Since this is a food and dining column, I usually pay more attention to the cuisine than I do the atmosphere when describing restaurants each week. But let’s be real, the atmosphere of a restaurant plays a huge role in shaping the dining experience, and live music is an example of that. It’s one thing to grab pasta at an Italian restaurant after work, it’s another to be serenaded by a jazz soloist over your angel hair and marinara.
This week, we’re taking a look at places where foodies can have both their senses of taste and sound catered to. Whether you’re wanting a chill evening with friends at a patio grill or a more formal dinner experience, there are many spots around Tarrant County to take in some music while you dine.
Low-key vibes and tunes at Shotzee’s Bar & Grill
Shotzee’s Bar & Grill in Keller has live music most days of the week, along with pool, darts and 20 big screen TVs, according to their website. Upcoming performers are country and Americana musician Jonathan Wallace May 7; ’90s cover band One Headlight May 8; and country singer and band Myla & The Crew May 9.
Wallace said the eatery has a “great atmosphere” and the crowd there is always friendly and welcoming.
“I look forward to performing there every time and I’m a sucker for their excellent food,” he said.
Foodwise, Shotzee’s is barbecue fusion with smoked wings, chili queso, cowboy sushi and Southwest egg rolls among the starters. Numerous burgers, wings and sandwiches are on offer, from the Hot Honey Chicken Samich with spicy fried chicken and bacon with hot honey, to the Brisket Grilled Cheese with chopped brisket, barbecue sauce, grilled onions and American cheese.
134 S. Main St., Keller; 682-593-0820
Western swing and blues at Second Rodeo Brewing
This beer garden and brewery in the Stockyards has live music every night and offers a casual menu of comfort foods like nachos, a smash burger, cheese fries, chicken tenders and Philly cheesesteak. They’ve got steak fingers with gravy, chicken wings and onion rings, but if you’re wanting something sweet, there are also churros and ice cream.
Their beers and cocktails range from lagers and sours to a passion fruit mojito, cherry limeade with vodka, margs and an iced Mexican coffee with tequila. For those with designated drivers on-hand, there is a list of party shots available, too.
As this joint’s name suggests, Western swing and blues are front and center of their musical lineup. They have multiple performers daily. Their full performance schedule is available online.
122 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 340, Fort Worth; 877-517-7548
‘Acoustic beats and eats’ at Taverna Rossa
Southlake’s Taverna Rossa is a pizza-centered eatery with regular “acoustic beats and eats” music 8-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, according to their website. Recent performers have included folk rock band River Driver; country soul singer Randy Hawkins; and Dallas songwriter and guitarist Colin Boyd.
Diners can choose from 13 pizzas — which includes a chef’s choice “People’s Pie” option that changes monthly — or build their own. Classic varieties like margherita and pepperoni are mixed in with proprietary options like their spicy Bee’s Knees and barbecue-oriented Smokey Pie with smoked brisket, bacon, red onion mozzarella, cheddar and barbecue sauce.
Foodies can also pick from shareable plates such as stuffed mushrooms with sausage and goat cheese, TX Buffalo Shrimp and sweet chili wings. Salads, pasta, sandwiches and sides are also available, as are their deep dish cookie, bread pudding, and both regular and gluten-free Black Forest brownie sundaes.
1151 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 300, Southlake; 817-809-4533
Fine dining with piano accompaniment at Mercury Chophouse
An upmarket steakhouse in Arlington, Mercury Chophouse has live piano accompaniment starting 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday nights. Staff said a lot of the pianists who play for Mercury diners come from the University of North Texas music program, meaning their repertoires vary and can include “eclectic” pieces while also taking customers’ musical requests.
Lunch at the Chophouse shows starters of shrimp, crab ceviche, calamari and filet mignon as well as salads, and crab and shrimp Louie. Sandwiches and a Chophouse burger follow, as do tacos, spaghetti and meatballs, steak and grilled chicken entrees.
For dinner, the ceviche, calamari and filet mignon stay on the starters menu alongside wagyu and black truffle ravioli and a meat and seafood sampler. Center-cut filet mignon, wagyu filet, wagyu long-bone ribeye and espresso-rubbed elk chops are the highlights of their dinner menu, though a few pasta and oceanic dishes like grilled salmon, seared sea bass and crab cakes are also on the table.
2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 910, Arlington; 817-381-1157
We’d love to hear from you! Send your restaurant tips and hot takes to erin.ratigan@fortworthreport.org.
Erin Ratigan is a freelance journalist and writer specializing in narrative news features. You can find her on X @erinratigan.
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