{And I do mean Dallas!}
We had a great visit to Dallas with our family over Christmas! While we only explored the tip of the iceberg (must go back for more Tex-Mex and a visit to Urban Taco!), we packed a lot into 3 days plus a holiday.
We rented a house, which was SO much more comfortable than individual hotel rooms. Especially with a baby who had an early bedtime. The house was stunning:
Getting up with Mazen at 6:30am wasn’t as tough with this kitchen to come down to…
The day after Christmas my mom and Mazen had a play date while the rest of us went bowling.
It’s official: I am the worst bowler in the family! I blame it on the fact that I don’t know if I am left or right handed…
A little blame might go to this too..
The bowling alley had an amazing selection of craft beers. The Peticolas Wintervention (genius name!) was my favorite of the trip. It might win for beer of the year! We stopped by the brewery on our way out, but it was closed : (
Also super impressive: evening cocktails at The Standard Pour. In fact, best cocktail menu ever! They had so many unique mixes and ingredients. This drink was incredible: Black N Peach Smash: Makers Mark, blackberry shrub, Mathilde peach liqueur, lime juice, peach bitters and mint. IM.pressed.
My second drink was called Je T’aime Paris: St-Germain, raspberry syrup, sparkling. So good!
To balance out the drinks, Candace, Larbs, Chelsea and I went to hot yoga one morning at Sunstone Yoga.
Our class ended up being more Bikram than I had hoped, but I found out they do have hot vinyasa to music – the earth series. Next time!
We took the free trolley around and ended up at a park for Mazen to play. We had perfect weather!
Twins!
Mazen took this shot:
Afterwards, Larbs made Jessica’s Pomegranate Margaritas. Perfectly fitting for Christmas week in Texas.
We ate a lot of Christmas leftovers, but our final night we headed to The Common Table.
That is a lot of drinks!!
I had a Deschutes Jubelale — really good.
Mazen had pizza. Mmm!
We had “Avocado on the Half Shell” for an appetizer – with sautéed lobster!
And for dinner I ordered Gulf Crab Cakes with a sweet + spicy coconut remoulade. They were awesome!
On our final morning before we headed to the airport I started to feel sad I hadn’t had any tacos yet, so Matt, Larbs and I squeezed in a brunch while Grammie soaked up her last few hours with Maze.
We went to The Company Café, which came recommended. I loved that they focus on grass-fed and pastured ingredients.
Los chips (!) with smashed avocado
I had tacos, which were good, but a bit on the plain side. Hence the reason I must return for more!
Matt’s “Deep Bowl” stole the show – grass-fed beef and sweet potato hash with eggs and a half avocado. Topped with venison sausage that was incredible.
We had a wonderful trip and hope we can return soon!
Tina says
How or better where did you rent the house for a few days?
I do love more and more to stay in private appartments or houses, having your own kitchen for a bit of breakfast & cup of tea (hotels in Germany don’t have any coffee or tea making facilitys in the rooms!) in the evening.
KathEats says
It was listed on Homeaway.com
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
WOW that house looks stunning! Renting a house over staying in hotels is sometimes so much more affordable and you end up getting so much more for your money! Glad you had a great time visiting your family for the holidays!
[email protected] says
Beautiful pics!!! Looks like you had a blast, lots of outdoor time and activity with yummy eats and drinks! Matt’s hash looks gorgeous, just made something similar minus the meat aspect for breakfast seen as I’m no officially eating eggs!!!
Kristen P. says
I live in Dallas and the Company Cafe is my favvvvvv place for brunch! In fact, I always get the Deep Bowl and crave it so much, I try to do a copy-cat version at home (def not as good though 🙂 ) glad you got to experience some great local places!
Katie @ running4cupcakes says
Renting a house is such a great idea!! what website did you go through to find it? And I LOVE that ktichen – so pretty!!
KathEats says
Homeaway.com
Emily says
Loved this post! Also, is the shirt you’re wearing in that last photo of you in the polka dots from Loft? Fairly certain it’s the same one I just bought yesterday from there! On sale for $10! It must be a good pick if you grabbed it too 🙂
KathEats says
Yep!
Becky says
How do you not know if you are right or left handed?
KathEats says
I am somewhat ambidextrous! I write with my left hand but my right hand is more dominant
Becky says
That is cool! I thought maybe you suffered the same affliction as me, where you confuse the right & the left sometimes. Otherwise known as ‘the other right’.
Pauline says
Fun, same here!
Write with my left hand and leaving everything else up for my right hand!
Elle says
Glad to know I am not the only one with confused dexterity. I am the same way – write, eat and brush my teeth with the left hand. I hold a knife and scissors with my right. I have always felt like a weirdo! Ps -I happen to be bad at bowling as well.
KathEats says
Knife and scissors right here too!
Katie says
So much fun! Mazen is growing up so fast, I miss the toddler days. I have the same two shirts from the Loft, love them both. I enjoy bowling, but it frustrates me. Glad you were able to enjoy the holidays with family.
[email protected] for Cake says
Um. That house is Ah-Mazing! I need my house to look like that!
Looks like you had a great trip with the family. I love family trips. Of course, as always all your food looks so delicious. You always make me hungry.
Happy New Year!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
What a beautiful house! Looks like a great holiday!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says
I love all of the family photos- it looks like a fun and beautiful vacation! All the food also looks top notch.. I guess I will have to make it to TX sometime soon!
[email protected] Apple of My Eye says
Looks like you had an amazing time there! That house looks beautiful and your whole family looks so happy 😀
And all that FOOD! Yum!
kelly says
Looks like you all had a wonderful trip Kath! What an awesome idea to rent a house, especially with a baby, I’m glad you had a great time!
Wendy says
I am a longtime Dallas reader but have never commented. So exited to see you enjoyed your trip to Dallas! It’s interesting to read your thoughts on some of our favorite spots in town. Dallas is a city that has a certain (sometimes bad?) reputation nationally, but really is much more sophisticated and has more to offer than most outsiders think. Come back for tacos and more fun! Isn’t Klyde Warren Park fabulous?
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’m not very good at bowling but it’s fun regardless which I think makes it all okay. 🙂
Karen H. says
Fun times! I enjoyed looking through your pictures. Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I’ve never been to Dallas but a lot of people I went to high school with in Kansas City moved down there for college and stayed. I’m going to have to visit sometime!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
How fun! The house is gorgeous and I have no doubt that it beats any hotel room! Crab cakes are my absolute favorite and the ones you ordered look incredible. Hope you have a very happy and healthy New Year!
[email protected] says
Looks like an awesome trip!! I’m so glad you enjoyed Dallas. I love it here.
I’m helping plan a weekend long bachelorette party in Dallas this Spring, and that house would be an awesome idea instead of hotel rooms. Would you mind sending me info on who to contact to rent?
KathEats says
Here it ishttp://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3466231
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says
cute red coat! 🙂
Julie Rosene says
Looks like a wonderful trip! Where/how did you find the house to rent? What a great idea!
KathEats says
Homeaway.com!
Jill Allison Bryan says
Looks like you were able to visit some of my favorite places in town. Yay! If you try the Company Cafe again the short ribs are heavenly. Where did you all bowl? I didn’t recognize the setting – but it looked nice.
Happy New Year!
Jill
Emily says
Oh man! We lived in Dallas for a few years. Best taco places: Torchy’s Tacos, Fuzzy’s Tacos, & Rusty Taco!
Becky says
I’m genuinely curious to know: how do you not know whether you’re left or right handed? I’m not asking to be rude. I just…don’t know how you can go 30 years or whatever and not know your dominant hand.
KathEats says
I write with my left hand but I use my right hand for a lot of things including sports. Since my left hand was bowling badly I tried the right and was also bad. I’m just a bad bowler!
Stacy B says
I’m exactly the same way! I write left handed, but am right-hand dominant for most other activities. Bowling is a confusing one for me, too, I will switch between hands and can’t decide which to use. Doesn’t matter much, I’m terrible either way! But most other activities I at least know which hand I prefer, even if it is random. In softball/baseball, for example, I hit left-handed, but catch/throw right handed.
David @ From Ballparks to BBQ says
Very cool that Dallas offers free trolley service! I love when cities offer free transportation.
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
Glad you had a good holiday! Wow, that house was absolutely gorgeous!! That’s a really great idea to rent a house instead of doing hotel rooms–I think it’s always nice to have a kitchen so you have the option of at least eating breakfast at home. I’ve said it before but I love your photography. You take the best pictures!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I am going to Dallas next week. Cannot wait for some tacos!!
Chelsea @BigBitesLittleBudget says
What a fantastic vacation spot! I love Dallas. There is so much to do and such great food. This post makes me want to hop in the car and take a trip.
Megan (The Lyons' Share) says
So fun! I live in Dallas, and those are some of my favorite places! Company Cafe is delicious. Glad you had a nice trip!
Chantal says
What a fun trip! Had to comment on the Jubelale, it’s always so good but I haven’t had my fix this year yet!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
You visited some of my favorite Dallas spots!!! Next time I highly recommend yoga at Uptown Yoga (my fav!) or Exhale Spa. They both have amazing Vinyasa classes and also more “workout” based yoga classes too. I like Sunstone, but I agree they are a little too slow and more Bikram than I normally like.
Company Cafe is AMAZING. Dream Cafe and Velvet Taco are another two good ones to try too 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the city!!
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
I eat at Company Cafe all the time!
And The Common Table has the best grilled cheese ever.
Danny Lake says
Homeaway.com! Awesome! I’m so going to check that out. The house looks so amazing!
You look like you had an amazing time! =)
Happy new year!
KJ says
I love your red coat! It’s such a good color on you!
Elizabeth says
Your red coat is gorgeous on you!! I’m also a blonde and have been looking for a similar coat for a long time. Can I ask where it’s from? Thanks so much!
KathEats says
It was my sister’s so I’m not sure 🙂
Christina says
I’m from the big D and Company cafe is my favorite!!
Jeanette says
Geez, Kath, do people not read the other comments? It’s like you had to answer the same two over and over! Glad you had a great trip 🙂
The Many Thoughts of a Reader says
Looks like fun!
Lisa Allely says
Hi Kath, and happy new year to you and your readers. Regarding the question about staying somewhere other than a hotel for vacations, another great site is www.airbnb.com. They do a variety of stay types in apartments, houses, etc. I’ve used it in Australia, Vienna, and Montreal, with fantastic results. A couple of friends have used it in NYC and loved it. I thought this might be of interest.
Cheers, and happy vacationing all!
Jackie says
That Bowl looks amazing! Can you try to recreate it?
Kavi says
Looks like a fun trip! A few friends recently moved to Dallas, so I’m hoping to fly out there soon for a wknd. Hoping it’s at least a few degrees warmer than it is here in the midwest!
Emily says
Hi Kath! Glad to see you loved Dallas…I went to Austin this past year and also used Homeaway, both were a huge success! I was wondering where you got that gray vest, I love it!
KathEats says
Thanks, it’s from GAP!
Larbs says
Yes, you must come back!!!
Katie says
The next time you’re there you have to get to ‘Good 2 go tacos’. They share a space with Cultiver Coffee so it makes breakfast a breeze (I crave their breakfast tacos weekly…). Velvet taco is also amazing, but better for dinner.
Penny says
Do you have to clean the house before you leave? I once rented a condo and we had to clean it before we left. I hated that part of the trip! 🙂
KathEats says
Nope…but a cleaning fee was included. We left it pretty clean though!