Plastic City – Dallas Experiment
Jan 24th, 2011, 12:25 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plastic City – Dallas Experiment
You have to give Dallas a credit for its attempts to become more cosmopolitan and for the ideas behind its strive that in fact are not so bad. The ideas. Yet in reality no matter how many beautiful buildings you build, restaurants or clubs you open – the missing spirit will make it all look bleak.
It will take Dallas some time (quite a few long years) to change mentality of its population that tends to never leave the area. Nothing is wrong with that – convenient and relatively inexpensive life style (unless you have to pay property tax) makes one permanently settle in big D.
If New York is a city that never sleeps, Dallas is a city in a permanent state of lethargy. Because of the car culture and unbearably hot summers, it is easier to get run over than to see a pedestrian. After losing several corporate headquarter battles (MillerCoors, Boeing, etc.) to other more diverse and global cities, Dallas decided to step outside the box and add an urban flavor to the empty streets.
Mission Almost Possible:
Downtown West
The ambitious Victory Park promises tremendous growth in the future. Once the country gets out of the current economic meltdown, the area most likely will become alive and perhaps the long lines to the W’s Ghost Bar will be seen again. Personally, I only liked one restaurant in this rather deserted neighborhood – Medina Oven – Moroccan with an American modern twist cuisine.
Uptown
Difficult to find an interesting spot along McKinney Ave in the Uptown part of town. Only in Dallas Ritz Carlton’s lounge can turn from classy to trashy and harbor “wanna-be’s” with rented Ferrari’s, fake boobs, blond hair and Gucci bags. The lounge is a perfect spot for people-watching especially after fabulous scallops served by Fearing’s.
From scallops to pizza over wine - Coal Wines on Cedars Springs welcomes hunters for coziness and great atmosphere. The place is small and gets crowded quickly, so reservations are a must. As a side note, if you are relocating to Dallas and want to live in a more upscale flat, then Ashton is worth exploring. The apartment building is across the street from the restaurant.
Moving along Cedar Springs into Oak Lawn, where gay population shows off its creativity and free spirit (Halloween parade is a must-see!). My favorite latin cafe, La Duni is a hidden jewel in one of the shopping centers. “Where there is cake, there is love”, – says mama Duni, and her cakes are truly to die for.
Knox-Henderson
A new kid on the block, transitional Henderson, separated by hwy-75 from its well-developed brother Knox, is trying to catch up. It attracts by a few interesting spots such as Tei-Tei (the best Japanese restaurant in town), Park, and Victor Tango. If you are up for dancing and too drunk to drive, check out Candle Room which is within walking distance from all these places.
Oak Cliff
Skipping downtown with its temporary hot spots like PM and jumping right into legendary Oak Cliff neighborhood not only because JFK’s assassin Oswald lived there, but also because of its Bishop Arts district, a unique town square in the middle of ghetto. Every restaurant or boutique in the square speaks with a different accent that cannot be heard anywhere else.
West Village
Someone should create a reality show about West Village Starbucks. This popular spot hosts all kinds of nationalities and backgrounds. The stories about its regulars have been published in trendy D magazine. The village itself is a good area to live – restaurants, shops, an independent movie theater – all within walking distance.
Arts Scene
One has to search for it even in the Arts District located in downtown Dallas. As downtown becomes a ghost town after 5, all museums close accordingly. Only every Thursday in May, downtown remains alive till midnight due to the Jazz under the Stars free concerts.
Newly built opera house looks promising in strong red colors and we yet to see a sold-out show. Across the highway, on Dragon St, Samuel Lynne Galleries opened its doors to public and has been hosting futuristic 21st century art exhibits.
Time flies, Dallas continues its slow-motion course, and my experiment will end soon. The cliquish Dallasie socialites will migrate from one hot spot to another wearing the same cookie-cutter outfits, having the same “ohmygosh ya’ll” chats. The city will change its makeup by adding new colors to the palette of buildings, clubs, streets. Like a perfect doll, it will look beautiful outside, missing the most important element on the inside – its soul.
http://gypsyandthecity.wordpress.com...as-experiment/
It will take Dallas some time (quite a few long years) to change mentality of its population that tends to never leave the area. Nothing is wrong with that – convenient and relatively inexpensive life style (unless you have to pay property tax) makes one permanently settle in big D.
If New York is a city that never sleeps, Dallas is a city in a permanent state of lethargy. Because of the car culture and unbearably hot summers, it is easier to get run over than to see a pedestrian. After losing several corporate headquarter battles (MillerCoors, Boeing, etc.) to other more diverse and global cities, Dallas decided to step outside the box and add an urban flavor to the empty streets.
Mission Almost Possible:
Downtown West
The ambitious Victory Park promises tremendous growth in the future. Once the country gets out of the current economic meltdown, the area most likely will become alive and perhaps the long lines to the W’s Ghost Bar will be seen again. Personally, I only liked one restaurant in this rather deserted neighborhood – Medina Oven – Moroccan with an American modern twist cuisine.
Uptown
Difficult to find an interesting spot along McKinney Ave in the Uptown part of town. Only in Dallas Ritz Carlton’s lounge can turn from classy to trashy and harbor “wanna-be’s” with rented Ferrari’s, fake boobs, blond hair and Gucci bags. The lounge is a perfect spot for people-watching especially after fabulous scallops served by Fearing’s.
From scallops to pizza over wine - Coal Wines on Cedars Springs welcomes hunters for coziness and great atmosphere. The place is small and gets crowded quickly, so reservations are a must. As a side note, if you are relocating to Dallas and want to live in a more upscale flat, then Ashton is worth exploring. The apartment building is across the street from the restaurant.
Moving along Cedar Springs into Oak Lawn, where gay population shows off its creativity and free spirit (Halloween parade is a must-see!). My favorite latin cafe, La Duni is a hidden jewel in one of the shopping centers. “Where there is cake, there is love”, – says mama Duni, and her cakes are truly to die for.
Knox-Henderson
A new kid on the block, transitional Henderson, separated by hwy-75 from its well-developed brother Knox, is trying to catch up. It attracts by a few interesting spots such as Tei-Tei (the best Japanese restaurant in town), Park, and Victor Tango. If you are up for dancing and too drunk to drive, check out Candle Room which is within walking distance from all these places.
Oak Cliff
Skipping downtown with its temporary hot spots like PM and jumping right into legendary Oak Cliff neighborhood not only because JFK’s assassin Oswald lived there, but also because of its Bishop Arts district, a unique town square in the middle of ghetto. Every restaurant or boutique in the square speaks with a different accent that cannot be heard anywhere else.
West Village
Someone should create a reality show about West Village Starbucks. This popular spot hosts all kinds of nationalities and backgrounds. The stories about its regulars have been published in trendy D magazine. The village itself is a good area to live – restaurants, shops, an independent movie theater – all within walking distance.
Arts Scene
One has to search for it even in the Arts District located in downtown Dallas. As downtown becomes a ghost town after 5, all museums close accordingly. Only every Thursday in May, downtown remains alive till midnight due to the Jazz under the Stars free concerts.
Newly built opera house looks promising in strong red colors and we yet to see a sold-out show. Across the highway, on Dragon St, Samuel Lynne Galleries opened its doors to public and has been hosting futuristic 21st century art exhibits.
Time flies, Dallas continues its slow-motion course, and my experiment will end soon. The cliquish Dallasie socialites will migrate from one hot spot to another wearing the same cookie-cutter outfits, having the same “ohmygosh ya’ll” chats. The city will change its makeup by adding new colors to the palette of buildings, clubs, streets. Like a perfect doll, it will look beautiful outside, missing the most important element on the inside – its soul.
http://gypsyandthecity.wordpress.com...as-experiment/
Jan 24th, 2011, 02:18 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, what a steaming pile of offal this is!
I'm wondering if Boeing and MillerCoors are regretting their idiotic decisions considering how poorly they are faring. After all, Texas is the one state in the country where "Open for Business" actually means something. And those property taxes? They don't come close to the income taxes in New York, Illinois, California, Oregon and Massachusetts, unless you are just old money who owns property and doesn't earn anything.
Strange how this daft post doesn't mention that Dallas has more Fortune 500 companies headquartered in it than Chicago (which houses Boeing, and won that bidding war against the wishes of its employees and with illegal tax breaks from the most corrupt state in the country http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2...to-boeing.html), that AT&T relocated here seven years after Boeing decided not to, that Texas has tied California for most Fortune 500 company headquarters (MillerCoors is not on that list), and that just outside Dallas in one of its boring exurban communities stunted by lethargy and heat, five of the Fortune 500 reside, primarily within a few miles of each other (that's Irving, and Fluor, Commercial Metals and Exxon are thisclose to each other).
For an area that is a slow-motion backwater striving futilely to match the charms of New York, it's amazing how Dallas continues to grow and prosper.
I'm wondering if Boeing and MillerCoors are regretting their idiotic decisions considering how poorly they are faring. After all, Texas is the one state in the country where "Open for Business" actually means something. And those property taxes? They don't come close to the income taxes in New York, Illinois, California, Oregon and Massachusetts, unless you are just old money who owns property and doesn't earn anything.
Strange how this daft post doesn't mention that Dallas has more Fortune 500 companies headquartered in it than Chicago (which houses Boeing, and won that bidding war against the wishes of its employees and with illegal tax breaks from the most corrupt state in the country http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2...to-boeing.html), that AT&T relocated here seven years after Boeing decided not to, that Texas has tied California for most Fortune 500 company headquarters (MillerCoors is not on that list), and that just outside Dallas in one of its boring exurban communities stunted by lethargy and heat, five of the Fortune 500 reside, primarily within a few miles of each other (that's Irving, and Fluor, Commercial Metals and Exxon are thisclose to each other).
For an area that is a slow-motion backwater striving futilely to match the charms of New York, it's amazing how Dallas continues to grow and prosper.
Jan 25th, 2011, 02:48 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BigRuss - I appreciate the feedback.
Dallas (and the area) does offer convenient life style - everything is new, big, and relatively inexpensive in comparison with other metropolises. After the global economic meltdown, DFW became even more attractive and we've seen an intense migration from both coasts.
However, you'd have to agree that, especially in Dallas, the city soul is missing. By the soul I mean art, fashion, individualism, open mind. In most cases, a new spot (restaurant, bar, etc) is lucky to last longer than a year and not turn into a trashy hangout. Most of the interesting conferences, events, concerts don't even bother taking place in DFW. My draft post was exactly about that and not necessarily about the daily economic routine.
I suspect that majority of the "city kids" will move back to their original hubs once the economy picks up.
P.S. - even schools here, including famous SMU, are so short-sided that it's not even funny.
Dallas (and the area) does offer convenient life style - everything is new, big, and relatively inexpensive in comparison with other metropolises. After the global economic meltdown, DFW became even more attractive and we've seen an intense migration from both coasts.
However, you'd have to agree that, especially in Dallas, the city soul is missing. By the soul I mean art, fashion, individualism, open mind. In most cases, a new spot (restaurant, bar, etc) is lucky to last longer than a year and not turn into a trashy hangout. Most of the interesting conferences, events, concerts don't even bother taking place in DFW. My draft post was exactly about that and not necessarily about the daily economic routine.
I suspect that majority of the "city kids" will move back to their original hubs once the economy picks up.
P.S. - even schools here, including famous SMU, are so short-sided that it's not even funny.
Jan 27th, 2011, 11:19 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While some of the stereotypes mentioned are based on truth, there is also a large population of highly educated, really nice non-plastic people with great taste who don't spend their weekends chasing the latest hot spots. This seems mean-spirited and judgmental to me, but maybe I'm just defensive.
I was raised in the burbs, went to school in Austin, and afterwards I would have LOVED to move to a more cosmopolitan city, but due to large student loans and no parental help, I didn't feel it was an option. Now my hub and I fortunately have great jobs making the same as our colleagues in NYC, and enjoy the lower cost of living so we can splurge on travel.
Dallas is not an exciting place to visit, but it IS a nice place to live.
I was raised in the burbs, went to school in Austin, and afterwards I would have LOVED to move to a more cosmopolitan city, but due to large student loans and no parental help, I didn't feel it was an option. Now my hub and I fortunately have great jobs making the same as our colleagues in NYC, and enjoy the lower cost of living so we can splurge on travel.
Dallas is not an exciting place to visit, but it IS a nice place to live.
Jan 27th, 2011, 01:42 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
beckytx - thanks for reply. Can you suggest any great restaurants in Dallas? I'd really like to explore something new. I like what's going on in Bishop Arts district, but if you know of anything else, please post it here.
Jan 28th, 2011, 08:16 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
However, you'd have to agree that, especially in Dallas, the city soul is missing. By the soul I mean art, fashion, individualism, open mind.
That's perhaps the biggest crock of nonsense I've ever heard. Evidently in bachity world, individualism, soul, and open minds refer to some sort of bohemian ideal because that, at most, would be what Dallas lacks culturally and I don't think that the lack of a thriving bohemian culture detracts from Dallas as a place to work, live or visit.
I have no idea of what short-sided is -- does the wall not meet the roof on a building?
And no, becky, you're not defensive, you're being nice.
That's perhaps the biggest crock of nonsense I've ever heard. Evidently in bachity world, individualism, soul, and open minds refer to some sort of bohemian ideal because that, at most, would be what Dallas lacks culturally and I don't think that the lack of a thriving bohemian culture detracts from Dallas as a place to work, live or visit.
I have no idea of what short-sided is -- does the wall not meet the roof on a building?
And no, becky, you're not defensive, you're being nice.
Jan 28th, 2011, 09:51 AM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I admit, Dallas is no New York or Chicago (my beloved hometown), but what was your motivation for posting this here? Was it to help future travelers get a feel for the city, or to drive more traffic to your blog? Just curious...
Jan 31st, 2011, 10:38 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@ChicagoDallasGirl --- motivation is to post an overview of the restaurants and areas of Dallas. You'd be surprised how many people think that Dallas is very backwards and all people do here is ride horses to AppleB-like eateries. Since I cant post pictures here, I added the link to the blog.
@BigRuss -- to each its own. Instead of arguing, why not post a suggestion to interesting places in Dallas that are worth visiting and can be placed on the same level as say MoMa.
@BigRuss -- to each its own. Instead of arguing, why not post a suggestion to interesting places in Dallas that are worth visiting and can be placed on the same level as say MoMa.
Jan 31st, 2011, 07:19 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re the property tax.
#1 In Collin Co. it's about 2000.00 per 100,000. per year.
#2 Houses here cost sometimes 1/2 (or more) what they cost elsewhere. My 150,000 home is 400,000 in CA. So taxes are sort of a silly thing to discuss.
Property taxes are higher (maybe) but houses cost SO MUCH less!
I suppose you find no sense of community in your circles, but in my small town east of Dallas, it's all about community.
My daughter lives in the Lakewood community and the spirit is alive and well there, too.
There are thriving ethnic communities with wonderful traditions where they welcome outsiders.
If quality of life to you is measured by museums and fancy restaurants, be sure to stay in NY or Chicago.
Quality of life to me is relationships with my neighbors, family and community participation. I support my local businesses. If I am craving fine food that is not offered at any of the great restaurants in Dallas, I make a quick stop at the amazing grocery stores we have here. People from all over the world are amazed when I take them to Central Market.
I work for a global company based here and it is a favorite place for many of our employees to visit.
It's not too hot here... many people (myself included) love the weather here.
It's all what you make of it.
If I could live anywhere, I would probably pick Cardiff by the Sea. Too bad I could never afford it. I can afford NE Texas.
I personally feel every city has something to offer. I can find a nice reason to live in just about every place I visit... and I've been everywhere, man. Even 'souless' Vegas has plenty of soul if you simple look outside the strip.
My advice is to look deeper and get to know people...oh and maybe 'get over yourself'.
#1 In Collin Co. it's about 2000.00 per 100,000. per year.
#2 Houses here cost sometimes 1/2 (or more) what they cost elsewhere. My 150,000 home is 400,000 in CA. So taxes are sort of a silly thing to discuss.
Property taxes are higher (maybe) but houses cost SO MUCH less!
I suppose you find no sense of community in your circles, but in my small town east of Dallas, it's all about community.
My daughter lives in the Lakewood community and the spirit is alive and well there, too.
There are thriving ethnic communities with wonderful traditions where they welcome outsiders.
If quality of life to you is measured by museums and fancy restaurants, be sure to stay in NY or Chicago.
Quality of life to me is relationships with my neighbors, family and community participation. I support my local businesses. If I am craving fine food that is not offered at any of the great restaurants in Dallas, I make a quick stop at the amazing grocery stores we have here. People from all over the world are amazed when I take them to Central Market.
I work for a global company based here and it is a favorite place for many of our employees to visit.
It's not too hot here... many people (myself included) love the weather here.
It's all what you make of it.
If I could live anywhere, I would probably pick Cardiff by the Sea. Too bad I could never afford it. I can afford NE Texas.
I personally feel every city has something to offer. I can find a nice reason to live in just about every place I visit... and I've been everywhere, man. Even 'souless' Vegas has plenty of soul if you simple look outside the strip.
My advice is to look deeper and get to know people...oh and maybe 'get over yourself'.
Jan 31st, 2011, 07:32 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh and PS... Why is it a favorite place? TexMex food and shopping. The shopping is great here. I love taking coworkers all over shopping, eating taco's and sipping margaritas. If they come in the summer, we find a shady patio.
Jan 31st, 2011, 07:45 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Only in Dallas Ritz Carlton’s lounge can turn from classy to trashy and harbor “wanna-be’s” with rented Ferrari’s, fake boobs, blond hair and Gucci bags."
Sorry, my friend. This also describes most every hot club in L.A.
Sorry, my friend. This also describes most every hot club in L.A.
Feb 3rd, 2011, 10:33 AM
#13
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bachity, some places to check out, mostly in East Dallas unless otherwise noted...
Kalachandji's
Cafe Izmir
The Grape
Royal Thai
Urbano
Tei-An (sibling to Tei Tei in Arts District)
Rise #1 (Inwood Village)
Cafe Istanbul (Inwood Village)
Jimmy's Food Store
Cosmic Cafe (Oak Lawn)
Scalini's
Kalachandji's
Cafe Izmir
The Grape
Royal Thai
Urbano
Tei-An (sibling to Tei Tei in Arts District)
Rise #1 (Inwood Village)
Cafe Istanbul (Inwood Village)
Jimmy's Food Store
Cosmic Cafe (Oak Lawn)
Scalini's
Mar 14th, 2011, 09:40 PM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think that Dallas has missed out on some of the culture that the other cities mentioned above have, over the years it has significantly gotten better. I have watched out downtown slowly revive itself over the past few years and continue to grow. The Arts District continues to improve as well.
As far as the plastic people, every city has them.
Also, there are several corporate headquarters located in the area. And if companies were smart more would move here because is is much less expensive.
If you haven't already tried them, you should visit
Cafe Izmir
Urbano
Jimmys Food Store
Bolsa
Tillmans
Mai's
As far as the plastic people, every city has them.
Also, there are several corporate headquarters located in the area. And if companies were smart more would move here because is is much less expensive.
If you haven't already tried them, you should visit
Cafe Izmir
Urbano
Jimmys Food Store
Bolsa
Tillmans
Mai's
Mar 15th, 2011, 03:59 AM
#15
I remember when I lived in New Orleans and people from Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston would often show up for the weekends. The "attitude" from some of them seemed to be the same: "We are from SUCH a better city than this!" Perhaps they were correct but it often poropmpted the reply, "Well, why DID you bother coming down then?"
Hopefully that parochialism has changed on the part of residents in all FOUR locations.
Hopefully that parochialism has changed on the part of residents in all FOUR locations.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jim
United States
51
Dec 6th, 2011 06:52 PM
