The Filter: Dining
Texas Monthly
April 2008

Warmed by sunlight and cheerful arrangements of orchids, this newcomer is a pleasant addition to North Dallas. A generous bowl of creamy butternut squash soup was a nice prelude to greens lightly dressed with lemon. Easily shareable was a four-berry brioche pudding. Lovely patio and bar areas. 

Foodie News
Marty and Mary Ann Markowitz
The Swan – Winter 2008

There’s so much foodie news, we hardly know where to begin. Well, matter of fact, yes, we do!  WOODLANDS ON FOREST! Our favorite new neighborhood (aren’t we lucky to call it “neighborhood”) eatery. We’ve been writing about the coming of the Woodlands for the last six months, but there is something special about having the reality of its opening exceed our expectations. This place was special form the start. We, like many of you, were lucky enough to try it before the official opening. Thanks to the chutzpah of Louise Bell, who secured an invite from the management and then took us along, we dined the Sunday before the restaurant opened. Our meals were terrific. From the Kobe sliders appetizer, to the great salads, to the shrimp and truffle pasta or tenderloin entrees, then on to the chocolate and crème brulee desserts we tried, everything was stellar. Since then, we’ve been back a couple of times for lunch and dinner, and have not been disappointed. The cozy bar in the middle of the building is a great place to alternate with the also great one at The Mercury, for a nice, leisurely beverage and a light bite. If you haven’t been yet, put this down and run over to try it. We know you’ll agree that it’s a welcome addition to the already wonderful array of eating places within a mile or two of Lake Forest. Tell managers Linda and John that we sent you in!

DALLAS — Veteran Dallas-based restaurateur Jack Baum is the man of the hour thanks to the deal he just signed with P.F. Chang's to buy their nascent Japanese concept Taneko Japanese Tavern. Taneko has earned praise galore from the restaurant business. But since it only has the one branch in Scottsdale, Ariz., what's that mean to Dallas diners? Nuthin yet.

Calling Frank Lloyd Wright.
Local diners WILL care about a new place that Baum's management company, Food, Friends, and Company is about to open closer to home, specifically at the corner of Preston and Forest: Woodlands Grill, an upscale restaurant that, according to its help-wanted ads "draws its inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Falling Water, an icon of modern architecture. Woodlands, features a waterfall in the restaurant and a split-level design with an elevated bar. Natural stone and wood, combined with a clean and modern design, set the tone for a serene and upscale dining experience."

I'd make a wise-crack about decor except that the menu, viewable online, kicks ass. It has arugula!!! (goat cheese tart with seasonal vegetables, lightly breaded goat cheese medallion, and arugula salad, $12); shrimp and truffle pasta (hand cut pasta tossed with shrimp, brown butter, sage and white truffles, flowered with parmigiano, and black Umbrian truffles, $22); Kobe beef sliders slow-roasted and pulled, 3 for $12; the Woodlands cheddar bison burger served on a brioche bun with sweet potato fries, for $12; plus beef short ribs, tuna, etc. etc.
The first Woodlands opened in Illinois in November, and now this second branch is set to open on January 21. There's a grand opening charity event happening on January 17 that'll benefit the Vogel Alcove Childcare Center for the Homeless.

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