GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2018 71 LavaCantina Lava Cantina offers a unique dining/entertainment concept that father andsonownersSteveandIanVaughnliketocall,“CreolefoodwithaMexi- cantwist.”Theplaceisfloodedwithmusicmemorabilia,makingittheper- fect backdrop to enjoy live outdoor bands, a rooftop patio, fantastic food, and plenty of adult beverages. This is where you want to people watch, with that just-right combination of Austin-esque outdoorsy-ness with a nod to bigger venues such as House of Blues. Grab a nosh or a meal: ap- petizer standouts include Crawfish, Alligator and Chorizo Dip served with tortillachips,andGreatBallsofFire(basically,riceballs)madewithboudin sausage.Entreescanbeaslightorasdecadentasyourwaistlineprefers. 5805GrandscapeBlvd.|TheColony (214)618-6893 www.lavacantina.com Dog Friendly GRRRowler’sBeerGardenandTapRoom What could be better than great food, cold beer and furry friends? Well, wejustcan’tthinkofanything—unless,ofcourse,youthrowinarelaxing beergardendedicatedtocraftbeer,growlerfillsandyes,easyaccesstoan awesome dog park. GRRRowler’s, located at the Shacks at Austin Ranch, has tapped into DFW’s latest craze of hanging out with beloved pooches inafriendly,meet-your-neighborskindofenvironment.Nodog?Noprob- lem—it’sstilltheperfectplacetogather. 5800WindhavenPkwy.|TheColony www.grrrowlers.com KatyTrailIceHouse ItscoolAustinvibeensuresplentyofwarmwelcomesforyourfour-legged friend,alongwithover50beersontap.Greatplacetowatchpeople,too. 3127RouthSt.|Dallas (214)468-0600 OutpostLocation 4700W.ParkBlvd.|Plano 972.599.9000 www.katyicehouse.com Mutt’sCanineCantina Delicious burgers, sandwiches and brews in a relaxed off-leash park (one sideforbigdogs;theotherforlittleones). 2889CityPlaceWestBlvd.|Dallas (214)377-8723 www.muttscantina.com TruckYard Live music on weekends and a rotating selection of food trucks make this a popular place to see and be seen. And yes, bring your dog! 5624SearsSt.|Dallas (469)500-0139 www.truckyarddallas.com French Bonnie Ruth’s Bistro Français etPattisserie Can’t get to Paris? Then get to Bonnie Ruth’s, where you’ll enjoy classic French bistro cuisine, music and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Menu favorites include Croque Monsieur with decadent bécha- mel sauce, Steak Frites (ala 10 ouncesofNYStrip,pansearedand served with red wine jus) and of course, Onion Soup Gratinée made with veal stock, caramelized onion and topped with melted Gruyere. Heavenly. Anddon’tforgettoswingbytheadjacentpatisserietopickupsomepost- datedeliciousness. 916GardenParkDr.|Allen (214)383-6777 www.bonnieruthsallen.com Cadot Chef Jean-Marie Cadot, a native of Paris, grew up in a family that has been in the restaurant, hotel and bakery business since 1758—and no, that’s not a typo. In other words, Cadot knows food, and the offerings at his eponymous restaurant in North Dallas are French comfort at their fin- est. Be sure to start with the Onion Soup Gratinée, a rich broth with silky onions, smothered in bubbling cheese. After that, any choice is the right choice.FromDuckTerrinewithPistachios,FoieGrasandTruffle,toFlounder Crusted with Parmesan, to other French classics, such as Steak Frites with PeppercornSauceorCoqAuVin—eachdishisbothlovinglypreparedand expertlyexecuted. 18111PrestonRd.,Ste.120|Dallas (972)267-5700 www.cadotrestaurant.com Lavendou Bistro Provencal Best described as a“retreat into the French countryside,” and we couldn’t agree more. The elegant yet cozy dining room, made even cozier with quintessentially French fabrics and decor, is theperfectsettingforallofyourfavoritegatherings—fromdatenightto familydinners.Startwithvelvetyonionsouporlobsterbisquetogetyour tastebudssinging.Entreesarenicelyportionedandeverythingyou’dhope for:BeefTenderloinwithcrackedblackpepper,PorkTenderloinwithsweet and savory lavender honey, and our favorite—Roasted Duck with Cassis. Don’tmissthecalorie-worthysouffléwithGrandMarnierorchocolate.Be suretoreturnMonday-Saturdayfrom11:30-4forHighTea—awonderful andrelaxingwaytospendanafternoonenFrance. 19009PrestonRd.,Ste.200|Dallas (972)248-1911 www.lavendou.com risen°1 Who doesn’t love a really good soufflé? And this is definitely the place for one.Whether you go with a savory version likeTruffle Infused Mushroom orHerb&SpicySausage,orasweetsoufflélikeChocolateorGrandMarnier (we would definitely suggest at least one of each), these are soufflés just like your grandmother used to make, if she happened to be French. Or a chef.Orboth.Ifyou’rereallylucky,you’llenjoyoneoftheirspectacularsea- sonal soufflés, like Cranberry Champagne. And of course, you simply can- not miss the inadvertent appetizer for which the restaurant has become most famous: MarshmallowSoup.Thoughnottechnicallymarshmallows, small puffs of baked goat cheese float effortlessly on a delicious red broth toppedwithgreenpesto.Yum. 5360W.LoversLn.,Ste.220|Dallas (214)366-9900 www.risesouffle.com German Jörg’sCaféVienna This quaint café, located in old downtown Plano, is known for some of the best Austrian and German food in the Metroplex, starting with the schnitzel. The schnitzel! Whether you opt for the heartier breaded version or the lighter grilled one—pork, chicken or veal—and with or without a delicate, rich cream sauce, you can’t go wrong. And while you might not equate vegetarian options with meat-centered Austrian cuisine, there are plenty of side dishes that can be made into a satisfying meal (braised red cabbage, spätzle noodles and paprika cucumber salad are favorites). The Bier Stuben accommodates private parties, and the Biergarten is an ideal open-airspottoenjoyfoodandyourfavoriteEuropeanbevvyonaniceday. 1037E.15thSt.|Plano (972)509-5966 www.jorgscafevienna.com Kuby’sSausageHouseandEuropeanMarket Kuby’s Catering has been a Dallas staple for decades. From mouth-water- ing deli trays to box lunches to sit down dinners, everyone loves Kuby’s sausages, Oma’s Potato Pancakes, Schnitzel, Reuben Sandwiches and HomemadeSoupsthatchangedaily.Cateringstartsatjust$14perperson and includes two sausages, several traditional German sides, mustards, bunsandevenAppleStrudelfordessert. 6601SniderPlaza|Dallas (214)363-2231 www.kubys.com Italian & Pizza Carrabba’s Because sometimes, you’ve just gotta have Italian. Whether you’re carb loading with a rich plate of lobster ravioli or keeping it Paleo with a thick and juicy steak or sea- foodandasideofgrilledasparagus, Carrabba’s appeals to families and business professionals alike. Life- just-got-easier options, such as online reservations, several under 600-calorie entrées, and a gluten-free menu,makeCarrabba’sbothaccessibleandupscale.Don’tmisstheItalian lettuce wraps with wood-grilled chicken, vegetables and ricotta salata, drizzled with port wine reduction. New owner Marco Martinez has a pas- sionforcustomerserviceaswellashiscommunity,sobesuretosay“Ciao” onyournextvisit. 17548DallasPkwy.|Dallas (972)732-7752 www.carrabbas.com DoughBros.ItalianKitchen What goes better with craft beer than craft pizza? At Dough Bros., pizza and calzone dough is made fresh daily—they even use locally sourced honey.StartwiththeheavenlyKaleArtichokedipservedwithpitapoints, then go for one of the classic pizzas such as Margherita orThe Bro (meat lovers’delight). You can also build your own from a lengthy list of fresh ingredients such as spicy ranch sauce, banana pepper, broccoli and even house made mac and cheese (on a pizza!). Not feeling dough-y? Try the Mediterranean Chicken Salad with tomato, artichoke, black olives and ‘shrooms or any of the delicious entrees such as Panko Crusted Chicken Parmesan. 5181KellerSpringsRd.|Dallas (469)248-0058 2851PlanoPkwy.|TheColony (469)353-8182 www.doughbro.com Grimaldi’s There was a time when you could only get Grimaldi’s famous coal-fired brickovenpizzainNewYork.Butthatwasthen.Today,thereareGrimaldi’s almost everywhere, it seems.While the menu is somewhat basic (pizzas, calzones, salads), it’s also consistent. But what we like about the Allen lo- cation is that it overlooks the little park atWatters Creek where live music isoftenplayedduringwarmermonths. 836MarketSt.|Allen (214)383-9703 www.grimaldispizzeria.com Kenny’sEastCoastPizza Ifyou’refromtheeastcoast,there’s no doubt about it: you’re going to be verrrry picky about your pizza. That’s why North Dallas has drawn the lucky straw in pizza eating, because Plano is where native Bostonian (and one of Dallas’ fave restaurateurs) Kenny Bowers opened his own pizza place.While the menu also offers Italian Amer- ican favorites featured on the menus of his other successful restaurants, expect a selection here focusing mainly on the pie—pizza pie, that is; cookedinaclassicBakersPrideDeckOven.HandcraftedcocktailsandGrey Gooseontap,too?We’reliningupatthedoor. 4701W.ParkBlvd.,Ste.101|Plano (972)519-9669 www.kennyseastcoastpizza.com Kenny’sItalianPlace This is the real deal when it comes to Southern American Italian com- fort food (think: Parmigiana, Picatta and Marsala) in a fun and friendly atmosphere. A nice selection of pastas ranging from vegetarian to killer “Midnight”meatballsaswellasseafood,steaksandchopsmakeKenny’sa perfectchoice,whetherit’sfamilynightordatenight.Manydishescanbe prepared“light”(ifyou’resoinclined),vegetarianorglutenfree. 5100BeltLineRd.,Ste.764|Dallas (972)661-9380 www.kennysitalian.com