Cool Cocktails

Saucy mag selects Dallas boîte as one of the best in the U.S.

Playboy says the drinks at Midnight Rambler "inspire deep thoughts."

Photo by Daniel Driensky

Maybe Playboy really is starting to be all about the articles. The noted men's magazine is spiffing up its image with content that's less about the ladies and more about lifestyle. First up, its list of the 20 best new bars in America.

Not surprisingly, Dallas' cool, cavern-like Midnight Rambler is awarded "best subterranean bar," a sophisticated choice on a list that includes spots for foodies and patio lovers, along with what appears to be America's new favorite thing, the Tiki bar.

We've been touting Midnight Rambler's eclectic vibe for a while now. It opened in late 2014, and rather than making a splash before quietly fading into obscurity, this bar just seems to keep getting better.

Says Playboy: "Beneath the Joule Hotel sits the animated rock-meets-deco Midnight Rambler, where the drinks — such as a Temple of the Moon (jasmine-infused pisco, pineapple, lime, Texas mineral water, nutmeg) or a digestif of Irish whiskey, cassis, and Ethiopian single-origin coffee — inspire deep thoughts."

Deep thoughts? Sure, probably along the lines of, "Is ordering the Hogo-A-Go-Go Punch for eight really a good idea?"

Also on the list is Houston bar Julep, honored as the "best Southern-accented bar," as well as a smattering of New York, California, Chicago, and Pacific Northwest spots. The big trend this year, it seems, is to evoke tropical breezes with Tiki-themed bars, as there are three on this list alone. We'll see if Dallas hops on that bandwagon any time soon.

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Ice Cream News

Global gourmet ice cream chain debuts in U.S. with 2 Dallas-area shops

Dumont Ice Cream

An ice cream concept from India has made its U.S. debut, right here in Texas: Called Dumont Creamery & Cafe, it's an ice cream chain founded in Hyderabad that now has two locations in the Dallas area.

Their first location was Frisco, which opened at 1951 FM 423 at the end of 2023; a second location opened in late October in Coppell at 1535 S. Belt Line Rd. #160.

Dumont was founded in 1999 by brothers Vivek and Bhashkaar, and currently has 23 locations in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada listed on their website.

Bringing the concept to Texas are local franchisees and friends Sai Sashank and Tarang Tirumala, who moved to the U.S. in 2005 to attend college.

Both have successful consulting careers, but craved a taste of home.

Ice cream is the centerpiece at Dumont with more than two dozen flavors, ranging from gourmet to classics to flavors boasting global influences: from Italian-inspired sorbet to a New Zealand-inspired honey ice cream called "hokey pokey."

There is vanilla, chocolate, and mint chocolate chip — but also unique options such as cake and jam, an ice cream with a vanilla base, bites of cake, and spiced jam; and kheer, a coconut ice cream studded with dried fruits and nuts — a nod to the kheer rice pudding that's one of India's favorite desserts.

A single scoop is $4. They have cups and a cute version of waffle cones: shorter and fatter than usual, to provide a greater ratio of ice cream-to-cone.

In addition to ice cream, they have a beverage program with coffee and espresso drinks such as lattes, plus boba tea. There are also special drinks like falooda — an exotic Indian milkshake with rose syrup and vermicelli — as well as limited-edition drinks like iced kheer, a cool beverage version of that same popular rice pudding dessert.

Both locations are spacious, bright, and clean, with pale green banquettes at Frisco, and pale blue chairs and tables at Coppell. Both feature an astronaut theme with statues and framed photos and cartoons on the wall. The Coppell location also has a mural dedicated to great moments in Coppell history.