The Big D: DALLAS

The city of Dallas conjures up - well, namely one thing for me.  See if you remember this.  This theme song is synonymous in my immediate family as the first song I hummed as a 1 year old.  Yes, quite the little pop culture prodigy, right?  

And it just so happens I married a man from Dallas itself.  What are the odds?? Ha!

I've been chomping at the bit to post a few entries on our adventures in Dallas.  Being able to get away for a short vacation last month was a miracle in itself and our week there was so much fun.  W and I go to Dallas during the holidays but it is always more of a "hit and run family edition" than a leisurely visit.  This time where we got to explore a bit more and he was able to show me more of the city in which he grew up.

On our way there, I noticed a strange cloud formation...I'd seen it somewhere before.  

Look at it and see if there's not some kind of resemblance to this fella on the far left below.

Pigs in Spaaaaaaaaaace!!!!

Maybe you had to be there.  But I still think it's a pretty close likeness...

Moving ever forward.

We rolled into town, took a short name and it was time to head out on the town. We had a fun time with W's parents and family friend who first took us to dinner at Fadi's.

Holy mackerel! It might be easy to underestimate this place because at first it looks so simple... 

You decide what you want, grab a tray, utensils and hit the line.

(sorry about the glare)

W & I decided to share the sampler platter and it was a good thing we shared because they loaded up this massive plate with one of everything.  I can't even remember what all there was - dips, veggies - you name it.  All of it was so good!!!! 

Just look at it:

 

 Choose a Meat!

 A view during the afterglow...

Baklava drizzled with chocolate.  Heavenly.

 

And below is what we proudly took back to our table.

The picture really doesn't do it justice.  The plate was huge and covered with food. It was. so. phenomenal.  I'm still not over the food we ate during our visit.

After we could handle no more - sadly, there was no room for dessert, it was time to head over The Library Bar at the Melrose Hotel.

The Melrose is a very old, very sumptuous boutique hotel.  Inside, The Library Bar is a hopping nighttime spot that looks like swanky NYC bar in a scene out of Mad Men or a gentleman's club where most might order a scotch neat or a bourbon on the rocks.  It was really gorgeous with dark wood and plush chairs.  

They have incredible desserts that sadly were devoured before photos could be taken. W & I shared a decadent caramelized peaches and cream dish, his parents got a huge chocolate cupcake and friend Lois had some sort of incredible chocolate mousse confection.  My heart still flutters!

D Magazine named The Library's lounge singer, Aubree-Anna, the Best in Dallas in 2009.  Hmm...well...

We were told "cabaret" singer so that's where the expectations ran askew.  When I think "cabaret" it conjures up the idea of a jazz quartet playing standards and show tunes with a velvet-voiced singer floating through the crowd, making eyes at all the men in a seductive bet-you-wish-you-could-but-you-can-pretend-for-now kind of way and a little Broadway-esque theatrics for good measure.  Even with the "lounge singer" title, in a nice bar like that, one at least carries certain expectations with it. 

I have to say Aubree-Anna is a gorgeous lady and a genuinely nice person who came around to the tables and greeted everyone.  You could tell she wasn't faking it.

Unfortunately, the performance experience was that of glorified karaoke with a shot in the arm of uber-hyper giggly cuteness for between-song patter.  Can the canned music, Aubree-Anna.  Even lounge singers have decent bands.  It would spiff her act up considerably.  Cheesy renditions of "And I Will Always Love You" (yes, that was on her set list - and more cringe-inducing songs that I've blocked) with a very talented piano player who you could barely hear over the synthesizer pop tracks and background "vocals."  I really don't mean to be ugly...everyone in our group expected a very different musical experience.  Apparently there's an audience for this but..it's best I just shut this paragraph down.

Overall, we had a fantastic night on the town with family and friends.  We headed home past the glowing lights of Downtown Dallas, looking forward to jumping in the pool after a day on the road and looking forward to sightseeing the next day!