Tag Archives: Texas

Oktoberfest, Southlake, TX

This past weekend seemed like a blur, there was so much going on and lots that I need to fill you in on, however let’s start with Oktoberfest! On Saturday, we checked out the Oktoberfest in Southlake, Texas. It almost seems like each year there is a new Oktoberfest popping up in either your own town or a town close by, here there have been at least three or four of them in the past two weeks, so we had to at least check out one of them!
The Oktoberfest in Southlake is held in the Town Square. It is actually a pretty nice area with a gazebo, small park which is surrounded by a shopping center (outdoor shops) which holds numerous restaurants. Obviously, there is a ton to do to begin with, throw in some tents in the middle of the Square and you have a party. Top it all off, the event was free to the public.
The gazebo hosted a series of entertainers. There was even a nice patch of grass in front if you wanted to bring some chairs and just hang out. A beer tent was conveniently placed nearby.
Southlake seems to show a huge emphasis on family based events, this one included. There is a section of kids games and bounce houses for entertainment. Even a rock climbing wall for the older kids, or adults young at heart. There was even a martial arts instructor teaching children how to break a board with their hands. It’s all about respect and confidence. He seemed like a great instructor and was great with kids. (I have no idea what company / organization he worked with but if I had a child, I would enroll them.) It was probably one of the biggest highlights of my day.
The center of the park was full of vendors and craft tents.
Look at these cute little guys! I love pretty much anything that has to do with fall. I could’ve bought and made a village!
I love this truck! If only I could drive around in this beast!
Food and brews?
Getting there… the event itself was free, however if you wanted any food or beer, tickets would need to be purchased. I believe tickets were $0.50 each and the amount of tickets depended on the item purchased. Numerous vendors were these selling their delicious treats (even soft serve ice cream there on the end).
Beer tents were scattered throughout the area.
This is a good family event, even to get out of the house for a couple hours on a nice day. It appeared to be more family oriented than food/beer driven. You may even see a celebrity or professional athlete as Southlake is the home to many of them. Sy is convinced he saw Jon Kitna, Tony Romo’s back-up. By the time he figured out why he looked so familiar he was walking off with his family. None the less, the man was pretty happy.
If anyone else attended Southlake’s Oktoberfest, what’d you think?!

Chef Point Cafe

Ever hear of a restaurant in a garage station? I’m sure you are thinking that it’s questionable. I did too the first time I heard of this place but as with everyone else who has checked it out – we will all testify that it is down right delicious!

The place that I’m talking about is called Chef Point Cafe in Watauga, Texas. It’s been featured on Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives and in Paula Dean’s magazine, among others. First thing’s first – why a gas station? In 2001, Franson and Paula Nwaeze wanted to start a restaurant however lenders were hesitant on providing the funds to do so. In turn, they ended up buying a gas station and built their restaurant inside. Now lies, an extremely successful five-star restaurant!

Their menu is expansive. Everything from pizza and hamburgers to steak (i.e. Stuffed NY Strip), seafood and pasta (i.e. Blackened Stuffed Chicken or Pork Chop). My personal favorite – Crab Cake Pasta (2 large deep fried crab cakes over bow-tie pasta topped with their signature roasted bell pepper sauce, see the lunch portion below). It’s delicious! You know how sometimes you go to a restaurant and ask for the crab cakes and they are either ridiculously small (Glass Cactus) or you can taste crackers in them? It won’t happen to you here. These crab cakes are ful of crab meat and will leave you wanting more. The roasted bell pepper sauce ties the pasta and the crab cakes together so well, it’s heaven in your mouth.

Sy’s lunch choice – Bacon Cheeseburger.

Now, when you are looking at the menu – be sure to leave room for dessert. I’m not sure what you have to do, split your entree, get it to go, whatever you do – be absolutely, positively sure to get the bread pudding. The pudding is almost cake like, the topping is savory and sweet. You will not be disappointed, if you are let me know because I will be amazed.

Have you already been here? What’d you think?

Info:
Chef Point Cafe
5901 Watauga Rd.
Watauga, TX 76148
817-656-0080 (They take reservations.)

Dirty River Boys, Glass Cactus, 2011-06-30

I’ve been a long time fan of opening bands. I’ll be the first to tell ya that sometimes the opening bands are better than the headliners. Sometimes I’m wrong, BUT sometimes I’m very, very right.
Case in point, June 30, 2011. We headed out to the Glass Cactus at the Gaylord to celebrate a friends birthday. She is in LOVE with the Turnpike Troubadours…. they were the middle band of the night. To avoid a cover, we got there well ahead of time. Plus check out the view outside of Lake Grapevine! Beautiful!
First band up – Dirty River Boys aka Dirty River Who? We had never heard of them.
They are from El Paso – explains the name.
 As soon as they started playing I was hooked.
The stand up bass.
Mandolin.
Joe Dirt on percussion.
Love it!
I’m going to say the Dirty River Boys are Texas Bluegrass.
I love it.
I LOVE IT!
They are original (I mean look at their outfits).
The music is pure, relaxing. They are amazing musicians.
Take a listen…
Dirty River Boys keep you entertained.
 Best band of the night!
These guys will be picking up fans wherever they go.
Check out a show, pick up a cd. Well worth it!
I promise!
I was hungry.
I ordered something off the Hot Plates portion of the menu.
This was an entree?
Granted these crab cakes were delicious but I mean seriously…
Back to the music.
We went for these guys!
Another awesome show!
The birthday girl loves the lead singer in Turnpike.
She asked for this in poster size, haha.
 I’m seeing a trend in Texas country.
You need an embroidered, Texas shirt.
Trucker hats AND Cowboy hats.
Jeans.
Boots.
Get yourself some musicians and you got yourself a band!
Headliner: Jason Boland.
We left after a few songs but apparently we missed the grand finale when all the bands came out and played a tune together.
It’s for the love of the music!