Photo courtesy of Waterside

While there has never been a lack of fun things to do on a gorgeous fall night, there is a weekly event series is something that I am really excited about. There honestly is not much I would rather do than sit outside on a patio with friends and family with a great margarita and take in the sounds of local music. Enter the Sunset Sessions, a live music series on Fridays this September and October in The Grove, Waterside’s fabulous green space.

The free Sunset Sessions, which feature local musicians, are from 6 to 8 pm each Friday. It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend! Plan to grab a cocktail or enjoy dinner during the show because The Grove is surrounded by delicious food, drink, and dessert choices. With restaurants like Taco Diner and Piattello Italian Kitchen adjacent to The Grove, you literally CANNOT go wrong. Hello, Mambo Taxis from Taco Diner and Piattello’s Funky Town Punch!

After dinner, grab a popsicle from Steel City Pops or swing by Whole Foods Market to grab a beer or glass of wine — just remember to ask for a special Waterside cup at the bar. Then, let the kids run and play, throw the football or color on Waterside’s super fun chalkboard wall while you sit and enjoy the gorgeous weather and the sounds of local musicians. Genres will range from acoustic and alternative to Americana rock and even folk.

Photo courtesy of Waterside

Of course, each Sunset Session is family friendly – the more the merrier. I can’t wait to check this out – adding dates to our crazy packed family calendar now! Musical guests include Texas native singer-songwriter Jacob Furr, Morris Holdahl and more!

• September 7 – Kevin Aldridge
• September 14 – TBA The Duo
• September 21 – Jacob Furr
• September 28 – Morris Holdahl

(Check Waterside’s Facebook event calendar for updates on the October lineup to be announced soon.)

Dining in The Grove

Photo courtesy of Waterside

Taco Diner:

– Spacious patio offers beautiful view of The Grove (where live music and events, such as Sunset Sessions take place)

– happy hour from 3-6pm Monday-Friday

– also serves a variety of unique cocktails

– serves lunch, dinner and breakfast all day

– inspired by Mexican street food

Photo courtesy of Waterside

Piattello Italian Kitchen:

– Italian from-scratch restaurant with seasonally-rotating menu

– means “little plate” in Italian, welcomes foodies of all ages- Owned by Chef Marcus Paslay

– Large open windows and a spacious patio offer a beautiful view of The Grove (where live music and events, such as Sunset Sessions take place)

– One of Texas Monthly’s top 10 best new restaurants

Steel City Pops:

– Seasonally flavored vegan-friendly, gluten-free and vegetarian popsicles made from all-natural certified ingredients, sweetened with raw cane sugar

– never use artificial flavors or preservatives so popsicles are made in small batches

– Cool down on a hot night while watching a Sunset Sessions performance, or take some to go for a picnic in The Grove

– Pop of the month: dark chocolate dirty chai

Angela Weaver is a native Texan, raised in Keller, but she got to Fort Worth as soon as she could. At 17, she joined the Marine Corps and served four years active duty. After her military service ended, she went to work for a hedge fund and then a whiskey distillery, both in Fort Worth. Her most important role started in 2009 when she became a mom. She lives with her husband and two boys in Fort Worth and spends as much time as possible on fun adventures with her kids. She loves to spend her time with her boys outdoors getting the full Boy Mom experience, even if that means being covered in dirt, catching fish, or shooting BB guns. She loves the sense of community she has found in Fort Worth and can’t wait share that with our readers.

The post Waterside’s Sunset Sessions first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

photo courtesy of Clay Pigeon

The centerpiece of the appetizer was a hefty bone, roasted and split longways down its shaft. The first whiff reminded me of Korean spare ribs. The oily, lightly charred delicacy was served with several perfectly toasted slices of sourdough bread and a light fennel and parsley salad. Being a bone marrow novice, I carefully spooned the rich marrow and spread it over the bread. (It seemed like a good idea.) Bone marrow packs a culinary punch. Dense beefy flavors melded into a smoky, herb-laden experience. Having met my adventure quota for the day, I ordered something more familiar.

photo courtesy of Clay Pigeon

Clay Pigeon recently unveiled a new menu, which includes the bone marrow and my next choice — the CP Burger. I felt like I had won the burger lottery. The beef was grilled to medium. The soft and juicy patty formed half of the burger’s girth, a welcome respite from oversized buns commonly served elsewhere. The toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickled red onions, and a buttery aioli) complemented without distracted from the meat. I was able to finish the burger without being overly stuffed. (I did take the fries to go, though.)

Chef Marcus Paslay graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2006 and cooked in some of the finest restaurants around the country. However, his Texas roots pulled him home, and he opened Clay Pigeon in 2013 as an homage to his memories of hunting and harvesting from the land. Since its grand opening, Clay Pigeon has won accolades from the national and local press and has played no small part in defining Modern Texas Cuisine.

photo courtesy of Clay Pigeon

In addition to being a great place for a pre-rodeo meal or post-rodeo nightcap, Clay Pigeon is offering a four-course Valentine’s Day menu for $75 (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited.

Don’t forget that Marcas Paslay also owns newcomer Piattello Italian Kitchen. I ventured out to the already award-winning restaurant, nestled in the Waterside development, for a recent Tanglewood Moms article. While the cuisine is very different from Clay Pigeon’s, Paslay’s love to bringing people together around a table full of local foods prepared with real care as evident at Piattello as it is at Clay Pigeon.

photo courtesy of Clay Pigeon

Clay Pigeon deserves kudos for more than its warm environs and welcoming staff. The chefs approach their craft as true artisans. With only one visit, I can see why I’d heard about this place for so long.

Edward Brown is a writing tutor and piano teacher. He is also an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and volunteers for numerous Fort Worth nonprofits.

The post Clay Pigeon’s New Menu Delights with Old and New Favorites first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.