Dee Lincoln's Restaurant and Bubble Bar

In a time of such hardship, it’s probably insane to complain about another drought, but here goes: The Dallas restaurant scene, which seemed so promising and vibrant only six months ago, seems to have come to a screeching halt. Places have been opening at the depressing rate of a dribble since late spring (and closing at a somewhat faster clip). But more often than not, when I stop by — excited, expectant, hungry, hopeful — to check them out, it turns out they’re not really even restaurants.

But, hey — here comes Dee Lincoln’s Tasting Room and Bubble Bar! OK, maybe it won’t feel like a restaurant per se, but it promises to be glamorous. Curated wines dispensed by state-of-the-art Enomatic machines! Caviar, foie gras! Champagne galore! A hostess plugged into the Big D social scene! Lincoln already had one Bubble Bar, at Cowboys Stadium. Her new place has a tony Rosewood Court address, but you don’t need tickets to get a table. (Full review)

Dee Lincoln’s Tasting Room and Bubble Bar is the restaurateur's spinoff of her Cowboys Stadium success. The cool vertical space, two floors cinched by a spiral staircase, features femme-friendly decor and artwork. The menu leans toward small plates. Automated stations, including one for sparklers, dispense wine by 2, 4 or 6 ounces. Don’t neglect the cocktails; this is another place that’s doing drinks right. 7/28 (Full review)