Brownstone Restaurant and Lounge
Fort Worth
The interior is sleek, with glass walls, concrete floors, and hard ceilings, all of which serve to amplify the noise. There’s no need for conversation, though, once the food arrives. Chef Casey Thompson, acolyte of Dean Fearing and a “fan favorite” on Top Chef, has been busy, living in San Francisco and traveling around Central and South America, where she honed the skills she now applies to her highly selective menu. Beautiful striped bass came served atop “Texas succotash” and dressed with an apple-fennel slaw. From the “small plate” section, we indulged in crispy chicken livers with hot pepper vinegar, and from the dessert menu, a bubbling peach cobbler with buttermilk ice cream. Bar. 840 Currie (817-332-1555). Dinner Sun, Tue, & Wed 5–10, Thur 5–11, Fri & Sat 5–midnight. Closed Mon. brownstonerestaurants.com $$ W+
The Meddlesome Moth
Dallas
Intrigued by the name of local entrepreneur Shannon Wynne’s new venture, we couldn’t resist stopping in for a bite at this engaging Design District spot. With its showstopping stained-glass windows (salvaged from the old Hard Rock Cafe), it’s quite the lively scene. Gnocchi-esque Moth Balls were lovely spheres of ricotta cheese bathed in a butter-cream sauce accented with sage. A platter of silky hummus with a small side of tangy marinated feta and another platter of poached tuna (layered over avocado slices with crunchy toast) sated our post-concert appetites. Fiery pumpkin-seed brittle elevated moist chocolate cake made with Young’s Double Chocolate Stout (far more successful than it sounds). Bar. 1621 Oak Lawn Ave, at Hi Line Dr (214-628-7900). Open Sun noon–midnight, Mon–Wed 11– midnight, Thur–Sat 11 a.m.–2 a.m. mothinthe.net $–$$ W+
