The 5 Best Places I Went My First Week In Dallas

Hi from Dallas, TX. I’ve officially been here a week. It’s only been 7 days, but I have hit the ground hard on sights, restaurants, coffee shops, and my favorite, grocery stores. I will be working day-to-day from a co-working space starting next week, so I took advantage of my extra flexibility this week to bounce around from coffee shops. I also have a great little community already in place here, so I loved spending my first few days meeting up with different friends for dinner, workout classes, long walks and coffee dates.

Without further ado, here are the 5 best places I made it to my first week in Dallas (typing this reminded me of “the fast 5 stories that you need to hear…” The Morning Toast anyone??).

Beverly’s Bistro & Bar
Beverly’s opened in March, and it has been on my radar from the moment I decided to move. I did dinner with two friends here, and even on a Tuesday it was hustling and bustling. Oh wait maybe only in Oklahoma are restaurants dead on a Tuesday… It’s decor and branding hint at The Beverly Hills Hotel, but the food leans more french and jewish inspired.

Once in town, I caught wind of mixed reviews, however we loved every minute of it. Our order included an Aperol spritz and a spicy mezcal cocktail to start. The burrata with pea pesto and radish and lemony shishito peppers (a special) to start. The catch of the day (red snapper) and chicken schnitzel with fries for the entrees. And key lime pie to end.

Verbena Parlor + Social House
Vebena is toxin-free, fume-free, nail bar & cafe located in Uptown. They have a cafe/coffee shop in the front area with a nail salon in the back. It’s aesthetic and fumes are not like your average nail salon. I went for a matcha, but I can’t wait to go back for a manicure.

I met Molly of Molly on the Move here for coffee yesterday. Her blog has been my self proclaimed guide to Dallas! Molly and I met back in the fall and her energy is hard to not be friends with. She recently went full time with blogging so she gets the remote life. We met at Verbena to catch up and work a bit. The cafe space has a handful of tables and multiple outlets.

Katy Trail Ice House
This is a bit basic as it is a Dallas staple, but I had never been until this past weekend. It seemed fitting to kick off my first weekend in town with a Summer Beer (Blue Moon, Deep Eddy Lemon and lemonade) at one of the best patios in Dallas. Katy Trail Ice House is a beer garden and restaurant located right off the well-known Katy Trail. It was packed with 20-somethings having themselves a Saturday.

Central Market
I moved to the holy land of grocery stores. And I couldn’t be happier about it. I went to Central Market twice this past week purely for fun with no list in hand. I walked the aisles over and over sampling all the things (the bread!!). I walked out with simply a case of Waterloo and protein bars, but I can’t wait to stock up on specialty dips and cheeses and their homemade tortillas.

Honor Bar
Another “basic” choice, but a Dallas staple located in Highland Park Village. Honor Bar is a Hillstone concept so you know it’s going to be good and to the point food. They also have my favorite salad on the menu, so I will be back sooner rather than later. Especially since they gave me a gift card after having a small run in with peanut oil (Oops for them, worked out for me. Disclosure I was fine)!

Mom and dad and I had dinner here last Friday while they were still in town. We had just finished unpacking and getting me moved in. We enjoyed a really good meal and good conversation. I see more great nights at Honor Bar in my future.

Cheers to these honorable mentiones. SculptHouse, Class Studios, and The Katy Trail for working out, Javier’s, Little Katana, and The Porch for dining, Halcyon and La La Land Kind Cafe for coffee and Royal Blue Grocery for you guessed it, groceries.

I have a long list of Dallas spots to make it to, but I’m open to all suggestions. Drop your DFW recs in the comments!

Annie

Bites of My Life

BRB currently taking a bite out of Dallas. Y’all (seemed appropriate) I MOVED! I officially live in Texas! I’m definitely on a high from the move and a great first weekend in my new city, but so far so great. There’s a new energy inside me I was desperately seeking. Here’s to never staying comfortable.

-I’ve known Addie for a while, but our friendship really bloomed the past few months. She helped me know Jesus in a way I didn’t before and is the biggest ray of sunshine every time I see her. One last OKC coffee date at Stitch before off to Dallas.
-A big hug sesh and only a couple of tears with my best friends before heading south of the border. They sent me off with a few gifts I’ll keep forever.
-Bye to my sweet home and incredible roommate of the past two years. ILY Belleview!
-A little tex mex upon arrival to fuel the unpacking.
-Say hello to my new sanctuary. Home tour post to come! I’m 99% unpacked (I know this is psycho considering it’s only been a couple of days, but that’s how I roll), just need to replace some glass on a broken picture and buy a plant then pics and post will happen.
-Can’t thank my mom and dad enough for driving my uhaul, helping me unpack, getting me organized, hanging all the things, styling my coffee table and making multiple trips to Target. My every day superheroes.
-Checked off Javier’s, Honor Bar and Katy Trail Ice House all in a matter of hours. Three Dallas staples and more to visit! You best believe a new city guide is brewing.
-The transition aint so bad when I was surrounded by some of my best friends (from Dallas and OKC) the first weekend I was here. Congrats to the Connors!
-When Trader Joe’s is walking distance from your new place. Big mood RN are these dehydrated rainbow carrots (140 cals for the whole bag), jicama sticks and organic buffalo hummus. Bought on Saturday and already polished them all off.

Annie

p.s. I’m still trying to formulate my words on a “why I moved” post, so stay tuned. Maybe.

Bites of My Life

Only a week and a half left of being a permanent Oklahoma resident. I’m cleaning out the fridge, training our new employee, selling all my unnecessary junk, packed half my house, celebrated turning 26 again, danced my booty off at good friend’s wedding, and trying to get every last minute with everyone I can’t live without before I cross the state line. This 😱emoji so accurate to many aspects of my life right now.

-Clean out the fridge meals have commenced. I’m refusing to buy groceries except for some lettuce and a few apples until I move. This turkey burger salad situation wasn’t too weird, but I’m looking forward to seeing how I can combine frozen party meatballs and canned chickpeas into a meal…
-PSA I’m keeping my job (and got a promotion!!!), but still moving to Dallas. To make it all feasible, we hired a marketing coordinator to work with me and be my boots on the ground in OKC while I’m remote. Bailey started last week and she is already killing the game.
-Marie Kondo meets loosing 1,000 square feet of living space meets family members who equally want to lighten their load equals one big ole garage sale. And a successful one at that.
-A belated birthday dinner with family on Friday ended my favorite way. Brandy ices have my heart.
-Pink is our color and pink is our other color (if you know what I’m referring too, double points to you).
-Lady gang celebrating the Mlady’s!
-Up close of this incredible pancake from Sunday brunch here.
-OKC’s baby skyline always has a way of showing off.
-True life: I’m a lighter hoarder. Things i found out while moving. Anyone need a long neck lighter??

Annie

Bites of My Life

Wowza. Last week was mmm emotional? Exhausting? Amazing? Emotional because I decided I am moving. Exhausting because crying a lot is exhausting and realizing I have to find a job, find an apartment, and find someone to take my current job is stressful. Amazing because despite the emotion and the exhaustion, I felt liberated all week by my decision and the support around it. And because it was a truly great Easter weekend with friends and family in town.

-Funfetti Cake recipe on the blog last week! Perfect for any celebration!
-New favorite restaurant/coffee shop/place to work is now open! Stitch opened right down from my office and next door to The Jones two weeks ago and I’m going to soak up as much time there as I can!
-Gal Pal Book Club #2! We just finished Girl, Stop Apologizing. We all did not like it…I would still recommend Girl, Wash Your Face, but take a pass on GSA.
-Super easy and nutritious sheet pan week night meal made a “lite bite” appearance. Recipe here.
-Hi! I’m moving to Dallas in June! Deciding if I’m going to write a post on the why… If you are in OKC and looking for a creative job in hospitality marketing, apply here.
-The go-to when I have nothing to eat. Check out my recipe for healthy fried rice. This time I used cauliflower rice and kimchi!
-The whole Social Order crew in one place for our Vol. 4 shoot with The Scout Guide!
-Orange, was I glad I got to go the the first Thunder playoff game, because our future in the series is not looking so bright.
-Spent Saturday morning judging a cake baking competition with the dream team. All to benefit the local charity SixTwelve. A group I wish I would have gotten involved in sooner. If you are in OKC, check them out!
-Really hoping mom’s table setting genes rub off on me when it comes time to host holidays for family in the future. She kills it every time!
-Ready for sister’s little peep to join our girl squad! She is due in a week and a half!
-Aunt Chloe came through with Easter dessert this year! Kathleen and I usually always make dessert (sometimes two), but we loved passing this torch to Chlo if it meant Lemon Cloud Pie!

Annie

Blog Break

Things are a little busy around here. Like I mentioned before the Tucker's are moving! Tomorrow we will break out of the suburbs and make the big move to Oklahoma City. Since I finished school on Monday, my days have been filled with packing and been surrounded with boxes. 

Please pardon my little break from the blog while we get moved and settled! The next few weeks are a little crazy so my posts may be sporadic. I promise I'll be back next Monday with a regular bites post!

Annie