Coronavirus News

Dallas bakers are whipping up creative coronavirus-inspired treats

The good thing about these is there is no limit, buy as many as you want.

Photo courtesy of London Baker

Taking a page out of Marie Antoinette's book, Dallas-area bakers are helping residents deal with the toilet paper pandemic by turning it into cake.

The London Baker, a bakery in Lewisville's Castle Hills Village Shops known for its elaborate cake sculptures, has introduced two new Quarantine Cakes shaped like toilet paper rolls with nicknames like "#Surviving2020" and "Survival Kit."

A six-inch cake costs $45 for popular non-premium flavors including Wedding Cake, Strawberry Bliss, and Double Dutch Chocolate. Premium and boozy flavors cost a little extra.

Located at the Castle Hills Village Shops, at 2540 King Arthur Blvd., London Baker is from cake artist Elizabeth Rowe, originally of Essex, England, who opened her bakery in Fort Worth in 2016 before relocating to the Castle Hills Village Shops in 2018. She has appeared on national cooking shows like Food Network's Cake Wars.

"I think it's so important to find or create joy in a dark situation, that’s why I do what I do," Rowe says in a statement. "We always try to enhance happiness and make people's celebrations better through laughter – quarantine is no exception. All of us here at The Village Shops are doing what we can to continue serving the community we’re part of. Cakes and cookies make people happy, so like Marie Antoinette once said, Let them eat cake!"

Rowe is not alone: During these coronavirus times, toilet paper cakes have become a national phenomenon, says Food & Wine magazine. The cylindrical shape of a cake is a ringer for a roll of toilet paper.

Other area bakers who've crafted cakes with a toilet paper theme include Loft22 Cakes in Fort Worth, who are doing a series of cakes including one with a convincing circular swirl on top that sure looks like the real thing. Their other cakes boast COVID-19 messages on top like "Don't Touch Your Face" and "Wash Your Hands."

They come in three flavors, white/funfetti, chocolate, and red velvet and are $50.

"The quarantine cakes have been a huge hit, and honestly have been our saving grace this past week," Loft22 owner Tareka Lofton says.

health desserts

Coming soon

Dallas restaurant group to open modern Mexican spot in Grapevine

Vidorra’s new Grapevine location will serve up a full lineup of tacos, sizzling entrees, and handcrafted margaritas.

Photo courtesy of Vidorra.

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A restaurant from Dallas that Grapevine residents have kept an eye on for over a year has finally set an opening date: Vidorra, a "modern Mexican" restaurant, is opening at 700 W. State Hwy. 114 in Grapevine on August 31, according to a release.

The concept is from Dallas-based hospitality group Milkshake Concepts and owners Imran Sheikh, James Faller, and Asim Sheikh, who opened the first Vidorra location in Deep Ellum in 2018. Since then, the restaurant has expanded to three more locations across the Metroplex — Addison, Rockwall, and Grand Prairie — as well as one in Nashville. Grapevine is their first one in Tarrant County.

Vidorra, which means "the good life," is known for its contemporary take on traditional Mexican dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and energetic atmosphere.

First announced in June 2025, the Grapevine location will serve Vidorra’s signature menu that includes aguachile, house-made guacamole, street tacos, sizzling fajitas, and enchiladas. Guests can also order the signature Parrillada en Fuego — an assortment of grilled meats and accompaniments served tableside in a sizzling 400-degree molcajete.

Vidorra Vidorra's signature Parrillada en Fuego, featuring an array of grilled meats, shrimp, nopales, and peppers.Photo courtesy of Vidorra

The beverage program will include handcrafted margaritas, an extensive selection of premium tequilas, and fresh seasonal cocktails. A standout item is a trendy Soft Serve Margarita, which combines a frozen margarita with creamy soft serve for a playful twist. During the week, Happy Hour will offer specials on margaritas, beer, wine, and select appetizers.

There's also weekend brunch, featuring chilaquiles, breakfast tacos, pan dulce French toast, handcrafted brunch cocktails, and tableside mimosas.

The location was most recently home to Hoffbrau Steak & Grill House, which closed surprisingly in February 2024, just a little over a year after it opened in November 2022 in a former Brick House Tavern & Tap, which closed during the pandemic. Way back in the day, it was a Romano's Macaroni Grill.

The new space will feature lush greenery, stone sculptures, warm lighting and expansive bar seating. There are also private event spaces.

“We’re incredibly excited to introduce Vidorra to the Grapevine community and open our fifth location,” says Imran Sheikh in the release. “Grapevine has such a distinctive personality, bringing together residents, travelers, and families throughout the year. We wanted to create a restaurant that feels equally welcoming whether you’re stopping in for brunch, meeting friends after work, or celebrating a special occasion.”

grapevine restaurants openings mexican food