Best of Big D: Best Nightlife in Dallas!

We've done shopping, we've done the food & drink, and now it's time to choose Dallas' very best nightlife destinations! We're not just talking about voting the hottest nightclubs in Dallas... a few of our very own West Village restaraunts and bars have been chosen for their awesome beer, bar food, and even late night dining (better known as the late night munchies).

Voting still works the same way, click here to get to the voting website where you can return to vote every day for the next two weeks. D Magazine editors have carefully chosen each nominee based on their own knowledge of Dallas' vibrant nightlife, personal preferences, and customer recommendations, so we need your valuable votes to once again find the Best of Big D!

Best Places to Eat After Midnight:

Pop Diner

Village Burger Bar

Best Bar Food

Union Bear

Best Beer Selection

Union Bear

Photo Credit: Thrillist Dallas

 Posted by Andrea Butler, Marketing Intern.



DIFF Opening Night 2013

It's that time again, the Dallas International Film Festival will be kicking off tonight with the annual Opening Night event!

Opening Night, hosted by AutoNation Volkswagon dealers, will start tonight, at 6 pm, with a star-studded pink carpet by Mary Kay, Inc., featuring Festival filmmakers, celebrities, and Dallas notables.

This year five different films will be screened to represent the overall scope of this years festival and give all you filmgoers the opportunity to see your film of choice! Following the showings passholders are invited to attend DIFF's Opening Night Gala with hors d'ouevres from Nick & Sam's Grill and drinks from the sponsors, Stella Artois, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, and Deep Eddy Vodka.

 Films will screen between 7:30 and 8:00pm. Individual tickets for Opening Night can be purchased online here and are $95 each.

If you can't make it tonight...don't worry, you have until April 14th to see one of this year's carefully chosen films at Dallas' newest theatre, LOOK Cinemas, which offers a full bar and table-side service from Nick & Sam's Grill.

Opening Night film choices:

8 1/2

In this classic by Italian director Federico Fellini, Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni) is a renowned director who struggles to reconcile his artistic and personal demons. While Guido is supposed to be making a science fiction movie, he instead becomes lost in a visually stunning reverie of memories, dreams, and fantasies of the women in his life. 8½ is Fellini’s self-reflective jewel of the post-war European art cinema.

The Crash Reel

A top pick for the 2010 Winter Olympics, pro snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffered an accident while training that left him with a traumatic brain injury. In THE CRASH REEL, Oscar-nominated documentarian Lucy Walker follows Kevin’s quick-rising career, recovery and rehabilitation in a thought-provoking and dynamic look at those who push the boundaries in extreme sports.

Java Heat

As a key witness to a terrorist bombing, teaching assistant Jake Travers is placed under the watchful eye of an Indonesian policeman named Hashim. In true buddy cop movie form, neither see eye-to-eye, but the one thing standing in their way is cunning thief and crime boss, Malik (Mickey Rourke) who’s deadset on carrying out his master plan.

Kon-Tiki

In 1947, ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl embarked on a dangerous voyage across the Pacific on a small balsa wood raft. Without funding or even the ability to swim, Heyerdahl was fueled by his own desire to prove his scientific theories. With breath-taking cinematography, KON-TIKI is of those rare movies that restores our sense of wonder.

Still Mine

In rural New Brunswick, retired farmer Craig (James Cromwell) is building a new house for his ill wife Irene (Geneviéve Bujold). When a government inspector stalls their plans, a standoff between modernity and heritage ensues. At its heart, STILL MINE is also a story of enduring love between a couple in their twilight years whose deep roots help them weather the storm of change together.

 LOOK Cinemas

5409 Beltline Road

 Dallas, TX 75254

972.991.5665

 Posted by Andrea Butler, Marketing Intern.

Valentine's Day in the Village!

It's that time of year again...so I'll just go ahead and ask the inevitable question: What are you and your honey doing for Valentines day? Well, February 14th is just around the corner so I'm here to get you thinking!

Not trying to break the bank this year? You're in luck, The Fish is offering this amazing Valentines day special:

The Fish

3636 McKinney Ave #150
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 522-0071

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Or maybe you want to spice things up? Head over to Baboush for a romantic, four-course meal and choose from these delicious entrees:

Baboush's Valentines Day Four Course Dinner

1st Course

Traditional Kibeh

Ground Beef, Bulghar Wheat & Lebanese Seven

Spice Crust Stuffed with Ground Beef, Onions & Pine Nuts $11

Spinach-Goat Cheese Cigar

Flaky Pastry Stuffed with Sauteed Spinach, Olives, Garlic

Preserved Lemon & Goat Cheese,

and Topped w/ toasted Pistachio $12 

2nd Course

Tangier Salad

Organic Baby Spinach, Oranges, Red Onions, Moroccan Olives,

Egyptian Feta, Toasted Almonds with Blood Orange Argana Vinaigrette $12

Jerjeer bil Dates Salad

Organic Baby Arugula, Grilled Pear, Beets, Pear Tomato, Gorgonzola,

Toasted Walnuts & Cinnamon Seared Dates with Pear Vinaigrette $13

3rd Course

Chicken Teffaya

Braised Chicken Breast w/ Cinnamon, honey golden Raisins,

Chickpeas & caramelized Onions with Moroccan Couscous $17

Grilled Stripe Bass

6oz Stripe Bass Fillet, Rubbed with Moroccan

Sharmoula Seafood Spice Mix Grilled, Served with

Sauteed Spinach atop Cilantro, Cumin & Lemon Mashed Potato $18





Orange Beef Tajine

6 oz New York Steak Strip Braised in Moroccan Orange Blossom

& Honey Sauce w/ Figs & Almonds $22

Lamb Couscous

Two Chops with Moroccan Ras el Hanout Spices, Braised

in Moroccan Sauce Served on top of Steamed Vegetables Saffron Couscous $25

4th Course

Moroccan Cheese Cake

Phylo Dough Purse Stuffed w/ Apricot Cheese Cake & Cinnamon

Candied Walnuts topped with Pistachio $10

Chocolate Marquise

Ganash, Genoise & Mousse Cake Served on Vanilla Been Sauce

& Fresh Pureed Rasberries $12

Baboush

3636 McKinney Ave. #160

Dallas, TX 75204

214-599-0707

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Want to make sure you have the perfect glass of wine to go with your V-day dinner? At Max's Wine Dive they'll take care of that for you.

Photo courtesy of Max's Wine Dive

 Enjoy a 5 course meal & wine pairings on February 14th &15th from 4-11pm.

$100/couple & $50/couple wine pairing

All courses served family style for couples to share.

First Course:

East Coast Oysters

oysters on the half shell with mignonette and cocktail sauce

OR

Carrots & Ginger

carrot and coconut soup with ginger creme and candied ginger

Second Course:

Frisee, Honey & Truffles

frisee salad with shaved truffles, truffle vinaigrette,

honeycomb and pecorino cheese

AND

Smoked White Tuna

smoked white tuna, basil and mint salsa verde,

pickled Napa cabbage and confit potato

Third Course:

Ricotta Mezzaluna & Kumquat

house-made ricotta mezzaluna, candied kumquat and calabrese chile oil

Fourth Course:

Sirloin & Bordelaise

pan-roasted sirloin with house-made bordelaise, roasted shishito peppers and soy

AND

Diver Scallops & Fig

seared diver scallops with roasted figs

Fourth course served with roasted fingerlings and broccolini

Fifth Course:

Chocolate Torte & Caprino Royale

gluten free dark chocolate torte with banana-chevre mousse,

cocao nib and cherries jubilee

AND

MAX'S Sherry Milkshake

marcona almond and vanilla milkshake made with Alexandro Pedro Ximenez Sherry

*Reservations available by phone or OpenTable.

Max's Wine Dive

3600 McKinney Avenue

 Suite 100

 Dallas, TX 75204

214-559-3483

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Last but not least...

Relive Your Romantic Timeline at Crú Food & Wine with a romantic 4 Course Valentine's Dinner.

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to reminisce with your honey how you met, the courtship that ensued and every night's bittersweet endings? Crú has carefully planned a menu to help you recollect these special moments in your life. Take a walk down memory lane as you enjoy Crú's 4 courses that will delight both your heart and your mouths. If you want to avoid the Valentine's Day mayhem, we will also have this special menu available over the weekend.

Tease: 
Smoked Salmon Pate (sea salt, toasted baguette)

First Kiss: 
Pan Roasted Potato Gnocci 
Seared Foie Gras
Arugula & Shaved Fennel Salad
Ston Oven Roasted Jumbo Shrimp
Pan Roasted Gulf Oysters 
Lobster Bisque

The Courtship: 
Pan Roasted Filet Mignon (gorgonzola & yukon gold au gratin, haricot verts, truffle butter sauce)
 Crispy Ginger Duck Breast (wine poached pear, swiss chard, port wine sauce) 
Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb (creamy goat cheese polenta, French beans, Barolo wine galze, rosemary gremolata) 
Pan Roasted Sea Bass (herb encrusted, lavender broth, fingerling potatoes, roasted cauliflower) 
Seared Sea Scallops (baby spinach & artichoke risotto, tomato confit, lemon aioli)

Sweet Endings: 
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake
Creme Brulee
White Chocolate Mousse 
Chocolate Fondue for Two

When: Thursday, February 14th & Friday, February 15th & Saturday, February 16th

Price: $50 for 4 Course Dinner

Crú Food & Wine Bar

3699 McKinney Ave #107

Dallas, TX 75204

214-526-9463

Posted by Andrea Butler, Marketing Intern.



LF Now Open

This October, California-based LF opened at West Village. Located across from Starbucks between Epic Apparel and Lilli London, LF has become the must have destination for many fashionistas who crave upcoming trends on the fashion circuit. The brand has become well known for their innovative trends, variety and assortment, and personalized styling sessions. With a passion for cutting edge looks the new shop will constantly receive new and innovative product. We met with Mariel Furst from the national LF store team to hear more about the West Village shop.

Event Pics

Côtes du Coeur Wine Society Mobile Pizza Smackdown Kick Off Event

Thursday, September 29

On Thursday, September 29 the Côtes du Coeur Wine Society and Young at Heart groups hosted the 2011-2012 kick off event at West Village, a Mobile Pizza Smackdown featuring Chefs Paolo Cavalli of Cavalli Pizzeria, Salvatore Gisellu of Urban Crust and Jay Jerrier of Il Cane Rosso. Guests sampled each of the chefs' delicious specialties, and then put their vote in for the winner. Urban Crust chef Salvatore Gisellu was selected as Dallas' reigning wood-burning pizza chef! Check out the pics below.

 

Game Day Denim

1. LOFT, $34.99 Sheer woven henley blouse 2. L. BARTLETT, $62 Kendra Scott Danielle earrings in goldstone 3. DEMERARA, $400 Romygold fold over clutch 4. SUNGLASS HUT, $139.95 Ray-Ban aviator in gold 5. L. BARTLETT, $173 J Brand low-rise skinny jeans in terra cotta 6. BANANA REPUBLIC, $140 Beloved clog sandal 7. LUCKY BRAND, $59.50 Seed bead leather belt 8. EPIC APPAREL, $229 Citizens of Humanity Angie super flare jeans 9. EYE PIECES, $450 Tom Ford tortoiseshell sunglasses 10. LF, $265 Rebecca Minkoff Kiss & Tell shoulder bag

Dallas Pedicabs Now in Uptown

Dallas Pedicabs will be hitting the streets of Uptown this weekend. Stop by the Launch Party at the Katy Trail Ice House tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to have a brew with the team behind bringing the new, sustainable form of transportation to Dallas and enjoy your first pedicab ride.

Can't make it to the Launch Party? Don't worry, we met with Dallas Pedicabs President, Robert Tobolowsky, to get more info on the operation.

Mobile Pizza Smackdown

Three rival chefs, three authentic pizza ovens and one declared reigning king of the mobile wood-burning pizza oven. Don't miss it!

Join the Côtes du Coeur Wine Society and Young at Heart for the groups' 2011-12 kick off. Chefs Paolo Cavalli of Cavalli Pizzeria, Salvatore Gisellu of Urban Crust and Jay Jerrier of Il Cane Rosso will be bringing their certified, wood-burning ovens for a mobile pizza showdown. Guests will have the opportunity to sample each of the chefs' specialties, and then you will be the judge. There have been many claims of the best, but on September 29 you will help select Dallas' reigning wood-burning pizza chef.

Wine will be provided by Pogo's Wine & Spirits.

Mobile Pizza Smackdown
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011
6 - 8 p.m.
West Village
North Alley at the Blackburn Street Entrance
3699 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75024
Cost: Free/member, $20/non-member*
Register online or join the Society

*Individuals can renew or join online now or at the event. Upon payment, entry fees will be waived.