FW Food & Wine: America Gardens springs up on West Seventh scene

American Gardens 

March 2017 – Food & Wine Column

GiGi’s Cupcakes

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America Gardens

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Righteous Foods

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Americado

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The Syn Group, owner of Social House Restaurants, is about to open another new concept at 2829 Morton St. – America Gardens. A shady beer garden, it will offer a stylish outdoor patio perfect for sampling craft beer and hanging out until the wee hours. It is scheduled to be open by mid-March.

The three current Social House locations are the original one in Addison, another in Uptown Dallas and Fort Worth’s own in the West Seventh District. And the group just broke ground on its fourth Social House, which will be opening at Interstate 30 and Collins Street in Arlington next fall. The Syn Group is also working on a Tex-Mex concept called Don Chingon that will open this spring on Dallas’ Greenville Avenue.

America Gardens will feature one of the largest patios in town. The 10,000-square-foot patio will have large live oaks and magnolias with up-lighting and string lights in the trees, as well as courtyards and plenty of backyard activities such as Jenga, Connect 4 and other life-sized games. There will be 50 beers on tap as well as a full bar and cocktails. The menu will be similar to but slightly smaller than Social House’s, featuring about 40 specialties from across the nation, from Cajun to New England fare and everywhere in between.

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AMERICADO OFFERS TASTE

OF A MEXICO CITY MARKET

The new construction at 2000 West Berry St. is about to welcome Americado to the Texas Christian University neighborhood. It is billed as a fast-fine eatery inspired by markets, local bars and taco stands lining the streets of Mexico City. It is a “Mexi-Food Hall” with indoor and patio seating. Chef Victor Villarreal has a lengthy local resume, with abundant fine-dining credentials.

Entering the food hall is like taking a trip to a Mexico City mercado with several food and beverage stands to peruse. If you are in the mood for chicken, head to Chic Chicken; for seafood check out La Fisheria; or try Chilangos for some true Mexico City specialties. If you are looking for a freshly prepared cocktail, El Bar is the stall for you. For a great cup of coffee, or just some fresh fruit juice like you would find in any Mexico City market, Americado’s La Juceria has you covered.

GIGI’S CUPCAKES TO OPEN

IN FW’S MUSEUM DISTRICT

GiGi’s Cupcakes has signed a 2,336-square-foot lease in Museum Place at 3280 West Seventh St. in Fort Worth. The gourmet cupcake bakery with the signature swirl piped frosting has quickly spread across the nation. Gigi Butler opened the first Gigi’s in Nashville in 2008. It has grown into America’s largest cupcake franchise, now boasting more than 100 locations in 23 states.

Gigi’s cupcakes are baked daily and the Museum Place location will carry the core menu plus local flavors. Gigi’s culinary group has been feverishly testing products made especially for Museum Place that will add a local flair.

Owned by a private equity group based in Fort Worth, Gigi’s is focused on broadening its footprint, especially in North Texas. The Museum Place location is expected to open in mid-summer, with other franchises expected in Richardson, Cedar Hill and at The Star in Frisco.

RIGHTEOUS FOODS OFFERS

MOBILE APP FOR TAKEOUT

Customers of chef Lanny Lancarte’s clean-eating Righteous Foods restaurant and bar can now order their favorite items through the Righteous Foods mobile app, the website and Facebook page. The app was to go operational during the first week of March.

“Our To-Go window has been rocking and we were looking to make for a seamless way for our customers who are looking for an alternative to the calorie-dense to-go options currently available. The app allows customers to order and pay through our app, website or Facebook page so that they can come and grab their to-go order on the run. Coming very soon we will add a delivery feature to our app,” Lancarte said.

The app is just one of the surprises Lancarte has in store for his devotees this year. “Great things are coming to Righteous Foods this spring,” he hinted. “You just gotta wait and see.”