FSM March 2019

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT MARCH 2019 VOL XXIII, ISSUE 11 $3.00
Promoting Community & Commerce since 1995

CLASS IS IN SESSION FANTASTIC FRISCO FUN
A CLOSER LOOK HEART TO HEART

LOCAL LEGENDS IN TRAINING RIGHT ON COURSE













THE BIG STORY

THE FEATURE STORY On Page 34 ON THE COVER: DINING & ENTERTAINMENT MARCH 2019 VOL XXIII, ISSUE 11 $3.00
Class is in Session Promoting Community & Commerce since 1995
By Allie Spletter Ryan and Liz Alford
give a toast to Frisco.
Frisco is home to unique, specialized classes that range anywhere from perfecting your
cookie decorating skills and flying through the air in aerial yoga to channeling your inner Cover by Gabriela Gilstrap
Van Gogh, learning about delicious libations and broadening your cigar knowledge.
YOU JUST GOT SCHOOLED FANTASTIC FRISCO FUN
8 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT A CLOSER LOOK HEART TO HEART

LOCAL LEGENDS IN TRAINING RIGHT ON COURSE



CONTENTS

20 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
MARCH 2019
48
publisher
29 66 CHRIS JOHNSON

editor
CHRISTINE PERRENOT

art director
LEAH RATLIFF

staff photographer
GABRIELA GILSTRAP

office manager
BECKY JOHNSON

manager, account services
ANDREW JOHNSON

manager, digital media
BEN JOHNSON

sales administrator
LINDSAY JOHNSON

director of business development
GEORGE RODRIGUEZ

advertising sales
LAURA HAMBY
GARY ISAACS

AD SALES: 972.335.1306
[email protected]

OFFICIAL EVENTS WILCOX
CATERER
COOKING CONCEPTS
HEALTH FOOD QUICK LOOKS
48 Crushing It SPECIALS EVENTS • TEAM BUILDING • COOKING CLASSES • CATERING
24 Heart to Heart 13 From the Editor
By Amy Day Richmond By Lisa Dawson By Christine Perrenot Style Publishing Group
52 R ecipe: P.O. Box 1676, Frisco, Texas 75034
57 H ow Do You Take 14 L etters to the Editor Phone: 972.335.1181 | Fax: 214.722.2313
Your Vitamins? St. Patrick's Day Meal
By Dru Bickham 54 S mall Bites 71 C omic Toll Free: 877.781.7067
By Cal Slayton [email protected] | www.friscostyle.com
PEOPLE COMMUNITY
18 T hings to Do 72 One Day in Frisco No portion of this publication may be
16 Scene & Be Seen 29 Be Yourself? By Gabriela Gilstrap reproduced without express written
20 Local Legends permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC.
By Rabbi Yogi Robkin
in Training 63 Now & Then: For ©2019 All rights reserved.
By Amy Day Richmond
66 W here Everybody What It's Worth FRISCO STYLE GIVES BACK
Knows Your Name By Bob Warren
By Rachel Beaird 70 D id You Know Frisco STYLE Magazine proudly sponsors Boys &
Girls Clubs of Collin County, Camp Craig Allen,
Clothe-A-Child, Frisco Arts, the Frisco Commu-
nity Parade, Frisco Family Services, Frisco Freedom
Fest, Gary Burns Fun Run, the Frisco Rotary Club
and is a member of the Frisco Chamber of Com-
merce.

10 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT





FROM THE EDITOR

Let’s be honest, sometimes, we are all NEXT MONTH

guilty of counting down the hours throughout the Don’t miss the annual Home
week to make it to the weekend. And in a growing city like Frisco, it is easy to make and Garden issue of Frisco
plans you simply cannot wait for! Entertainment options in our ever-growing neck STYLE Magazine. Discover local
of the woods are now endless. From new restaurants with award-winning chefs in backyards that are breath-
the kitchen to professional sports venues and high-end shopping, Frisco has more takingly blissful and learn more
than a little something for everyone’s interests. From a small country town where about the creepy critters you
entertainment once revolved around cow-tipping and driving up and down Main should be looking out for this
Street (not that there has ever been anything wrong with these pastimes), I think it spring.
is safe to say we have come a long way!
SHOUT OUT
One of the most important ideas that came to my mind while we were planning
and working on this Dining and Entertainment issue was how both of these avenues Happy 117th birthday to our
allow for family and friends to spend quality time together, enjoying something beloved city of Frisco! In
unique and memorable. So much socializing happens around a dinner table with February, Mayor Jeff Cheney
loved ones, and so many lifelong memories are made while taking part in something and other city leaders helped
new and exciting in Frisco. One of the best parts of my job is getting to share news celebrate with the community
about the latest and greatest attractions in the area, so I am particularly fond of the at the Heritage Center. Here’s to
March issue! many years of future growth!

Where have some of your favorite memories been made around town? Maybe at an FSM MARCH PLAYLIST
FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium, over dinner and drinks with friends downtown
at the Rail Yard or during a night out at The Star? Every year, it is great to gather Do you need the perfect playlist
for events like the Frisco StrEATs Festival, Christmas in the Square and the Off for your St. Patrick’s Day party?
The Rails Country Music Festival, and Frisco is home to the National Soccer Hall Check out Frisco STYLE on
of Fame, the American Railroad Museum, the Frisco Heritage Center, the Frisco Spotify! We have the perfect
Discovery Center, the National Videogame Museum and so much more. What more list of songs to keep the party
could we need? going!

Regardless of how 2019 has played out for you so far, spring is here, and change
is on the horizon! It may be just the season for you to make the fresh start you have
been dreaming of. E.B. White once said, “Always be on the lookout for the presence
of wonder.” This is a great motto, regardless of how big or small your adventure
seems. So, whether you are more interested in nature, sports and museums or
becoming a local restaurant connoisseur, get out there and enjoy some delightful
patio weather and everything Frisco has to offer. You never know what fun you may
encounter on your journey!

FRISCOSTYLE.COM There’s always more on

MARCH 2019 13

YOUR LETTERS & MORE

BY CHRISTINE PERRENOT

cCOaNnCvRaETsE “ I LOVED THE ARTICLE in the
Downtown Frisco is going through a constant Mr. Boulet started drawing at a very young age (most of new Frisco STYLE Magazine.
period of change and innovation, and there is his creations included Star Wars themes or Ninja Turtles Thank you!”
something new and impressive happening ev- characters), and his passion has only grown with passing Joshua Boulet
ery day. Not only are more people converging time. “My parents always encouraged this. The spark for my
on the once-quaint area, bringing the need for love of art has burned in my heart since youth, almost like a Joshua Boulet is a freelance artist who considers himself self-
additional apartments and entertainment destinations, but raging fire, and I am lucky it has not diminished a single bit. taught and privileged to share his talent with the community.
the arts are leading the way in terms of enhancing the visual I am very passionate about what I can create,” Mr. Boulet
appeal of the historical and beloved area. shares. Fast forward to now, and Mr. Boulet has created FEBRUARY 2019 29
giant murals, magazine covers, drawings and paintings. He
At the corner of 4th and Main Streets, you cannot miss has even done work for Dark Horse Comics and Pepsi®!
the newest mural completed by one of Frisco’s very own
artists. Reflecting the city’s influence, cultures, history, When the opportunity to paint the new mural that would
entertainment offerings and more, the mural, appropriately grace the aged walls of downtown Frisco came up, he jumped
titled “Frisco: Past and Present,” colorfully catches the eye at the exciting chance to get involved. Not only would the
of anyone strolling Main Street on a shopping excursion or project bring attention to the importance and benefits the
simply driving by on the way to work. arts scene has here in Frisco, but it would also provide the
outlet for Mr. Boulet to express his ideas and vision of what
Any artist’s work requires vulnerability, talent and makes Frisco so unique.
passion in order to be appealing. Joshua Boulet, the man
behind this new art display in Frisco, is a freelance artist It all started when Mr. Boulet’s high school friend, Stacey,
who considers himself self-taught and privileged to share his contacted him through social media telling him about
talent. He loves to draw, and, at any given moment, can be submissions that were being taken for the mural project. “I
found with his sketchbook in hand. He knows what it takes thought it would be great to have some of my artwork in a
to lure people into his art. place I grew up, so I created a concept drawing and applied!”

28 COMMUNITY & CULTURE FRISCOSTYLE.COM

HB Y C H R I S T I N E P E R R E N O T military. He shares, “Once I got out, I struggled to assimilate “ THANK YOU so much for the
ave you ever worked for or applied for a position back into the civilian world. I struggled to find work and ended amazing article. You hit it out
with a company known for hiring veterans? When up making the decision to live out of my Jeep for a few months.” of the park!”
soldiers return to the U.S. from being on duty, they While living in his Jeep, Mr. McEuin decided he wanted to be part Casey McEuin
bring with them a unique set of skills that often of a change that could ultimately help veterans avoid going through
make them beneficial and desirable job candidates what he was. “I finally found work in the nonprofit world, hoping
in the corporate world. However, sometimes, this is overlooked to make an impact,” he shares. In April 2016, Mr. McEuin was
by potential employers. invited to the White House to be honored by former President
Obama for the work he was doing for veterans. After being
Frisco’s Project RELO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honored, the nonprofit he worked for sent him to events to speak
educating business executives on the benefits of hiring military and sent him on the very first Project RELO mission where he and
veterans. This education occurs during immersive leadership
courses where veterans and corporate executives conduct
simulated military exercises on U.S. Army bases. The Project
RELO team teaches the community to learn, lead and find talent
businesses need.

There are currently more than 44,000 veteran nonprofit
organizations in existence. What sets Project RELO apart is

lteraadninsfgoarmation Provided by Project RELO.

that the group is changing the narrative from corporate America the founder bonded immediately. “We knew our visions for taking Casey McEuin is the president and Frisco celebrated its 117th birthday
helping veterans by hiring them, to veterans helping corporate care of veterans aligned with one another. I resigned from my old executive director of Project RELO. at the Heritage Center on Sunday,
America by being hired into positions that maximize their impact. company and took the reigns of Project RELO,” Mr. McEuin says. February 17.
Casey McEuin, the president and executive director of Project FEBRUARY 2019 63
RELO, says, “We do this by immersing corporate executives, To help Project RELO meet its goals and bring attention to the
usually from directors of HR all the way to the CEO level, into a organization’s cause, there is an annual fundraiser held in Frisco.
three-day pseudo military operation where they are led by the very This year’s February 21 event, taking place at Verona Villa, will
veterans who are looking at transitioning from military ranks into have a Charity Casino Royale theme that is expected to bring
ranks of the companies in attendance. Through these three-day people from around the nation together to raise money. Every
operations, executives get a firsthand look at the value veterans dollar raised will go directly to Project RELO’s mission to educate
can bring to their company and get to see past the verbiage written corporate America about the value of hiring veterans onto their
on a resume. They see the true character of a veteran. Through business team. “Through this education, we drive demand for
this, we shift the dialogue from hiring a veteran for a social good veteran talent,” Mr. McEuin shares.
to actually doing so because it is good business!” He adds, “We see
ads or events that discuss the victimization of veterans and know The Casino Royale event is highlighted by its poker tournament
that veterans need assistance. We want to change that dialogue where the winner will win a seat at the World Series of Poker Main
and show companies they need veterans and what they can bring to Event in Las Vegas, where, last year, the winner was on global
the table. Above anything else, we are not about giving a veteran television at the main table of the event. This month’s event will
a handout. Moreover, we are focused on initiating the handshake.” also feature a silent and live auction, live music, food, a cash bar,
casino games, a state-of-the-art photo booth, many NFL players/
Mr. McEuin has been the president and executive director of alumni, local celebrities, Medal of Honor recipients and more.
Project RELO since the organization’s inception in 2016. He To get additional information about the event or to order tickets,
served in the U.S. Army for 17 years. In 2011, he was critically visit casinoroyale.live. The event team is hoping to highlight
injured in Afghanistan during an attack on his outpost, which many Frisco companies and has numerous sponsorship packages
subsequently forced him to be medically separated out of the available.

Project RELO educates corporate America in five ways. First,

62 COMMUNITY & CULTURE FRISCOSTYLE.COM

14 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT



SCENE AND BE SEEN

Dan, Colton and Lucas Lane Joe, Knox and Hendrix Jackson Travis and Travis Jr. Troxle Parker Relyea

Dustin Paschal, Justin Miller, Ashley Miller and Paul Simon

Joe Trahan and friends at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Number During Frisco’s 117th birthday
Ones Gala celebration at the Heritage Center
The Frisco Chamber of Commerce's 35th Annual Frisco Number on February 17, city leaders joined
Ones Gala was held February 1 at Embassy Suites Dallas Frisco the community for cake in the train
Hotel Convention Center and Spa. Congratulations to all of the depot, crafts, games and fun for all!
deserving winners who took home awards.

Ryan and Rebecca Buell

Megan Pham, Jordan Whittle, Brittany Amoedo and Macy Hernandez Mayor Jeff Cheney with Councilmen Bill Woodard and Tim Nelson

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Have you recently attended a community event or have you participated in something awesome lately in Frisco?
Share your pictures with us! You just might see them in an upcoming issue of Frisco STYLE! Send your images to
[email protected].

16 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT



THINGS to DOMARCH

FRISCO COLLEGE BASEBALL DALLAS STARS VS. NEW YORK DALLAS STARS VS. CHICAGO
CLASSIC RANGERS BLACKHAWKS

March 1-3 March 5, 7:30 p.m. March 9, 7 p.m.
Dr Pepper Ballpark americanairlinescenter.com americanairlinescenter.com
friscoclassic.com
ASH WEDNESDAY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS
THEATRE FRISCO PRESENTS
“SNAPSHOTS: A MUSICAL March 6 March 10
SCRAPBOOK”
LONE STAR CONFERENCE DALLAS MAVERICKS VS.
March 1-3 and 8-10 – MEN’S AND WOMEN’S HOUSTON ROCKETS
Frisco Discovery Center – Black Box BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Theatre March 10, 6 p.m.
friscodiscoverycenter.com March 6-10 americanairlinescenter.com
Comerica Center
THE AMERICAN RODEO lonestarconference.org SPRING BREAK – NO SCHOOL
FISD
March 2-3 SISTER HAZEL IN CONCERT
AT&T Stadium, Arlington March 11-15
attstadium.com March 6, 5:30 p.m.
Lava Cantina, The Colony TEXAS LEGENDS VS. OKLAHOMA
MARKET AT THE STAR lavacantina.com CITY BLUE

March 2 DALLAS STARS VS. COLORADO March 12, 7 p.m.
The Star AVALANCHE nba.com/dleague/texas
thestarinfrisco.com
March 7, 7:30 p.m. DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. SAN
FC DALLAS VS. NEW ENGLAND americanairlinescenter.com ANTONIO SPURS
REVOLUTION
FC DALLAS VS. LA GALAXY March 12, 7:30 p.m.
March 2, 3:30 p.m. americanairlinescenter.com
fcdallas.com March 9, 2:30 p.m.
fcdallas.com CONFERENCE USA MEN’S
AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
TEXAS LEGENDS VS. SIOUX FALLS CHAMPIONSHIPS
SKYFORCE
March 13-16
March 2, 7:30 p.m. The Ford Center at The Star
nba.com/dleague/texas thestarinfrisco.com

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. THIRD MONDAY TRADE DAYS
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
March 15-17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 2, 7:30 p.m. thirdmondaytradedays.com
americanairlinescenter.com
DALLAS STARS VS. VEGAS
NIGHT OF IMPROV BOB SEGER AND THE SILVER GOLDEN KNIGHTS
BULLET BAND
March 2, 8 p.m. March 15, 7 p.m.
Frisco Discovery Center – Black Box March 9, 7 p.m. americanairlinescenter.com
Theatre The Ford Center at The Star
friscoimprovplayers.com TEXAS LEGENDS VS. AGUA
thestarinfrisco.com CALIENTE CLIPPERS

MARDI GRAS FRISCO STAR PARTY March 15, 7:30 p.m.
nba.com/dleague/texas
March 5 March 9, 6 p.m.
Frisco Commons Park
texasastro.org

18 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC IN THE CHAMBER – PINK IN CONCERT
ASTRAIOS CHAMBER MUSIC
March 24, 7:30 p.m.
March 15, 8-9:30 p.m. americanairlinescenter.com
friscoarts.org
MICHAEL BUBLE IN CONCERT
THE GARDEN SHOW
March 25, 8 p.m.
March 16-17 americanairlinescenter.com
Myers Park and Event Center,
McKinney DALLAS MAVERICKS VS.
ccmgatx.org SACRAMENTO KINGS

TEXAS LEGENDS VS. AGUA THE TEXAS PINBALL March 26, 7:30 p.m.
CALIENTE CLIPPERS FESTIVAL americanairlinescenter.com

March 16, 7:30 p.m. March 21-24 DISNEY ON ICE – MICKEY’S
nba.com/dleague/texas Frisco Conference Center SEARCH PARTY

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. texaspinball.com March 28-31
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS americanairlinescenter.com
FRISCO FESTIVAL OF COLORS
March 16, 7:30 p.m. LADIES WHO LAUNCH – THE ART
americanairlinescenter.com March 23, 1-5 p.m. OF RELAXATION
Independence Practice Field
ERROL SPENCE JR. VS. MIKEY friscotexas.gov March 28, 6-8 p.m.
GARCIA Culture A Day Spa
FC DALLAS VS. COLORADO friscoarts.org
March 16, 8 p.m. RAPIDS
AT&T Stadium, Arlington HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
attstadium.com March 23, 3:30 p.m.
fcdallas.com March 29-31
ST. PATRICK’S DAY The Ford Center at The Star
DALLAS STARS VS. PITTSBURGH thestarinfrisco.com
March 17 PENGUINS Find great solutions for all your
home projects.
THIRD SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE March 23, 7 p.m.
americanairlinescenter.com HEROES FOR CHILDREN ANNUAL
March 17, 1-4 p.m. DALLAS HEROES AND HANDBAGS
Frisco Heritage Center BRUNCH
friscoheritage.org
March 29, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The
DALLAS STARS VS. VANCOUVER Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
CANUCKS heroesforchildren.org
Benefiting Texas families battling
March 17, 6 p.m. childhood cancer.
americanairlinescenter.com
ARTS IN THE SQUARE
DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. NEW
ORLEANS PELICANS March 30-31
Frisco Square
March 18, 7:30 p.m. friscoarts.org
americanairlinescenter.com
THE WONDERS OF MY GARDEN
DALLAS STARS VS. FLORIDA TEXAS REVOLUTION VS. FLOWER SHOW
PANTHERS ARLINGTON LONGHORNS
March 29-30
March 19, 7:30 p.m. March 24, 5 p.m. City of Plano Environmental
americanairlinescenter.com The Star Education Center
planogardenclub.org
DALLAS STARS VS. COLORADO texasrevs.com
AVALANCHE

March 21, 7:30 p.m.
americanairlinescenter.com

Major Events Provided by

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 19

BY AMY DAY RICHMOND

Ninja Nation offers homeschool classes, field trips and day play hours.

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like This is a far cry from where he started, according to his
to attempt obstacles like the ones on NBC’s mom. “He got picked on a lot for being so small for his age,
“American Ninja Warrior” television show? but here, nobody cares. They are just so positive. It does
Now, Frisco couch potatoes and athletes of all not matter if you are tall or short … you can do any of this
ages are in luck! The first Ninja Nation location stuff.”
in Texas opened its doors in Frisco in October 2018, com-
plete with professional-grade obstacles, inspiring coaches Mr. Williams says, “You see all these cool obstacles and
and five-time national American Ninja Warrior finalist, the lights here, but it is bigger than that.” He and the staff
Karsten Williams, serving as the head coach and Dallas area at Ninja Nation are making “an impact, directly, by build-
director. ing confidence and motivating these kids to overcome their
fears so they can overcome their challenges outside of these
Don’t think you have what it takes? Think again! 12-year- walls.”
old Brayden Johnston says, “Just keep trying and you will
eventually get it. The more times you come here and try Growing up in Plano, Mr. Williams says he was “really
an obstacle, the better you’ll get.” And he should know. He skinny and small” and did not have the “natural ability” for
attended the grand opening of Ninja Nation in October, has football and basketball, but he could run fast and found his
been coming three or four times a week since then and has place in track, until a season-ending injury sidelined him.
already won his first competition! His goal? “I want to be on Floating from one job to another after high school, including
‘American Ninja Warrior Junior,’” Brayden says. serving as a personal trainer at Life Time Fitness®, he even-
tually decided to take the leap and audition for season five of

20 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

LOCAL

LEGENDS

IN TRAINING

“American Ninja Warrior,” without any ninja training. After tell you he is still overcoming obstacles, especially stage one
failing on the very first obstacle, Mr. Williams says he was of the four-stage “American Ninja Warrior” National Finals.
humbled and started to think maybe this was not for him, “I have the stage one blues, and I still have them to this day,”
but his mother encouraged him to keep trying. So, with no
ninja gyms in the area at the time, Mr. Williams had to get THE FIRST NINJA NATION LOCATION
creative with bocce balls, foam rollers and other equipment IN TEXAS OPENED ITS DOORS
at the gym to practice balance and replicate tricky obstacles. IN FRISCO IN OCTOBER 2018,
“I think it was really determination to prove to myself that I COMPLETE WITH PROFESSIONAL-
could do it,” he says. “There was a lot of mental training and GRADE OBSTACLES AND INSPIRING
saying ‘I can do this!’” COACHES.

Mr. Williams’ second attempt at “American Ninja War- Mr. Williams laughs. “But, everything happens for a reason.
rior” was on season six, in Dallas, where he made it to the I am a strong believer in that. I would not change a thing,
national finals. “All of my hometown supporters were there,
and it was a great redemption moment for me. I went from
not getting anywhere on the course — maybe three or five
seconds on my first time — to my second season of finishing
two courses and moving on to the finals.”

The rest is history, but Mr. Williams will be the first to

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 21

looking back now.” Ms. Rodriguez is quick to share sto- If you are feeling a little more moti-

All of Mr. Williams’ uncertainties, ries of people who have come to Ninja vated, Ninja Nation has classes available

experiences, failures and triumphs Nation to conquer its obstacles and for the young and old, as well as private

have congealed in his current role of leave with other aspects of their lives lessons and a Ninja HERO Boot Camp.

changing lives at Ninja Nation. “I can dramatically impacted, as well. She And, yes, if a 60-year-old woman can

relate to those kids who do not have it says, “We have a great environment to tackle the course, you can too!

all figured out and do not know their build belief, confidence and courage. For those who want to up their game,

place yet. You do not

have to have it all

figured out. You just

need to have a good

mindset, a positive

attitude, network and

talk to people. You

never know when

your path might turn

and where you are

going to go. You just

have to be willing to

walk down the path

— that is the main

thing,” he shares.

Despite having

top-notch equipment

and offerings that

range from birthday

parties and home-

school classes to cor-

porate events and a

mobile ninja course,

the real gold at Ninja

Nation Frisco is in

the intentions behind Arena manager Brittany Rodriguez and five-time national American Ninja Warrior finalist Karsten Williams.
it all. “One of our

company’s goals,”

says the arena man-

ager, Brittany Rodriguez, “Is to create That is one of the things that separates Ninja Nights are offered every Monday

more than a million heroes. To believe us from other gyms. We have great ob- night, by age group, for individuals who

in yourself, in our opinion, means you stacles — probably the best out there. are wanting to train to compete. Ninja

are becoming your own hero.” The people we have are all about moti- Nation also offers monthly competi-

And Ms. Rodriguez knows full and vating. You have to come and see what tions at junior, pre-teen, teen and adult

well what that means. Diagnosed with the hype is all about.” levels. And the Ninja Nation Elite Team

stage four colon cancer in December Mr. Williams says most people’s trains every Wednesday night for local

2018, Ms. Rodriguez is overcoming jaws drop when they see inside Ninja and national competitions.

her own obstacles, while still encour- Nation. “And then they get on the ob- Is that warped wall calling your

aging others to overcome theirs. “Now stacles with our people who bring this name? Brayden has a tip for you: “Do

that this [cancer] has happened,” she energy and positivity. The music is jam- not just go forward. You need to run

says, “I just know God placed me here ming … we get races going in the mid- and jump up to get higher!” Give it a

because it is all about overcoming ob- dle course … this place is like a party.” try … you might just be surprised how

stacles. With all the quotes we have on Indeed, Ninja Nation Frisco was re- far you can go.

the walls about dedication, commu- cently named by CultureMap Dallas as

nity, perseverance, heroes — all those one of the top 10 places in Dallas for Amy Day Richmond is a writer who relishes

things are applying to my life right now. a birthday party. Ninja Nation offers faith, family, intriguing conversations and

Looking back, I know He had a bigger homeschool classes, field trips and day inspiring words. She wishes time could be

purpose for my job that I did not realize play hours. The Mobile Ninja Nation saved in a bottle, because one lifetime isn’t

at the time.” Obstacle Course can even come to you! enough.

22 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 23

BY AMY DAY RICHMOND

Andrea Shine had the opportunity to
participate in the Heart-to-Heart program at
Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

24 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

hen you have the opportunity to hold your a weak heart. “The power of the heart and how it pumps
own heart in your hands, life becomes amaz- blood through the body is measured through an ejection frac-
ingly poignant and a bit surreal. Two Frisco tion, and mine was low – 20 to 25 percent,” Ms. Shine recalls.
residents and heart transplant recipients
Despite medication, a defibrillator and eventually a PICC
Wrecently had this opportunity through the line that dripped medication directly into her heart, Ms.

Heart-to-Heart program at Baylor University Medical Center Shine’s condition quickly began to deteriorate. Where she had

at Dallas. once run, she walked. Climbing a single set of stairs caused

Both Frisco residents break the stereotypical mold of what her to rest on the top stair and fluid began to build up in her

you might envision a heart transplant patient to be. Andrea abdomen (as opposed to her ankles, as most people in her con-

Shine, 54, is a petite mother to four boys and two step-sons, dition would expect).

a data analyst at United Healthcare, a former personal train- “She was such a warrior,” her husband, Jeff Shine, recalls.

er and an avid golfer. Deborah Fleischer, now 68, formerly “She still went on vacation. She went to my parents’ house for

worked as a receptionist at a Plano medical office and used her the summer.”

lunch breaks to walk the mall every day. If you met them on “I was trying, you know,” says Ms. Shine. “I thought, this

the street, you would never guess they were the proud owners is life, and I am just going to keep going forward.” Until, one

of new hearts. day, a doctor pulled Mr. Shine to the side and said his wife had

Executive Director only six months to live.

Dr. William C. Rob- Similarly, Ms. Fleisch-

erts, MD, of Baylor er only found out she

Scott & White Heart had a heart issue when,

and Vascular Institute, HHeaerat rtot in her fifties, prolonged
Baylor University Medi- exhaustion from a flu-
cal Center, is the lead- like virus caused a doc-
ing cardiac pathologist tor to order an x-ray.
in the nation and the Since an x-ray from a
editor-in-chief of The year prior had shown
American Journal of a normal-sized heart,
Cardiology, in addition Ms. Fleischer was quite
to a list of titles and surprised to hear her
awards. heart was now en-
larged.
To say he is a busy

man is an understate- A team of doctors, a

ment, but, since 2014, cocktail of medications

he has willingly donat- and two defibrillators

ed his time to sit down helped sustain Ms.

with heart patients, post-transplant, to show them their old Fleischer for approximately 20 years, as she cared for her son

heart, point out what went wrong, and reveal what is nor- who had developed Guillain-Barré syndrome and her father

mally invisible to the naked eye. “We have shown hearts now who had Alzheimer’s. When her second defibrillator shocked

to about 130 people,” Dr. Roberts states. her in the parking lot of a grocery store and then later again at

“It blows my mind, really,” Ms. Shine says as she waits to home, Ms. Fleischer says she finally became scared enough to

see her old heart. “It is just amazing to think that it was once consider a heart transplant.

in my body, and now I am going to get to see it and understand But, getting a new heart is akin to winning the lottery. As

what happened and what went wrong.” Dr. Roberts told Ms. Shine during her Heart-to-Heart ses-

Earlier in the week, prior to seeing her heart, Ms. Fleischer sion, “Out of about 330 million people in the U.S., approxi-

had similar thoughts. “I was hoping to find out if it was some- mately six million are eligible for heart transplants. The num-

thing genetic, because if it was, I wanted to make sure both ber who have transplants in this country each year is about

of my kids knew about it … and to see if there was anything 2,300 … and it is a shame because we just cannot get donors.”

I did.” So, the few hearts that do become available only go to those

The road to a heart transplant is an arduous one, with a who have passed a stringent vetting process. A potential can-

sundry of paths as unique as the individuals themselves. Ms. didate must agree to weeks of intensive testing to ensure their

Shine was the epitome of good health, with no blood pressure body is otherwise healthy and disease-free. And, once ap-

or cholesterol issues and no symptoms. But, as she approached proved, the waiting game starts.

her fifties, her family history and her mother’s death from It was 2:10 a.m. when Ms. Shine got her call. “I remember I

heart problems at age 58 prompted her to get a baseline with was just so nervous all of a sudden. This was real. The surgeon

a cardiologist in December 2013. Surprisingly, an EKG re- comes on and says, ‘Ms. Shine, I have a beautiful new heart for

vealed some slight abnormalities, and further testing revealed you,’” she says as she chokes back tears.

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 25

After the call, you have just two

hours to get to the hospital, but Ms.

Shine’s husband says they were there

in 25 minutes. And after eagerly wait-

ing for it to arrive, Ms. Shine finally got

her new heart. “It was September 5,”

she says with smiling tears. “My second

birth date. My brand-new life.”

After waiting for 41 days, Ms.

Fleischer got the call while she was at

work and raced to the hospital as well,

only to later learn the donor heart was

not viable. With her life on the line, the

disappointment was indescribable. Her

second call rendered a healthy donor

heart, and her transplant was success- Deborah Fleischer also participated in a Heart-to-Heart viewing. Provided by Baylor
University Medical Center at Dallas.
fully completed on June 27, 2013.

Both Ms. Shine and Ms. Fleischer sat

with Dr. Roberts, on separate occasions, years) from her mother. Despite Ms. Shine’s pristine health

to hold their old hearts and hear his pathological explanation. condition and no cholesterol in her arteries, the adipose (fat)

Ms. Fleischer learned she had no cholesterol in her arteries tissue that normally insulates the heart had begun replacing

and that one side of her heart was enlarged from unknown the muscle wall of the heart. In fact, the muscle wall of the

causes, which had been putting a strain on her mitral valve. right ventricle was almost entirely adipose tissue. This ex-

She says, “Dr. Roberts explained that a lot of people think plained why her heart was so weak – the muscle in her right

their heart condition was caused by a virus, but he has never ventricle was almost non-existent. Dr. Roberts then recom-

seen a virus on the heart.” mended Ms. Shine follow up with Robert L. Gottlieb, MD,

For Ms. Fleischer, Dr. Roberts’ diagnosis was non-ischemic PhD, FACC, whose areas of clinical expertise include cardio-

idiopathic dilated cardio myopathy. “It was a relief to me, that vascular genetics.

I did not cause it myself through what I ate or lack of exer- Both women returned to work within three months of

cise,” Ms. Fleischer states. “It gave me a sense of closure and their transplants and both had their eye on a trip to Italy, as

of sincere gratitude that this program was available at Baylor. a well-deserved ending for their difficult journey. Most em-

I could identify that this was part of me and now this is behind phatically, though, both have become avid supporters of or-

me.” gan donation.

When Ms. Fleischer was recovering,

she encouraged well-wishers, “Please,

in lieu of flowers, become a transplant

donor.” And Ms. Shine says, “I think

organ donation is probably one of the

most unselfish gifts you can give to

someone. I have so much respect for

the family, and I think about them ev-

ery day.”

Ms. Shine is also quick to mention

donatelife.net. And you use the Health

app on your iPhone to become a donor

in a matter of seconds. She also encour-

ages others to know their medical his-

tory and act on it, as well as maintain a

healthy lifestyle.

Time will tell how these women’s

Executive Director Dr. William C. Roberts, MD, of Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular stories might help save someone else’s
Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, is the leading cardiac pathologist in the nation.
life.

For Ms. Shine, Dr. Roberts’ diagnosis was arrhythmic right Amy Day Richmond is a writer who relishes faith, family, intriguing
ventricular cardio myopathy (dysplasia), and he suspected she conversations and inspiring words. She wishes time could be saved in a
had inherited a gene (only recently identified in the last few bottle, because one lifetime isn’t enough.

26 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 27

28 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

BY RABBI YOGI ROBKIN

be

YSOELUFR ?

FRISCOSTYLE.COM Rabbi Yogi Robkin with his son.
MARCH 2019 29

very new generation seems to offer up its own self ” sensibilities that is becoming more evident with time
fresh take on life and living, sometimes building and that must be earnestly reckoned with.
upon the sentiments and belief systems of previ-
ous generations and sometimes consciously mov- Greater numbers of people are opting out of the noble
institutions of marriage and parenthood, claiming that it is
Eing away from them to forge new paths forward. just not “them.” Others see “being themselves” as a license

An undeniable spirit pulses through each society and time, to act out on many of their most primal, natural urges with-

which often comes to define that particular era in the pro- out a second thought. Why be monogamous, so the thinking

cess. Exploring recent American history, we find The Si- goes, when it contradicts our very nature? Why avoid curs-

lent Generation (1927-1945), on one hand, with its spirit of ing or gossip or unabated hedonism when it feels so very

conformity and adherence to the status quo, and the Baby good inside? To others “being themselves” discharges them

Boomer Generation (1946-1964), on the other hand, which of personal accountability, saying “What can I do? After all,

shook everything up with its spirit of free love and peace. I am what I am.”

When it comes to trying to pin down the nature of any It is this darker side of the “be yourself ” generation we

given time period, hindsight becomes an invaluable tool, for must be wary of and remain in diligent opposition to. For

only after the fact can any era it was none other than the great

be examined in its totality and and saintly Vilna Gaon (1720-

more accurately compared with 1796) who clarified in his ethical
other generations, both prior
treatise, “Even Shleima” (1:2),
AN UNDENIABLE SPIRIT PULSESand future. Isolating the spirit that, “The main purpose of hu-

of the current day and age is not man existence is to strength-
en ourselves constantly in the
THROUGH EACH SOCIETY ANDnearly as simple. It is in many
ways comparable to the differ- breaking of our traits.” And as if
ence between a man trying to
to add emphasis to that original,
TIME, WHICH OFTEN COMEScapture a good photograph of commanding statement, he con-

a tornado he can see coming tinues, “And if (a person) is not
involved (in the breaking of his
TO DEFINE THAT PARTICULARfrom miles ahead and another
trying to get a similar image traits), what is his life worth? ”
ERA IN THE PROCESS.
while tossing and turning in the Is this not one of the central
eye of the storm. lessons of bris mila, ritual cir-

With all that being said, and cumcision, that just because

with a healthy dose of personal something is natural does not

chutzpah, I would like to share mean that we must accept its

with you what I believe to be the beating pulse and central existence in our lives! The essential question we must ask

spirit of this newest and current period in American history. ourselves is not whether or not any given trait or drive is

It can be briefly summed up as “be yourself and be proud natural, but whether or not following in that trait or drive’s

of it!” and is encapsulated in a quote I found by singer Lady path is spiritually ruinous or beneficial.

Gaga, “Don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that I would be remiss if I did not also make mention of the

you cannot be exactly who you are.” In America, in 2019, vital contribution on this subject made by Rabbi Avraham

we embrace differences in all areas of life and extol those Yitzchak HaCohen Kook (1865-1935), the first chief rabbi

who are not afraid to “be themselves” in the fullest sense of of the State of Israel, in his poetic writings on the subject of

the word. teshuva (repentance). In Orot HaTeshuva (15:10) Rav Kook

It seems I am not the only person who has noticed this writes: “When we forget about the nature of our souls, when

newest of societal trends. In an op-ed to The New York Times we divert our attention from our inner lives, everything be-

(“Unless You’re Oprah, ‘Be Yourself’ Is Terrible Advice”) comes mixed up and confused. The essential teshuva, which

Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and professor immediately illuminates the darkness, is found when one

of management and psychology, similarly noted, “We are in returns to himself, to the root of one’s soul.”

the Age of Authenticity, where ‘be yourself’ is the defining Ironically, Rav Kook is teaching us that it is only through

advice in life, love and career.” the act of rising above our natural inclinations and the break-

The question we are left to ponder, as individuals, is ing down of our naturally selfish and sometimes destructive

whether or not this current sentiment is something we traits in teshuva that we uncover our sparkling true selves

should be interested in embracing and espousing ourselves. – “the root of one’s soul.” It is of this deeper, spiritual self

On the one hand, most of us believe we should encourage that the Torah shares in the enduring words of Shakespeare’s

others to express their personalities and bring their unique “Polonius” when he opined “to thine own self be true.”

interests and talents to the collective table. If that is what

“be yourself ” stands for, I think most of us are all in. Howev- Rabbi Yogi Robkin is the outreach director at Data of Plano, an

er, the problem lies with a newfound take on our “be your- inclusive synagogue and Jewish engagement center.

30 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Cynthia
Hurley, J.D.

[email protected]

Resident Partner, Frisco

Board Certified - Estate
Planning & Probate Law

Texas Board of Legal
Specialization

Protecting Your Family & Business

n Estate Planning

n Entity Formation FREE

n Asset Protection Consultation

n Probate

n Will Contests

n Business Representation

n Lawsuits Involving Trusts & Estates

Hall Office Park
2591 Dallas Parkway, Suite 408 • Frisco

(972) 668-6810

www.JFAttorneys.com

Principal Office: Dallas, Texas
10000 N. Central Expressway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75231, 214.369.0361

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 31

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BY ALLIE SPLETTER

Anyone looking to fly completely out of their comfort zone should head over to Altitude Aerial Arts & Fitness.
Spring is all about new beginnings, a fresh start and
growth. Frisco is home to a plethora of unique, spe- should head over to Altitude Aerial Arts & Fitness where class
cialized classes that range anywhere from perfecting participants can soar through an aerial yoga class.
your cookie decorating skills and flying through the
air in aerial yoga to channeling your inner Van Gogh, Altitude Fitness is a premier aerial arts and pole fitness stu-
dio here in Frisco. It offers members and class participants the
highest quality aerial fitness classes around, and their studio

learning about delicious libations and broadening your cigar is the only provider of aerial “flying” yoga in the North Dallas

knowledge. Intrigued yet? area. In addition to aerial yoga, they offer small group classes

Comfort zones are so 2018, and the opportunities in our in silks, hammock, lyra hoop and pole fitness, and their Kids

community for some seriously good times are popping up on Circus Academy introduces kids ages 5-12 to the world of

every corner for a promising date night, family night, girls’ aerial arts.

night, teambuilding or even just some “me” time. Regardless Aerial arts is a uniquely well-balanced, low-impact activity

of your reasoning for getting out there and trying your hand that is really a one-of-a-kind experience – one that is an amaz-

at a new hobby, just go! ing opportunity to flex, float and fly!

I have had my eye on aerial yoga for some time, and, luckily,

ALTITUDE AERIAL ARTS & FITNESS two of my brave friends were as excited to try it as I was and

Anyone looking to fly completely out of their comfort zone accompanied me to a Monday morning class. Our instructor

34 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

SeClsasssiios inn

for aerial yoga was incredibly warm, welcoming and reassur- needed to ensure we were doing movements properly, but at
ing as we, admittedly, had some nerves, given that we had the same time, we were able to talk, work through questions
never tried it! We had all taken yoga classes before, so we and receive assistance when needed. This helped make the
were excited to see how aerial yoga compared and the type of class feel both challenging and light-hearted.
workout it would be.
After we were warm, comfortable and familiar with both
Our class was full of experienced members and first-tim- the movements and our fabrics, we really began to “fly,” doing
ers, like us, and we all took our spots at our respective fabrics poses that brought our feet of the ground! The instructor was
that hung securely from the ceiling in a “u” shape. The in- there to help each of us into each position, and once we mas-
structor began the class by walking us through stretches (with tered a concept, she let us fly on our own and work through
feet still on the ground) that allowed us to become familiar the movements. We loved that she was able to tell us with
with our fabrics and gave us time to work on mobility and get- each movement how we literally could not fall out of the fab-
ting warmed up for the “flying” fun to come. While we fur- ric on heads, as that assurance gave us confidence. We worked
ther incorporated work with the fabrics, we worked through through poses that had us hanging from our hips, upside down
a few yoga poses and more stretches, while the instructor’s with our heads inches from the floor, sitting like Buddha in
playlist encouraged us to both be ourselves and reminded us the air, doing backbends hanging over the fabrics and stretch-
to have fun. We loved that it was serious in the sense that we ing into positions we did not know were possible. We ended

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 35

Renowned chef Kent Rathbun hosts a weekend Premier Grilling class. hanging by laying fully-engulfed in our
36 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT fabrics like cocoons for a few minutes of
utter relaxation.

The instructor was wonderfully
supportive, explanatory and help-
ful throughout the entire class, which
helped us feel safe and confident. It was
an amazing experience, and one your
body will thank you for after!

To check out the different offerings
or to schedule a class at Altitude Aerial
Arts & Fitness, go to altitudefitness-
frisco.com.

PREMIER GRILLING

Frisco STYLE staff members were able to
attend a Premier Grilling class with re-
nowned chef Kent Rathbun in January.
The class took place on a Saturday and
focused on preparing various types of
meats.

Once the class got started, every-
thing Chef Rathbun was doing to prep
the meat was displayed on a large tele-
vision, allowing attendees and chefs-
in-training to see exactly what he was
doing and what technique he was using.

On this particular day, Chef Rath-
bun was cooking country-style ribs and
took time to explain what kind of cut
the meat was and where it came from.
He also described how to adjust your
cooking style to match what cut of meat
you are cooking.

Throughout the class, Chef Rath-
bun gave pointers and suggestions. He
talked about the importance of season-
ing, not overdoing it and not seasoning
too early (or else it will start to dry it
out). Minimal salt in a rub is preferred,
unless you are trying to cure the meat.
He was willing to take questions at any
time and talked about the best places to
find good meat in the area. He covered
the three different heat settings (600+,
400-600 and 300-400) and which
cuts/meats thrive in those heat zones,
the importance of resting the meat (the
time after you have taken it off the grill)
and how important that is to taste and
tenderness.

Whether you are a seasoned cook or a
beginner just trying to pick up on some
basic skills needed to be a master on the
grill or in the kitchen, Premier Grill-
ing classes are a great place to cook up

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 37

some fun. With a variety of class focuses throughout the year, provided with a sugar
you are sure to find something to fit your interests. cookie and royal icing
recipe to take home,
Classes for the next few months focus on everything from should they decide to
cast iron grilling and Asian barbecue to cooking on the Big put their skills to the
Green Egg. Check out premiergrilling.com to research and test.
register for a class.
My best friend and I were
THE COOKIE RACK able to snag a spot in a Friday night
class and learned so much, while having a fabu-
The Cookie Rack is one of Frisco’s newest obsessions for lous time. When we arrived, the owner greeted us with a
foodies or bakers. Not only does The Cookie Rack offer warm smile and so much excitement! After we met our fel-
amazing cookies to be purchased and ordered, they offer low students and found our spots, she went through a cou-
cookie making classes regularly! ple of baking tips and how-tos and familiarized us with the
cookies we would decorate that night. She had a picture of
The owner, a long-time baker, set out to make her dream the fully-decorated cookies for reference, which was really
of owning a bakery a reality, and while her bakery is now here
in Frisco, her cookies are simply out of a dream. The team

The Cookie Rack offers amazing cookies to be purchased and ordered, as well as cookie-making classes.

specializes in gorgeous gourmet sugar cookies with a vari- helpful. She walked us through how to hold the piping bags,
ety of buttercream garnishes and additional flavors like old- how to cut the tips off to make the type and width of icing
fashioned sugar, s’mores, SNICKERS®, red velvet, birthday line we wanted and gave us a few minutes to practice on pat-
cake, cookie dough and Reese’s®, just to name a few. terns printed on paper. She was amazing, patient, helpful and
informative, and it is easy to see how much she loves what she
As soon as you walk in, you are enveloped into a bright, does by sharing it with others.
modern and welcoming space with cases full of mouth-wa-
tering cookies standing center stage. The back of the shop is The Cookie Rack offers Cookie School on Monday, Friday
a delightful little space where Cookie School is in session a and Saturday evenings, as well as Junior Cookie School for
few nights of the week. kids ages 5-13. For more details on events, flavors and all
things sweet, visit thecookierack.com.
The Cookie Rack’s Cookie School classes are “sip and dec-
orate,” so participants can bring the beverage of their choice INDUSTRIAL CIGAR CO.
along with a group of friends for a fantastic little night out.
The team provides all the ingredients and instruction, and While cigars might be a bit of a niche hobby and interest,
participants take home their decorated cookies. No matter there is so much to learn about them and experience. Indus-
whether attendees are beginners having never picked up a trial Cigar Co.’s Cigar 101 classes, Cigars and Cars and Sat-
piping bag or experts at royal icing and decorating, there is urdays at the Shop are event opportunities the Frisco location
so much to learn and try. In addition to cookies, students are offers for patrons to learn and familiarize themselves with

38 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

cigars and good company. MARCH 2019 39
The Frakes family brought In-

dustrial Cigar Co. to the area af-
ter spending more than six years
of research in and around the cigar
industry. Ultimately, they created
a hospitality-driven, incredibly
unique location that offers public
and private lounge spaces, two full
walk-in humidors, retail space and
a convenient location with a state-
of-the-art air purification system.
The team has done an amazing job
making customers and members
feel welcome in their sophisticated,
modern space that has a bit of an in-
dustrial feel and offers comfy leath-
er arm chairs and high-top tables
where patrons can work or have a
drink (the lounge is BYOB).

Industrial Cigar Co.’s Cigar 101
monthly classes are unique and offer
different topics of discussion. Most
recently, they held Cigar 101 – Spot-
ting Fake Cubans, a class that taught
attendees to examine the packaging
of cigars and how to inspect them
carefully. Cigars 101 – Tobacco Re-
gions and Geography covered the
basics of where tobacco comes from
and how regions affect it differently.

The March 19 class will feature a
Chocolate and Cigars Pairing, and
April’s class will help those new to
cigars with the Understand the Ba-
sics of Cigar Smoking course. All
Cigar 101 classes are open to the
public. Industrial Cigar Co. also of-
fers a free monthly event called Cars
and Cigars, held in their parking
lot, providing cigar and car lovers
an opportunity to admire others’
cars while sharing a conversation
and cigars over coffee. In addition,
they offer Saturdays at the Shop ev-
ery Saturday morning at 10 a.m.,
where they go live on Facebook and
Instagram to chat about happenings,
events, favorite cigars and products.

One employee explains, “We have
a lot of fun and really enjoy getting
to know new people, while spend-
ing quality time with the ones we
know over good cigars. Our classes
give us the opportunity to share our
love for cigars with others, and we

FRISCOSTYLE.COM

love being able to help both members
and non-members pick out cigars of
their liking.”

Fun fact: Industrial Cigar Co. has
the same air purification system that is
utilized by nuclear submarines and pu-
rifies 100 percent of the air once every
six minutes, so you do not smell like a
walking cigar when you leave!

Get additional information about
Industrial Cigar Co. and classes at
industrialcigars.com.

PAINTING WITH A TWIST

Painting With a Twist® classes allow
participants to channel their inner Van
Gogh … with a little help from art-
ists or instructors! The team invites
participants to BYOB while painting
alongside others to create artwork (that
looks professional) to take home.

While the classes are not serious art
lessons, attendees are invited to relax,
talk and create beautiful art! Classes
are booked based on the attendee’s
choice of art. The company’s website
shows weekly classes offered based on
the paining participants will complete
during that class. While the Saturday
afternoon class might compose a paint-
ing of a serene sunset with landscaping,
the Saturday evening class might com-
pose a painting of the Eiffel Tower or
an enchanting forest. Many classes are
even geared towards kids (think paint-
ings of unicorns, pandas and giraffes)
and can be booked for private parties.
The studio’s website has a great birds-
eye-view of the monthly calendar with
pictures of the paintings offered and
will let you know when private parties
are booked and regular classes are not
available. The studio manager and as-
sistant run the painting classes, while
effortlessly creating an easy-going, in-
viting, relaxed and fun atmosphere.

I attended a full Monday evening
class that had a lively birthday group
participating, as well as an eager small
corporate group, all of whom were ex-
cited to dive right in to their paintings.
During class, the instructor mainly
stays towards the back of the studio on
her small, elevated stage from which
she instructs the class so students can
see her brush and color choices and

40 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Industrial Cigar Co.’s Cigar 101 classes, Cigars and Cars and Saturdays at the Shop
are event opportunities offered at the Frisco location.

brush strokes. As students began to paint and follow along, to determine those that work well together, as well as how to

easy conversation and laughter danced throughout the room, balance and combine ingredients, a skill that ultimately allows

which made the atmosphere all the more enchanting. The young chefs to inspire creativity and new discoveries with fla-

Painting With a Twist team walked around assisting paint- vors. Camp Can-I-Cook is the academy’s camp program that

ers or commenting on fully immerses

how amazing the work kids in a culi-

throughout the room nary adventure of

looked. With each the latest trends,

step, they took time to as well as new

show students which recipes and culi-

brush to use, how to nary techniques.

mix paint colors, how In addition to

much paint to use and weekly classes

modeled how to make and camps, Young

the appropriate brush Chefs Academy

strokes for parts of the offers Kids’ Night

painting they worked Out classes once

on. No one felt left a month, allow-

behind, and we were ing parents to

even encouraged to drop kids off for

spruce up pieces with a three-hour class

our own flair. It was of hands-on expe-

fun to walk around at rience, culinary

the end of the class and instruction and

see all the interpreta- fun. If parents are

tions of the piece each looking for a fam-

individual created. ily date night, the

Experience does team also offers

not matter at Painting Since Painting With a Twist classes are not serious art lessons, attendees are invited to relax, Families in the
With a Twist, and stu- talk and create beautiful art. Kitchen events,

dents are truly encour- which allow par-

aged to be themselves ents and children

as they recreate gorgeous works of art with their very own to experience an afternoon or evening in the kitchen together

hands and imaginations. Check out paintingwithatwist.com learning and cooking.

to choose a class! Instructors want young chefs to be empowered to under-

stand food. They help young chefs take ownership of what they

YOUNG CHEFS ACADEMY have learned and truly understand what ingredients do for the

Kids can get in on the local culinary fun at Frisco’s Young recipe. They make choices in the kitchen, which means they

Chefs Academy. Here, they can take cooking classes in a safe are learning to understand food, preparation skills, the cooking

environment while discovering new talents and learning process and the presentation of their food – skills demonstrat-

about a whole new side of expressing their creativity through ing they are reaching beyond the title of the recipe.

food preparation. At the beginning of the class I sat in on, students reviewed

During classes, students learn food preparation skills, past skills they had learned with the instructor, and he asked

kitchen safety, etiquette, table setting, menu planning them to describe what they had learned thus far. He encour-

and develop comradery with their fellow chefs. Young Chefs aged them to do so without using their hands. For example,

Academy offers opportunities for kids to get in the kitchen, one young chef explained that a garnish is not simply a deco-

whether through weekly classes, parties or summer camps. ration like a little drink umbrella, but an edible piece of the

Weekly classes are uniquely structured around a monthly puzzle that enhances the overall look of the dish. Throughout

theme, and kids can sign up for a membership to attend mul- the class, students gathered around the instructor while he

tiple classes or drop in to see if it is something they think modeled and talked, and he allowed kids to work as a group

they would like to do regularly. January’s theme was Healthy and independently, when the recipe allowed, under his watch-

Comfort Cooking, and students were taught various tricks, ful eye. Students ultimately made a beautiful dish of spaghetti

tweaks and swaps that turned popular comfort food dishes squash with Italian meatballs.

into lighter, more tasty versions of their former selves. Feb- At the end of class, parents are invited in and chefs present

ruary’s class was The Art of The Flavor Palate, which taught their dishes detailing both the “why and how” of the recipe,

students to use their senses for flavor combinations in order which is another opportunity for them to connect those skills

42 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 43

Kids can get in on the local culinary fun at Frisco’s Young Chefs Academy.

and outcomes. Looking for more fun, specialized
Young Chefs Academy is home to classes to put on your calendar?

many talented young chefs, and they Urban Air Trampoline and Total Wine & More® - Wine,
offer amazing opportunities for local Adventure Park - Trampoline Beer and Spirits Classes
youth and families. Keep your eyes Fitness Classes totalwine.com
peeled for adult classes, coming soon, urbanairtrampolinepark.com The Dallas Stars - Try Skating
that will be a fun opportunity to hang Sweets on a Stick - Cookie and for Free Program
with friends and learn some new skills. Cake-Pop Decorating Classes nhl.com
Go to youngchefsacademy.com to get sweetsonastickfrisco.com Rockler Woodworking
additional information. Crafted Home Décor Studio and Hardware – Various
Do-It-Yourself Wood-Crafted Woodworking Disciplines
Frisco has become a destination Signs and Tools
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Allie Spletter is proud to call Frisco home. She
loves being able to share Frisco with others
through writing.

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FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 45

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FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 47

BY LISA DAWSON

Walking into CrushCraft Thai on a
chilly weekend evening, it is hard
to resist falling for this place.
The warm, inviting atmo-
sphere infiltrates the air,
and the high ceilings with colorful hanging
flags put you in a festive mood. The deli-
cious aromas of fresh spices, upbeat music
and a welcoming staff all make you feel
like you have come to one of the nic-
est spots in Frisco to enjoy authentic
Thai food. The final touch? A sym-
bol on the front of the menu that
literally means “love” in Thai.

CrushCraft has only been
part of the new dining scene
at The Star since last August,
but it is already making
a big impact in the area.
Born in Thailand, the
chef and co-owner, Jack
Nuchkasem, has created
a flavor destination that
transcends Frisco from
Texas to the Far East.
For those searching for
big, bold flavors in a
pleasant, rustic, friendly

crushingatmosphere,youdonot

need to hop a plane
to Thailand, or even
drive to CrushCraft’s
Uptown Dallas location
– just mosey on over to
The Star and saddle up
to the table.

As a tofu lover and
someone who never really
embraced the abundance
of beef options on most
local restaurant menus, I was
pleasantly surprised to find
tofu featured prominently on
the menu. From the tofu fries
to the spring rolls with tofu
(and the most delicious peanut
sauce I have ever had), it was fun
to try some new and unique items.
The spring rolls tasted very fresh and
had the perfect amount of crunchy
lettuce to compliment the rice paper and
soft tofu inside. It was a great appetizer
that may become a main course for me next
time I visit CrushCraft.

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IT

FRISCOSTYLE.COM MARCH 2019 49

Local Deborah Lee loves to dine out in Frisco and try all the newest restaurants. For those intimidated by spice,
CrushCraft is the ideal testing ground.
She recently dined at CrushCraft and says she will definitely be back again. She tried Customers are given the choice to order
meals with any type of spice level range
the Kra Pho and Khao Phat. Both entrees were tasty and the ingredients were very from low to hot. If that is not enough,
there is a help-yourself spice bar with
fresh. She enjoyed their spice bar and appreciated that the spices were labelled from sauces labeled from mild to hot. If you
are in the mood to dabble with spice
mild to spicy. She loved that there were several spices to choose from, which enabled and not feeling fully committed, start
with the red chili garlic (the name
her to add her own personal flair to the meal. is deceptive. Do not be fooled -- it is
almost sweet) or the serrano pickle.
Ms. Lee’s choice of Kra Pho is one of the restaurants signature dishes. Ground Thai chili flakes and chili oil are the
hottest! Like I did, you can sprinkle
pork, fresh basil, bell peppers and onions are perfectly-seasoned and served over them onto your meal with gusto if you
are looking to turn up the heat a couple
jasmine rice with mortar-smashed chili and a fried egg on top. It is a substantial meal notches.

that will satisfy the palate and take away any hint of a hunger pang. Similarly, the Suar If you are savoring all that flavorful,
spicy goodness, you are going to want
Rong Hai is also served over jasmine rice with chargrilled certified angus beef, Thai a drink to go with it. CrushCraft has
a variety of Texas draft beers on tap
eggplant compote, THE NAME “CRUSHCRAFT” like Deep Ellum, Community and
chili jaew sauce and Bishop’s Cider. I tried the Coconut
Lycheetini made with Deep Eddy
is garnished with COMES FROM THE LOVE OF vodka. It is simply sublime. Made with
carrots and red a real lychee nut, the martini is a melt-
in-your-mouth experience with just
cabbage. The steak is THAILAND, ITS MANY FLAVORS enough alcohol to help you relax after a
exquisitely-seasoned long, hard day (or order it at lunchtime,

and cooked to AND THE PASSION FOR
perfection.

The perfect starter CRAFTING FOOD BY HAND.
to any meal enjoyed at

CrushCraft could be

the grilled beef and pork meatballs. The spicy, tender meatballs are served skewer-

style and are a delicious bite-size snack that keep you busy while waiting for the main

course to arrive. Luckily, that does not take long. Service is attentive, quick and very

accommodating.

Many appetizer plates are garnished with red cabbage and peanuts. You may be

tempted to skip the garnish, but think twice. The crunchy cabbage and lightly-

seasoned peanuts are a very tasty combination!

Kra Pho is one of the restaurant's signature dishes.

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