Fancy day
It just started as a simple conversation near the end of last year. Friday night dinners had been going great and we wanted more of that. We wanted to have something to dress up for and think about for weeks to come. So we talked and talked. Most of the ideas Seth and I have die there. This one planted in both of our minds and grew into a lovely day. We had a fancy day.
When I was younger, I didn’t appreciate things the way I have learned to. My brother Kevin would take me to great places. I can think of the many times he took me to museums around DFW. I fought him for a while; I didn’t think it was worth spending the time on. But it only took a few visits to the DMA, the Nasher sculpture museum, and The Modern and I was hooked. That was Kevin’s way. He wouldn’t eat food that wasn’t up to his standards. Wouldn’t shop at places that didn’t meet his whims, and he loved showing people the better things they could be doing. He was right in doing all these things.
Why do anything that doesn’t meet your expectations or exceed them? He valued his time and money spent. We all would mock him, but after some time these qualities passed on to us as well. Not in the fullest Kevinisms, but so much as I get upset when someone wants to eat at a Chili’s or Applebee’s. I refuse to go to places that are cash only and will now return, call, or write about items that don’t meet expectations. This is where the root of fancy day began.
Since Kevin had left Texas for bigger waters there was a struggle to fill the gap that he left. For a tastemaker to emerge and make choices. I know for myself it took time to come to my personal solution. Be my own tastemaker. Find places I get excited about and go to them. Friday night dinners began because I missed seeing people on a routine basis. The Fort Worth magazine put out an issue that covered the thirty best meals for under ten dollars. It gave us places to go and experiences to have. It was a match that lit the flame of adventure.
So how was fancy day? It began around one with a quick bite at Salsa Fuego. A Mexican restaurant that from the outside looks far from fancy, but looks are deceptive. I had the chorizo burger — yes, that exists. A thick patty of Mexican sausage with a lot of fixings, melted cheese, and a fried egg on top. It is all the best parts of breakfast in burger form. If you go to have this you will have to ask for it, as it is not on the menu and they rarely have it in stock. Anything you order, though, will be delicious.
Then we wound up at the Modern. Sadly the Kimbell was closed to members only that day. I love the Modern, its big bleak stone walls and cold feeling. I had been a few times in the last few months, so I had seen most everything. Nonetheless I love seeing people look at art. Trying to grasp at feelings that are often buried. Trying to make sense of silly shapes and blurry photos. Wondering if everyone is feeling or seeing, understanding anything.
Seeing as we had some time to do away with, we went to the trendiest street in Fort Worth: Magnolia! All up and down the street are some of the best bars and restaurants in Fort Worth. One of the newest is a coffee bar/brew pub called Brewed. It has a great vibe to it. I describe it to people as being the modern version of the coffee shop in the TV show Friends. Had some great beers and coffee drinks. Watched the sun slowly sink into the horizon and talked about life. Then we made our move to cheese!
Magnolia Cheese Co is one of the newest places on the street. If you love wine and cheese, this is the place to be. I have yet to try any of their many sandwich choices. We tried one of their cheese platters. For seventeen dollars you get a small sampling of five different cheeses along with garnishes and some bread to wash it all down with. It’s not something you go get every day, but on a fancy day or a great night on the town it is a great stop.
Then we headed to Bass Hall to see the Fort Worth symphony and Nobu the pianist. It is a grand building that matched our outfits for the first time that whole day. It truly was a fancy place. The first thing I noticed was the age disparity. We were the youngest people there by a large margin. But everyone I ran into and chatted with was kind and helpful. The seats were in the nosebleeds, but we are a bunch of poor kids so it felt right. I wish I would have had glasses for it though. At that distance all I could see was odd blurs of people and instruments.
The concert was astounding, to say the least. To see so many people in such harmony and time was a miracle. The sounds that reached my ears felt like waves of emotions in the sea. Ebbing and flowing with the old pieces they were playing. Then they brought out Nobu, a blind Asian pianist. As my cousin Seth said after, “His fingers were like butter.” Not only was he a genius, but he played the whole twenty-five minutes from memory. Although for him I bet it was less memory and more like he felt the music. The part that confused me was how he got clapped for, walked off, came back, and got clapped for again — and this happened at least five times. While his talent was amazing, I felt like the first two standing ovations were plenty.
After that it was late and we retreated to Cafe Brazil, a go-to for after-show food. After parking and walking to the Cafe we passed a rowdy bar filled with college students. I watched them as they went along their night, talking loudly and enjoying their Saturday. Everyone, it seems, is looking for their night. Their night to get with friends and talk about the past and look for new adventures. I find with time that most great adventures have to be planned slightly and left with room for excitement. I also felt bad for the kids in that bar. That they would never know the day that I just had. The wonderful time I had in a suit with five other friends. I recommend you plan a day to just be fancy with some friends.
Originally published at
amuncie.eatprescott.com
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