March DowntownFW

YOUR PASSPORT TO CENTER CIT Y LIFE

SUNDANCE SQUARE STOCKYARDS CULTURAL DISTRICT NEAR SOUTHSIDE

March 2009

Art comes to lifE

LIVING ARTLIVING ARTLIVING ARTLIVING ART

AT THE MUSEUM OF LIVING ARTSouth Side Restoration | Your Downtown Wedding Planner | M Lounge

2 d o w n t o w n f o r t w o r t h m a r c h 2 0 0 9

INSIDE

DOWNTOWN FW is a free monthly publication distributed in the Fort Worth center city, and supported by the downtown Public Improvement District. The entire contents

of DOWNTOWN FW are copyright 2005 by DFWI and JSW Publishing. NO portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written

permission of the publication.DFWI Mission Statement

To be the catalyst for transforming Downtown Fort Worth into a vibrant place to live, visit, enjoy and conduct business through aggressive leadership of

programs, projects and partnerships.

Andy Taft, President777 Taylor St., Suite 100Fort Worth, Texas 76102

817-870-1692 • www.dfwi.orgEditor

Stacey PierceDirector of Marketing and Communications

Downtown Fort Worth, [email protected]

Advertising DirectorKristen Jenkins

Marketing DirectorDana Crumbliss-Mariani

JSW Publishing817-321-9724

Business/OperationsTrish Bermejo

Art Director/Layout EditorAmy Royer

MARCH • 2009

Art Comes to LifeFort Worth Zoo’s Museum of Living Art .....................4

Old Place... Cool SpaceSouth Side Renovation ...........................................6

The Foodie PagesTable Scout .................................................10You Gotta Try This .........................................10Beat the Clock ............................................11

Your Downtown Wedding PlannerContinuing down the nuptial path .........................12

M LoungeClass, Service and the Best of Martini Mixology ......13

March EntertainmentWhat’s going on around Cowtown ........................14

m a r c h 2 0 0 9 d o w n t o w n f o r t w o r t h 3

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 @ Central Market • Fort WorthRain or Shine • Party Begins @ Noon

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When was the last time you went to a museum where the artwork moved, hissed, chirped or slithered? The Fort Worth Zoo has embarked on a project that will

ensure your fi rst visit to such a place happens right here in our park. Scheduled to open in late spring 2009, the Fort Worth Zoo will introduce the country’s most stimu-lating herpetarium, the museum of Living art (mOLa).

Imagine an exhibit where sounds of trickling water and gentle breezes take you away to the forests, where you might catch a glimpse of a gliding tree frog. Envision a calm place where a child can gather up enough courage to meet an imposing rattlesnake eye to eye. Travel to an inspiring spot where the curious can touch, explore and find compassion for the natural world. all of this is mOLa.

The Zoo’s new 30,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor herpetarium will showcase one of the finest reptile and amphibian collections in the world - 170 species representing about 900 animals. It will empower guests with a wealth of knowledge, not only about wildlife, but also about conservation and management tools that allow us to be better stewards of our world.

“We are very excited about bringing some of the most exotic, colorful and unique creatures in the world to Fort Worth. While our current herpetarium has been a longtime favorite, guests will be able to come face to face with these animals and engage in ways that they’ve never been able to before. also, mOLa will provide an opportunity to continue the Zoo’s extensive conservation work locally and globally,” said Zoo Executive Director michael Fouraker.

The Zoo’s current herpetarium was built in 1960 and opened with the single largest collection of amphibians and reptiles in the world. Over the last 49 years, the facility has witnessed many first-time breedings and held one of the most diverse reptile collections in the country. Unfortunately, time has taken a toll on the facility and major sections of the 9,000-square-foot building are in complete disrepair, creating conditions that aren’t pristine for animals or guests.

The timing of mOLa’s opening coincides with the global amphibian crisis. amphibians-frogs, salamanders and caecilians-are undergoing a mass extinction event of unprecedented scale. Scientists, biologists and conservationists around the world are fighting to save the roughly 2,000 species of amphibians being threatened with extinction. Some institutions are investigating disease management (chytrid is a fungus causing mass deaths), while others, as the Fort Worth Zoo exhibits in mOLa, are leading efforts to breed amphibians as a hedge against extinction.

Leading the list of conservation successes is the Puerto rican crested toad, a highly endangered species that the Zoo has successfully bred 10 times, resulting in more than 10,000 tadpoles released to the wild. additionally, the breeding of aquatic caecilians, Kweichow crocodile newts, poison dart frogs and black-spotted newts have all added to the Zoo’s successful conservation efforts. all these animals are housed in the current herpetarium, and will become part of the new facility.

Art comes to lifE

Expect to encounter these features and more in MOLA

Saltwater Crocodile This “oceanfront” exhibit will house an exciting new addition to the Zoo col-lection, an enormous saltwater crocodile. The fluid movements and dynamic appearance of the croc is the first thing guests will see as they enter the Museum of Living Art. From the Zoo’s Crocodile Cafe, guests can view this magnificent creature up close. Measuring more than 15 feet long, this animal’s spectacular exhibit with multiple viewpoints will surely be a crowd pleaser! Diversity Gallery Guests will meander through a dim and twisting path as they encounter some of the most beautiful creatures on earth - Burmese pythons, Fly River turtles, green tree pythons, yellow spotted climbing toads and even legless lizards! Housed in bright, natural habitats, these intriguing figures represent some of the rarest am-phibians and reptiles from the world’s tropical climates. A new acquisition - a King Cobra - will also call this new area home. The Utila Island igua-nas are also a rare sight, as the Fort Worth Zoo will be one of only two zoos in the nation to house them.Komodo Kingdom A kingdom of gargantuan proportions, the Komodo Kingdom includes both

indoor and outdoor viewing and two off-exhibit holding areas for the Zoo’s komodo dragons. A perfect breeding environment will be

created for the dragons through the use of a dirt bank, ideal for digging and laying eggs. A pool will complete the ex-

hibit, so that these popular Fort Worth Zoo residents can either bask in the sunlight or enjoy the trickling stream.

Heated areas will extend the animals’ stay outdoors, creating a longer season for the heat-loving creatures from Indonesia.Nursery/Interpretive Area Guests can visit one-on-one with the Zoo’s experts. Bursting with interactive tools, open encounter areas will allow zookeepers daily Q&A time with the public,

during which wildlife and conservation awareness are key. The nursery will be filled with hatchlings and tad-

poles to emphasize the importance of breeding endangered species. In MOLA, guests will examine up close the rearing

methods of Zoo animals.

LIVING ARTLIVING ART

THE MUSEUM OF LIVING ART

To learn about MOLA visit www.fortworthzoo.org.

at the Fort Worth Zoo’s

newest creation...


The Place

To Live

In DowntownThe Depot Lofts

555 Elm Street • 817-885-7600www.thedepotapts.com • myspace.com/thedepotlofts

Mon - Thurs: 10am - 6pm • Fri & Sat 10am - 5pm • Sunday 1pm - 5pm


The near South Side of Fort Worth contains the largest concentration of historic buildings in

the central city area, and that is no fluke. The area just south of downtown was the first growth area of the city after it was founded in 1849, generating communities of mixed-income citizens who sup-ported offices and stores and vital institutions.

But after WWII, with residential growth shifting to outlying areas, many homes and businesses were torn down and replaced with industrial development. Like many urban neighborhoods, the near South Side began to decline due to isolation and suburbanization.

But in the last decade and continuing today, historic preservation of these old houses and industrial buildings has been an important part of the South Side’s rebirth. Warehouses are being converted to loft

housing, old apartment buildings restored, houses rehabbed, and mixed-use developments retaining their historic roots. The results are some of the most exciting developments in the city - neighborhoods that are pedestrian-friendly and business-savvy.

“I think people are starting to see the unique character of the space created when you redo these historic buildings,” says local developer Fran mccarthy, who has worked on a number of historic renovation projects. “When these neighborhoods were built, there was a community feel to them, and these buildings were built much better than we do today.”

mccarthy has worked on restoring the max mehl Building on S. henderson St., the building that houses Finn maccool’s Pub on Eighth ave., and the old catholic charities building on magnolia ave.

Dallas developer Eddie Vanston has been doing historic renovation in the medical district for the past 10 years or so because, he says, “I just like old buildings.” But he also credits the city of Fort Worth and the nonprofit Fort Worth South, Inc. with simplifying the process.

“The people have been very nice and very easy to work with,” Vanston says. “There are all sorts of issues when restoring historic structures for modern use, everything from code compliance to tax credits. The people in Fort Worth have done a good job of helping us.”

Vanston’s first projects were restoring historic apartment complexes: the markeen apartments built in 1910, the Leuda-may apartments which date from the 1920s, and the LaSalle apartments, one of the city’s few remaining Tudor revival buildings from the 1920s.

his most recently completed project was turning the vacant Sawyer Grocery building (1905) into 14 apartments above retail. he is currently working on the renovation of the miller manufacturing Building into 16 loft apartments with 16-foot ceilings. “This is a real and legitimate industrial-style loft conversion,” he says. “I

think it is going to turn out real cool.”Fort Worth South, Inc.’s planner

mike Brennan says that the type of developers the near South Side has attracted is very important. “We have

been fortunate to attract developers who know what they are doing on these projects,” he says. “It takes someone who knows the economic incentives and is knowledgeable about

the technical challenges.”“It is extremely important to be able to preserve and reuse the best buildings

we have,” Brennan continues. “We have worked hard to develop a new set of design standards that developers can use to restore these structures. and their work is helping to create a unique neighborhood in the city.”

Developer Phillip Poole of Townsite co. points out that the restoring of urban historic structures is good economic investment for the city. Sprawl at the city’s fringes requires expensive new infrastructure like sewers and roadways,

he says.“The fact is that these buildings were built where the character of these

buildings - from carved stone to detailed wood work - was so much better than today’s,” Poole says. “It’s about reusing assets that people have ignored. and the reason this is working on the near South Side is the proximity to downtown. In some ways this is an extension of downtown.”

Poole is in the final design phase of restoring the old coca-cola bottling plant on South main Street that was built in 1926. When completed, the old plant will house 50,000 square feet of office space and have an enclosed garden courtyard.

Fort Worth historic preservationists are pleased with the results. “In working with these developers, we have found they have a real passion for this type of work, and when they complete one project, they look around to do another,” says Jerre Tracy, executive director of historic Fort Worth, Inc., a local historic preservation advocacy group.

“This is an important area of the city, and the historic renovations are working in wonderful ways in the near South Side,” she continues. “We are using old buildings and reinventing them in new ways, so people can walk to work or to a restaurant, so they can move about this city without always having to get in their cars.”

For more information on the historic renovation projects being done on the near South Side, go to the website www.fortworthsouth.org.

historic Southside is booming with historic preservation.

“ I think people are starting to see the unique character of the space created when you redo these historic buildings,”

Old Place... Cool Space

South Side Restoration

rendering of the Sawyer Grocery building conversion

historic Max Mehl building.

restored Markeen Apartments

restored LaSalle Apartments


Base Maps Courtesy of

Amon Carter Museum3501 C B i Bl d 817 738 1933

Kimbell Art Museum3333 C B i Bl d 817 332 8451

Will Rogers Memorial Center3401 W L A 817 871 8150

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www.fortworthparking.com

SUNDANCE GARAGE III3rd Street between Taylor & Throckmorton

CRESCENTCalhoun between 5th & 6th StreetsBass Performance Hall Patrons Only

SUNDANCE GARAGE ICommerce between 1st & 2nd Streets

TARRANT COUNTYFAMILY LAW GARAGECalhoun between Weatherford & 1st StreetsEvenings after 5pm & Weekends

SUNDANCE GARAGE IICalhoun between 3rd & 4th Streets

CHISHOLM TRAIL LOT3rd Street - Evenings after 5pm & weekendsMerchant & AMC Theater Validations

SUNDANCE SQUAREGATEWAY LOTNo Longer Available to the Public

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GCITY PLACE GARAGEBelknap Street betweenThrockmorton and Taylor

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DOWNTOWN PARKING GUIDE

Join the thousands of North Texas residents whoenjoy public transportation in Fort Worth. Whetheryour destination is home, work or play, one of theT's services is just right for you!

Enjoy The T DowntownFree Zone! Ride anywherein downtown for free! Thefree zone extends east to JonesStreet, north to Belknap, southto Lancaster and westto Henderson Street.

ON THE MOVE WITH THE T

CULTURAL DISTRICT

NATIONAL HISTORICALSTOCKYARDS DISTRICT

FREE PARKING DOWNTOWNDowntown’s vibrant nightlife, entertainment, retail and

restaurant scene would be almost impossible without abun-dant, convenient parking.

Established in 1995, the downtown TIF provides 2,830free evening and weekend public parking spaces for down-town visitors. In addition, Sundance Square retailers providevalidation at the Sundance Square Gateway and ChisholmTrail Lots listed to the right. Daytime patrons of Sundancerestaurants and retailers receive 2.5 hours of free parking andAMC theatre patrons receive up to 4 hours validation in thesetwo lots.

Both the TIF sponsored and Sundance Square parking lotslisted are free in the evenings after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends.

YOUR PASSPORT TO CENTER CITY LIFE

SUNDANCE SQUARE HISTORIC STOCKYARDS CULTURAL DISTRICT

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8 d o w n t o w n f o r t w o r t h M A R C H 2 0 0 9 M A R C H 2 0 0 9 d o w n t o w n f o r t w o r t h 9

Experience the Near Southside. . . The best dining & entertainment Fort Worth has to offer

Fort Worth South, Inc. • www.fortworthsouth.org

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Since its debut in the historic Stockyards district more than 10 years ago, H3 has gained a devoted following among Stockyards visitors and Fort Worth’s beef-lovers. The draw is H3’s wonderful value: This ranch-style kitchen, with its open hickory grill, serves some of the best steaks in town at lower prices than you’ll find at many Cowtown steakhouses - many entreés are less than $20, and a thick, juicy rib-eye or T-bone can be had for under $30.

H3’s corn-fed steaks - from the 9-ounce filet mignon to the 32-ounce porterhouse for two - are char-grilled over that wonderful hickory smoke and served with house salad and baked potato. If you’re in the mood for a little drama, the “flaming” tenderloin, a prime center-cut set afire with a drizzle of Puerto Rican

rum, is a show-stopper. Just want a great, classic hand-cut steak? The tender, juicy 12-ounce rib-eye is the one for you.

For the non-beef-eaters, chicken and spit-roasted pig turn on a rotisserie above the grill for that same signature hickory flavor. Even fish (trout or salmon) gets the flavor treatment over that hickory smoke. Premium St. Louis-style pork spare ribs are slow-roasted in H3’s custom pit, basted with their own “Lip Smackin’ Sauce” glaze, and served with roasted ears of corn and baked pork & beans. The not-to-be-missed appetizer is H3 Ranch’s renowned “Nine Miles of Dirt Road,” a layered dip of seasoned frijoles, fresh guacamole, sour cream, onions, black olives, and cheddar cheese - no, it won’t win any beauty awards, but it tastes like heaven. Another great starter choice is the “Sweet Thighs,”

roasted chicken thighs with a spicy-sweet glaze, available as an appetizer or in a combo plate with the lip-smacking ribs.

Take all this great food, add in comfortable surroundings and great service, and you’re guaranteed a wonderful lunch or dinner. Ah, but locals know a secret: You can get the same H3 service, ambiance, and hickory-grilled steaks at breakfast, too. Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., H3 puts on a Country Breakfast, a hearty meal fit for a rancher (or pretend rancher) about to begin a hard-working day. Traditional breakfast fare includes Texas-style flapjacks (made with oatmeal for extra stick-to-your-rib-ness), spicy huevos rancheros, and the Stockyards omelette: cheddar cheese, onions, and roasted peppers. Eggs are available with ham, sausage, bacon, a center-cut petite sirloin, or a hickory-grilled trout filet. “Biscuits and gravy” might sound simple, but this dish is special: Mama Hunter’s fat and fluffy biscuits are

smothered in thick breakfast gravy that’s studded with country-style sausage.

And if it takes more than a cup of coffee to put a smile on your face, H3 mixes up classic hair-of-the-dog cures like Bloody Marys, Salty Dogs, and that bunkhouse favorite, the Bull Shot. But no matter the source, the breakfast smile that H3 puts on your face will stick with you all day long.

YoU GottAtrY thIS

The Gallery Art Café on Fort Worth’s hip Near Southside, offers a fresh and delicious lunch selection in addition to coffee and artistic conversation - the Jeanette wrap is a classic favorite. A generous portion of tender grilled chicken, crisp green lettuce, tomato, a blend of shredded cheese and crumbled bacon is lightly topped with ranch dressing and wrapped in an oversized spinach tortilla. Served with kettle cooked potato chips and your choice of soup de jour, salad or seasonal fruit, the Jeanette is a serious wrap sure to satisfy any appetite.Jeanette wrap $7.95 at Gallery Art Café, 609 Jennings, 817-335-4646

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rH3 Ranch105 E. Exchange Av., 817-624-1246Mon-Thu 11 am-10 pm, Fri 11 am-11 pm, Sat 9 am-11 pm, Sun 9 am-10 pmWeekend breakfast $5-$10; lunch salads, burgers, and “short orders” $5 - $10; steaks starting at $21.95


Beat theClockP.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 400 Throckmorton St., 817-840-2450

Short lunch break? Grab a quick and tasty meal in under an hour!

the setting: though the downtown fort worth location of this Arizona-based chain opened more than four years ago, it still looks excitingly hip and modern. Life-size reproductions of historical terra cotta statues mark the entrance to a large but warm room, where glowing ceiling lights allow dramatic shadows to play over the slate, wood, metal, and rich earth tones. Even with Chinese-design touches like the hand-painted pastoral mural over the bar, the overall mood is stylish All-American bistro.

the menu: don’t miss the refreshing jasmine-blackberry iced tea, a perfect match with the delightful “lunch bowls” ($7.50-$9.95 including egg drop or hot-and-sour soup), served daily until 4 p.m. our favorite bowl is the moo goo gai pan, a healthy-tasting stir-fry of shrimp,

chicken, and crisp Asian vegetables; others include hearty beef with broccoli and the vegetarian Buddha’s delight with fi ve-spice tofu. But don’t just think “lunch specials” for lunch. Several of the starters, like seared ahi tuna with Asian greens or Chang’s signature chicken lettuce wraps, make a light but well-balanced meal.

the service: don’t worry if you’re a fi rst-timer; the exceedingly well-trained servers can describe the history and preparation of every dish. they’ll clearly explain how to use condiments like chile oil and soy sauce, and even mix a custom sauce for you if you’d like.

the verdict: for a light, fresh lunch with a touch of Asian exotica and a lot of American chic, you can’t go wrong with this smart downtown bistro.

time in: 1:15 pm time out: 2:05 pm

525 Taylor Street (Corner of 4th & Taylor in The Tower)

Sundance Square ~ 817.348.9828www.thevaultdfw.comexecutive chef, Gabriel Ochoa

owner, Jean-Michel Sakouhi

The Vault is the hottest new dining destination in downtown Fort Worth. With its signature Mediterranean cuisine and hip V Lounge Wine & Martini Bar, The Vault is

the place to go in downtown Fort Worth.

A taste of the Mediterranean

The Vault DTFWInc Qtr 2.indd 1 8/29/08 4:35:28 PM

The Woolworth Building, Sundance Square111 West 4th Street Suite 15 • Fort Worth, Texas 76102

817.348.0633 • www.simplyfonduefortworth.com

NowOpen!


Your Downtown Wedding PlannerTHE REHEARSAL DINNER

WEDDING/RECEPTION VENUESOUT OF TOWN GUEST LODGING

Ashton Hotelwww.theashtonhotel.com

610 Main St.(817) 332-010

Sheraton Fort WorthHotel and Spa

www.starwoodhotels.com1701 Commerce St.

(817) 335-7000

Renaissance Worthington Hotel Ft. Worth - Vidalias

marriott.com200 Main St.

(800) 433-5677

Etta’s Placewww.ettas-place.com

200 W 3rd St.(817) 255-5760

Fort Worth Clubwww.fortworthclub.com

306 W 7th St.(817) 566-0016

City Club of Fort Worthwww.cityclub-ftw.com

301 Commerce St.(817) 878-4000

Simply Fonduewww.simplyfonduefortworth.com

111 West 4th St. Suite 15(817)348-0633

Bass Performance Hallwww.basshall.com525 Commerce St.

(817) 212-4200

Eddie V’s Prime Seafoodwww.eddiev.com3120 W 7th St.(817) 336-8000

Reata Restaurantwww.reata.net

310 Houston St. (817) 336-1009

The Vault MediterraneanRestaurant

www.thevaultdfw.com525 Taylor St.

(817) 348-9828

Your Downtown Wedding PlannerNothing brings together obscure relatives, long-lost friends,

panicky in-laws, and work acquaintances like a wedding. It’s also great fun watching your life-long, dearest friends jockey for positions in the wedding party. One sure-fi re way to make ev-eryone happy - including the friend you made an usher instead of a groomsman - is a top-shelf rehearsal dinner. It’s easier to focus on the wedding itself when everyone is happy. Once you and your betrothed say “I do”, then it’s time to blow off some steam at your reception. after everyone tells you how great you look and drop off their gift, it’s all cake cutting, fi rst dance, and fl utes of bubbly.

The rehearsal dinner is something akin to the calm before the storm. It’s a great chance to relax and refl ect among friends and family - even the ones that you barely know.

For a casual, yet upscale blow out, Eddie V’s is the perfect place. Known for its superior seafood and steak, Eddie V’s has won awards for its wine list and happy hour as well. The newest restaurant in Fort Worth’s museum Place has been recognized numerous times by Wine Spectator for its expansive wine list and has stacked up dozens of awards for its food.

Nothing says “Welcome to town, various aunts and uncles” like the view from the grotto bar atop reata restaurant in heart of Sundance Square. Sophisticated without a trace of pretension, the popular Texas culinary landmark is a top-notch Zagat rated all-in-one restaurant/bar experience for everyone lucky enough to be invited.

another of the Fort’s greatest, newest restaurants is The Vault. It boasts a unique mediterranean-infl uenced menu and a tres chic martini bar, V Lounge. For a unique rehearsal dinner experience, why not fondue? Simply Fondue’s new location in Sundance Square offers a wide-range of cheesy, gooey goodness.

The Fort Worth club is one of the city’s best and oldest private clubs. The horizon Ballroom is one of the city’s most sought-after spaces for romantic occasions. The large chandelier and arched windows harken back to the 1920s, so it’s as historical as it is elegant. The Top of the Town Ballroom is a more modern venue but just as special, and it provides a breath-taking view. chef Timothy Prefontaine, a 2008 gold medal winner in the culinary Olympics, can design a unique menu to fi t any taste. The Fort Worth club also has hotel rooms.

The city club of Fort Worth is a spectacular private club with a rich and storied history. Located in Sundance Square, the city club offers an artistic and romantic space for rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies, and receptions.

If you’re not into a church wedding, there are loads of downtown options for

wedding venues. In addition to the city club and the Fort Worth club, Bass Performance hall offers elegant and tasteful choices for knot-tying. Its private rooms can accommodate large crowds and can be booked for the reception as well.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens can be a picturesque backdrop for weddings. right in the heart of downtown, the garden is like a little slice of Eden stuck in the middle of a bustling urban area.

The renaissance Worthington hotel is an all-in-one wedding stop. The four-diamond restaurant features a world-class eatery, Vidalias, a fancy version of authentic Southern cooking - perfect for a stress-free rehearsal dinner. The hotel also offers a phenomenal brunch every Sunday. There are numerous rooms available for receptions and the ceremony itself. There are several bars and lounges to unwind in. and of course, the hotel offers stylish rooms for out-of-town guests and luxury suites for wedding night fi reworks.

The ashton hotel is another world-class downtown hotel that can accommodate guests and provide a venue for a rehearsal dinner and reception. The Sheraton has a fantastic fi ne-dining restaurant and a relaxing spa.

If big, fancy hotels are not your thing, Etta’s Place in downtown, named after the woman who was alleged to be Butch cassidy’s girlfriend, offers a rustic, historical bed and breakfast experience.

Etta’s guests are treated to a home-cooked breakfast and an excellent view of downtown.


Upscale ambiance with a friendly Fort Worth attitude is an apt description of

m Lounge, a martini and cigar bar on Foch Street in the heart of the extensive develop-ment that’s under way off West 7th Street.

The lounge is about 4,000 square feet, can comfortably seat about 120, and is sleek and dark, with candlelight all around and local artists’ artwork on the walls. Behind the bar are shelves of only premium and super-premium hooch, including The macallan 25-Year-Old Fine Oak -- the waiting list to buy a bottle is about one calendar year. “You won’t find any plastic bottles here,” said m mixologist Sky Prindle, who’s been bartending for 10 years and has been with m since day one. “We’re a gentleman’s and a lady’s bar. We have everything you would like. We can hit any sense you have, and we will do what we can to make that happen,” including offer recommendations to customers.

The binder of cocktail recipes behind the bar is about as big as a phonebook and includes a special section on pirate-themed drinks, inspired by a particular customer. “If a customer recommends a bottle, we’ll get it and create drinks around it,” said Prindle, who also said the creativity doesn’t stop at mixing. Some of the garnishes are as exotic and exotic looking as the cocktails themselves. “We believe in what we do. We let our drinks sell themselves.”

m offers a different designer martini every month for a flat $5. The most you’ll

ever pay for a ‘tini at m, Prindle said, is about $10. and at any time, you’ll always get your money’s worth: Each martini is about three ounces. “We’re pushing the legal limit,” Prindle said.

Of course, all of the fancy drinks in the world wouldn’t mean a thing without great service. “a customer is going to be greeted and seated and not have to get up to get a drink,” Prindle said. “That allows the customer to spend more time with their group or date, and it also keeps from the bar getting four or five deep.”

a dress code is strictly enforced -- no tank tops and “nothing tacky,” Prindle said. happy hour is monday through Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., monday through Friday 4 to 8 p.m., and all day Sunday. On most weekends m hosts live music by the likes of singer-songwriter Brad Thompson, cover act “Big” mike richardson, and snazzy-jazzy Saint Finatra.

The bar formerly known as Ten was one of the first new establishments to set up shop around West 7th. m’s honchos had a strong suspicion the area would boom -- and they were right. “We’ve been sitting on a golden egg for three years,” Prindle said. “and it’s just about to hatch.”

a number of new bars and restaurants have recently opened, including 7th haven, mac’s Grill on Seventh, BoomerJack’s Bar and Grill, Poag mahone’s, and several others. m Lounge, however, is the only one of its kind -- off West 7th and in general.

Class, Service & the Best of

Martini Mixology at M Lounge


Of all of the made-up holidays, St. Patrick’s

Day is easily the most fun. Well, any holiday whose sole purpose is the sale and consumption of copi-ous amounts of alcohol is bound to top most people’s list of awesome Offi cial Breaks From the monoto-ny of Life. Every St. Paddy’s Day weekend for the

past couple, Fort Worth Weekly and Central Market have teamed together to throw a bash in celebration of all things alcoholic, musical, fun, and green on cm’s patio. The Paddy-O Party takes place this year on Saturday, March 14, and will feature music by Seamus Stout, Be-han, Jiggernaut, Seamus Moses and Old Kuntry, in addition to fantastic Irish food. admission is free. The party, which will go on rain or shine, will get going at noon at central market at I-30 and Hulen Street. For more info, check the Weekly regularly, visit www.centralmarket.com, or call the market at 817-989-4700.

Before you load up on stouts and assorted potato dishes, get a good strong workout in. On Saturday, March 4, lace up your running shoes for the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Festival. The kids’ race starts at 1:30 p.m. The 5K gets going at 2 p.m. all around Trinity Park (2401 University Dr.) will be the sweet sounds of local pop greats The Campaign, April Geesbreght, and Tim Halperin. Visit www.impossiblepossibilities.com.

The Stockyards is also getting in on the green action. hit the Wild Wild West on Saturday, March 14, for Cowtown Goes Green, an all-day family-friendly St. Paddy’s Day festival that includes live music, hands-on roping lessons, pony rides and a petting zoo, games and contests with radio Disney, face painting and balloon artists, and at 4 p.m. the Fort Worth herd cattle Drive followed by the Cowtown Goes Green Parade.

The fun gets started at 1 p.m. admission is free. For more information, call 817-625-9715.

any time in march will be a good time to hit the Stockyards institution Billy Bob’s Texas. Internationally renowned acts slated to perform include Reckless Kelly(Fri., march 6), Kevin Fowler (Sat., march 7), Roger Creager (Fri., march 13), and Randy Travis (Sat., march 21). Visit www.billybobstexas.com.

an event that has nothing to do with Ireland or Irish people or leprechauns but has a lot to do with drinking is Spring Gallery Night. On Saturday, March 28, member

galleries of the Fort Worth Art Dealers Association and the local museums will open their doors to

the unwashed for a night of hobnobbing, noshing on free cheese cubes, and slurping

down free boxed wine and canned beer -- and looking at art, of course. Featured artists include John Holt Smith at William Campbell Contemporary Art; Daniel Blagg, Dennis Blagg, John Hartley, John Frost, Scott

Gentling, Stuart Gentling, Nancy Lamb, and Jim Malone at artspace 111;

Steve Ames, Jimmy Dyer, Tony Merino, Michael Pavlovsky, and others at Galerie

Kornye West. Visit www.fwada.com.The South Side also will be giving art appreciators

an opportunity to do what they do so well. On the Friday before Spring Gallery Night is Arts Goggle, a kind of mini-gallery night taking place throughout the retail establishments by Magnolia Avenue and thereabouts. music and food also will be on tap. Visit www.fortworthsouth.org.

But there’s more. Starting this month, every fi rst Friday of the month in the spring and summer on the South Side will be outdoor concert time. march’s installation of First Friday on the Green stars Austin’s White Ghost Shivers.

(all of the awesome bands in Fort Worth were probably already booked.) Presented by Fort Worth South, a nonprofi t neighborhood organization, First Fridays on the Green invites you to bring your family, blankets, chairs, pets, and friends to Magnolia Green Park (at the 1100 block of Lipscomb between rosedale and magnolia) to enjoy the live music and great weather. admission is free, though organizers ask that attendees bring cans of food to donate to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.

Too much green? Don’t worry. Non-Irish shows at Bass Performance Hall and Will Rogers Memorial Center will give you a break. Casa Mañana is presenting Disney’s High School Musical, at Bass hall from March 10 through March 15. also at Bass hall, on Tuesday, March 17, the Cliburn Concert Series is presenting several gold medallists from past Van Cliburn International Piano Competitions: Jose Feghali, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Olga Kern, and Jon Nakamatsu. On Saturday, March 7, at the Will, some of the toughest bull-riders in the country will strap on their chaps for the 17th Annual Tuff Hederman Bull Riding competition, and from March 13 through March 15, the annual Fort Worth Home Show will be taking place. For more information, call the Will at 817-392-7469.

as always, with whatever you’re doing but especially boozing, be sure you have either a designated driver with you or the phone number to a local cab company.

ENTERTAINMENT

Advertise Your Business in Downtown FW NewspaperCall Kristy

817-321-9724

Let the green beer flow this St. Paddy’s day.

Green family fun, wild west style in the Stockyards.

John holt Smith’s “Limerock Sequence.”

FIRSTFRIDAYONTHEGREEN

Van Cliburn Gold Medal Performers, at Bass hall.

T A P A S C A N T I N A

Open for Lunch

MON-FRI11am-2pm

1010 Houston St. • Downtown Across From Convention Center Restaurant 817.336.3124 • www.parkcentralhotel.com

WED-SAT5pm-2am

$2 wells all the time

Happy Hour5-8pm

OPEN BLUESJAM THURSDAYLIVE MUSIC-FREE WiFi


835 Foch Street • Fort Worth • 817-850-9900 • www.mlounge.com

A STEP UP IN CLASS.

fri2/28

eleven hundredsprings

2520 Rodeo Plaza, FW • 817-624-7117www.billybobstexas.com

live music

in march/april

6 RECKLESS KELLY

7 KEVIN FOWLER

13 ROGER CREAGER

14 CLAY WALKER

20 JASON BOLAND

21 RANDY TRAVIS

27 WADE BOWEN

28 CRAIG MORGAN

April 3 38 SPECIAL

4 CASEY DONAhEW BAND

Hours: Tues-Fri 5pm-2am • Sat 6pm-2am • Sunday 7pm-1am • Closed Mondays111 W. 4th, Suite 11 • 817-870-9100 • Downstairs - Sundance Square

Visit our website for detailswww.scatjazzlounge.com

LIVE MUSIC MarChMar. 4thMiles Okazaki

Mar. 6thManteca Beat

Mar. 7thricki Derek & the Vegas Six

Mar. 10thricki Derek & his Big Band Tickets Available @www.ticketstothecity.com

Mar. 11thPaul Unger, Steve harlos & Dennis Durick

Mar. 13thThe Texas Gypsies

Mar. 17thPete Gallio

Mar. 18thQuamon Fowler

Mar. 20thArdina Lockhart

Mar. 21stTatiana Mayfield

Mar. 24thPete Gallio

Mr. 25thZach heffley

Mar. 27thricki Derek &the Vegas Six

Mar. 28thLiz Mikel

Mar. 31stPete Gallio

Every Thursday

Johnny renoEvery Sunday

Mi Son

Great Happy Hour Specials all month Long. Tuesday – Friday • 5pm – 7pm

"Top 100 Jazz Clubs"-DownBeAT MAGAzine '09


March DowntownFW

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