Zafiros Mexican Grill y Cantina sparkles

Colleyville gets a gem with the opening of Zafiros. In Spanish, “zafiros” translates to “sapphire,” and this newly opened modern Mexican restaurant shines. Located in a former medical office, owner Joe Murphy has transformed the space into a roomy eatery with a comfortable bar and a covered patio in the works. Murphy, a Colleyville resident, is a veteran of the hospitality industry (Cinemark, Brinker International). Running the kitchen is chef George Ortega, a restaurant veteran thanks to his work with Maria’s Mexican Kitchen in Fort Worth and Cork & Pig Tavern in Southlake owned by restaurateur Felipe Armenta’s hospitality group. The sapphire theme is subtle with blue accents inside and out and an etched glass logo — made by Fort Worth artist Don Young — behind the hostess stand. The food is the star here, from substantial entrees, combination platters and favorites such as fish tacos. But Zafiros elevates the presentation and details, including housemade blue corn tortillas. Lunch, dinner and takeout are available now, and we look forward to brunch.

5204 Colleyville Blvd., 817-900-6535, zafirosmexicangrillycantina.godaddysites.com

Seafood, pizza and hot chicken: New vendors take open slots at Harvest Hall

One consistent thing about food halls is the turnover. The lineup at Legacy Hall in Plano is not the one it opened with in 2017. Fort Worth’s Food Hall at Crockett Row made its debut in 2018 and underwent a name change and an overhaul of the vendors before closing in early 2022. Grapevine’s Harvest Hall, inside Hotel Vin, opened February 2021 and has recently made a big round of changes. Gone are Easy Slider, Spuntino and Chick & Biscuit (C&B owner Beth Newman says she will consider another location if the right property can be found). In their place are Firebawks Hot Chicken, Pizza by Luigi and Dock Local, which also is located in Legacy Hall and was an original tenant in Fort Worth. Dock Local is the first seafood-centric concept for Harvest Hall.

815 S. Main St., Grapevine, 817-251-3050, harvesthall.com

Taco Shop delivers the real deal

You won’t go wrong with anything on Taco Shop’s compact menu, from the barbacoa tacos to elote served with crispy chips. Located in a strip shopping center not far from Southlake Town Square, it does brisk takeout business with its breakfast tacos, but there are a few tables for all-day dine-in service. Tortillas and sauces are made in-house, and quesadillas, burritos and nachos are available with your choice of protein and toppings. Horchatas and aguas frescas are on the drink menu. Look for margaritas when Taco Shop gets its liquor license.

1101 E. State Highway 114, 682-477-4420

Del Campo Empanadas opens second location

Freshly baked Argentinian pastries — sweet and savory — are now available at Del Campo’s new Flower Mound location. It’s the second store, with the original still going strong at the Beach Street location. Baked fresh daily, the mixed-dozen special is an easy way to sample a variety of empanadas, although you’ll never go wrong with the classic Argentine-style beef.

901 Long Prairie Road, Flower Mound, 469-464-4392, delcampoempanadas.com

Chama Gaucha brings the meat

A Brazilian-style steakhouse with locations in Houston, San Antonio and Chicago opens its fourth restaurant in Grapevine. Chama takes over the former Boi Na Braza, which closed in February 2021. Chama offers prix fixe lunch and dinner with 12 types of skewered meat, sliced to order at the table, and a well-stocked salad bar.

4025 William D. Tate Ave., Grapevine, 682-799-4025, chamagaucha.com/grapevine

Pinch of Salt Pastries on the move

One of the top gluten-free bakeries in North Texas is moving from Southlake to downtown Grapevine. For now, owner Abby Dumont and her team are working out of a temporary space in Irving, taking custom requests and orders for pickup. Dumont also offers dairy-free, nut-sensitive, vegan, soy-free and other options. And you’ll find their baked goods at select coffeehouses in the area. Look for an opening this spring.

1900 Main Street, Grapevine, pinchofsaltpastries.com

Boba Chicken: Asian-style wings and more

Fans of Korean-style fried chicken and milk tea will have a fast-casual option soon, as Boba Chicken aims for an April opening in the former Beanvoy Coffee Lounge. Wings and popcorn chicken come with various sauces including spicy Korean barbecue and honey mustard. Among the sides are truffle fries, onion rings and pickled radish. Milk teas range from Thai style to roasted oolong; slushies include taro and matcha flavors.

2801 E. Southlake Blvd., www.bobachickentx.com

The Capital Grille plans Southlake location

Known for its quality beef, top-notch wine list and solicitous service, The Capital Grille aims for a late 2023-early 2024 opening in Southlake near the Westin Hotel. North Texas locations include Dallas, Fort Worth and Plano with other restaurants in major metropolitan cities such as Seattle, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and New York. Each building is tailored to its specific home. The Generous Pour wine-tasting event is a highlight every summer.

1202 E. State Highway 114, thecapitalgrille.com

The Miracle League of Southlake

While Major League Baseball starts its 2023 season March 30, we have March 25 circled on our sports calendar. The Miracle League’s spring season opens that Saturday and celebrates a milestone. In 2013, the city of Southlake, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and the Miracle League broke ground for the Texas Rangers Miracle League Field in Bicentennial Park. It’s designed for kids with special needs, from the synthetic turf to playing areas that are barrier-free for children in wheelchairs and those who are blind or partially sighted. The season runs through April 29; check out the schedule and volunteer opportunities at miracleleagueofsouthlake.com.

United We Run

The Southlake Foundation celebrates spring with its annual 5K benefiting the Carroll Education Foundation. Open to all ages, the race welcomes runners, joggers and walkers, as long as you’re OK looking like a rainbow when you finish. The concept is based on Holi, a Hindu holiday known as the “festival of color” that celebrates spring, friendship and the victory of good over evil. There’s also food, music and a group color throw after the event. In 2022, the 5K raised more than $5,000. Register in advance on the website. April 15,

North Park, 200 E. Dove Road, facebook.com/southlakefoundationtx

CEF Culinary Celebration

Sample offerings from local chefs, bid on prizes in the live and silent auctions, and dance the night away at this fundraiser for the Carroll Education Foundation. The theme, Casino Royale, also means you can test your gaming skills for a worthy cause. April 22,

Westin Hotel, 1200 E. State Highway 114, facebook.com/CarrollEducationFoundation

Talking Animals Books: Grapevine gets an indie bookstore

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, traffic inside Talking Animals Books is steady. Tourists checking out downtown Grapevine and locals browse the selection of new and used books. Parents make note of upcoming story times; upstairs, little ones take advantage of the playroom under the watchful eyes of moms and dads. Owners Valerie Walizadeh and Katy Lemieux — the women met through their kids’ school activities — are both book lovers. Lemieux was inspired by a trip to Brooklyn, where she noticed that there was a small bookstore on almost every corner. Walizadeh saw what Lemieux was doing and reached out to her to become part of Talking Animals. Most of the funds were raised through a Kickstarter campaign, where the women exceeded their goal of $50,000. The name is inspired by Lemieux’s love of animals and C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. While the shop is very kid-friendly, there are plenty of titles for adults; they also are open to suggestions and can order any book you’d like. Giftables include a small selection of cards, totes and coffee mugs. Parking is plentiful behind the store.

103 W. Worth St., Grapevine, 682-223-1311, talkinganimalsbooks.com