Steve Shatsky - Dallas Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist (469)449-9840

Dallas's Katy Trail is the starting point in Dallas' plan to develop a network of urban trails to connect the city for pedestrians, bicyclists, and lovers of the outdoors. The history of the Katy Trail began in 1997, when community members and city leaders jointly came together in order to repurpose the land along which the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT or "Katy") Railroad traveled through Dallas.

Today, the Katy Trail is a 3.5 mile long urban trail extending from the American Airlines Center northward to Airline Drive not far from SMU. The plans are that, when completed, the trail will extend to the Mockingbird Station DART Rail stop in the north and to Downtown Dallas' West End entertainment district in the south. The trail features hard surface biking and skating trails along with softer surface running, jogging and walking paths.

The dense foliage and elevation of the trail makes much of it very peaceful and not urban feeling, much like New York's Central park. There are also scenic overlooks from sites of the former train bridges overlooking main thoroughfares and a scenic overlook of Lee Park and Turtle Creek scheduled to open next month.

For more information on hours, access points, location, etc. please visit www.katytraildallas.org

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If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and are looking for an experienced REALTOR® to offer guidance, support, and make the home selling or Short Sale process easier and more friendly... like it used to be when service was more than a word, it was personal and valued, call me today at (469)449-9840 to schedule a consultation. Or visit my Dallas Real Estate website at EasyTexasRealEstate.com. I'd be happy to help you move forward and achieve your Real Estate objectives.

Not located in the D/FW area? Contact me anyway... I'd be happy to refer you to a REALTOR® in your area who can help you with the same personal service that I provide to my clients.

All photographs are the exclusive property of Steve Shatsky. They may not be used or reproduced in any manner without expressed written permission from Steve Shatsky. ©Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

I am not sure why, but, in addition to real estate topics, I love blogging about my favorite restaurants in Dallas and someone suggested to me that I provide my blog readers with a reference summary of my reviews. I am not a professional foodie or food critic, but I do like to eat and I do know which meals I enjoyed and which ones left a bad taste in my mouth.

Jon Zolsky suggested that I leave a disclaimer on my restaurant posts, so, just for the record, I have not ever, nor will I ever accept any gratuity, free food or other compensation for including an establishment, business or service on my blog or for the nature of my comments on it. (How's that for an absolute disclaimer?)

Judging by the list of places I have reviewed on my blog I should weigh much more than I do, and seeing this list, I realize how many more of my favorites I have not been to lately! So by popular demand (of two) here is a summary of links to some of my favorite Dallas area restaurant/food reviews by category:

American (Casual):

Maple & Motor: Maple & Motor: A Bacon & Burger Bonanza!

Dodie's Seafood Cajun Diner: Dodie's Seafood Cajun Diner: A Winning Recipe!

Lucky's Café: Lucky's Café: Mmmm... Breakfast!

Celebration Restaurant: Celebration Restaurant... A Reason to Celebrate!

The Porch: The Porch: Great Dallas Restaurant, or Rocking Chairs & Whittling?

Café Brazil: Café Brazil: Good Food + Good Caffeine = Happy Customers

Rudy's BBQ: Rudy's BBQ - Here we go again!

American (Fine/Expensive):

Five Sixty: Plucked then Pucked: My Duck at Five Sixty!

Asian:

Roti Grill: Roti Grill: Indian Food Fast, Not Indian Fast Food!

Ginger Thai: Ginger Thai - Good Thai Food and Reasonable Prices make for a Winning Combination

Royal Thai: Royal Thai... Yummy and Fit for a King!

Bengal Coast: Bengal Coast: An Asian Dining Adventure!

The Green Papaya: The Green Papaya - A Tempting Vietnamese Bistro

Tex Mex/Central American:

Gloria's Restaurant: Having Dinner with an Old Friend: Gloria's Restaurant

Italian:

Taverna: Taverna: Authentic Italian Food Prepared Authentically!

Cremona Bistro: Cremona Bistro: New digs for a Dallas Favorite!

Fireside Pies: Fireside Pies: Because man does not live by bread alone!

Sal's Restaurant: Sal's Restaurant: New York Pizza in Dallas

Mediterranean:

Café Istanbul: Café Instanbul: Definitely Delightful

Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill: Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill: A New Old Experience

When I bought my first home 13 years ago, I lived in Oak Cliff. Oak Cliff, at the time, did not offer a wide variety of restaurants, but one that stood out from the many Tex Mex restaurants was a Restaurant called Gloria's.

Located at 600 W. Davis Street, Gloria's was different than many other restaurants because of the freshness of the food, the black bean dip that was served with the chips and salsa, and the Salvadoran influence in the food.

Gloria's has always been a favorite of mine. The menu has good diversity, not only featuring Tex Mex favorites like enchiladas or quesadillas, but also a variety of more Salvadoran specialties like Fried Plantains and Yucca alongside the more traditional accompaniments like guacamole.

Many of my friends like their shrimp and fish entrées, but when I went tonight for dinner, I headed right to one of my favorites, their Carne de Res Asada... a delicious marinated skirt steak. For dessert, there is always a debate between Gloria's delicious Tres Leches cake or the outstanding Flan. Either choice will not leave anyone with a sweet tooth disappointed!

Over the past 13 years, since I bought my home in Oak Cliff, Gloria's has expanded into a regional chain with 10 locations. I have been to several of the others, including their popular locations on Lemmon Avenue and the recently expanded one on Greenville Avenue in Dallas, but to get the original Gloria's experience I still like to go back to the original one in Oak Cliff. It's like having dinner with an old friend!

Yesterday I finally had the chance to check out the Dallas burger joint that everyone has been buzzing about... Maple & Motor. Let me just say that:

1. It was worth the wait.

2. I am kicking myself for not getting there sooner.

3. I will be going back.

4. YUM!

Maple & Motor is located at 4810 Maple Avenue, across the street from Dallas' Elliott's Hardware. They have a rather simple menu that is done exceptionally well. Burgers and Sandwiches(including Chicken, BLT's Grilled Cheese, Brisket and Fried Bologna) as well as Fries, Cheese Fries and Onion Rings. I had a Bacon Cheeseburger and Onion Rings. The burger was juicy and flavorful, the bacon was crisp and the bun was fresh. The Onion rings were beer battered and delicious, flavorful, but not overpowering.

Jack, one of the owners, greeted us personally and made sure everything was to our liking... and believe me, it was! Maple & Motor is small and gets easily packed at peak times during the week, so be forewarned, but believe me, even if they are crowded and busy, wait it out... you'll be glad that you did!

Check out their website at mapleandmotor.com or their Facebook page... and oh yeah, they offer free WiFi too, but go for the food, not the technology!