Last week, I had the opportunity to preview the menu at Don Artemio’s new sister restaurant, Dos Mares. It was exciting to try the latest creations from the minds behind Don Artemio, which scored a James Beard Foundation Award nomination in 2023. Dos Mares opened earlier this week, so today’s column starts off with a dive into its nautical fare.
As regular readers will know, I am not a food critic. That’s not what this column is meant for. That said, I’ll give you my biggest takeaway from the experience: the flan at Dos Mares was almost as big as my head. To be clear, that is a good thing.
I was informed ahead of time that it serves three to four people, so when the server presented me with “the most petit flan” they could manage, I got a chuckle out of the mental image of me attempting to scale the custard mountain with only sheer determination and a spoon. I drove home with several days worth of custard on board.
Dos Mares opens its doors in Fort Worth
Dos Mares, the latest concept from chefs Juan Ramón Cárdenas and Rodrigo Cárdenas, opened a few days ago and is serving coastal Mexican cuisine from its spot on Fort Worth’s West 7th Street. Situated beside Don Artemio, this eatery highlights seafood, though there are non-oceanic options, too. Some of their dishes include a Tostada de Atun with Yellowtail #1 tuna and the taco Estilo Baja with Seabass Tempura.
They also have a few vegetarian options, namely the Ensalada de Betabel al Rescoldo, which features baby beets and mixed greens under a slightly tangy citrus goat cheese yogurt dressing, with walnuts and pumpkin seeds, and a cauliflower ceviche. The latter has carrot cucumber, pickled corn, mango, serrano, cilantro, onion and agua chile caviar. Both are gluten-free, as are many other menu items.
The art and decor also embody Dos Mares’ Mexican spirit. The corded chairs, art and light blue wall tiles were all made by artists in Mexico. Even the color of the floor is intentional –– the multiple shades of flooring throughout the establishment represent the different shades of sand found along the Mexican coast.
Desserts are their slow-baked flan with macadamia nut brittle, Pie de Limon, chocolate lava cake and Dulce de Leche Pecan Lava Cake with vanilla ice cream and berry coulis.
3260 W. 7th St., Fort Worth; 682-480-2143
Avila Taco food truck opens brick-and-mortar in Keller
There’s a new taco shop in Keller. Avila Taco started off as a food truck in 2021 and now has a formal sit-down restaurant on Keller Parkway, and if tacos aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options on their menu.
On top of having birria and al pastor tacos, they’ve also got a loaded baked potato, birria mac and cheese, quesadillas, a taco bowl and a burger. There’s even a few fusion items: a birria ramen and birria eggrolls. The usual sides of chips and salsa, chips and queso, street corn, guacamole, salsa and fried rice are also available. Most dishes go for $13 to $15.
Diners can order takeout online.
1540 Keller Parkway, Suite 107, Keller; 817-431-5373
Taco Heads closes Montgomery Street location after 10 years
The end of October brought with it the end of an era for Taco Heads’ Montgomery Street location after 10 years in operation. Staff posted that customers can still grab a bite at their Stockyards location.
“While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, we’re excited to see what’s next for this location and can’t wait to watch it begin a brand-new chapter,” staff wrote on the business’s Facebook post announcing the location’s closure. “Change can be beautiful, and we know great things are ahead.”
The menu at their Stockyards spot shows elote, a quesadilla, nachos and, of course, many taco varieties, including six breakfast options. Their signature and classic tacos range from achiote steak with citrus-achiote marinated carne asada, onion, cilantro and queso fresco, to a black bean and veggie with spinach, bell peppers, calabaza, mushrooms and pico de gallo.
2349 N. Main St., Fort Worth; 817-420-6299
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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