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closeWednesday, Aug. 05, 2009
Bailey’s and Patrizio head to West 7th, Ellerbe is in demand, and Paco & John are still serving up the goods
Bailey’s, Patrizio headed to West 7th
In just a few weeks, a new restaurant called Bailey’s Prime Plus will be opening at Park Lane, a new "urban village" near NorthPark Center in Dallas, where the ultimate Whole Foods Market will also be built. This is of interest to diners on this side of the M’plex because another Bailey’s Prime Plus is coming to Fort Worth. Cowtown’s edition will be across the street from Fred’s Texas Café, at the corner of Currie and Crockett streets in the West 7th development, with an opening slated for near Thanksgiving.
PR man Bill Armstrong says the "Fort Worth location will have the same feel and atmosphere" as the Dallas outpost. That means swanky, perhaps giving Eddie V’s some competition?
From the same company will also come Patrizio, an über-popular place for pasta and wine that started in posh Highland Park Village. The West 7th edition will open in easy shouting distance of Bailey’s, taking a space on Crockett Street and making its debut possibly in late November, Armstrong says.
No reservations = no food at Ellerbe
For weeks now, everyone keeps telling me that I’m going to go positively ga-ga for Ellerbe Fine Foods, the new hot spot on Magnolia that boasts fresh and seasonal food and a menu that changes regularly.
I remain skeptical, mostly because I’m not so sure that in the middle of a crippling recession we really need another restaurant that charges $30 for a plate of lamb chops.
Nonetheless, equipped with both an empty belly and a corporate credit card, I was all set to dine at Ellerbe last Wednesday. My dining companion sent me a text message early that afternoon: "You did make a reservation, right?"
A reservation? On a Wednesday? Really? One of the reasons I live in Fort Worth is because the notion of midweek reservations is laughable.
Alas, my friend was right. When I called, just before 5 p.m., I was told that it would be pretty much impossible to fit me in that night, unless I wanted to sit on the patio. And since the last thing I enjoy doing when dropping a hundred bucks for a meal is sweating into my food, I decided to postpone the visit.
But now I’m really curious. Is this place as good as the critics insist? Is it a whole bunch of overpriced hype? Tune in next week to find out.
Paco & John still on point
A trusted friend told me a few days ago that one of the worst meals he’s had in Fort Worth was a recent dinner at Paco & John. He and another pal, whose palate has also been reliable, didn’t like anything they had. In fact, they pretty much hated it.
What?!? is all I could think. My meals — two breakfasts and at least three lunches — at P&J have always been pleasing, some even great.
Clearly, an investigative visit was in order.
After two of us shared a dinner at P&J just after my friend’s disastrous evening, I’m stumped. Our dinner was more than satisfactory, with only a minor complaint. We shared an appetizer order of fried oyster taquitos, which we found to be stellar, as well as a cheese-stuffed chile relleno in a smooth tomato sauce, a solid effort.
We also shared queso with crab, and therein lies my quibble: If you’re going to use lush lump crab, why put it in orange cheese that screams Velveeta? I have little argument with that brand in a regular queso, but I want a better-quality melted cheese with the crab.
For dessert, we split a thick, brownielike chocolate-chocolate-chip cookie. The whole deal came to $25. Still not sure what happened with my pals’ dinner, but I’m going back soon to try out more of the other dinner goodies.
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