Neighborhood Spotlight

The top spots to dine, shop and play in University Park

When the city slogan is “committed to excellence,” you can expect to find elegance, culture and plenty of happenings inside the boundaries. Such is the case with University Park, a pocket of perfection located north of downtown Dallas.

Compared to other cities, UP is small — less than 30,000 residents — but inside those limits, there’s a wealth of beautiful commercial and residential real estate, including tony neighborhoods, fine dining, retail and the internationally known Southern Methodist University.

Here’s a snapshot of this jewel of a city’s finest offerings:

Epicurean delights
There’s an impressive lineup of restaurants within the 3.75 miles of UP, and the following is really only a small selection. Is sushi on your mind? Visit Shinsei. In the mood for seafood? Visit Spoon Bar and Kitchen or Dive Coastal Cuisine.

Craving something south of the border? Try local favorite Taco Diner. Southern cooking doesn’t get any better than at Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen, and American cuisine is found at True Food Kitchen and Hillstone.

One of UP residents’ go-to places for pasta is Penne Pomodoro Italian Bistro. For casual comfort food, try Hopdoddy Burger Bar or Chips Old Fashioned Hamburgers. We could go on and on, but you get the delicious picture.

At your leisure
University Park has eight lush city parks that are available for public and private use. Several of these outdoor oases, such as Coffee Park, feature sports fields and playgrounds. In addition, Curtis Park offers picturesque walking trails, while Caruth Park has a tranquil fishing lake.

The city is also home to the Holmes Aquatic Center, which sports a popular children’s pool. For quiet time, take a break and visit the recently built University Park Public Library or the brand new George W. Bush Presidential Center.

The business of retail
One of Dallas’ most popular retail centers is Snider Plaza, a three-block collection of bakeries, boutiques, jewelry stores, salons and other charming establishments. Another is Inwood Village, a beautifully designed area filled with unique retail offerings, signature shopping and the iconic Inwood Theatre.

What places do you most enjoy in University Park? Tell us about your experiences in the comment area below.

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Dave Perry Miller & Associates is a premiere residential real estate firm with five locations that specialize in marketing the key areas of the Park Cities, Preston Hollow, Uptown, Lakewood, East Dallas and Kessler Park. Dave Perry-Miller & Associates is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International. For more information on luxury living, please contact Dave Perry Miller & Associates at 214-369-6000. Also visit daveperrymiller.com/blog for the latest news in Dallas real estate.

Fried green tomatoes at Rathbun's Blue Plate Kitchen.

Photo courtesy of Rathbun's

Fried green tomatoes at Rathbun's Blue Plate Kitchen.

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Weed News

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas files bill to legalize marijuana

Redheaded Blackbelt

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Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana