F1 Smokehouse, local restaurateur Felipe Armenta’s barbecue-themed restaurant in the Cultural District, has a new name and new menu. Now called F1 Bar & Grill, it has evolved into more of a midrange steakhouse and less of a barbecue joint. Armenta says the term “smokehouse” was confusing to some diners, who may have thought the word had something to do with smoking or vaping. While he’s kept several barbecue items on the menu, he’s added wagyu beef steaks sourced from his own Central Texas ranch, including a 6-ounce filet mignon and an 8-ounce flank steak. Other menu items include truffle honey fried chicken, a jalapeno-cheddar wagyu corn dog, a smashburger with bacon jam, and a chopped brisket melt. Armenta opened F1 in 2023 with Graham Elliot, the Chicago celebrity chef with whom Armenta went into business. Armenta owns some of Fort Worth’s most popular restaurants, including Pacific Table, Towne Grille, Press Cafe, and Maria’s Mexican Kitchen, which is named after his mother. An F1 Bar & Grill will soon open in Odessa, one of many concepts Armenta and Elliot have in the works. 517 University Drive, f1barandgrill.com
Speaking of prolific restaurant owners, Tim Love has opened his 14th concept, a food and games spot called Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails, along the Trinity Trails in White Settlement. Named after Love’s father, Stewart’s is meant to conjure images of English country clubs where people play croquet and dine on highbrow light bites. As such, the menu includes several caviar offerings, along with zucchini carpaccio, a lobster roll, and a crab cake with a fennel and apple salad. There are drinks, of course, like craft cocktails and specially made martinis. Inside is a snug affair, with room for about 28 diners. Outside is a 15,000-square-foot lawn area devoted to croquet — a game Love played with his father as he was growing up. “We had a lot of fun playing when I was younger,” Love says. Once again, Love brings to Fort Worth a wholly unique concept. 4424 White Settlement Road, stewartscocktailclub.com
Summer has kicked in, which means the Hotel Drover is back to doing its popular Backyard Unplugged concerts. Throughout the summer, on every Friday and Saturday night, singer/songwriter types play under the stars on the hotel’s outdoor stage. June performers include Cory Michael, Austin English, Jay Smith, Tommy Luke, Sarah Schafer, and Adrian Garza. Along with the tunes, there are new bites to be had. New food/bev menu items for the hotel’s veranda bar and pool area include barbacoa quesadillas and watermelon mojitos. I’m more of an inside guy — and definitely a breakfast dude — so dying to try some of the new breakfast dishes at the hotel’s 97 West restaurant, like New York strip chicken-fried steak and eggs, banana Fosters French toast, and a chile con queso omelette with chorizo and black pepper bacon. 200 Mule Alley, hoteldrover.com…