Owner Nikki Phinyawatana was planning a return to Bangkok when the opportunity arose to open her first restaurant, Asian Mint. Although she’s a native of Thailand, Phinyawatana has been living in Dallas since high school. Her initial exposure to the restaurant business came when she helped her dad run his delivery company. “We dealt with 30 different restaurants, so I got to see all the ins and outs,” she says. While it may seem unassuming from the outside, Asian Mint has all the flair of a hip, urban eatery. “No one really expects us to be here,” Phinyawatana says. But once diners stumble onto this little secret, they keep coming back for more. Perhaps it’s because of menu staples such as the classic pad Thai or the grilled Thai beef salad with lime vinaigrette. Other crowd pleasers include the steamed sea bass, served in a lime lemongrass sauce, and the pad Thai no sen, a take on the traditional dish without all the carbs. Because Phinyawatana originally wanted to open a bakery (she has a pastry degree), the dessert bar, with choices such as green tea ice cream cake, definitely shouldn’t be skipped.

ASIAN MINT
11617 N. CENTRAL EXPY.
(AT FOREST)
214-363-6655

Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri
11 a.m.-midnight; Sat noon-midnight;
Sun noon-10 p.m.
$$, FB

RUNNIN’ ON RYE
19th ANNUAL BAGEL RUN
Sunday, May 15, 8 a.m.
$25 on race day
Register at jccdallas.org or
Runontexas.com.

Where else are you going to find a trophy for the fastest rabbi? That’s right. It’s time for the 19th Annual Bagel Run sponsored by the Jewish Community Center. Though it’s called a race, this event offers something for the entire family – runners, walkers or even just hungry folks searching for a hearty bagel. The JCC will be serving up an array of bagels, cream cheese, juice – you name it – before, after and even during the race. In addition to the race day activities, check out the J’s gigantic new sports facility, the Medical City Natatorium & Fitness Complex, opening this month. Each runner will receive a Bagel Run t-shirt, and an award is given to the team with the largest representation. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the 5K and 10K races begin at 8 a.m. For information email Laura Myers at lmyers@jccdallas.org.

Arts & Entertainment

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse May 13 – TR Ritchie; June 17 – The Laws. All shows $12, unless otherwise stated. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information: 214-363-0044 or unclecalvins.org.

William Eggleston Through Sunday, May 15. “William Eggleston: The Los Alamos Project” explores Eggleston’s groundbreaking work in color photography. JER Chilton Galleries in the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood.

China’s Forbidden City Through Sunday, May 29. “Splendors of China’s Forbidden City: The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong” showcases more than 400 artifacts from 18th century imperial China. JER Chilton Galleries in the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood.

Community

Salute to Israel Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 15, noon-4 p.m. A community-wide adult program includes a service honoring the memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers, a service for Yom Ha’Atzumaut and a celebration honoring Israel’s 57th Anniversary. $7 per person, $25 per family. Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact Sue Kramer at 214-239-7133.

Wine Tasting Open House Sunday, May 15, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Hosted by wine consultant Therese Milford, 6238 Crestmont. For information: 214-321-0033 or wineeventsathome.com.

Appraisal Fair Sunday, May 22, 1-4 p.m. Sponsored by the JCC and Heritage Galleries and Auctioneers. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Zale Auditorium, Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For reservations call 214-739-2737.

Rolando Blackman Basketball Camp Tuesday, May 31-Friday, June 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For boys and girls ages 8-16. Limited space. Four-time NBA All-Star and Dallas Mavs’ all-time leading scorer Rolando Blackman will work with campers on fundamentals and defense. Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information call 214-739-2737.

Health & Fitness

Cooper Institute Lecture Series Tuesday, May 3, 6:30 p.m. Louis Sullivan, M.D., former Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services commemorates the institute’s 35th anniversary. Dinner provided. $125 per person. For information contact Mary Westfall at 214-969-0090.

Seniors Spring into Fitness Saturday, May 23, 1:30-3:30 p.m. A special workshop demonstrating an anti-aging program using therapeutic mind-body exercise methods. $20. Oasis Mind-Body Conditioning Center, SW corner of Preston Forest Square, 1161 Preston, #184. For information: 214-692-6613 or email oasisbody@earthlink.net.

Jazzercise Monday, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.

Leukemia Society Every 4th Wednesday. All patients, family members and friends affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and myeloma are invited to attend these support group programs. Free. Texas Oncology at Medical City Dallas, 7777 Forest, Ste. 400. For meeting times or information, call Shelby Brangan at 972-354-8303.

Library

Library Live! Tuesday, May 10, 6 p.m. East Indian dance with Alpana Jacobs. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Fairy Tale Adventures Tuesday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. Interactive story with Dana Prouix. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Mayor’s Summer Reading Kick-Off Saturday, May 21, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For all ages. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Kindermusik Storytime Tuesday, May 24, 10:30 a.m. Take a trip to the ocean with Miss Lisa. Ages 18 months-3 years and their parents or caregivers. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

World of Storytelling Tuesday, May 31, 2 p.m. Dan Gibson opens up a world of fables and folktales in this dynamic performance. For all ages. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Preston Royal Book Club Wednesday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. Join a lively discussion of “Rosewood Casket” by Sharyn McCrumb. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Computer Classes Mondays (except May 30), 5 p.m. and Thursdays, 6 p.m. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Seniors

Senior Connection Thursday, May 5 and 19, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The topic addressed at the May 5 meeting will be “The Ins and Outs of Social Security.” The May 19 meeting topic will be “The Upside and Downside of Changing Careers.” Senior Connection is Dallas’ first support group dedicated to older adults looking for a job. All meetings are free. RSVP required. Senior Source, 1215 Skiles. 214-823-5700, the seniorsource.org.

Exercise For Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. For information, contact aangorina@jccdallas.org.