At Koracha, you’ll find plenty to love including the laab salad. Photos by Meda Kessler
Koracha Thai Restaurant brings the heat and the flavor
We found this little gem thanks to a detour we made one evening through Bedford and have been back multiple times since. We’re slowly working our way through the menu, but you can’t go wrong with any of the appetizers, curries, noodle dishes or Thai classics such as the laab salad. The half portion of the Duck Basil, one of the chef specials, had generous portions of tender deep-fried duck in a flavorful sauce. And if you’re not fond of chile heat, opt for a 1, or maybe a 2, when they ask how spicy you want your order.
229 Harwood Road, Bedford, 817-605-9025, korachathairestaurant.com
It’s modern Tex-Mex at Mesero
The former Howard Wang’s space has been completely reimagined as Mesero and opened its doors mid-March. Airy and light-filled, the dining room features two bars, with one servicing the outdoor patio, which was still under construction on our visit. It promises to be a cool space with ceiling fans twirling from the pergola. The former HW patio in front is now an enclosed space with lots of windows. The main dining room features a semi-open kitchen and a service table topped by a beautiful flower arrangement. Mesero’s menu doesn’t waver much from the chain’s other locations: lots of shareable options, big salads, a variety of tacos and enchiladas and combo plates. The margaritas are top notch, and one of the varieties is a keto-friendly, no-carb option that comes frozen or on the rocks. Service is polished and friendly.
Shops at Southlake, 1471 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-952-9705, mesero.net
Above, the chunky ceviche is studded with seafood and creamy avocado. Salmon tacos are topped with grilled corn and avocado. Photo by Meda Kessler
The gyro salad comes with a generous portion of thinly sliced meat and fresh greens. The falafel, below, is freshly deep-fried and served with tzatziki sauce. Photo by Meda Kessler
DFW Kabab & Gyro a Mediterranean must-try
There’s no website, the social media presence is minimal and, honestly, we think the name is a little plain. But a trip to this strip-mall spot is highly recommended for excellent gyros, falafel and kebabs. The portions are generous, too, as most dishes, including the sandwiches, can easily feed two. Winning appetizers include the slightly chunky (the way we like it) baba ganoush, the creamy hummus and the perfectly fried falafel. Check out their menu on Yelp or delivery services such as DoorDash.
2360 Hall Johnson Road, Grapevine, yelp.com/biz/dfw-kabab-and-gyro-grapevine
Ben’s Cookies crosses the pond
Now firing up its ovens in Grapevine, the cookie kingdom built in Oxford, England, by food writer Helge Rubinstein (and named for son Ben) opens its first outpost in America this April. Customers in the U.K., Middle East and Asia have enjoyed the giant baked goods since the ’80s. There are no chocolate chip cookies, but expect bigger-is-better-than-that offerings such as Orange and Milk Chocolate Chunk or Dark Chocolate and Ginger Chunk. Among the almost 2 dozen flavors, the rose or lemon cookies say teatime to us.
Grapevine Mills, 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, benscookies.com
Photo courtesy of Ben’s Cookies
Rena Frost
Mac’s On Main: More to love
Look for a meaty expansion of the Grapevine location that has more than tripled the restaurant’s size. Included is the addition of a dining room (for private events and wine dinners), as well as a bigger kitchen and office space. Chef/owner Rena Frost will continue to serve fresh seafood, steaks, prime rib and seasonal specials plus the restaurant’s signature Mac’s Salad but promises a couple of surprises to come. “We are hoping to be done with construction in the early part of April,” Frost says. She expects to only close the restaurant during the final week of finish-out. Follow on social media for updates.
909 S. Main St., Grapevine, 817-251-6227, macsteak.com
Cream & Crepes Cafe satisfies your sweet tooth
An established family-owned favorite in Richardson has expanded into a tiny Park Village space focused on the hot crepe griddle. Made to order, perfectly browned and generously filled as you watch, the sweet crepes are crowd-pleasers, but you’ll also find cake by the slice, including Italian cream and Meyer lemon curd, many iterations of loaded-up waffles, overstuffed cookie ice cream sandwiches and more. And there’s vegan ice cream and flavored Tre Stelle Coffee cold brews, too. Limited seating inside and out.
Village, 1151 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-251-1398, creamandcrepescafe.com
We opted for a scoop of vegan ice cream to top our strawberry-banana crepe, drizzled with Nutella. Photo by Meda Kessler
DIVERSIONS
Photo by Meda Kessler
Movies and more make EVO a one-stop spot for fun
Think of it as a family-friendly destination with staycation vibes. With something for everybody, EVO Entertainment center, located in the former Harkins Theatres in Town Square, is now open for your movie-viewing pleasure and much more. Binge-watching steps up a level at the Austin brand’s flagship location, with seven dine-in theaters with heated recliners. For those who like more action, there’s a rock-climbing wall, a gravity ropes course and 12 bowling lanes. Gamers will find an old-school arcade along with virtual reality options.
Southlake Town Square, 1450 Plaza Place, evocinemas.com/southlake
Dinner and a movie: LOOK Dine-In Cinemas
After the California-based chain took a pandemic beating — it closed its only Texas location in 2020 — Studio Movie Grill founder Brian Schultz decided to tackle the concept. Revamped and revitalized, the LOOK in Colleyville is open and is the latest movie house to operate in this same location. (Before LOOK and Studio Movie Grill, it was Metro Cinema IMAX and Colleyville Cinema Grille.) May the fourth time be the charm for film lovers.
Town Center, 5655 Colleyville Blvd., 682-816-0115, lookcinemas.com
Landing soon: Lunar Golf plays on the dark side
Those who can’t get enough of sticks and balls might be excited to know Lunar Golf is cleared to land soon at Grapevine Mills (exact date not yet announced). Miniature golf played indoors (under black lights) with glow-in-the-dark balls seems promising for weatherproof family outings and birthday parties. See the website for updates.
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, 817-422-1771, glowminigolf.com
Photo courtesy of Lunar Golf
Photo courtesy of GolfTec
GOLFTEC swings into town
Golf game not up to snuff? GOLFTEC, a tech-savvy training center, is now open in Southlake (there are six other Texas locations). On offer are indoor and outdoor lessons with on-site coaches, as well as virtual instruction, club sales/fittings and more.
2757 E. Southlake Blvd., 682-651-4013, golftec.com