F1 Smokehouse
A new tropical-themed restaurant from the Bearded Lady crew is now open in the River East district on Race Street. Tropic Lady comes from a trio of Bearded Lady ladies: owner Shannon Osbakken and Sarah Allen and Amanda Yunger, who’ve worked in management and marketing at Bearded Lady. Together they’ve turned the old Fuzzy’s building into a colorful, upbeat spot with a cool beach-tropical vibe. The menu is all about breezy, light, and creative fare: mango guacamole, chunks of grilled pineapple wrapped in bacon, vegan or regular smashburgers, a blackened shrimp salad with hibiscus vinaigrette and, did you see the part about the bacon-wrapped pineapple? There are cocktails and mocktails, too, and a beautifully landscaped patio. 2719 Race St., tropicladyfw.com
Recently opened in the Cultural District, The Bowie House hotel has now unveiled Whinny’s, its new poolside bar and restaurant. Unlike Bricks & Horses, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, you need to be a hotel guest to drink and dine at Whinny’s. Found on the west side of Bowie House’s tree-lined terrace pool, Whinny’s offers a menu of Mediterranean-inspired small bites and heavier entrees that guests can order and enjoy poolside. I don’t know who’d order a wagyu sirloin steak sitting next to a pool in 100-degree weather, but it’s there, and it’ll come with cucumber salad and saffron laffa bread. Other entrees include roasted salmon and a charbroiled kabob burger I’m dying to try. Lighter bites include corn and black bean falafel, Za’atar fries tossed with garlic, herbs and spices, crispy halloumi (a cheese made with goat’s and sheep’s milk), and Moroccan street corn made with spiced yogurt and feta. For dessert, there’s a tahini ice cream sandwich and a baklava sundae, made with pistachio and walnut ice cream and topped with honey syrup. The menu was developed by Bricks & Horses executive chef Antonio Votta, who also developed B&H’s menu. 3700 Camp Bowie Blvd., aubergeresorts.com/bowiehouse
F1 Smokehouse, the smoked meats spot in the Cultural District opened last year by Felipe Armenta and celebrity chef Graham Elliot, has rolled out a huge new breakfast and brunch menu. For those in a rush, there are grab-and-go items, such as breakfast tacos made with scrambled eggs and house sausage; burritos stuffed with smoked chicken, bacon, potatoes and other ingredients; and a smashburger. A smashburger for breakfast? Heck, yeah. The “Sit & Stay’’ portion of the menu includes bigger, heartier items like chilaquiles with jalapeno-cheddar wagyu sausage; a crispy chicken sandwich topped with bacon, eggs, Swiss cheese, and maple butter; and a sandwich called Big Bad Wolf that comes with, dear Lord, brisket, thick-cut bacon, scrambled eggs, chili AND queso, plus tomato serrano salsa. OK, who wants to die with me? Breakfast is served 8-11 a.m., Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. 517 University Drive, f1smokehouse.com
Speaking of brunch, local Cajun favorite The Cajun Market, which closed its original Colleyville location and now operates out of the Bourbon Street Bar & Grill in Bedford, is hosting a weekly Sunday brunch buffet. Items include gumbo, etouffee, meat pies, jambalaya, eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, grits, boudin spring rolls and beignets. Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every Sunday. Cost is $19.99 for adults, $10 for kids under 12. 1833 Airport Freeway, Bedford, facebook.com/thecjaunmarketatbourbonst
