b'goodEATSItalian sodas. Mosey on back to play board games, or just sit and chill whenNerdvana Vineach dish is both lovingly prepared and expertly executed. Ideal choice live music is playing. Hip vibe meets McKinney family-friendliness at Filtered. Were not sure what makes us nerdier: our love of Nerdvanas borrow-or-buyfor weekday dinner, date night or special occasions. 218 E. Louisiana St. | McKinney board games library or the fact that we get super excited about a hot bever- 18111 Preston Rd., Ste. 120 | Dallas(469) 219-8300 age served in actual coffee mugs. Never mind. Nerdvana gets a big thumbs(972) 267-5700 www.getmefiltered.com up. Much of the seating in this wide-open space is community-styleper- www.cadotrestaurant.comfect for socializing and playing gameswith plentiful outlets for all your Fourteen Eighteen Coffeehouse electronic devices. Teas and fresh juices round out your beverage selection,Ediths French CafBrick walls and a pressed tin ceiling give Fourteen Eighteen the big city ur- and the Texas Toasts are definitely worth a tasting. We swooned over theFor a lovely little slice of Parisian caf ban vibe that many of us crave in DFW, especially in the burbs, but really,Divine Apple Pecan version.life, stroll on over to Ediths. At the its about the coffee. And the comfy couches. Oh, and the pastries! If youre5757 Main St. | Frisco swanky bar where the Eiffel Tower craving sweets, theres a generous selection of sumptuous pies from Empo- (214) 618-8130 is the focal point, mixologists offer rium, flaky pastries, muffins and scones to pair with your double espresso orwww.nerdvanafrisco.com full-servicecocktails,coffee,tea, cappuccino, made with beans roasted by Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters. All-nat- mimosas,champagne,andmore ural fruit smoothies and frappes are a nice alternative, and the non-rushedThe Nest Caf to whet your appetite for what lies atmosphere means you can while away here on a Saturday morning, bookYes, we still love trendy avocado toast. But what about mushroom toast withahead in the dining room. Youll have in hand, feeling somehow transported. Or, bring a date later that night toscrambled eggs and ham? Or, hummus toast with beet hummus and microa hard time deciding between a clas-share dessert. greens? And while we dont mean to minimize the coffee herebecause itssic French sandwich on crusty baguette or flaky croissant; or maybe youre 1418 K Ave. | Plano fantasticthe artfully-prepared food is worth a trip alone. The bulgogi pani- in the mood for French onion soup, a crisp chopped salad, and pan-seared (214) 738-5664 ni is also noteworthy, and the clean, minimal atmosphere is sublime. flounder? Its a French caf, after all, so save room for desserteverything www.fourteeneighteencoffeehouse.com 7777 Warren Pkwy. Ste. 325 | Frisco on the Patisserie menu is decadent and authentic. Et mais oui, you must re-(469) 579-4790 turn for brunch and/or Ediths relaxing afternoon tea; theres even a kids tea Frogg Coffee Bar & Creperie www.nestcafe.net menu, so the little ones can be pampered, too.Cause sometimes you need a crepe, too! And when the craving hits, its916 Garden Park Dr., Ste. 500-A | Allentime to head to Frogg. If the Nutella and Stuff crepe (with foster and cara- Pearl Cup (972) 954-7212mel sauces, whipped cream, apples and cinnamon) isnt enough to makeWhen Carlene Saelg and Rita Davis moved to Dallas from Austin in early 2007,www.edithscafe.comyou jump in your car, maybe the friendly and knowledgeable baristas willthey began looking for a real coffee shopthe kind that served strong, win you over with one of their delicious hot beverage options, topped withmostly espresso-based drinks that werent bitter, provided a communityLavendou Bistro Provencalbeautiful latte art designs. Heartier appetites will appreciate their deliciousatmosphere and welcomed those who wanted to open up a laptop or bookBest described as a retreat into the French countryside, and we couldnt soups, sandwiches and filling omelet crepes. This place feels like a little sliceand hang out for a while. When they couldnt find one, they boldly openedagree more. The elegant yet cozy dining room, made even cozier with of European heaven. Pearl Cup. Using only the best, local Texas roasters, Pearl Cup is the perfectquintessentially French fabrics and decor, is the perfect setting for all of your 832 Market St. | Allen venue for true coffee snobsand we mean that in the most complimentaryfavorite gatheringsfrom date night to family dinners. Start with velvety (469) 342-6881 way. Of course, you must try their creamy, dreamy signature drink: The Pearlonion soup or lobster bisque to get your taste buds singing, then move right www.froggcoffee.com Latte.on to the Croquant de Chvre Chaudcrispy warm goat cheese, Parma ham 2701 Custer Pkwy. | Richardson and pine nuts on a bed of baby greens. Entrees are nicely portioned and ev-Global Peace Factory (214) 468-8182 erything youd hope for: Beef Tenderloin with cracked black pepper, Grilled If you think the name of this place refers to a hippie-dippie alternative towww.pearlcupcoffee.com Ribeye with Merlot butter, Pork Tenderloin with sweet and savory lavender that other factory (you know, the one with cheesecake), think again. Fac- honey, and our favoriteRoasted Duck with Cassis. Dont miss the calo-tory is just for fun, because Global Peace is anything but. A fairly small space Peridot Coffee rie-worthy souffl with Grand Marnier or chocolate. Be sure to return Mon-with highly customizable drinks, interesting ingredients and super-friendlyThe quote painted on the wall of Peridot says it all: Life is too short to drinkday-Saturday from 11:30-4 for High Teaa wonderful and relaxing way to wait staff are what bring folks back here time and again. We said interest- bad coffee. This serene place in Dallas Koreatown is perfect for either chillingspend an afternoon en France.ing coffee ingredients, and we meant it: lavender or coconut syrup. Honey.out or accomplishing things while enjoying delicious beverages like the19009 Preston Rd., Ste. 200 | DallasBrown Sugar. There are also plenty of milk alternatives. But what makesbeautifully layered Green Tea Flat or Hazelnut Latte with Almond Milk. Feel- (972) 248-1911Global Peace a standout for us is that it donates a portion of its proceeds toing peckish? Pastries are also available, or you can enjoy a sweet and fillingwww.lavendou.compeacework charities. Pretty cool for a place that serves really hot beverages. bubble tea.1377 Legacy Dr. | Frisco 2240 Royal Ln. Ste. 101 | Dallas rise n1(214) 705-2664 (469) 567-3852Who doesnt love a really good souffl? And this is definitely the place for www.globalpeacefactory.com one. Whether you go with a savory version like Truffle Infused Mushroom Summer Moon Wood-Fired Coffee or Herb & Spicy Sausage, or a sweet souffl like Chocolate or Grand Marnier Magnolias Sous Le Pont Located in historic downtown Frisco, Summer Moon offers a little taste of(we would definitely suggest at least one of each), these are souffls just like Look for the memorable teal faade ofurban life, smack dab in the burbs. Try a nitro cold brew with moon milkyour grandmother used to make, if she happened to be French. Or a chef. this Harwood District favorite, featur- (a blend of seven secret ingredients and the equivalent of melted ice creamOr both. If youre really lucky, youll enjoy one of their spectacular seasonal ing art and handmade gifts by local yes, please) and a breakfast taco; there are also pastries and wraps/sand- souffls, like Cranberry Champagne. And of course, you simply cannot miss artisans. Grab a fresh sandwich orwiches. As the name implies, theres drip wood-fired coffee and its awesome. the inadvertent appetizer for which the restaurant has become most famous: salad from the takeaway case and pre- 6943 Main St. | Frisco Marshmallow Soup. Though not technically marshmallows, small puffs of pare to park yourself in a comfy chair(469) 294-0117 baked goat cheese float effortlessly on a delicious red broth topped with with a steamy cortado, flat white orwww.woodfiredcoffee.com green pesto. Yum.matcha lattethis is the kind of place5360 W. Lovers Ln., Ste. 220 | Dallasthat makes you want to stick around.White Rock Coffee (214) 366-99002727 N. Harwood St. | Dallas Whether youre searching for a cool, caffeinated hangout after burning somewww.risesouffle.com(469) 249-9222 calories at White Rock Lake or a quick walk-up/drive-thru with plenty of spe-www.magnoliasdallas.com cialty drink options, like Iced Caramel Mocha and Mango Peach Green IcedGermanTea, White Rock aims to please. The main location on Northwest Highway Mudsmith offers plenty of seating (theres also a small balcony upstairs if the downstairsJrgs Caf ViennaThis is the kind of straightforward coffee joint that makes life wonderfullyis full), free Wi-Fi, fresh muffins, bagels and pastries and if you hit them at theThisquaintcaf,locatedinold simple: a few coffees, a few specialty drinks, some beer, a little wine andright time, free live music, too. Its also a great place to pick up a pound of lo- downtown Plano, is known for some kombucha on tap. Daily wraps and sandwiches (a limited selection but allcally roasted microlot, organic or direct/fair trade beans for your home brews.of the best Austrian and German very tastyserved with chips and oddly, a bananabecause bananas arefood in the Metroplex, starting with awesome) provide something to nosh on while you linger (and youll defi- Multiple locations throughout DFW the schnitzel. The schnitzel! Wheth-nitely want to linger). The atmosphere is Irish pub meets something from thewww.wrcoffee.com er you opt for the heartier breaded set of Harry Potter with warm, dark woods, old paintings and taxidermiedversion or the lighter grilled oneanimals. Our only complaint is that folks like it so much here, they tend to setFrench pork, chicken or vealand with or up camp at the small tables rather than grab-and-go, so if youve got work towithout a delicate, rich cream sauce, do (free Wi-Fi), be sure to arrive early in the day. There are also seats at the barCadot you cant go wrong. Lunch-sized portions are offered between 11-2:30. And and on the small front patio. Chef Jean-Marie Cadot, a native of Paris, grew up in a family that has been inwhile you might not equate vegetarian options with meat-centered Austrian 2114 Greenville Ave. | Dallas the restaurant, hotel and bakery business since 1758and no, thats not acuisine, there are plenty of side dishes that can be made into a satisfying meal (214) 370-9535 typo. In other words, Cadot knows food, and the offerings at his eponymous(braised red cabbage, sptzle noodles and paprika cucumber salad are favor-restaurant in North Dallas are French comfort at their finest. Be sure to startites). Kids love the Kse pretzen, a large, warm pretzel with melted Swiss 817 Matisse Dr. | Fort Worth with the Onion Soup Gratine, a rich broth with silky onions, smothered incheese, served with fries. Nice selection of sandwiches and sausages, too. (817) 878-4313 bubbling cheese. After that, any choice is the right choice. From Duck TerrineThe Bier Stuben accommodates private parties, and the Biergarten is an ideal www.mudsmithcoffee.com with Pistachios, Foie Gras and Truffle, to Flounder Crusted with Parmesan, toopen-air spot to enjoy food and your favorite European bevvy on a nice day.other French classics, such as Steak Frites with Peppercorn Sauce or Coq Au1037 E. 15th St. | Plano(972) 509-5966 GoodLifeFamilyMag.comAPRIL 202053 www.jorgscafevienna.com'