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.

I’m a big fan of restaurant and bar patios, largely for margarita-related reasons. I’m also a big fan of animals. But not every place welcomes our four-legged friends. Fortunately, Fort Worth is becoming ever more dog friendly. Here are my top picks for places to park your pooch while you enjoy a cold libation.

Newish Press Cafe offers healthy dishes that range from steak salad (my favorite) to award-winning burgers. A large, sprawling gravel patio comes with a variety of seating options and an unimpeded view of the Trinity River. The restaurant is a great way to end a run or bike ride along the river.

Just a short run (or jog) to the north, celebrity chef Tim Love’s Woodshed Smokehouse offers a smokin’ good time. At that stretch of the river, the Clear Fork branch swells into a placid swath of emerald water, draped by a wall of deciduous beauty. The floodplain also draws hundreds of waterfowl for a unique viewing experience.

If you haven’t been to HopFusion Brewing, then you’re missing out on one of the hottest new spots in town. Co-owners Matt Hill and Macy Moore have created a gem in the Near Southside. The industrial-chic brewery has a gorgeous outdoor deck with plenty of room for Fido to roam. Near the bar there’s even a doggy water bowl.

Following the beer theme, Wild Acre Brewing Company has one of the largest, if not the largest, seated outdoor patios of any local craft beer brewery. Beyond the rows of dozens of picnic tables (complete with shading umbrellas) is a large field. Rows of lush trees line the far side of the outdoor paradise. It’s a little patch of heaven in an otherwise urban area.

Brewed is the perfect spot to get your coffee/kombucha/beer/dinner/dessert fix. Did I mention they have wine? This Near Southside restaurant also has an idyllic brick patio that faces southward toward Fairmount National Historic District.

So there you are. Some great restaurants and bars with great patios that allow you to dine with Rover. This weekend is going to be nice, so why not take Prince and Lady out to lunch?

Edward Brown writes about music, arts and news for a variety of publications. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and blogger for Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has published articles in Musical Opinion (U.K.), Canadian Music Educators Journal, and Clavier Companion,among others. When Brown isn’t writing about music, he’s actively involved in the local music scene as an educator, performer, lecturer, and judge for student music competitions. His professional affiliations include the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, where he volunteers as education director, and the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he serves on the board and artistic committee. Brown was born in Bowling Green, Ohio in 1982. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and currently resides in Fort Worth. His favorite leisure time activities include local music concerts and perusing Fort Worth’s growing gastropub scene.

The post Dining with Man’s Best Friend first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.