla, with or without bacon. What sets Breakfast Tacos apart is the fact that the fire-roasted corn takes center stage.

Cicis Pizza is collaborating with Mike’s Hot Honey to offer a Hot Honey pepperoni pizza, drizzled with the signature chili pepper-infused honey. Now through April 30, the Hot Honey Pizza will be in the third slot after Garlic Cheesy Bread and Pepperoni Pizza, or to-go, $10 for a medium, $12 for a large, or $15 for a giant.

Yogurtland, the self-serve frozen yogurt brand, has two new seasonal fro-yo flavors: Thai Tea and Boba Milk Tea, inspired by two classic tea experiences. Thai Tea frozen yogurt is new, with a bold black tea flavor and sweet cream notes. Boba Milk Tea is a returning flavor, with brown sugar notes. They also have a new limited-edition topping: rainbow mochi.

Chick-fil-A has brought back Watermelon Mint Lemonade after six years. It's available as Watermelon Mint Sunjoy, Watermelon Mint Iced Tea, and Watermelon Mint Frosted Lemonade, starting Monday, April 3. "Guests loved the Watermelon Mint Lemonade in 2017, so we are thrilled to bring it back to our menu and introduce new ways for guests to enjoy this flavor," a spokesperson says.

Gong Cha has a new Sparkling Series of bubbly beverages featuring combinations of fruit flavors, pearls, jelly, milk foam, and sparkling water: Sparkling Milk Foam Mango with Star Jelly, a bright, fruity and fizzy mango drink topped with milk foam and chewy, peach flavored jelly in star shapes; Sparkling Lychee with Mango Popping Pearls, a tropical fruit blend of lychee with bursts of mango in each pearl; and Sparkling Hibiscus with White Pearls, a sweet & sour hibiscus drink with tart, floral flavor and chewy white pearls. The chain has seven locations in DFW.

Häagen-Dazs Shops has a new ice cream confection: Pineapple Coconut Shake, an alcohol-free ode to the classic piña colada, made from Häagen-Dazs Pineapple Coconut ice cream, topped with whipped cream and a slice of fresh pineapple, available April 1-June 14.

Milk Bar, the New York dessert company, has launched two new cookie types in grocery stores: bite-sized crunchy cookies (“crunchies”) and ready-to-bake cookie dough. Known for familiar-yet-unexpected items like their Compost Cookies, Milk Bar entered into the Grocery category in 2020. Crunchies will come in four flavors: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Toast, Pretzel-y Chocolate Chip, and Vanilla Butter Crunch, and sold at Whole Foods. The cookie dough comes in two flavors: Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow and Fruity Cereal, and is sold at Target and Kroger.

El Chico has two new cocktails featuring tropical flavors: Guava ‘Rita: with Monte Alban 100% Agave Silver Tequila, Gran Gala Orange Liqueur, Reàl Guava and margarita mix; and Sangria Swirl, a house frozen ‘Rita with El Toro Silver Tequila and red sangria swirl. Both are $7 and will be available April 3-July 3 at participating El Chico locations: 1549 S. Bowen Rd. Pantego; 7621 Baker Blvd., North Richland Hills; and 503 I-30, Rockwall.

Chili’s is no longer using children’s activity placemats that promote keeping parrots and monkeys as pets, after a complaint was lodged in Nebraska. The North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance collaborated with PETA to discourage use of the placemats.