Red Meat Either Way

Tim Love trades burgers for steaks with new Queenie's Steakhouse in Denton

Tomahawk chop at new Queenie's Steakhouse in Denton.
Photo courtesy of Queeenie's Steakhouse
Tim Love opened Queenie's Steakhouse in an old Love Shack, his other concept.
Photo courtesy of Tim Love

Where there was once burgers, there is now steak. Chef Tim Love opened Queenie's Steakhouse, his latest concept, on April 4 in Denton, in what was previously a branch of Love's burger concept, Love Shack.

"I think this is the perfect fit for Denton," says Love. "I have always thought Denton needed a high-end steak house."

Love says he always intended to open a steakhouse in the space at 115 E. Hickory St., but the timing and economy seemed off when he was planning to open two years ago. The last steakhouse that existed in downtown Denton was Burgundy's, which closed about four years ago. Queenie's hours are limited: just three nights for dinner, Thursday-Saturday, and Friday for lunch.

Queenie's is named for Love's mother, Margaret; Queenie is her nickname. The place has a large patio, a peaked ceiling with strings of lights, plus high-placed windows that let in lots of natural light. Broad planks of repurposed wood cover the walls and the bar.

The menu feels like a steakhouse, but one that strays slightly off the beaten path. It incorporates dishes from Love's other two concepts, Lonesome Dove Bistro and Woodshed Smokehouse, such as pheasant, quail and house-made sausage.

There are eight appetizers; some salads, pasta and soups; and seven sides such as truffle mac and cheese, grilled cauliflower, and creamed spinach and kale. Sides run from $8 to $15 for a side of roasted mushrooms that sounds similar to a dish at Woodshed. Appetizers include spicy lobster salad, shrimp cocktail, grilled oysters, chicken-fried quail legs, and a house-made sausage of the day.

One amusing category called "Texas vegetarian" consists of meat items that are not red meat: pheasant chop, pork porterhouse, lamb chops, grilled halibut and chicken-fried whole lobster for $50. The one true vegetarian item is a sweet potato-red onion chile relleno.

Steaks comprise four wet-aged cuts and two dry-aged. New York strip, rib-eye and beef tenderloin are sold by the ounce: $2.50 per ounce for the strip, $2.60 for the tenderloin, and $3.80 for the rib-eye. There is a tomahawk for two for $85, a Love signature also featured at Lonesome Dove.

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Cocktail Time

Where to drink in Dallas: 7 holiday drink specials for December

Courtesy photo

Festive drinking at the Miracle Bar.

Dallas in December is brimming with holiday festivities, and that includes cocktails: from over-the-top pop-up bars to extravagantly priced cocktails to drinks with a festive Christmas theme.

We're covering all that and more in this edition of Where to Drink, our monthly column recommending the best places to have to drink in Dallas:

The Charlotte
American bistro and bar recently opened on Henderson Avenue has three specialty holiday cocktails starting at $14. There's a butterscotch espresso martini with Revel Stoke Butterscotch, Baileys Espresso Cream, and espresso; cranberry paloma, with Don Julio tequila, grapefruit, cranberry, and a splash of Squirt; and a twist on hot chocolate. Called The Charlotte's hot chocolate, it features house-made cocoa with red wine and Mozart Dark Chocolate liqueur. The space has also been decorated with red hanging ornaments and wreaths and bows on the walls to enhance the holiday vibe.

The Mansion Bar
Don't come to this swanky bar inside the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek if you're looking for a happy hour. For holiday high-rollers they have a crazy special “Elf on the Top Shelf” menu of four cocktails priced at $75 each — not kidding. There's the Evergreen Elixir with Macklowe Gold Whiskey, L.N.Mattei Cap Corse Rouge Quinquina, and Fot-Li Vermut; the Midwinter Manhattan with High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Rye Whiskey, Alessio Vermouth di Torino Rosso, and Angostura Bitters; the Golden Hearth with Casa Del Sol Angel’s Reserve Añejo Tequila, prickly pear cordial, lime, orange bitters; and the Shiver & Shine with Belvedere 10 Organic Vodka, Mulassano Vermouth di Torino Bianco, and orange bitters.

Miracle at Aussie Grind
Australian-inspired cafe in Frisco has transformed into a “Miracle” pop up bar with a variety of specialty cocktails including the Christmasaurus, a tropical drink with pineapple rum, mezcal, apricot liquor, coconut milk, and coffee; Rudolph’s Replacement, with vodka, coffee liqueur, orange curacao, chai syrup, almond milk, and aromatic bitters; and hot buttered rum. True to form for a Miracle bar, the drinks come in collector cups like Santa pants and boots that can be purchased. The drinks range from $16-$18.

Omni PGA Frisco
Resort and PGA District has holiday-themed cocktails at six of its dining outlets through December. Trick Rider has a Pecan Manhattan with Brown Butter Woodford Reserve, Carpano Antica, pecan bitter and candied pecan. The Ice House has Bourbon & Bells with Bourbon, apple, cinnamon, and torched rosemary; Lounge By Topgolf has Down the Chimney, with Jameson Irish Whiskey, Baileys Original Irish Cream, vanilla ice cream, and Oreo. The Lookout has a Sugar Plum Sparkler featuring an edible shimmer, Gingerbread Old Fashioned, and Milk & Cookies, with espresso martini mix and Baileys Irish Cream.

Red Lobster
Seafood chain is cutting us a break with a newly launched weekday Happy Hour from 3-6 pm featuring $5 drink specials and $2 off select starters. Drink specials include margarita, Long Island iced tea, Tito's Twisted Strawberry Lemonade, 14-ounce Blue Moon draft, 14-ounce Bud Light draft, 6-ounce Mark West pinot noir, and six-ounce Ecco Domani pinot grigio. Discounted starters include lobster flatbread, seafood-stuffed mushrooms, crab queso, lobster dip, and mozzarella cheese sticks.

Sanjh
Indian restaurant in Irving has four holiday drinks with wonderfully exotic flavors: The Autumn Old Fashioned has Bulleit bourbon, amaretto, maple syrup, and almond flakes; Golden Glow has turmeric-infused Ketel One vodka, velvet falernum, and orange bitters; Harvest Spritz has Tanqueray gin, spiced cranberry syrup, lime, and cranberry dust; and the Negroni Royal has jasmine tea-infused Tanqueray, saffron-infused Campari and rose petal-kissed sweet vermouth. Cocktails are $16.

Very Merry Village at The Village Dallas
Mixed-use community in East Dallas is hosting a pop-up on the second floor of The Village Country Club Wednesday-Sunday until December 29, all decked out with Christmas trees. The menu has seven festive cocktails, including Mrs. Claus’ cranberry spritz, with La Marca Prosecco, cranberry juice, and ginger beer; Santarita, with Patron Reposado, Raspberry Liqueur, Cointreau, Agave, Lime; and a salted caramel espresso martini. There’s also a selection of draft and canned beers, wine, and champagne. Drinks range from $12-$14. Entry is free.

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