Cedar Springs Ambition

Fort Worth's Winslow's Wine Cafe uncorks Dallas offshoot on Cedar Springs

Famed Fort Worth wine haunt Winslow's Wine Cafe has staked a location in Dallas. A broader-themed cousin called Winslow's will open in late February, at 3908 Cedar Springs Rd., in the old Buli Cafe space that was most recently Daily Juice.

The concept will expand on what Winslow's Wine Cafe does with morning hours for juices, smoothies and coffee.

"We opened Daily Juice there in June 2014," says owner Joe Berry. "We invested a lot of money in that space, but doing organic juices just wasn't enough. Before we went in there, it was Buli, and we still had people coming in and asking for coffee."

He also wanted to provide a spot where someone could get an affordable glass of wine in a casual atmosphere.

"We heard this from people in the neighborhood," he says. "You have the bars, and the Library inside the Melrose Hotel, and Dish, an upscale restaurant, but nothing in between — nothing that's a casual, practical neighborhood place."

The hours and menu are ambitious, running from breakfast through late dinner. The menu will be overseen by chef Michael Watkins, who joined Winslow's last year.

"It's Winslow's with the subtitle 'wine, cocktails, eats and breakfast sandwiches,'" Berry says. "We'll do cappuccinos, coffees, smoothies, juices, egg sandwiches, bagels and grapefruit. We'll have panini sandwiches at lunch, wood-fired pizza and a full bar with craft cocktails."

They'll incorporate some of the Fort Worth Winslow's touches too. "We'll have half the wine list as Winslow's Wine Cafe, but we'll include some of the cafe's signatures, like the cheese boards, salads, hummus and a couple of small plates," he says.

They've already begun renovations, with a plan to open up the front with big windows and make the most of a strip that Berry observes is on the upswing.

"There's other good things going on, and we feel like we can add something the neighborhood needs," he says. "Just a place to sit with your laptop and have coffee or juice or a nice $7 glass of wine with a cheese board."

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Deep Ellum News

Ex-Deep Ellum speakeasy paves way for spiffy new Dallas restaurant-bar

Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen

In sad news, a Dallas speakeasy has closed. In happy news, there's a swanky new restaurant and bar in its place: Called Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen, it recently opened at 2618 Elm St., in the Deep Ellum space that was home for more than a decade to Truth & Alibi, which closed in August after 11 years.

Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen is from Victor García, who is very familiar with the location: He built a career at Truth & Alibi, starting as a dishwasher 10 years ago, and climbing the ranks to become bartender at the pioneering bar that helped usher in Dallas' great speakeasy era of 2021-2022.

Garcia had already been looking for a location to open his own restaurant and lounge, when he learned that Truth & Alibi owners Chris and Mark Beardon were going to close their Deep Ellum concept.

“I took care of the place as if it were mine," Garcia says. "It is home to me, so this was the perfect opportunity for me to bring my dream to life. Every time I come here, it reminds me of the first day I stepped into this place. It changed my life."

A native of Michoacán, Mexico, who moved to Dallas when he nine years old, Garcia also previously worked at the now-closed Avenu Lounge.

At Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen, he's kept some of the key elements of the former space, such as the layout and chandeliers. But he's also added brighter elements that help transition the space from sophisticated and welcoming restaurant into a lounge and nightclub after 10 pm, with thematic events, DJs on weekends, burlesque on Wednesdays, and Sunday socials.

For food, he partnered with chef Mike Church to build a menu that provides a highly creative fusion of Spanish and American cuisine with Latin elements. There are "diablo" deviled eggs, Spanish risotto, ceviche, and an elote "dip" with all the good parts of the Mexican corn dish fashioned into a dip.

Entrees include flank steak with chimichurri sauce and Latin-braised chicken with olives, peppers, onions, and tomatoes with penne pasta. There are tapas-style dishes such as papas fritas, and intriguing vegetarian items such as a portobello steak, or beet tostadas layered with goat cheese, apple, and pistachio. Dessert includes a clever tres leches carrot cake.

Prices are reasonable, ranging from $8-$16 for appetizers and $18-$24 for entrees.

Scarlet Garden cocktail Spanish Garden cocktail served in a "bird cage".Scarlet Lounge

The creativity also shows in the cocktails, where bartender Hector Santana (Tipsy Alchemist, Snowbird) serves innovative drinks with theatrical Instagram-friendly presentations. These include a tequila Reposado and pineapple Piña para la Niña cocktail and a drink called Spanish Garden, containing rum, passion fruit, and strawberry, served with frozen fruits in a lighted bird cage, with nitrogen that creates a wall of smoke.

They've also kept some Truth & Alibi favorites such as the 12am Alibi, Fushia Fusion, Lies and Secrets and Black Bourbon Smash.

They've kept the late-night hours on weekends, open Friday-Sunday from 5 pm to 2 am, and Tuesday-Thursday 5 pm-10 pm. They host a generous happy hour from 5-7 pm with 20% off food and drink specials, and unlike most places in the area, they offer complimentary valet during restaurant hours.

Beyond the creative food, drink, and atmosphere, Garcia is laser-focused on customer service — on good hospitality.

"People walk by and come check us out," Garcia says. "Once there are here, we do our best as an entire team to offer the best service. We are very happy that customers that try us all leave with a positive experience. That is our main focus."

deep-ellum trends openings