Hook Line & Sinker

Hook Line & Sinker

Ever wanted to escape to the coast… just for Dinner and leave the everyday Dallas life for an hour or two?
Why haven’t you tried Hook Line & Sinker in Uptown then?

It’s been around for years and it’s still one of the best places for a quick seafood fix in Dallas. HLS is nothing like your ordinary uptown joint: Wooden park benches on the patio, old fishing boat motors line the railing, whiteboard menu above the open kitchen and the wide selection of hot sauces and horseradish… oh and did I mention $3 Beers!

So far, I’ve only been once. My partner in crime has been going for years, so I left the ordering to years of experience. And there was no disappointment.
1 pound of boiled shrimp and 1 pound of boiled crab legs… all for $23??!
Included in that you also get your choice of two sides.. we oppted for the boiled new potatoes and corn on the cob.
Hello- how can you go wrong?!
Along with the wide selection of hot sauce, there is plenty of cocktail sauce to go around and warm melted butter for your crab legs and corn.
Another menu favorite is the grilled Tilapia with rice and grilled veggies- you'll just have to make a few trips to taste so much greatness.
It’s a finger-lickin-good, roll-up your sleeves, peel and crack your own dinner kinda place. And yes, all this work is totally worth the taste, flavors and sauces you will treat your mouth to.

Headed back for another round: ASAP.

Neighborhood Services Tavern

Neighborhood Services Tavern

If you are looking to step out of your usual dining routine, and not go too over the top with crazy foods, then Neighborhood Services Tavern should be your next stop.
I’m pretty sure there is nothing bad on the menu here… I’ve been a hand full of times now and still haven’t found something I wouldn’t order again.

The Menu is set up a little differently than others… yes there are appetizers, entrées and desserts, but then there is also daily specials and (i.e. every Wednesday night is home-made Meatloaf; every Friday night is RIB NIGHT!) and then there are also 5 other specials that vary nightly: an east coast, west coast, pasta, beef, veggie and something else special that you can’t go wrong with.

As for appetizers, the spicy meatball tray is out of this world. Also the three different kinds of chick-pea (hummus) dips with flat bread are quite tasty!
When it comes to the main dish… you can’t go wrong with one of the nightly specials. However, if you like Chicken Fried Steak (which is the Thursday Night Special) be sure to arrive early… they sell out of this one. Yes, that’s how good it is.The Cleaver & Block Burger (ground chuck and brisket, cheddars, caramelized onions, frites) is scrumptious. We had the sliced Filet last time and it was De-lish!
This is a warning: YOU MUST SAVE ROOM FOR DESERT.

I can’t remember what it’s called, but they serve a rice crispy treat sandwich filled with chocolate/coffee ice-cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with coconut shavings… Devine.

The little quirky touches of NHS Tavern are what make your dining experience so much more better (Yes, I just used the term ‘more better’!) This might sound strange… But you need to check out the restroom when you have dinner here. It’s different than any other restaurant restroom in town. A book on tape is playing on the PA system, there are all sorts of things you might need… toothpicks, mouthwash, other things I can’t recall, and the décor is brilliant. Another added touch is way you receive your bill: it is delivered under the cover of a miniature hard-back volume of an Encyclopedia.

As mentioned at the beginning of this post: GO TRY THIS PLACE.
I think tonight would be the perfect night to give it a go. A) Its Thursday: Chicken Fried Steak Night. And B) they don’t take reservations anyway, so you don’t have an excuse that you didn’t plan ahead;)

NICOLA

NICOLA

There is a new Park Cities ‘Place to be Seen’ for the ‘older’ crowd on Preston Road: Restaurante Nicola.
Think upscale Maggianos and your there. 
It’s very open (so you can be seen) and loud – think big Italian eatery with an Americanized concept and you have Nicola.
This is not one of our favorite places in Dallas… so prepare yourself for some not so positive thoughts on our evening out. 



It seemed that our server would disappear behind a black curtain and not reappear for a very long time… He didn’t pay great attention to detail was very confused about the menu and what the kitchen was able to prepare that night. The specials… were more of a struggle. The menu was filled with a lot of options, most of which were heavy-set courses that would have suited a winter menu more so than a spring/summer time menu; From the portion size to the heavy cream sauces and flavors.

The best choice on the menu that we made was the Antipasto Misto Della Casa. Great cheeses, meats and veggies were served cold on a big platter. (Oh and they serve APEROL- one of my favorite Italian drinks! Please enjoy with Prosecco on ice! It’s very refreshing and tasty)!After the appetizer we either made poor choices off the menu, or the food was just not that good. And I’m pretty sure our waiter made less and less appearances at our table as the evening went on.

All and all… there would have to be a serious reason to return to this restaurant for a meal.

Side note: this place clears out early!