130 September 19 - 25, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER CONTENTS | READERS’ PICKS | SHOPPING & SERVICES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | FOOD & DRINK | SPORTS & RECREATION in place. EVA’s spot in Flower Mound also boasts delicious cocktails at its CyberBar, a craft kitchen, lounge areas and retro arcades. Even if you’re not into VR, EVA has something for you. 3105 Justin Road, Building C, Flower Mound 972-955-3022, eva.gg Best Staredown Jamie Benn Nothing is more intimidating than a mean, vicious staredown, and nobody does that better than Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn. One of the things that makes the 15-year veteran (12 of those with a C on his chest) so well- respected around the league is his willingness to rough it up with anyone. Benn fears nobody, and when he gives an opponent his ferocious glare, they know they better keep their head up. That staredown could scare a child through the TV. Best Press Conference Moment Moaning During Luka Press Conference Player and coach press conferences have brought some incredible moments like Pete DeBoer angrily telling Dallas Morning News’ Tim Cowlishaw to “write whatever the fuck you want.” That was a great clapback by DeBoer, but no press conference moment beats Luka Doncic getting interrupted by provocative moaning in Oklahoma City during the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The moans came as Doncic finished answering a question, and he couldn’t do anything but stare blankly and drop his head in bewilderment. Awkward for those in the room, but absolutely hilarious for us. Best Player Celebration Matt Duchene’s Heartbreaker There have been some legendary celebrations from our Dallas sports stars this past year, such as Corey Seager exploding after tying Game One of the World Series, or CeeDee Lamb’s popular first-down celebration, but the best goes to Dallas Star Matt Duchene’s heartbreaker move. In Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Colorado Avalanche, Duchene netted a goal in double overtime to end Colorado’s season. He then proceeded to slide down the ice on his knees, make a heart outline in the air with his hands and punch right through it, signifying the heartbreak of every Avs fan in that stadium. Best Rookie Evan Carter, Texas Rangers Dallas had a wave of young talent hop onto the scene in the past year, such as All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey for the Cowboys or big man Dereck Lively II for the Mavs, but the best newcomer had to be Evan Carter for the Rangers. Carter was called up in early September when the Rangers were in the middle of a postseason push and immediately boosted the lineup. The 21-year-old broke the single postseason doubles record with nine while establishing himself as a mainstay member of the Rangers outfield for years to come. Best Batting Cages Sixes Social Cricket Threw you for a loop with this one, didn’t we? If you’re even a casual sports fan, you likely know that cricket has become a major player here in North Texas, thanks in large part to the new presence of Major League Cricket and 2024 cricket World Cup matches held at the new cricket- specific stadium in Grand Prairie. At Sixes Social Cricket, located in the Grandscape development near Nebraska Furniture Mart, even a cricket newbie can take a few no-pressure swings for fun inside a netted cage with a cricket simulator game, all while having a beer. 5740 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony 972-410-0245, sixescricket.com Best Place to Run Northshore Trail Along the top of Grapevine Lake sits one of the best, most varied and fun trails anywhere in North Texas. Northshore is arguably the favorite trail of local mountain bikers, but its 20-plus mile length with dirt, rock, pavement and gorgeous lake views are also prime terrain for joggers looking for a break from neighborhood monotony. There are numerous areas to tailor your route to shorter distances if you prefer, but go far enough and you’re bound to smell sweet flowers, scared skunks and backyard barbecues, all in an easy, central location. 3600 Pilot Point, Grapevine Best Mountain Bike Trails Oak Cliff Nature Preserve Ask any mountain biker which local trail is their favorite and there’s a good chance the answer will be “the closest one I can ride on today” or something along those lines. And in 2024, especially in the extremely rainy spring, the closest trails that we have been able to ride on have been at the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve. Every other off-road trail in North Texas is closed to bikers when the trails get too wet and muddy (to avoid damaging them), but as an experiment, the trail stewards overseeing OCNP have kept the gates open. We’re not saying it’s a good idea to slip, slide and get bogged down in the mud, but it’s pretty awesome that you can if you want. 2875 Pierce St. 972-696-9810, texaslandconservancy.org/oak- cliff-nature-preserve Best Local Television Personality Daryl Reaugh It’s easy to take excellence for granted when we’ve become so used to it. Perhaps that’s the case when it comes to longtime Dallas Stars broadcaster Daryl “Razor” Reaugh. The former NHL goalie has been the team’s color analyst for television and radio since way back in 1996, and he’s been nothing short of colorfully eloquent and vividly passionate ever since. His importance to a broadcast has perhaps been felt most during the Stars’ recent extended playoff runs, when national broadcasters replace the local lineup, making our hearts grow ever so fonder. Best Gym Recess Fitness The name alone is enough to win us over. After all, who doesn’t have fond memories of the consensus favorite part of the school day? And a recess from work, stress, traffic and the news in the form of ripping some muscle fiber is a very good thing. Opened in 2020 by a duo of fitness training professionals, Recess Fitness is a sleek, full-service spot that encourages your healthy aspirations with an impressive mix of personal training options, group classes and modern equipment. Plus, Recess does not allow those annoying, unwieldy tripods that influencers often use to film their workouts. 5706 E. Mockingbird, No. 310 214-301-5702, recessfitnessclub.com Best Yoga Studio Uptown Yoga You can stretch or work up a sweat anywhere, but when it comes to yoga, you want to feel like you’re in a place that’s intentionally serving your needs for the sort of reset a satisfying session delivers. At both of Uptown Yoga’s locations, the instructors indeed provide a singular experience to those seeking mind-body balance. Both in-studio and virtual sessions are available for added convenience. Check out the special events and international yoga retreats Uptown hosts for even greater holistic harmony. 2636 Thomas Ave., 214-965-9642 6800 Windhaven Parkway, The Colony, 972- 307-9642, uptownyoga.com Best Place to Hang a Hammock Boy Scout Hill Pavilion We don’t have exact coordinates to give you, but here’s the best way we can direct you to the most idyllic hammock destination in North Texas: Enter “Boat ramp Dallas 75218” into your GPS, and walk across the street of this parking lot address. You’ll find a cluster of trees (and of people who are in on this secret). Tie up your ENO or similar brand of strapped hammock; these are easy to set up and don’t cause damage to trees. This is a perfectly shady spot to nap, ponder the courtesy Lake Grapevine Northshore Trail // BEST PLACE TO RUN
