The hooch-slingers of the Big D put on their Monday best (it is their weekend, after all) and danced all night at the Jameson’s Bartenders Ball, held at the Fashion Industry Gallery. They being the ones making our Saturday night events so sweetly slurred, it’s only necessary that bartenders get their night to bring out their bling and enjoy free spirits–namely, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey.

John Franke makes your food look good. He makes it pretty tasty, as well. From Nick’s Fish Market in Chicago to Pappas Restaurants in Dallas, Franke has been tantalizing taste buds for years. Now serving as the Corporate Chef for Front Burner Restaurants, Franke may spend most of his time acting as Executive Chef of the upscale eatery The Ranch at Las Colinas, but he also works to keep the kitchens at several other restaurants in top shape.

Tapas. It’s not just for the Spanish-fluent anymore. In fact, for any kind of group gathering, whether it be a pre-movie dinner or a post-theatre entree, small plates are the way to go. I know everything is bigger in Texas, but that doesn’t mean bold flavors can’t come in pint-sized bites. Switch your hunk of beef out for some hummus and gives these spots a try.

You might not recognize Anthony Bombaci if you see him around Dallas. That’s because his notoriety comes from being behind-the-scenes as the Executive Chef at the premiere restaurant Nana inside the Hilton-Anatole hotel. Raised in Winsoncin, Bombaci studied at the Culinary Insiture of America in Hyde Park, New York before his stints in Memphis, San Francisco and Barcelona, Spain, a string of chef opportunities that led him to become fluent in a myriad of cuisines.

You could consider Plan B Group hospitality architects, if you are looking for a simple definition. Only, Principals Royce Ring and Alex Urrunaga don’t just concoct designs for restaurant spaces—they are in charge of the entire gamut of their client’s image and business, from the exterior design to the uniforms of the employees and the carefully selected menu. They are, in essence, brand makeover specialists, which gives them an incredible viewpoint on what is evolving in the Dallas restaurant world and beyond.

It’s almost that time of year again: the holidays. That wonderful season where you get to be jolly with your friends and family, host dinner parties and toast to good cheer. You are also, however, dealing with visiting in-laws, picky eaters and those darn Christmas lights. Give yourself a little pre-holiday vacay, at Design Hotel’s new Laos destination.

Admit it: chocolate is one of your guilty pleasures. Right next to Desperate Housewives and stealing your neighbor’s paper, you need to get your cocoa fix to get through the day. Dallas-based The Dark Chocolate Bakery understands your needs, and thankfully has mastered their mini-cake recipes for you and those nearest and dearest to you.

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore. Or just good Italian dining. Lucky for us Dallasites our city is full of fine ristorantes for that special evening–or that spaghetti craving. Here’s a few of the best.

Nothing sets the mood like a room with a view. You know they think you’re nuts when you ask for an western-facing room with a beach view, but you know what the moment is worth. And if you have to sacrifice waves for walls of glass, then you must be living in Dallas. Don’t forsake your dream; you can still get a bird’s eye view of the city at these haute spots.