 There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey. The Five W's + H:Who: My fiancé, Sophie the cat and yours truly What: Top 5 places to drink up Where: Dallas, Texas When: November 2017 - February 2018 Why: With my brother's nuptials steadily approaching, we decided to head home for the holidays. While Dallas is my hometown, and The Village area was my stomping ground for many years, I thought it would be fun to write about some of my favorite places in the D. (And of course) How: We reversed course and doubled back through Tennessee (stopping in Knoxville this time), Arkansas (Little Rock) and back south through Texas for a grand total of approximately 1400 miles. Dallas, Texas: Five Places to Drink UpGoodfriend (1154 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218, United States)For many years, this location was home to a rowdy, roughneck biker dive where you were more likely to rage your way into a bar brawl than have a raging good time. Nearly a decade later, in 2011 Goodfriend emerged from the wreckage once known as The Trap and turned that dangerous dive into a downright neighborly neighborhood restaurant and pub. Almost immediately man bun aficionados, beard oil connoisseurs, secondhand store savants and part-time accordion players took notice. The collective record scratch from Victrolas blaring obscure indie underground music across the metroplex was deafening. As they filed into Goodfriend these anti-consumer crusaders rolled up their flannel sleeves, set aside their non-prescription eyewear and began to celebrate with glee: their hipster haven had arrived. While the menu has changed a bit in the near decade since its inception, the overall vibe at Goodfriend has stayed the same. Many unique craft beers are on tap, including local favorites from metroplex breweries Lakewood, Community and Deep Ellum. While some of the original cocktails have left the drink list, my personal favorite—the Goodfriend 100—can still be had with a wink and a nod (or even without either of those things since all you have to do is ask). This Goodfriend spin on the classic Old Fashioned is one of my favorites, as is the refreshing Blackberry Smash with your choice of bourbon or vodka mixed with fresh blackberries (hence the name), lime juice and mint. Food-wise, their burgers are top-notch and feature the flexibility to switch out any beef patty for turkey or their black bean and parmesan veggie patty. Feasting on the crispy and delicious waffle fries is a must, as they put Chick-fil-A to shame. The vegan chili is also some of the best in Dallas, and the off menu option of fried green beans is not to be missed. Add spicy ghost pepper ranch as a side to any of these and you won't be disappointed. Pecan Lodge (2702 Main Street Dallas, TX 75226)Texas is known for its barbecue, and in Dallas the choices for spicy and delicious smoked meats are virtually unlimited. The best among these has to be Pecan Lodge. Mesquite and oak wood smolder nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week inside the bbq pits of this local legend—and it shows in the quality of every juicy morsel of deliciousness this place churns out. The lines at Pecan Lodge can make even the boldest barbecue fan hesitant, but here's a pro tip: leap the line and secure a couple of seats at the bar. They will take your food order and you can help yourself to a sizable selection of local draft brews. Now that you've got your meat on a seat, let me describe the meat that can't be beat. You can't be the top smoke shop 'round these parts without having melt-in-your-mouth brisket, and Pecan Lodge is second-to-none in that department. Each bite of the chopped brisket sandwich is better than the last, with spicy and smokey meeting a hint of tangy and sweet on your own personal taste bud battleground. Pair with a pint of crunchy, fresh fried okra and you've got yourself a feast fit for a Texan. HG SPLY CO (2008 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75206)Winner for best patio view on this list, and quite possibly in all of Dallas, is HG SPLY. The top floor bar area of this Lower Greenville gem is one of the most popular spots in the metroplex due to its delicious bites, array of drinks and of course the killer view (pictured above) of the Dallas skyline. With two bars (one on each floor) you know you're in for a master class on mixology at HG. The HG Mule expands on this classic cocktail by adding buddha's brew ginger kombucha to the agave and lime base. Another must-have is the Cucumber Smash with—you guessed it—cucumber infused vodka and subtle notes of mint, lime and turbinado (raw sugar). While the drinks and panoramic views could be considered the stars at HG, the cuisine is more than just a supporting act. The HG Chips and Queso provide a fun take on the original classic with vegan cheese that would rival the overwhelming real cheesiness of your dad-joke telling father. Topped with a scoop of guacamole and green onion, this unique, spicy and dairy-free concoction is a winner. Another favorite is the HG Kale Caesar. While most people blindly hate anything with kale in it, this succulent salad actually melts in your mouth. Add a poached egg and/or some Grilled Scottish Salmon if you want to spruce up the protein factor. Other options abound as burgers, sandwiches, bowls and even some formal fare like the NY Strip Steak or Sautéed Snapper fill out the remainder of the robust menu at HG. Gabriela & Sofia's (10455 N. Central Expressway, Ste 117 Dallas, TX 75231)There are an abundance of spots that serve delicious Tex-Mex cuisine in Dallas. What separates similarly spectacular fare is great ambiance and a family atmosphere. Who doesn't love when bartenders know you by name because you've had drinks and ate at the bar more times than you can count, and even hook you up with shots of Don Julio like it ain't no thang. Along with great food, drinks and a double shot of hospitality, this establishment doubles as the perfect place to find a pet. Upon exiting this eatery one fateful evening, we found little kitten Sophie (hence her name) wandering around out front. For these obvious reasons, Gabriela and Sofia's is my go-to for Tex-Mex in the metroplex. A great way to start your meal is with the classic margarita. Friendly, knowledgeable bartenders craft a cocktail that goes down smooth without being too tangy or sweet. Once you've wet your whistle, it's time to dig into some tried-and-true northern Mexican cuisine. A unique option here is the Tableside Guacamole. Kick back and enjoy that margarita while a chef mixes fresh avocado with your ideal amount of cilantro, onion and jalapeño to create your favorite guacamole right at your table. Moving to the main course, the Camarones a la Diabla is stacked with fresh shrimp sautéed in spicy chili with a healthy heaping of fresh veggies and rice. Add a couple of flour tortillas and you've found Tex-Mex heaven. Gemma (2323 N Henderson Ave, #109 Dallas, TX. 75206)Bright, open and airy, Gemma breaks the mold of some other stuffy, dark and uptight formal restaurants in the Dallas area. Friendly servers welcome you into the compact but dense interior of this Italian-inspired eatery. Distinctive drink options are an immediate eye-opener. Creative concoctions like the Texas Heat with jalapeño-infused tequila nestled with a splash of lemon, lime and cilantro send those flavor receptors racing. The Gemma Manhattan is a creative take on the classic cocktail with Carpano Antica vermouth, Luxardo Maraschino cherries and Gran Classico bitters. For starters, the Shishitos and Okra is a spicy, crunchy introduction to Gemma. Cantaloupe, almonds and basil salt round out this appetizer that features a little bit of everything flavor-wise. My main course of choice is the Spaghetti with lobster, uni, tomato sauce and herb crumbs. I mean, come on, you had me at lobster. You've already struck oil. No need to keep drilling. Whether it's a nice night out after a long week or, as we once did, an anniversary for two; Gemma is the perfect place to celebrate. Bonus: Alamo Drafthouse (All over the Metroplex & across the US)You can't make a list about top places in Dallas and NOT mention the greatest movie theater chain of all time: Alamo Drafthouse. Based in Austin, Texas, Alamo features new release movies, a stocked bar and an assortment of quality eats all packed under one roof. They even do specialty cocktails based on new movie releases.
The bar area alone is reason enough to visit Alamo. Cedars (pictured above) has the most panoramic view, but every location has it's own pub area with tons of local beers, ciders and even liquors on tap with a hefty craft cocktail menu to boot. One of my favorite things to eat at Alamo is the Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower. Friends who turned their collective nose into the air at the mere thought of enjoying cauliflower changed their minds instantly after taking a bite into this plate of deep-fried goodness. Believe or not, the Kale Caesar salad is also a delicious bit of healthy goodness. Or say no to all things green and get yourself bottomless popcorn for less than 10 bucks. Did I mention you can get all of this tasty goodness delivered directly to your theater seat? What more can you ask for. Problem with a loud table? Alamo gives patrons the ability to anonymously report fellow moviegoers who are being loud, texting or just being outright annoying. Guests get one warning and then are kicked out of Alamo without a refund. Think it's just a game? Alamo Drafthouse Founder Tim League is Mr. Don't Play: even Madonna got banned for texting throughout 12 Years a Slave.
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