Eno's Time O' Year

It's getting to be that time of year again.  The time of year when Christmas fills the air despite the fact Halloween has barely left us.  Starbucks will undoubtedly have their holiday cups soon and the malls will set up elaborate displays evoking cheer and encourage spending.  I have to admit, the nostalgia of the holidays gets me every year.  I dream of cuddling up in warm clothes, sitting by a fire and watching the snow fall. That is, until I remember I live in Dallas, where November and December are more akin to spring in other, colder climates.  Luckily, I have found a place that fulfills my winter dreams, Eno's Pizza Tavern, located in the Bishops Arts District. 

Upon first sight, it's impossible not to be taken by the charm of Eno's.  White lights strung year-round not only greet you but follow you inside as well.  Strung from the ceiling and around faux trees, the lights highlight stacks of logs and a gorgeous antler chandelier.  Mirrors and chalkboards are hung on the red brick walls and atop the wooden bar revealing food and drink specials.  However, my favorite detail of Eno's decor is the collection of ceramic beer mugs hanging from the double sided bar in the middle of the first floor.  Each mug, which can only be reached by ladder, has a different number on the bottom to indicate the owner. Immediately, I imagine two men coming inside, out of the snow, drinking a Breckenridge Vanilla Porter out of their very own mug (who cares if its 75 degrees outside, the atmosphere at Eno's allows me to indulge my wintertime imagination). 

After being seated in a cozy booth with a few of my friends, we pondered whether the food could live up to the enchanting atmosphere. After looking over the menu we settled on splitting the Roasted Bread with Gastro Butter, the Yountville Caesar Salad and the Northside Pizza, which is topped with charred green onion, garlic, fresh basil, tri-colored bell pepper, green olives and salami.  Our waiter was very helpful in assisting us in our decisions, even suggesting the perfect beer on tap for what we were craving, which turned out to be Mothership Wit, an organic wheat beer from Colorado's New Belgium Brewing Company.  The Belgian white beer had a hazy color and a nice balance of spice and citrus.  The perfect amount of flavor to complement our meal that was soon to arrive. 

First out was the bread.  All of us were a bit cautious of ordering something that is usually given for free, but it was well worth the extra 4 dollars.  Fresh out of the oven, the bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  It melted in our mouths and was only made better by the phenomenal butter.  Though everything we tried that night was delicious, the bread took the crown.  Next came the salad.

 The Caesar dressing on this salad is eggless, so its consistency is less creamy and more lemony. I adored it.  However, for those people committed to a classic Caesar Salad, it won't fit the bill.  Finally, the pizza. The large size was the perfect amount for three of us to split.  For those who refuse to eat any crust that isn't classified as thick, this is not a pizza for you.  But for those like me who enjoy a good thin crust, this pizza, cooked in an oven, comes out like the perfect flat bread.  The toppings on the Northside Pizza were very complimentary, however all 10 specialty pies looked worth the try. For those that like it their way, Eno's does offer a custom pie option.  

Eno's is my perfect winter wonderland escape.  While I particularly like to indulge in the atmosphere at this time of year, the food (and lunch specials, and Happy Hours, andoccasional live music) make Eno's Pizza Tavern the perfect escape no matter the time of year. 

-Kelly Haser

http://enospizza.com
407 N. Bishop Ave
Dallas, TX 75208

Sun: Noon - 10pm
Mon: Closed
Tues -Wed: 11:30am - 10pm
Thurs: 11:30am - 11pm
Fri: 11:30 am - Midnight
Sat: Noon - Midnight