Where to Drink Now

Where to drink in Dallas right now: 5 floral cocktails in bloom

Spring means flowers, whether in the form of gardens, crowns, or cocktails. Dallas bartenders are giving the season a nod by infusing their creations with petals and blooming ingredients, so drink up before summer hits and the heat causes even the sturdiest blossom to wilt.

American Beauty, Abacus
The food may be getting the spotlight right now, thanks to chef Christopher Patrick's James Beard House debut, but Abacus is still dominating behind the bar. There are several floral-inspired drinks from which to choose, but this beauty queen combines Ford's gin, Luxardo maraschino cherries, rose syrup, lemon, egg white, and pink peppercorn, then crowns it with dried rose buds. Even cocktails are wearing flower crowns now.

Moment of Zen, Eastwood's Bar
This casual Uptown spot just introduced a new weekday happy hour from 4-8 pm, with all by-the-glass drinks going for $5 and under. That includes craft cocktails such as this one, which mixes vodka, housemade Zen syrup, sparkling wine, and hibiscus — and it's only $3.

The Great Gatsby, High & Tight Barbershop
This speakeasy doubles down on flowers, using them as both an ingredient and a garnish. For $9 you get Aviation gin, pamplemousse rosé, orange, lemon, and a mist of orange blossom water, all topped with a delicate bloom.

Flora, Flora Street Cafe
With flowers in its name, of course this Stephan Pyles restaurant lets its cocktail menu blossom. The namesake takes junipero, lemon verbena, elderflower liqueur, creme de violette, and lavender bitters to produce a dreamy pink cocktail that's accented with a delicate flower sprig.

Bohemian Bloom, Midnight Rambler
The Joule's underground bar has a flower power-themed spring cocktail menu, with floral essential oils, hydrosols, extracts, honeys, pollen, roots, and dried flowers all going into several new libations. But this is the one to order if you're missing the the Rambler's formerly iconic Sonic Bloom. It has gentian (a pretty blue flower), Douglas fir, pear, grapefruit, elderflower, and brut sparkling wine.

The American Beauty at Abacus — even cocktails are wearing flower crowns now.

Photo courtesy of Abacus

The American Beauty at Abacus — even cocktails are wearing flower crowns now.

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Cheesesteak News

N.Y. cheesesteak restaurant opens in Dallas in former Sal's Pizza spot

G's Cheesesteaks

A legit cheesesteak concept from New York is now open in Dallas: Called G’s Cheesesteaks, it's part of a small chain from Staten Island, and occupies a space with foodie legacy: the former Sal’s Pizza at 2525 Wycliff Ave. #116, where it opened in early March.

G’s Cheesesteaks comes from restaurateur Giacomo Pisano, who founded the concept on Staten Island in 2015 when he was only 20 years old. There are four locations in New York and New Jersey. Dallas is the fifth location, and the first in Texas.

It's the culmination of a family legacy that stretches back to Giacomo's grandfather, Giacomo Sr., who emigrated from Carini, Sicily, and opened a pizzeria in New York. Giacomo's father, Jack, continued the pizza tradition, as did his uncles who opened their own pizzerias in New York city and Pennsylvania.

G's specialty is Philly-style cheesesteaks including a classic with fried onions, Cooper sharp cheese, and cheese wiz. But they also offer the sandwich in 11 varieties, with trendy additions such as the Mike’s Hot Honey steak with pepperoni, sliced steak, bacon, and cheese wiz; and a veggie with fried onions, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, marinara sauce, and cheese.

The sandwiches are served on sesame seed-topped long rolls which they proudly bake in house. Prices range from $10 for a half sandwich to $18 for a full prime rib or cutlet sandwich.

But there's lots more on the menu than cheesesteaks, with appetizers like fried mac & cheese bites, plus smash burgers, chicken tenders, wings, fries, and onion rings loaded with options like black truffle or BBQ sauce and cheddar.

There are milkshakes, as well as alcohol including beer and wine on tap.

Introducing the concept to Dallas is franchisee Enoc Soltani, a Dallas native who's been in the hospitality and restaurant industry for the past 10 years. He was previously a general manager and junior partner at Nick & Sam’s steakhouse. G’s Cheesesteaks is his first restaurant.

Pisano is a close friend and business partner; Soltani was inspired by his brand and growth of the restaurant.

“Giacomo has been coming down here to Dallas the last three or four years and talking about opening up, and we decided to take a leap of faith,” Soltani says. “I believed in him and what his visions are, so I thought why not open in the city that I know best. It's fast food, but we like to consider ourselves elevated fast food with a level of hospitality.”

The location in the former Sal's Pizza was also appealing, closing after 42 years due to rent costs, and Soltani had gotten to know owner Sal Jakova personally. (Sal's has since opened a stand at the Maple Street Food Hall, a food court at 4711 Maple Ave.)

"We loved the spot and we've seen the area grow and flourish over the years," Soltani says. "So it meant a lot to me taking this as my flagship store, and knowing a lot of Sal's clients and the area, it just called to me."

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