Pastrami Reuben at Tulips
In the long line of iconic Fort Worth music venues, the Caravan of Dreams is held in the highest of regards. One of the first businesses to breathe new life into downtown’s then-struggling entertainment scene, the venue opened in 1983, offering an all-in-one combination: live music club, bar, and restaurant. In a plush, cozy atmosphere teeming with luxurious seating and romantic lighting, you could enjoy a nice meal or a drink while watching national and regional talent, from Lyle Lovett to Cheap Trick, perform mere feet away.
After 18 years, the Caravan closed in 2001. Since then, a handful of venues have tried to fill its void, the closest to come being the Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge on Magnolia Avenue. It closed in 2017 after a five-year run.
Fort Worth native Jason Suder has high hopes his new venue, Tulips FTW, will pick up where the Caravan and Live Oak left off. Opened recently in the South Main area, in the building recently vacated by Collective Brewing Project, Tulips is a one-stop shop for live entertainment, coffee, and food.
In developing the food menu, Suder consulted with Bria Downey, one of the city’s most well-known chefs. The two came up with a “Texas Kosher” menu that pays homage to traditional Kosher delis, like Carshon’s in Fort Worth and others in New York and New Jersey, where Suder’s father grew up.
The sandwich-heavy menu includes three variations of a Reuben: one made with shaved corned beef, another with shaved pastrami, and another with truffle turkey. There’s also a pimento grilled cheese and a smoked chicken salad sandwich. All are made with Boar’s Head meat and bread from Dallas’ Empire Bakery.
Bria’s twin sister, Tia Downey, is the venue’s beverage director. Her menu of craft cocktails is made up of spirited new drinks and reimagined classics. Tulips also doubles as a coffeehouse, serving drinks made with Counter Culture Coffee.
Tulips has several socially distanced shows on its calendar for December and January, including a pair of New Year’s Eve concerts from Grady Spencer & the Work. Matthew Logan Vasquez, Jackie Venson, and Jim Heath of Reverend Horton Heat are all slated for January.
112 St. Louis Ave., tulipsftw.com
