RETAIL
Jessica Breslin, center, and her Bette’s team: Airin, standing, Alicia, right, and Abigail. Photos by Jill Johnson
Bette’s open for business
With the success of b kids and Birdie on Camp Bowie Boulevard, owner Jessica Breslin decided it was time to open up a third shop. “I’ve always wanted to do something a little more upscale and fashion-forward for women,” says Breslin, who also lives in the 107 with her husband and three children. “Birdie has its loyal customers, plus I wanted a different space for Bette’s.” When a space in The Shops at Clearfork opened up, she knew she had found the perfect location for pieces from designers such as Carolina K, Staud and Derek Lam 10 Crosby. And the origin of the French name (pronounced Bets)? It is a nod to Breslin’s New Orleans roots.
The Shops at Clearfork, 5014 Gage Ave., shopbettes.com
Brooke Wright Designs adds new lines, new hours, new days
The Fort Worth designer continues to transform her Vickery Boulevard shop into a go-to stop not only for her eponymous line of clothing and accessories, but hats, handbags, art and more giftables. She’s now open with regular hours, although you can still shop online or by appointment. Watch her social media page for updates.
3986 W. Vickery Blvd., 817-770-0955, brookewrightdesigns.com or facebook.com/brookewrightdesigns
Brooke Wright’s Vickery Boulevard shop is now more of a store than a studio. Photo by Meda Kessler
In the Works Gucci’s new Shops at Clearfork store is underway (it’s next to Louis V) with an anticipated fall opening. Meanwhile, the construction mural is a popular selfie spot for many shoppers.
It’s a change of address for Wright At Home
The home/design boutique still resides at The Shops at Clearfork, but a move was necessary to make room for Gucci. The new location, a former barre studio, offers design services plus more furniture, accessories and the addition of bedding. And check out the shop’s beautiful tile floor; it’s worth a visit just to see it.
5168 Monahans Ave., 817-989-8222, facebook.com/wrightathomefortworth
You’ll find everything from sofas to giftables at Wright At Home. Photo by Meda Kessler
KitchenAid broken? Check with Shaver before you toss it. Photo courtesy of KitchenAid
New home, bigger location
There was a moment of panic when we thought Fort Worth Shaver had closed. But fear not. The owners left their longtime Montgomery Street location for new digs on Vickery Boulevard. That’s good news, because Shaver is still our go-to for knife/scissor sharpening and small appliance repair, especially when it comes to KitchenAid mixers. The new shop reflects their bread-and-butter sales of grooming tools for dogs and people. They even host in-store demos for pet trimmers.
4234 W. Vickery Blvd., 817-335-9970, clipperoutlet.com
DINING OUT
Don Artemio
This Cultural District newcomer features a stunning interior, but the menu will keep you returning in order to try everything. Early hits are the crispy cactus strips spiked with bacon, and tacos filled with tender braised lengua. For dessert, a deconstructed tres leches cake comes with ice cream shaped like an ammonite. Don Artemio also is open for lunch and weekend brunch (think French toast made with brioche and topped with berries and Mexican vanilla ice cream). The garage on Barden Street makes parking easy, and valet is available.
Museum Place, 3268 W. 7th St., 817-470-1439, donartemio.us
At Don Artemio, the cactus strips make a nice bar nibble or appetizer. The French toast with a double scoop of ice cream is worth the calories. Photo by Meda Kessler
The chilled asparagus at The Beast is now the vegetable of our warm-weather dreams. Photo by Meda Kessler
The Beast & Co.
This Magnolia Avenue newcomer is polished from start to finish. Start with the creamy chicken liver paté on grilled bread and the chilled asparagus served with a cold egg, salty ham and a garlic puree. For dessert, try the Buttermilk Tart with blueberry sauce and Chantilly cream. The restaurant’s European bistro feel and a surprising soundtrack are appreciated, too.
The Beast & Co., 1010 W. Magnolia Ave., 817-945-1461, thebeastandco.com
Tre Mogli Cucina Italiana
It’s been almost 10 years since Stefon Rishel treated us to little off-the-menu items at Max’s Wine Dive. Tre Mogli Cucina Italiana, his newest effort, is a handmade labor of love: All pastas and breads are made in-house (don’t miss the focaccia with whipped ricotta and black truffles). Rishel’s Cacio e Pepe Fritters with vodka tomato cream sauce are unforgettable. Bar manager David Jennings serves up perfectly imagined and tasty cocktails.
Tre Mogli Cucina Italiana, 401 S. Main St., tremogli.com
Cacio e Pepe Fritters at Tre Mogli are served with a side of vodka tomato cream sauce. Photo by Meda Kessler
Executive chef Gerardo Herrera’s menu includes everything from fried chicken, to shrimp cocktail to a pistachio pesto hummus served with raw veggies. Photos by Meda Kessler
Paris Coffee Shop is back with a new look, new menu
The transformation of the historic cafe has been an intensive one for new owners Lou Lambert, Chris Reale and Mark Harris, especially the building itself. But the familiar neon sign has been restored to working order, and inside, the dining room layout is familiar, but with lots of updates — furniture, lighting, tableware — with nods to Paris’ past. The two-tops on either side of the pony wall have individual sconces and pendant lighting. Horseshoe-shaped booths line the west wall and newly framed vintage photographs line the long hallway to the private dining room in the back. The menu includes dinner, with entrees such as pan-roasted redfish and a grilled rib-eye with herbed butter and Parmesan fries, plus cocktails. But there’s still a cafe feel thanks to the daily blue plate specials and breakfast all day. Look for Dutch babies for breakfast or the Monday special of fried chicken with a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc.
704 W. Magnolia Ave., facebook.com/ParisCoffeeShopftw
5th Bayou Boudin & More is the real deal
Our brief time living on the Texas-Louisiana border gave us a chance to try Cajun cooking for the first time in our Midwestern-born-and-bred life. We were hooked. Today, we still answer the siren call of boudin, a magical blend of cooked rice, meat and seasonings stuffed into a sausage casing. Thankfully, we discovered the food truck by Gary Artis, a Louisiana native, and Kenneka Scott. Parked a couple of blocks off of University Drive and Rogers Road, the couple dish up the boudin balls and links, made extra special thanks to the smoky flavor, as well as po’boys and fried shrimp and catfish. One of their specialties is the Bayou Dog, a smoked link (stuffed with Artis’ special blend) served on a toasted white sub bun. The hours are limited to Saturday and Sunday since Scott works a day job, but the cooked-to-order grub is worth the wait.
3228 Collinsworth St., 817-999-6684, facebook.com/5thBayou
A shrimp po’boy with a boudin link as a side dish. Photo by Meda Kessler
Colossal Sandwich’s cheesesteak sandwich. Photo by Meda Kessler
It’s a really big sandwich
The Colossal Sandwich Shop in Bedford now serves Fort Worth thanks to a ghost kitchen off University Drive. You can order online or look for a door clearly marked “Food Pickup” to enter and make selections via a tablet. There was a guy behind a pickup window inside to answer our questions. We heard our order “ping” in the kitchen, and soon we had a hot, gooey cheesesteak sandwich in a to-go bag. And, yes, it’s big. Order through a delivery service or check out the location.
3004 Cullen St., colossalsandwich.com