Coming soon to Casa Linda: Torchy's

Torchy’s Tacos, the ever expanding taco chain that started several years ago in a trailer in Austin, will open in Casa Linda in the former  Souper Salad spot. I have never eaten at Torchy’s, but based on the menu description, it could very well be a big win.

Thanks to Advocate reader Michael Mosteller for snapping and sending this photo.

We are waiting on word about the opening date. I’ll update you as soon as I know more.

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We already knew of Total Wine and More‘s plans to open near our neighborhood. Advocate columnist Jeff Siegel reported on this last January. The retailer officially announced Tuesday that it would open in the Best Buy shopping center at Park Lane and Central early this summer.

This will be the first Texas location for Total Wine, a large chain with 79 locations nationwide. The store carries wine, beer and spirits and features a walk-in cigar humidor.

Sandwich kiosk at Central Park entrance

So there was a lot of discussion here last week about the wisdom of adding commercial development in and around White Rock Lake, and some of the comments had to do with whether restaurants and shops built at the lake could, or should, be reminiscent of development in New York City’s Central Park.

Both are urban parks, both are gathering places for an entire city, and both are largely non-commercial. Still, if you compare Central Park — with its various restaurants and shops, both on the fringe of the park and inside — with the current lack of anything commercial at White Rock Lake, Central Park looks like a veritable NorthPark in comparison.

Maybe this is a good thing, maybe it’s not: Clearly from following the blog discussion, our thoughts are split on the idea. So I thought it would be useful to look at some pictures of Central Park development and try to imagine how these projects might look here at White Rock Lake. I called former DMNer Steve Kenny, my one-time Northwestern University roommate who now works for the New York Times, and asked him to send me some photos with his new iPhone from Central Park.

Today was both an off-day for Kenny and, judging from the photos, a beautiful day in New York, so my inbox was filled with photos.

Take a look at these Central Park shops, then close your eyes and imagine something like them at White Rock Lake. Then open your eyes and start typing your thoughts here.

A number of LH residents will be assuming new duties on behalf of the Lake Highlands Exchange Club, one of the neighborhood’s pre-eminent volunteer groups. Among those recently elected to leadership positions:

John Alspaw, President

Tate Gorman, President Elect

Bryan McCrory, Past President

Doug Rabe, Treasurer

Travis Shahan, Secretary

Mark Holmes, Vice President of Fundraising

Justin Bono, Vice President of Programs

Ronda Moreland, Vice President of Youth

Kelly Jones, Citizenship and Americanism

Patrick Brown, Membership Director

John Waters, Community Service Director

Brian Huddleston, Community Events Director

Bob VanAmburgh, Communications Director

Steve White, Newsletter Director

Tracy Cox, Scholarships Director

Tommy Bailey, Member Involvement Director

Not listed among those elected but incredibly active is longtime member Don Lee, who regularly circulates information to neighbors and media about the club.

So what do you think: Should restaurants or other food and drink establishments be allowed at and around White Rock Lake? According to a DMN blog post, that’s the kind of thing that is being “casually” discussed among some neighborhood politicos at City Hall.

Allowing a few food trucks to set up on city property surrounding the lake apparently is one option, while allowing a more permanent private setup — maybe at Winfrey Point or the Big Thicket — also is being entertained, all on the premise that food and beverage offerings adjacent to the lake would enhance the user experience along with adding funds to city coffers needed to help maintain city park land.

The whole “should there be development around the lake” is a question that five years ago nearly drew blood when two projects — a six-story “high-rise” built by C.C. Young Retirement Community on the north side of Mockingbird and what was originally a 24-story high-rise called Emerald Isle just off Garland Road at Barbec’s — were proposed.

Neither project was literally “on” the lake, but that didn’t stop lake loyalists from coming out of the woodwork, pitchforks in hand, to say that there would be a lot of cold, dead bodies in the way of any development that interfered with the pristine look of the lake. There were public meetings, and some of them were downright unfriendly, with anyone supporting development anywhere near the lake (even on Garland Road) being shouted down at neighborhood gatherings.

Since then, the Emerald Isle project — which probably was never a threat to be built, even when commercial real estate money was flowing freely — died a fairly quick death, mostly due to errors by the developer in working with the community. Meanwhile, the C.C. Young project opened last year, and after the developers worked with neighborhood groups on a compromise to height and setbacks, the project seems to be a decent addition to the lake skyline.

So where does that leave things with this “casual” discussion down at the City about restaurants at the lake?

As the DMN blog surmises, the issue would likely find lake users (bikers, runners and general pedestrians) who would favor a couple of food and watering holes pitted against neighborhood homeowners, who perhaps would be concerned about additional traffic, trash and general mayhem caused by increased lake use.

Back five years ago, I remember asking a former city council person whether the city would ever — like in my lifetime — allow a permanent restaurant at the lake. As a potential site, and to elicit a response, I pointed to the southwest corner of Mockingbird and Buckner — you know, that area of natural grasses scenically overlooking the lake with perfect traffic access?

The politico just laughed and told me that there had recently been a proposal to do just that, and it was dead on arrival at City Hall.

“No chance it would ever pass,” I was told. Well, maybe times are changing?

LHHS alumna Christie Berry McCabe has launched a new business called Daily Dose of Sweet.

Lake Highlands High School softball team is on a winning streak. At magazine publication time, the girls had won 12 of 12 games.

Cici’s has been open for a while at Timber Creek Crossing, Skillman and Northwest Highway, but 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday is its grand opening celebration. The first 100 patrons to purchase an adult buffet will receive a free pizza buffet every month for a year.

Also, the restaurant says that “hundreds of wallets will be dropped in the area for residents to find with a free buffet coupon tucked inside.” Will this be in a scavenger hunt format or plane drop? Not sure. Might want to watch your head.

Cici’s will have face painting and balloon art for the kids, and Ken Buckner from 99.5 The Wolf will give away tickets to the upcoming Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney concerts.

Lake Highlands resident Joel Allison, President and CEO of Baylor Health Care System, will receive the 2012 Distinguished Business Leader Award. The Dallas Chapter of the Texas Association of Business (TAB) voted unanimously to recognize Joel and will present him with the honor at their luncheon April 4th.

“Joel is a pioneer in the health care industry,” said Tom Leppert, former Dallas mayor and 2011 recipient of the award. “Most importantly, Joel is driven by a personal commitment to bettering his community and pursuing philanthropic causes, something that should be emulated by every CEO in America.”

Other past recipients include Dick Cheney, Herb Kelleher, Ebby Halliday, Norman Brinker, Robert Dedman, Ray Hunt, H. Ross Perot, Ray Nasher and T. Boone Pickens.

The luncheon will be held at Union Station and tickets can be purchased here.