Sports News

Pickleball-restaurant with chef-level food paddles into Farmers Branch

There's a new pickleball name in town: At Fault.

Courtesy rendering

A new pickleball concept is paddling into Farmers Branch: Called At Fault, it's a pickleball-restaurant facility, opening its first DFW location at 2330 Jett St., in spring 2024.

The concept takes over an ideally located space near I-35 and Valley View Lane, which was previously a mailing services warehouse but more importantly is two blocks from the super-buzzy Mustang Station center.

It's a 40,000 square-foot facility that will offer

six indoor and four outdoor courts
three bars
a 3,600-square-foot restaurant

A release promises it will provide a top-shelf culinary experience: created by renowned Dallas chef John Franke, formerly of Front Burner Restaurants and right now pretty much everyone's go-to consultant guy.

“The menu we’ve created with the At Fault team offers an elevated take on classic favorites across courtside shareables, hearty sandwiches and burgers, salads, as well as a brunch menu with both savory and sweet options,” Franke says in a statement. “There’s truly something for everyone.”

At Fault was founded by entrepreneurial group Chris Kostoulas, Bo Oh, and Dallas-resident Mario Simic, who saw a gap in the pickleball eatertainment space.

“At Fault will be unlike any other pickleball eatertainment facility in DFW, with a scratch-made menu from Chef Franke and elevated cocktails, all within a social, old school vibe,” Simic says. “We welcome players of all skill levels to pick up a paddle for a match or come in to watch your favorite sports team on the big screens while enjoying a beer.”

The facility welcomes those seeking pick-up game on Saturday afternoons as well as corporate team-building events. Especially corporate team-building events.

The name is cute.

“The name At Fault comes from a double entendre on making a mistake or a ‘fault’ in pickleball and we found it to have other playful connotations that help it to stand out from other brands,” Oh says.

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Skating into the holidays

Downtown Dallas debuts CultureMap City Rink at dazzling tree lighting

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

A rainy Thanksgiving-weekend forecast wasn't going to stop the official grand opening of the first-ever CultureMap City Rink, presented by Verizon, at Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas.

On Friday, November 28, representatives from Downtown Dallas, Inc., Verizon, and CultureMap gathered with the community for a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor ice rink that has transformed the downtown park into a magical winter wonderland.

Just after sunset, at 6 pm, guests were welcomed from center ice by CultureMap editorial director Stephanie Merry; Downtown Dallas, Inc. VP of marketing and communications Monica Gonzalez, and Keli Ferguson of the Verizon team. As they were about to begin the countdown to light the tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus skated out to surprise the crowd.

"I've made my list and checked it twice, and it turns out Dallas is very, very nice," Santa told the delighted audience. Then he counted down, "5-4-3-2-1!" and flipped the switch to illuminate the sparkling 35-foot tree.

The majestic sounds of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Carol of the Bells" filled the air, and a group of young skaters from the Skate VIDA skating school glided onto the rink. They twirled, spun, and jumped like future Olympians on the ice.

Amber Barth, a U.S. Figure Skating national-level competitor from Skate VIDA, gave a mesmerizing solo performance.

CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 Amber Barth of Skate VIDA performs after the tree is lit.Photo by Ashley Gongora

When the rink re-opened to the public, kids (and their parents) slid and scurried onto the ice for the chance to skate and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Families fueled up at Rudolph's Rinkside Cafe, presented by DRG Concepts (the folks behind Wild Salsa, Chop House Burger, Wicked Butcher). Warm barbacoa tacos, fried chicken sliders, nachos, churros, and hot chocolate hit the spot as the night grew chillier.

Guests who were 21-and-up lingered at the Après Chalet lounge on the other side of the rink. The cozy gathering area features nooks with inviting Adirondack chairs next to pipe-stoves - the perfect place to warm up with cocktails showcasing Shiner Spirits or sip on a Yuegling beer.

The CultureMap City Rink, nestled beneath the colorful tall buildings downtown, brings the fun and festive feel of Rockefeller Center to Dallas. (It's the only ice rink in downtown Dallas this holiday season - and yes, it is real ice.)

CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 The rink will be open through January 5, 2026.Photo by Ashley Gongora

The rink will be open through January 5, 2026. Visitors can expect themed pop-ups and a full slate of programming designed for every kind of holiday reveler. From romantic Date Skate Wednesdays to Family Movie Nights and Shop + Skate Saturday Markets, there’s something new happening each week:

Dallas Holiday Parade Activation — Saturday, December 6
Cheap Skate Mondays — Select Mondays
Date Skate — Select Wednesdays
Family Movie Night — Select Fridays
Shop + Skate Night Market — Select Saturdays
Santa Skate — Select Sundays

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Regular hours are Monday-Friday from 4-10 pm, Saturdays 10 am-10 pm, and Sundays 10 am-8 pm. During school holidays (December 19-January 4), hours expand to 10 am-10 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-8 pm on Sundays. Special holiday hours will take place December 24 & 31 (10 am-7 pm) and December 25 & January 1 (1 pm-7 pm).

Tickets are $18 for all ages, and include skate rentals and 75 minutes of ice time. Advance tickets, group reservations, and private rink rentals are available at cityrink.culturemap.com.

Scroll through the photos, above, to see highlights of the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

holiday attractions christmas downtown dallas city rink