2626 Howell St.
214.855.5001
Who to know: Remember
Bella owners Robert “Peach” Petrie
and Anthony Porcaro from their Nick
& Sam’s days? These restaurant alums know a thing or two about customer
recognition and a perfectly cooked filet. That’s why they tapped executive
chef Christopher Short to man
the kitchen, known for carving his way to chef prominence from his days and
nights at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek restaurant.
From my notebook: Recharge
with a Ginger Mango Johnson made with Absolut Mango vodka, orange and
pineapple juice, orange bitters, and fresh ginger and basil … For
people-watching, the best view in the house is at the 40-foot bar; says
Porcaro, “The half-moon shape of the bar means no matter where you sit, you can
still see everyone in the place.” … Start with the heirloom tomato tart
with roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, baby arugula and a sundried tomato
crust ($10) … Move on to the braised-beef short rib with white cheddar
mashers and pan sauce ($19) … Finish with the lemon ricotta cheesecake
($8) … I spotted music entrepreneurs John
Kirtland and Angus Wynne at one
table for lunch, and housing-development tycoon Tommy Guilds holding court at the next ... Sports hounds like the 101-inch
outdoor flatscreen TV on the covered patio (which, by the way, can seat up to
50 of your closest friends).