Dog-Friendly Eatery

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar caters to diners and dogs in lodge-like digs near Addison

Known for its upbeat, fun-loving environment, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is getting ready to roll out the food and drink in Addison, for people and their dogs. This Southern California family-run chain will open its 17th location on September 23 at Village on the Parkway, at 5100 Belt Line Rd., in the former Blue Mesa Grill space.

Founder and CEO Chris Simms says in a release that he is thrilled to bring Lazy Dog, named after the sight of his own dog lounging, to Texas. "We've long been fans of the Texas food scene, and we look forward to planting our roots and growing our family in a culinary destination that reflects the warm personality and genuine hospitality of Lazy Dog," he says.

Growing up, Simms and his family vacationed in the Wyoming town of Jackson Hole, where the rustic-minded wealthy go to fish in the summer and ski in the winter. "On their last run down the ski slopes in Jackson Hole, everyone has one thing on their mind: get these skis off and head to the lodge," says the website.

The 8,445 square-foot interior will seat 273 people and feature a lodge theme with fireplaces, ledge stone and a chandelier crafted from Aspen logs. A dog-friendly patio seating 154 people will offer a dog menu, featuring grilled meat and brown rice. Flat screen TVs will be installed throughout the bar and patio.

Describing the restaurant's philosophy, Simms tells the Los Angeles Times that "a large chunk of America wants to be a bit adventurous, but there needs to be some comfort involved."

The menu by executive chef Gabriel (Gabe) Caliendo includes just about every food category known to mankind: small plates, starters, greens, wok-fired dishes, pastas and noodles, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, meat, chicken, fish, lunch specials, "healthy" choices and more. Items noted in the release include pot roast, chicken poblano with crispy tamale cakes, lamb stroganoff, Hatch chile and bacon mac n’ cheese and lemon-caper chicken. Prices range from $8.75 to $25.95.

Cocktails include the coconut mojito and a mango jalapeño margarita, and beer will pull from local breweries like Deep Ellum Brewing Co. and Lakewood Brewing Co.

Lazy Dog has a wide menu with everything from burgers to pizza to pasta to snacks for dogs.

Photo courtesy of Lazy Dog

Lazy Dog has a wide menu with everything from burgers to pizza to pasta to snacks for dogs.

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Bakery News

Dallas bakery delivers baklava cheesecakes and Middle-Eastern treats

Pistache

Baklava Cheesecake

There's a bakery specializing in artisanal American desserts with a Middle-Eastern touch: Called Pistache, it's a bakery without a storefront whose sweet treats can be found all across DFW.

Pistache is from Tarek Elbana, who grew up in Lebanon, then moved to Dallas to study. In 2023, he baking desserts with a strong Middle Eastern influence, with authentic ingredients that reflected his upbringing: orange blossom, pistachio, herb blend zaatar, olive oil, and cardamom.

He bakes from a commercial kitchen in Dallas and distributes his desserts to coffee shops such as Qamaria Yemeni Coffee in Mansfield, as well as the famers market in Arlington and at various events in Fort Worth, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, and Dallas.

“We are trying to spread what we are all about one pastry at a time, showing our identity in what we do," Elbana says.

The star of the menu is Baklava Cheesecake, baked over an orange blossom-infused cheesecake base, and sold by the slice or full 8-inch cakes that feed about 6-8 people. He also offers them in sets of 3 mini cupcakes.

They also sell an array of tempting cookies including:

Kunafa, a sweet and crispy phyllo cookie
Dubai chocolate cookie, with a pistachio paste mixed with crunchy phyllo
Chocolate pistachio cookie
Pistachio white chocolate cookie
Kahwa coffee cookie with cardamon
Olive oil chocolate chip cookie

Customers can buy their desserts at farmers markets and events, order via Instagram, or through their newly launched website. Pistache also provides catering services for weddings, birthdays, and other social events.

“Overall, it’s been quite exciting for me. People might not know or understand my culture, but they are open to learning and trying new things, so through food we can break barriers, Elbana says.

Next for Pistache is a coffee cart business, which is currently in the works, and that will pair drinks with their already popular baked goods during events.

desserts openings