Knox-Henderson For Furniture

I don't buy much in the way of new furniture, but still its fun to make the rounds at major retailers to see what's in and out. In Dallas the Knox-Henderson neighborhood is a great place to do this. Major furniture retailers here include Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, as well as some additional stores including Weir's Furniture and Mecox.

What's in? The distressed look and all things architectural. This is particularly true in Restoration Hardware, but also in the furniture department at Crate and Barrel. What do I mean by distressed? Wood without paint on it. If it looks like it's been sitting outside, perhaps on a wind-swept beach for a while, all the better.

The Real Truth About Streetcars

This article in the Dallas Observer about Streetcars was annoying to me. I think my favorite thing about Dallas is the McKinney Avenue Streetcar. I can't think of anything I like more. Even if it were true that buses move faster, run more frequently and run cleaner, the fact that passengers like streetcars more is enough reason to choose them over buses. After-all, people like cars more so they drive. Liking something is an important factor of use.

The other benefit of fixed-transit, ie transit that can't just go anywhere, is that things can be built around it. It encourages density, which helps support walkable retail. It's the whole of the walkable streets and communities that help make our neighborhoods attractive places to live. Buses can serve low-density communities, but it's there where public transportation is least effective and driving is most attractive.

Buses encourage building places where driving is attractive. Streetcars encourage building places where walking and public transit use is attractive.

Streetcars are better because we like them, they encourage dense development and lively retail districts and thus make our cities efficient, charming and livable.

See related: An Unwitting Accomplice

The Price of a Nice Townhome in the Suburbs

I still remark when I see the real estate listing prices for the townhomes in Southlake Town Center. Granted, they are very attractive and Southlake (with the possible exception of Grapevine which has a slightly higher walk score) is probably the most walkable area in the Mid Cities.  The prices, however approach a $1,000,000. That does get you an impressive four or five bedroom home with little in the way of exterior maintenance in a nice area, but you could buy a three bedroom stand-along home near downtown Grapevine in the low $200,000. 

The look of the community in Southlake is the model of the future, however. My guess is they'll be making  units that are smaller and more affordable. That will help achieve the density necessary to make self-sustaining neighborhoods. Neighborhoods like Grapevine will also begin looking more to this model. Grapevine will before long have the advantage of a rail connection to Fort Worth and DFW airport. Public transit is an obvious missing component to these new urban neighborhoods in North Texas. 

175 Summit Avenue, Southlake TX 76092

1506 Main Street, Southlake TX 76092

(Reprint) 1985 Yearbook: Carroll High School, Southlake, Texas
(Reprint) 1969 Yearbook: Carroll High School, Southlake, Texas
(Reprint) 1986 Yearbook: Carroll High School, Southlake, Texas

Don't Talk to Me, I'm Eating (really good pizza)

Margherita Pizza at Cavalli in Irving

At this stage in my life I tend to judge every pizza by Brooklyn standards. It was an article in the Dallas Morning News today that had Cavalli Pizza in Irving living up to Italian standards that was cause for me to head to this nearby suburb this evening. Cavalli Pizza did not disappoint, at least by Brooklyn standards.

These Italian standards come from something called the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) and determine things like the purity of the ingredients and the temperature of the ovens. Kind of reminds me of the German purity laws for beer. Whatever the guidelines, if this is the result, I'm sold.

All the pizza's on the menu at Cavalli are personal-sized. Pizza's in Napoli are huge, however. But there was a large pie at another table, so I asked. Turns out if they're not busy, they can make a large pie. The cost $14.95 for Margherita. A personal-sized Margherita is $6.95 or $9.95 depending on what type of mozzarella you want.

Margherita is a favorite, and the gold standard, but we also tried the Contadina, which has sauce, mozzarella  sausage, basil and olive oil.

Cavalli is my new standrad for pizza in Dallas.

3601 Regent Boulevard, Irving

A Walk Through State Thomas

State Thomas is clearly a success story in terms of urban revitalization, but I'm not sure it's one known about much beyond Dallas. I took the opportunity to walk around the area today, with a particular interest in looking at some of the historic houses. 

If this neighborhood was like my former Pittsburgh neighborhood of Deutschtown, there would be a concerted effort to keep commercial uses out of residential buildings. In Deutschtown there's even an effort to keep commercial uses out of some commercial buildings. This is misguided at best and more accurately detrimental to a vibrant urban neighborhood. 

Walking through State Thomas, it is refreshing to see many office and light retail uses in buildings built for residential purposes. It neither detracts nor seems to keep residents from wanting to live there. 

Another thing that hasn't been welcomed in neighborhoods like Deutschtown is higher-density development. Yet here in State Thomas most of the newer development is at a far higher-density than the blocks with single-family homes. Restaurants, nail salons and coffee shops are mixed in, helping to make State Thomas a great place to live. Like Deutschtown, State Thomas is within walking distance to downtown. 

It is worth remarking that what can be lost on older neighborhoods like Deutschtown with more to work with is obvious in State Thomas.

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Macho Nacho for Lunch

We first walked into Macho Nacho at Cedar Springs and Throckmorton during the Cedar Springs Merchant's wine walk a few weeks ago. They offered us some free nachos with our free wine. That in itself should be reason enough to come back. But the place just looks cool. 

At lunch today we found a refreshing twist on some old favorites. No black or refried beans here. The choice is refried white or pinto beans. Neither of us tried a nacho dish, but Greek God tacos with lamb were particularly tasty. Most dinners are prices around $10.

French Toast, Dallas Style

French Toast from Eatzi's

Until recently I thought of French toast as something powdery and on the light side. In Dallas it seems to be somewhat consistently served like a brick. With syrup it takes on the consistency of Crisco. I thought this was local to one restaurant, but my experience has been repeated much to my dismay. What's with this thick bread?