TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Shelby When Andrew floated the idea of a double date night downtown for the Taste Buds column, I didn’t even let him finish the sentence. Yes. Absolutely yes. The grandparents were called, the sitter situation was handled, and the girls were finally getting a night out, because if you have been reading this column for any length of time, you know we are the wives behind those tired dads. We have earned this. What followed was one of those evenings that remind you why you love where you live. We started with cocktails at The Eagle Bourbon and Wine Lounge, laughed our way through fun golf games at Tee It Up Golf Lounge, and ended the night at Verona with food so good we were still talking about it on the drive home. Downtown Texarkana delivered in every way: the ambiance, the energy, the food, the fun. If you have been sleeping on what’s happening down there, consider this your wake-up call. Ray One of the things I appreciate most about downtown Texarkana is how easy it makes a date night. Park once, and the whole evening unfolds on foot. No shuffling cars, no debating where to go next— just good company and a short walk between great stops. We called ahead to Verona earlier in the day to lock in a reservation, which I would recommend if you’re planning to make a night of it. Beyond that, the evening took care of itself. There is something about being downtown on a night when it’s all lit up and busy that feels a little like being somewhere else entirely—somewhere bigger, somewhere with more going on. But Texarkana has that if you just know where to look. This night was a good reminder of that. Andrew If you want to impress someone—a first date, an out-of-town guest, your wife who is skeptical about your choices—take them to The Eagle Bourbon and Wine Lounge and let the room do the talking. The moment you walk in, you feel it: the warm light and exposed brick of a beautifully renovated building from the 1800s that somehow manages to feel both historic and completely alive. New Orleans and Charleston both came to mind, and neither comparison feels like a stretch. Melissa and Chris Fuller opened The Eagle less than a year ago, and what they have built is genuinely unlike anything else we have downtown. The cocktail menu alone is worth the visit, with drinks named for Texarkana landmarks that are both clever and well-executed, including The Grim, Broad Street Sour, Union Station, and the Stateline Sazerac. I went with The Smoked Eagle, a sophisticated riff on an old-fashioned with just enough smoke to give it real depth and richness. We also made short work of the jalapeño pimento cheese spread, served on toasted naan triangles with crumbled bacon and fresh jalapeño slices. It was the perfect kick to a classic southern bite. There are small plates and desserts to round things out, whether you’re stopping in after work or winding down after dinner. We did both, and I regret nothing.
Shared plates and signature cocktails set the scene at The Eagle, where house-made jalapeño pimento cheese is served with toasted naan triangles, crispy bacon, and fresh jalapeño slices.
36
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs