Bar News

New bar on Dallas' Greenville Avenue worships '70s wah wah rock

Let's bring back the '70s.

Photo courtesy of Wah Wah Room

If the '70s is totally "your era," then your new bar is Wah Wah Room, newly opened at 1922 Greenville Ave., in the space that was formerly Ceviche.

Wah Wah is right next door to Laurel Tavern, the casual eatery from California, which opened at 1920 Greenville Ave. in May 2018. The two concepts share owners, as well as the same food menu.

Wah Wah expands Laurel Tavern's footprint to incorporate the Ceviche space.

"We're the same place, but Wah Wah has a unique theme and its own menu of cocktails," a representative from the company says.

The unique theme is a '70s recording studio. One whole nook is dedicated to an installation of old-school audio equipment, including a reel-to-reel device, mixing board, turntable, and 8-track tape player with stacks of 8-track tapes and vintage cassettes.

It summarizes its priorities thusly: "rock and roll fantasy, stiff drinks, and killer tunes."

The name "Wah Wah" is posted over the entry in pink neon script. Inside, the walls feature '70s-era portraits of musicians like David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust era and Joan Jett with her middle finger raised in the air.

The rest rooms are lined with a collage of period photos.

Music is a big deal with these operators, and Wah Wah turns to the '70s for inspiration, playing tunes from the likes of The Who, the Ramones, and Iggy Pop, at a volume that's audible but not overbearing.

The atmosphere is dark and cool, like a speakeasy, with seating set closer to the floor than usual, and candles flickering on the tables.

The bar opened softly on March 1, but its cheeky retro vibe is already drawing fans. Think aviator glasses and bartenders with handlebar mustaches. Hours are limited: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 7 pm-12 am.

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new restaurant

New family-run restaurant brings fresh Latin cuisine to Lakewood Dallas

Photo courtesy of My Dream Latin Cuisine

Meaty platter at My Dream Latin Cuisine.

A new family-owned restaurant called My Dream Latin Cuisine is now open in Dallas' Lakewood neighborhood.

Located at 7260 Gaston Ave., it's in the space that most recently belonged to Las Favela, and before that, Andrea’s Italian for over a decade.

The new concept is from Salvador Gamón, who hails from Zacatecas, Mexico, and has lived in Dallas since 1992. Gamón has an extensive hospitality background that spans three decades. He started his career as a dishwasher and later worked as server and kitchen manager in various local restaurants, including Matt’s Rancho Martinez, Mattito’s, Truluck’s, and Hugo’s Invitados.

As the name of this new spot suggests, it was his dream to open his own restaurant, so he partnered with his brother Hugo and niece Ivette Ipina to make it a reality.

Gamón designed a Latin American menu that reflects his cumulative experience at kitchens around the city, and the influence of his family cooking together in Mexico. The result is a diverse food offering with a focus on fresh ingredients. “Quality is first for us,” Gamón says.

Highlights of their menu include chimichurri rib eye, creamy poblano and shrimp spaghetti, chile relleno, and fire-grilled salmon. Entrees range from $16 to $26.

They also serve a variety of dishes Dallas loves, such as tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, empanadas, enchiladas, and soups and salads. They make their corn tortillas in house.

Their homemade desserts include tres leches cake, flan, churros, and cheesecake, for $9 each.

For lunch, they offer a combo special featuring crispy tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas, for $12 for two items and $14 for three items, served with Mexican rice and beans.

In terms of space, the team essentially repurposed the space that Las Favela left behind, with design elements honoring their Mexican heritage in the tables and walls, and a warm and welcoming vibe that makes diners feel right at home.

They have a bar with a soon-to-be issued alcohol license, and plenty of parking space outside. Hours are 10 am-9 pm daily (closed on Tuesday).

While they are still building their clientele, they have earned early positive reviews.

“So far, we have had only happy customers,” Gamón says. “We host a lot of families; we have something for everybody”.

dallas neighborhood lakewood latin cuisine openings tacos tex-mex