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West Side Stories Fort Worth is heralded as the place where the west
began, and the accolade is truer today than in the era of our early
frontier settlers. Expansion and development has made the city's west
side a tribute to all that is truly western. Here, the arts, fine
dining, specialty shops, and nature in all its splendor flourish and
give the community its distinct Cowtown flavor. Some of the southwest's
finest museums and art galleries are nestled here in a sprawling cultural
complex that can't seem to stop growing. The fabled Land of Oz had
its yellow-brick road but Fort Worth boasts a redbrick thoroughfare
that leads wayfarers to both the old west and the new. Camp Bowie
Boulevard, lures visitors and natives alike to the city's cultural
district. Lining the brick-paved roadway is an ever-expanding collection
of impressive restaurants, boutiques and shopping malls. Just to the north, impressive cultural landmarks hold
court, beginning with the newly expanded Amon Carter Museum, home
to a premiere collection of American art and sculpture. Nearby is
the Kimbell, widely regarded as one of America's best small art museums.
The neighboring Modern is the oldest art museum in the state of Texas,
and displays the works of renowned modern artists and is opening a
new Museum Dec. 14 to house its collection. The Fort Worth Museum
of Science & History is home to over 100,000 artifacts, a planetarium
and an Omni Max Theatre with its giant 3-story wraparound viewing
screen. Live Theatre also rules here under the glittering geodesic
dome of Casa Manana, the nations first permanently constructed theatre-in-the-round.
No wonder the site attracts more than 3 million visitors annually. The new National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame celebrates
over 150 notable women who made history through grit, grace and gumption.
Neighboring the Will Rogers Memorial Complex, this interactive museum
pays homage to Leading ladies like Dale Evans, famed rodeo riders
like Flores Ladue, equestrian trailblazer Carol Rose, and many others.
And the list goes on as new honorees are inducted yearly. A message
perhaps for western cowboys? Hats off boys, as we salute these famous
ladies! Just next door, ground has been broken for what will
be the new home of the Cattle Raisers' Museum, a unique residence
for countless artifacts and numerous automated talking mannequins
that describe the legends, lore and legacy of Cattledom, from its
infancy to the present day. Small art galleries compliment the cultural scene. In
the Evelyn Siegel Gallery, shoppers will find a range of styles and
mediums. William Campbell Contemporary Art spotlights artists of today.
Galerie Kornye West features traditional original masterworks while
Alpine Art and Edmund Craig galleries offer a mix of styles. Shoppers will find a broad selection of merchandise
in cultural district stores and shops. European antiques and upholstery
can be found at Domain XCIV. House of Tuscany offers lighting accents
and unique accessories and Backwoods provides sports equipment and
travel items. Southward off University Drive, visitors can experience
nature in all its grandeur at Trinity Park and Fort Worth Botanic
Gardens, and a short distance beyond, can visit the City's illustrious
Zoo, named one of the nation's best. Cultural addicts and nature fans
won't go hungry anywhere on Fort Worth's west side. Appetites can
be appeased via nearby restaurants featuring cuisines ranging from
American to Asian, continental, and eclectic. Sardine's new restaurant
location on University Drive continues it's family owned tradition
in offering consistently fine Italian cuisine. The eatery has earned
an additional reputation as “the”
romantic late-night jazz spot, where stellar pianist Johnny Case performs
with his trio. Michael's offers contemporary ranch dishes including
the owner/chef's crusted tuna appetizer and his signature peppered
beef tenderloin with Chile-bourbon sauce. Cafe Aspen serves elegant
preparations that score high on looks and flavor. Hui Chuan asks diners
to experience “origami food.”
Simpler fare like soup, sandwiches and subs can be found at the nearby
Great Outdoors eatery. Hamburger purists can enjoy the traditional
beef and bun at Kincaid's Burgers, another favorite west side spot.
Go farther west to Cathy Mancuso's Italian Ristorante where cadres
of famous guests have chosen to dine. Located at 9500 White Settlement
Rd., Mancuso's delivers superb Yankee-styled Italian fare. Southwestward, at the intersection of Hwy 820 and Granbury
Road, elegant Chinese delicacies await. Hunan restaurant offers a
daily buffet featuring over 50 items from China's ethnic culinary
heritage. A Mongolian Barbecue station allows diners to select their
own meat and vegetable entree and watch it being prepared on a huge
gas-fired grill. Beyond the cultural district, more shopping dining and
entertainment beckons. Southward, University Park Village, affords
a delightful stroll through an open-air mall. The village is home
to Uncommon Angles, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Works, Starbucks,
Victoria's Secret, Blue Mesa and La Piazza Restaurants. To the west, newly constructed Chapel Hill offers another
outdoor complex with a pseudo-adobe southwestern decor. Restaurants
include the delights of Mi Cocina and a homey diner labeled The Purple
Cow. A new Asian eatery called Big Bowl offers sumptuous feasts from
a variety of Asian lands. Specialty shops include World Market, a cornucopia of
imported furnishings, wine, gourmet coffee, and gifts. Next-door is
Central Market, a grocery superstore that swallows visitors in a labyrinth
of display cases. Rising to its south is Chapel Hill's namesake -
crowned by the stunning Marty Leonard Community Chapel designed by
E. Fay Jones. Farther west, lies Ridgmar, an indoor shopping complex
recently renovated to the tune of $70 million. Ridgmar contains 3
levels of over 100 stores connected by paved brick and tile boulevards. So whether you're in the mood for art, casual or elegant dining, dedicated shopping, surveying nature's beauty, or just looking for leisurely exploration, do what Fort Worth savvy natives and visitors do - Go West! Current
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