PHOTO BY Michael Giordano
Keep an eye out for Dough Pizzeria Napoletana, which has claimed the spot at the northwest corner of Preston and Forest formerly occupied by Chocolate Angel Too. The San Antonio restaurant has been poised to move in for nearly a year now, establishing its second location in our neighborhood. While they couldn’t provide an exact date, owners Doug and Lori Horn plan to open sometime this month. But make no mistake — Dough isn’t your average pizza joint. In 2009, it joined a handful of elite restaurants across the United States, becoming certified by the Verace Pizzeria Napoletana Americas. Based in Naples, Italy, the program imparts strict guidelines on how to prepare authentic Neapolitan pizza — everything from the origin of ingredients to the type of oven used. Traditionally, the flat, disc-shaped pizza is made with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil topped with Italian plum tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. It’s baked in a wood-burning oven at 800 degrees for just 90 seconds. 11909 Preston, doughpizzeria.com.
Just when the frozen yogurt craze seemed to reach its peak, another competitor showed signs of life. The national chain Tasti-D-lite has expanded to Dallas-Fort Worth with plans to open at Hillcrest and Northwest Highway early this month. The company started in New York City more than 20 years ago with a focus on health-conscious frozen desserts. Tasti-D-lite doesn’t claim to be frozen yogurt at all and doesn’t tout probiotics. It’s similar to soft serve ice cream except that most of the 100 flavors have fewer than 80 calories per ounce. And if the name sounds familiar, maybe you heard it mentioned on NBC’s “30 Rock” in which Liz Lemon loses her frequent customer card: “There’s no money on it, but I was one hole-punch away from a free Tasti-D-lite. I hate my life!” 8611 Hillcrest, tastidlite.com.
In more dessert news, Tootie Pie Company will open a café and bakery at Preston Royal in the space formerly occupied by Natalie’s with plans to open by June. The San Antonio-based restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, priding itself on its authentic New York bagels and popular paninis, says president and CEO Don Merrill. But it all started with the pies and, yes, Tootie is a real person. Ruby Lorraine ‘Tootie’ Feagan won numerous awards for her homemade pies and when she decided to sell her bakery in Medina, Merrill bought it, retaining Tootie as a major part of the company. In addition to the café, Tootie also sells pies at Neiman Marcus and to wholesalers. Look for Tootie Pie Company to appear on the Food Network’s “Kids in a Candy Store” show in May, featuring the pie on a stick. 5944 Royal, 210.737.6600, tootiepieco.com.
It’s time to add a little fresh air to your grocery shopping. Celebration Market anticipates an April 30 opening for its annual outdoor market, slated to run 8 a.m.-noon every Saturday throughout the season. Local vendors will offer fresh veggies, homemade baked goods, beauty products, plants and handmade jewelry. Celebration marks its 40th anniversary this year. The restaurant opened in 1971, and the market launched next door in 2000. 4515 W. Lovers, 214.352.0031, celebrationrestaurant.com.
Castle Gap Jewelry in the Plaza at Preston Center hosts the Coreen Cordova Trunk Show but only until May 1. Shoppers can receive 20 percent of Coreen Cordova jewelry, which incorporates themes from around the world. In April 2010, the Advocate published a story on Castle Gap’s 90-year-old owner Maxine Bennett, who explained the inspiration behind her jewelry collection. Watch a video of Bennett. 8300 Preston, Suite 500, 214.361.1677, castlegap.com.
