For this week’s TheaterJones.com “Dinner and a Show” column, I had to select an eatery that pairs with “Babette’s Feast” at Amphibian Stage Productions in Fort Worth (running through May 26, 2019). I chose Fixture Kitchen and Social Lounge, a short drive from both show venues. It offers an interesting and varied menu, created by owner/chef Ben Merritt. Learn more and check out my suggestions in this Fixture Kitchen and Social Lounge Restaurant Review …
Fixture Kitchen and Social Lounge Restaurant Review
Fixture Kitchen and Social Lounge is located in Fort Worth’s Near Southside area, at 401 W. Magnolia. Owner/chef Ben Merritt was named Fort Worth Texas Magazine’s 2016 Top Chef and the first-ever 2017 Top Chef Master. He’s won numerous other awards and just opened a second concept in April, 2019 – Ben’s Triple B: Biscuits, Burgers and Brews. Ben’s Triple B is located just three miles east of Fixture and within walking distance from Texas Wesleyan University.
With four seating areas to choose from (two indoor dining spaces, the bar and the patio), it’s easy to find the right spot for a date night, a group of friends/family or a solo dining adventure.
The restaurant has a hip and comfortable vibe, matching its neighborhood. The interior design is industrial-chic, with exposed brick, a tin ceiling in the bar area, exposed rafters in the two dining areas and plenty of wood and metal decor. If you order coffee, you’ll even get your cream and sugar delivered in metal electrical boxes. I’m impressed with that kind of commitment to on-brand details!
Fixture Appetizers
Fixture offers a wide range of unique appetizers, from brie and cranberry nachos (gluten-free) to duck wings, truffle mac and cheese, Texas beet fries (gluten-free), fried crawfish balls, smoky bacon dip with tortilla chips, seasonal vegetable dip, fried green tomatoes and, pictured below, steak bruschetta.
The steak bruschetta was divine. It’s made with slices of toasted French bread topped with tender shaved ribeye, grilled tomato, wilted greens, manchego (a delicious hard cheese made from sheep’s milk) and a balsamic reduction drizzle.
Fixture Cocktails, Beer and Wine
Fixture believes in supporting as many local and American-based businesses as possible, so they carry American boutique wines (by the glass and bottle), local craft beer and American spirits.
The cocktail menu is full of tempting options, at prices that are surprisingly reasonable. Fixture’s craft cocktails range from the “Fort Worthian” (Texas whiskey, sweet vermouth, amaretto, bitters) to the “Fall in the French Quarter” (Copper and Kings Brandy, Knows Creek Rye Whiskey, fall-spiced syrup, absinthe, 5-spice and Peychaud’s bitters, lemon oils) to “The Horned Frog” (Bacardi Silver Rum, blueberry, lime, cilantro, jalapeño, ginger beer).
As a gin fan, the Southside ($8) jumped out at me. Made with Uncle Val’s botanical gin, mint, lime and sugar, it’s served in a chilled glass and tastes like a gin-based mojito. It’s also delightful, smooth, sweet (but not too sweet) and refreshing. I loved that it was crisp and cold, without any cubes of ice to contend with.
Main Courses
Fixture’s lunch and dinner menus are similar and offer a broad array of choices (with a few more options for dinner).
Salads range from kale to southern fried chicken to a steak salad, which is made with the same tender ribeye as the steak bruschetta I loved. “Handhelds” range from a shrimp BLT sandwich to a house burger to blackened salmon tacos, a veggie sandwich and a fried bologna club sandwich.
Fixture’s main entrees (called “Fork and Knife” on the menu) include chicken and waffles, pan seared salmon, shrimp and crawfish étouffée, shrimp and grits, blackened redfish, braised wagyu short rib, Santa Maria steak, garden linguini and a hearty fields bowl.
I visited Fixture for the first time on a cold, rainy night. I was drawn to the chicken and waffles … but I went with a healthier option during that visit: the Blackened Redfish.
Made with Texas farmed-raised redfish, jalapeno-corn succotash, Mexican chorizo, purple hull peas and basil, it’s a winning, comfort food combo that manages to be good-for-you-food that’s also stick-to-your-ribs-food. The seasoning on the blackened fish was particularly delightful, and the portion was generous.
During my recent visit, I caved and ordered the chicken and waffles. It’s made with rosemary-scented waffles topped by boneless breaded chicken thighs. The classic southern combo is held together by a large sprig of rosemary and then topped and surrounded by chipotle maple syrup.
The waffle was light and crispy, and the chipotle maple syrup should be given a more accurate name: liquid crack. Seriously.
Fixture’s commitment to fresh, real ingredients shines through in its food, and the “social lounge” in its name rings true in this comfortable space. If you go, let me know what you order and what you suggest in the comments below.
Address:
401 W. Magnolia in Fort Worth, Texas
Website:
Hours:
Monday – Thursday — 11am – 9pm
Friday –11am – 10pm
Saturday — 10am – 10pm
Sunday — 10am – 2pm
Brunch served Saturday 10-2, Sunday 10-2 and Monday 11-3
Happy hour M-F from 4-7 pm (bar and patio only), with $5 appetizers and $5 cocktails and wines
