This Week's Hot Headlines

The Loon returns, Deep Ellum goes French and more popular stories this week

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. The Loon reopens as Cliff's Bar & Grill and drinks are as stiff as ever. It took a few more months than expected, but beloved hole-in-the-wall The Loon is open for business in a new Uptown location. It just has a different name: Cliff's Bar & Grill. It opened November 20 to a full house of former Loon regulars looking to sip on the strongest drinks in town.

2. Jonas Brothers leave Westlake with $3.2 million parting gift in Vaquero. Anyone with around $3.2 million to burn can live like the Jonas Brothers did in Westlake. The Disney stars-turned-heartthrobs have put their 7,360-square-foot Vaquero manse at 1724 Wisteria Way on the market with Ebby Halliday's Lott Group.

3. Deep Ellum kisses BBQ short-timer goodbye to welcome new French bistro. EZ Dude BBQ restaurant, which opened in a prime address at 2713 Elm St. in March, has closed. But these days, nothing sits empty in Deep Ellum, and so there is already a replacement, a French bistro called Cepage. It comes from longtime DFW restaurateur Jean-Michel Sakouhi.

4. Better move on this Dallas midcentury treasure for sale on Disney Streets. Midcentury modern enthusiasts in the market for a home will be happy to learn there is a new listing at 11023 Pinocchio Dr., in the sought-after Disney Streets of Midway Hills. It was designed by architect George Halfin for the 1954 Parade of Homes.

5. Mayor Mike Rawlings' letter gets leaked and more news from around Dallas. Given the shortage of funds and overwhelming public dislike, it seems unfathomable that some local mucky-mucks would still think the Trinity River toll road is a good idea, or that they might still be trying to lobby for it. But they do and they are. Fortunately, we can protest that in the streets, thanks to a move by the Dallas City Council.

Deep Ellum will get a French bistro called Cepage.

Photo by Catherine Walsh

Deep Ellum will get a French bistro called Cepage.

unspecified

Pickleball News

Upscale new Serve & Sip Pickleball Club to open in middle of Dallas

Serve & Sip

Serve & Sip Pickleball Club is coming to Dallas soon.

Is pickleball still hot? You bet, and here's a new one coming to central Dallas: Called Serve & Sip Pickleball Club, it's being billed as the largest indoor-outdoor pickleball venue in the heart of Dallas and will reside at 11250 N, Central Expy., in a former Conn's appliance store at the northeast corner of Royal Lane.

According to a release, it's scheduled to open in 2025.

Serve & Sip is from Alex Menzel, an entrepreneur, developer, and SMU grad who envisions a "premium, bespoke blend of sport and hospitality, all within a vibrant and meticulously designed environment." Like regular pickleball, but classier.

Serve & Sip will feature professional-grade courts, an outdoor patio, and a dining experience — an environment where players can compete, drink craft cocktails, or unwind with friends. All are welcome: from seasoned players to those who want to drink and watch seasoned players play.

It's early yet, and Menzel did not provide information on how the dining operation would factor in, or what the food and drink would be; nor any details about exact number of courts or total square footage.

"I have plenty more details, but can't give away the secret sauce quite this early," Menzel says.

OK, so there's some kind of Russian dressing on the menu. See that is a joke because fast-food restaurants always say their sauce is secret even though it's usually Russian dressing, does this ruin the joke by explaining it?

They're mainly just hoping that its central location — with access to the White Rock Creek Trail, the Cottonwood Creek Trail, the Northaven Trail Bridge, not to mention US-75 — will make it a destination, not just for pickleball activities, but also as a gathering space and more importantly, event space.

"Where some venues might focus on simply filling a space with as many courts as possible, Serve & Sip takes a different approach," Menzel says. "We believe that the best pickleball experience is about more than just the game—it is about creating a welcoming atmosphere, nurturing a strong sense of community, and fostering a deep sense of belonging through tailored hospitality."

openings trends