| CITY OF ATE | t Dish The Air Up There 12 great rooftops for dining and drinks. BY HANK VAUGHN R umor has it that spring has fi- nally arrived, and while it may only last a week or so here in North Texas, it’s time to start planning and taking advantage of this transitory clement weather by nosh- ing a bit over a cocktail or three while taking in the glorious views and sunsets that North Texas can offer via some of its finer rooftop patios and terraces. While no list can cover all of the options available for such high-perched al fresco din- ing, the following offer a good start, for each has something to offer, including their amaz- ing views, strong cocktails and food. Te Deseo 2700 Olive St. (Downtown/Harwood) Te Deseo has Latin-American inspired fare atop a large rooftop space with great skyline views of Dallas. You can enjoy a cigar from their cigar menu and hang out with a DJ ei- ther in the sun or in the shade of the par- tially covered roof. Special rooftop drinks include Maluma Baby (Maker’s Mark, pine- apple, lime) and Gaviota (ILegal mezcal, grapefruit, sparkling Jasmine water, lime). Waterproof 1914 Commerce St. (Downtown) Waterproof atop the 19th floor of the Statler Hotel has beautiful panoramic views sur- rounded by skyscrapers. Relax near the rooftop pool or in one of the private cabanas available. In the winter, this space trans- forms into a winter wonderland with igloos and s’mores. Try a couple of their cocktails such as Chalet Cider (Zacapa 23 rum, but- tershots schnapps, Grand Marnier, apple ci- der, cinnamon) or peppermint mocha Iced Coffee while sharing a plate of caprese skewers or toasted ravioli. The Henry 2301 N. Akard St., Suite 250 (Uptown / Downtown) Another rooftop with a partially covered ter- race for those afraid of the sun, The Henry sports a dedicated food menu for its rooftop that includes rotisserie chicken nachos and short-rib potstickers. Standout drinks include their popular Thai Grapefruit Smash as well as a Fig & Ginger Mule (Basic vodka, Figenza fig vodka, lime, pomegranate). Oh yeah, it’s also a great brunch destination and rumor has it that they validate parking at the garage next door. What’s not to love? Sky Blossom Bistro 1514 Elm St., No. 611 (Downtown) Sky Blossom has a menu of Vietnamese fu- sion that can be enjoyed with a great view the swimming pool hanging off the side of the Joule across Main Street. Honestly, the eye-level view of the pool can be almost comical, especially after a flight of their mar- garitas. The spot can be hard to find on the ground level, but look for the dedicated ele- vator next to the Campisi’s on Elm and you should be fine. Colorful drinks such as a blueberry mojito can be enjoyed with a bowl Alison McLean Stirr in Deep Ellum offers one of many great views of the Dallas skyline. of short-rib pho, crispy wings or a couple spicy tuna tacos while one stares back at the ever-present Eye sculpture. Sundown at Granada 3520 Greenville Ave. (Lower Greenville) Right next door to the Granada Theater, Sundown at Granada offers a rooftop patio with wonderful sunset views. It has a good brunch complete with discounted mimosas and bloody marys during the weekend. Or, go at night and be a witness to all the hustle and bustle that is Lower Greenville while you nosh on some pesto Parmesan flatbread or turkey meatloaf. Follow their Instagram account for special events and live music. The Quarter Bar 3301 McKinney Ave. (Uptown) The New Orleans-inspired Quarter Bar has multiple indoor spaces with weird and eclec- tic vintage furniture, but also sports a rooftop terrace with views overlooking McKinney Avenue, where one can enjoy a Vieux Carre cocktail (or two) consisting of rye, cognac, wine, Benedictine and bitters, and sample some Southern-inspired tacos, flatbreads, and burgers. Don’t miss their famous Voodoo fries, a tantalizing mishmash of jalapeno ba- con, queso, gravy, and sriracha. Stirr 2803 Main St. #110 (Deep Ellum) Stirr’s Deep Ellum rooftop patio offers nice skyline views as well as an extensive and fun cocktail list and eclectic food menu of con- temporary American fare that includes Buf- falo chicken egg rolls, volcano shrimp, ahi tuna tacos and a dry-aged pork porterhouse. Sip your watermelon margarita or Deep Smash (bourbon, blackberry-mint syrup, lemon juice) while listening to some live music on weekend nights, or nibble at your short-rib hash during their brunch service. Harlowe MXM 2823 Main St. (Deep Ellum) Located at the corner of Main and Malcolm X, Harlowe MXM has a massive rooftop spot that is cigar-friendly. Be sure to try their MXM Burger (made with brisket short rib) and “cookie” dumplings (shrimp and pork belly with sweet Thai mustard). Wash every- thing down with a Paloma or a frosty gin and tonic. You want some chicken and waffles for brunch? You’re in luck, they have that, too. HG Sply Co 2008 Greenville Ave. (Lower Greenville) HG Sply Co.’s large rooftop terrace is three times bigger than the restaurant below, so you will have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy springtime Dallas nights while en- joying the skyline from afar. Happy hour starts at 3 p.m. with beer for $3 and select wines and cocktails for $6. The rooftop food menu includes such healthy-leaning dishes as beet tartare, vegan chips and salsa and some smoky carrot hummus. Wash it down with a frozen Moscow Mule or a Double Un- der: a beet-infused tequila with rosemary tur- binado sugar and lime. Catbird 1401 Elm St. (Downtown) Situated on the rooftop of The Thompson Hotel, Catbird is an Asian-inspired with wraparound outdoor seating, complete with several comfy couches and gas-powered fire pits for those evenings when the tempera- ture dips a bit. On the weekends, a DJ sets up on this balcony where you can feast on some Texas beef bao buns, grilled octopus tacos or some nicely roasted Brussels sprouts. This place has a dress code, so don’t show up in your flip-flops and tank tops, but if you can be bothered to put on a de- >> p14 WEEKLY EMAIL D SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY EMAIL LIST www.dallasobserver.com/signup for feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more! go to 1 13 $1 OFF PER POUND MONDAY & TUESDAY CRAWFISH dallasobserver.comdallasobserver.com | CONTENTS | UNFAIR PARK | SCHUT |ZE | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | MOVIES | DISH | MUSIC | CLASSIFIED | CLASSIFIED | MUSIC DISH | CULTURE | UNFAIR PARK | CONTENTS DALLAS OBSERVER DALLAS OBSERVER MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2014 APRIL 28–MAY 4, 2022
