This Week's Hot Headlines

Insider foodie news and untimely deaths lead this week's 5 most popular stories

Editor's note: Another week has come and gone, and there's a lot we all probably missed. But we're looking out for you, kid. Here are the most popular stories from this past week:

1. Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 best insider foodie destinations. Staying atop Dallas' dining scene is a quixotic pursuit. There is always the cool new thing, mercilessly eluding you. A person could spend every waking hour trying to keep up. Or they could read this roundup by senior editor and resident foodie Teresa Gubbins.

2. Deep Ellum rocked by trio of sad deaths. An unfortunate trilogy of deaths hit Deep Ellum when three well known regulars died, all within the same week. Punk-rock musician and music lover Brian Alguire died on Wednesday; he was 37. Scott Lastowski, a 39-year-old veteran bartender, also died on Wednesday. His friend David Rell, 39, died on June 2 of natural causes.

3. Where to drink in Dallas right now: 10 top spots for summer happy hour. Maybe you already have a favorite spot that you hit every Thursday and Friday (and every other Wednesday for good measure). But here are some newer options to make every day of the week feel like an occasion to raise your glass.

4. New Sykamore Cafe gives Dallas vegan scene a unique Asian-fusion twist. Sykamore is a family-run spot that opened May 28 in East Dallas. It takes an approach similar to restaurants such as Loving Hut and Veggie Garden (which just closed), by featuring vegan versions of Asian and some Western dishes, with a limited buffet served at peak hours.

5. City of Dallas vows to investigate allegations against Kung Fu Saloon. DeAndre Upshaw took his battle against Kung Fu Saloon to City Hall, and council members were all ears. They vowed to open an investigation into alleged discrimination, and to visit the arcade bar themselves, which they did that evening.

Tacos taste better at 3 am.

Velvet Taco Facebook

Tacos taste better at 3 am.

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Sing a Song

2 Dallas restaurants inspire songs on new LP by Grammy-nominated act

Courtesy photo

Aloe Blacc at Bonton Farms

Two Dallas restaurants have garnered recognition in a new release by a Grammy-nominated artist: Called Stand Together. it's the latest album by Aloe Blacc, a Southern California native known for songs such as “I Need a Dollar”and “The Man” who received a Grammy nomination for his album Lift Your Spirit in 2015.

Two of the tracks on the album, which is set to drop on Friday, February 28, were inspired by Dallas charitable institutions Cafe Momentum and Bonton Farms.

The album focuses on philanthropy and is the result of a partnership with the community organization Stand Together, which works with nonprofits to address social issues. Both Bonton Farms and Cafe Momentum fit right in with the topic of the album, as they’re known for helping local underserved communities including addressing food insecurity and helping at-risk youth with an internship program.

Blacc, born Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III, has been a longtime partner of Stand Together, and visited both Café Momentum and Bonton Farms to see them in action. He was so inspired that he wrote songs about them on his newest album.

The nonprofits inspired the following two songs:

“Grow Together,” inspired by Bonton Farms visit, reflects themes of resilience and the power of collective effort, all of which are central to their mission.
“My World,” emphasizes empathy, compassion, and unity, aligning with Café Momentum’s values.

Bonton Farms CEO and president Gabrielle “Gabe” Madison says it was a privilege to witness Blacc "using his platform for positive social change."

“I've been blown away by his ability to capture our mission at Bonton Farms in his music," Madison says. "Aloe is shining a light on the transformative power of community and connection, and how they help us overcome adversity and unlock our full potential.”

Cafe Momentum founder and CEO Chad Houser called the experience was "surreal."

“Seeing him take those experiences and turn them into a song—one that tells our kids, I see you, I hear you—is beyond special,” Houser says. “I had the honor of standing beside one of our Momentum Ambassadors, Kenzo Sohue, at the album release party. Before playing the song, Aloe shared its inspiration. As it played, Kenzo stood with his head down, eyes closed, grinning ear to ear, whispering, "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" over and over. That moment will stay with me forever.”