14 December 21 - 27, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents ▼ COFFEE A FUNNY THING FUNNY LIBRARY IS A THIRD-WAVE COFFEE SHOP IN THE DESIGN DISTRICT WITH AN ECLECTIC AND CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR. BY AAREN PRODY F unny Library Coffee Shop, inside the Virgin Hotel, is a distinctive yet friendly coffeehouse with a wink of cheekiness. This Design District venue is described as a communal worker’s dream spot or a can’t miss coffee counter experi- ence due to its urban, contemporary aes- thetic and its ethos of both work and play. In layman’s terms, it’s totally Instagrammable, which was a justifiable enough excuse for us to stop in and check things out. The shop is flanked by the hotel lobby on one side and the restaurant Commons Club on the other. It still feels very intimate, though, almost like a nook in someone’s home or a members-only club, but without the dues. The magnetic atmosphere from the original, contemporary design, wall of whimsical reads and styled nooks that can fuel any imagination are what sparks most visits to this coffee shop. What you’ll see upon entering is a long wooden table with a feathered chandelier looming above it. Behind it are interesting cof- fee table-style books on eclectic topics. Hidden Treasures of Antiquities, Masterpieces of Art, The Star Wars Archives and 31 Subway Draw- ings by Keith Haring can easily sweep you away for a few hours if you come for leisure. Velvet seating and varying patterns across the walls and floor fill in the shop’s warm wooden frame. At first glance, it gives the shop an upscale and ostentatious appeal, but the details are what brings its whimsical and approachable angle. There’s a massive comic book mural bridging two cities, Dallas and London, that includes Her Majesty The Queen riding a bucking horse, a King’s Guard sipping from an XL Whataburger cup and Big Tex sport- ing the Union Jack flag. Just to the right of that is a pair of hands solving a Rubik’s cube extending bluntly out of the wall. The succinct menu offers all the classic styles of coffee, beginning with drip to cap- puccinos and Americanos using La Colombe beans. Each can be customized with three non-dairy milk options; oat, almond and soy, as well as caramel, vanilla, sugar-free vanilla and hazelnut-flavored syrups. What distinguishes the menu is the “boozify your cuppa” section where Bailey’s, Frangelico, Jameson, Amaretto or Hennesy XO can be added to spike your coffee order. It’s a rite of passage for most after a night of revelry at the hotel’s fourth-floor Pool Club. For a more zen morning try something from the J’enwey Tea Company: black, Japa- nese sencha, Lady Blue, Earl Grey, bourbon vanilla rooibos, citrus chamomile, spiced chai and chai latte are a steep away. Croissants with or without chocolate are mainstays of the baked goods menu, along with a handful of seasonal pastries on rota- tion. Currently available are pumpkin-spiced zucchini and spiced pepita muffins, cajun pumpkin andouille scones, espresso pumpkin cheesecake stuffed banana bread and a peanut butter toffee nut cookie. Savory options can be ordered from the bar bites and brunch menus from Commons Club next door, to be ordered and devoured from your workspace. Our visit was sweetened with the espresso pumpkin cheesecake stuffed ba- nana bread and a hot oat milk latte. The ba- nana bread was an interesting twist on typical banana bread. Not too sweet, and it hit all the marks for a typical seasonal treat. The classic and seasonal blends from La Co- lombe Coffee, a third-wave coffee pioneer, rendered a rich brew for our work sesh. The biggest hurdle to a visit is the park- ing situation — or lack thereof. The hotel has a paid lot next door for $10, which is almost double the cost of a coffee without the frills. You’re better off saving that and trying to snag a spot off Turtle Creek Boulevard next to Commons Club for free. However, it seems you need a stroke of luck for one of roughly five spots to be open. Timing is key for your boozy coffee. Funny Library Coffee Shop, 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd. (inside The Virgin Hotel). Daily, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. ▼ FIRST LOOK A TOUR OF ITALY ON A PLATE GALLO NERO SERVES ITALIAN COMFORT FOOD BY CARLY MAY GRAVLEY “N othing fancy, just great Italian food,” is the promise that Gallo Nero Italian Bistro, with loca- tions in Dallas and Frisco (at 4851 Legacy Drive), makes on its website. That’s a bit of a tall order. In theory, Italian food shouldn’t be so hard to get right. And yet, people can be so particular and outspoken as to what consti- tutes “real” Italian food, and we get that. Dallas also has a dubious reputation for lacking high-quality Italian (we wouldn’t say that, but some people do), and restau- rants that meet purists’ standards can be pricey. It’s almost like you can’t make great Italian food without getting fancy. (Al- though, as Chris Wolfgang wrote in his re- cent review, the new spot Via Triozzi is certainly challenging that idea.) Founded in 2017 by brothers-in-law and veteran restaurateurs Florenc Leshnja and Festim “Tim” Raka (who also own Roma Italian Bistro in Oak Cliff), the restaurant is named after the Italian legend of a black rooster who assisted in a Florentine military victory and is a symbol of pride in Italy. The Greenville Avenue location offers a casual atmosphere. The warm and inviting space has exposed brick and low-key light- ing, making it the perfect spot for a glass of wine. We visited during a slow time of the day, and our server was attentive but didn’t hover. Gallo Nero’s has the standard red-sauce Italian restaurant dishes of pasta, seafood, sandwiches and pizza, plus a full bar, includ- ing a sizable selection of wine. The dessert menu has traditional favorites like tiramisu and cannolis — if you somehow have room at the end of your meal. In addition to appetiz- ers, which include bruschetta and calamari, there are complimentary garlic knots that are crispy on the outside and soft and but- tery on the inside. By far the biggest bang for your buck is the Tour of Italy, which comes with half or- ders of lasagna, cheese ravioli alfredo and tortellini alla pana ($18). Keep in mind the half orders are substantial enough to be full meals. In theory, this dish could feed a group of three. The vodka sauce on the tortellini provides a tangy balance to the smooth, sweet ricotta inside the tortellini. The pizza didn’t give us much to write home about, however. While not bad — the crispy, New York-style crust and the thick, gooey mozzarella are perfectly serviceable — it just didn’t make as strong an impres- sion. If you’re looking for pizza alone, try some local heavy hitters. Overall, Gallo Nero offers up big cheesy plates of soul-satisfying Italian food — noth- ing fancy. The food will satiate the palates of those looking for big plates of pasta and thick sauces and is accessible to those seek- ing an affordable night out. Gallo Nero, 1905 Greenville Ave. Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday – Satur- day, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Aaren Prody Funny Library is an eclectic coffee shop. City of Ate from p13 FEBRUARY 26 HOUSE OF BLUES ENTER TO WIN TICKETS
