The new toast of Texas: more than just a hub and convention center, Dallas/Fort Worth is an enticing spot for a weekend of food and adventure - Traveling Fare

Vegetarian Times, Nov, 1997 by Haneen Arafat

Save Sunday for a jaunt to Fort Worth, first stopping along the 40-mile route to visit two spots in Las Colinas: The sculpture of mustangs in Williams' Square, the centerpiece of this newly built area, and The Studios, a complex of audio and film production houses. Here, the Museum of Broadcasting offers a 90-minute tour (available daily) that features a working special-effects soundstage and memorabilia from films including "The Wizard of Oz" and "Forrest Gump."

When you're toured out, take a leisurely break at Via Real, where the plush surroundings and tasty Santa Fe-style cuisine make lingering worthwhile. At this restaurant, where entrees average about $12, the food is not specifically oriented toward vegetarians, but the staff knows what is made with meat or meat stock and what is not. There are plenty of tasty choices, such as an herbed zucchini and yellow squash enchilada topped with tart tomatillo and sour cream with black or baracho beans on the side.

Another 30 minutes west is Fort Worth, and while this city has the hospitable feel of a small town, its central arts district boasts elaborate gardens, six theaters and the resident Fort Worth Ballet. In November, Fort Worth's Botanical Gardens puts on a show of orchids, chrysanthemums and azaleas, while the nearby Kimball Art Museum exhibits treasures from the Congo through January and Chinese porcelains through March. Down the road, just west of the museum, is the Sunflower Shoppe, a great place to pick up a light salad, sandwich or energizing shake to enjoy while sitting on the museum's lawn, savoring Sunday at Fort Worth's slower pace.

RELATED ARTICLE: PLACES TO EAT

MACRO BROCCOLI - 580 W. Arapaho Road, #406 Richardson, Texas * (972) 437-1985 * Monday through Thursday, Saturday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MACRO GOURMET - 850 S. Greenville Ave. * Richardson, Texas * (972) 669-8328 * Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHOLE FOODS CAFE - Greenville Whole Foods * 2218 Greenville Ave. * Dallas, Texas. (214) 828-0052. Open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

KALACHANDJI'S RESTAURANT - 5430 Curley Ave. * Dallas, Texas * (214) 827-6330 * Tuesday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday noon to 3 p.m.; Tuesday through Sunday 5:30 p.m. through 9 p.m.

VIA REAL - 4020 N. MacArthur Blvd. * Las Colinas Plaza * Irving, Texas * (972) 650-9001 * Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

SUNFLOWER SHOPPE - 5837 Camp Bowie Blvd. * Fort Worth, Texas * (817) 738-9051 * Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6:45 p.m.