Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn
Dallas, TX 75207
http://www.mothinthe.net/
The Meddlesome Moth is a recently opened pub with the promise of better food (much akin to the sorely missed Zymology). The Moth boasts a tap selection of forty drafts with non-overlapping bottle selections, which will be further supported by cask engines filled with firkins of quality live ales that will come and go. Needless to say, walking in here gave me a giddy feeling, much like when I stepped into Falling Rock Tap House in Denver for the first time.
I’ve visited the Moth several times already, most recently being the first-ever tapping within Texas of cask conditioned Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard. The oak flavor profile is much bigger compared to draft/bottle. The strong oakiness refined it and helped to round out the flavors (which didn’t seem as rough), and then having it on cask smoothed the mouthfeel, so it was no problem to have more than one of these. Thanks to the guys at Stone for providing this great beer.
The tap list has wide representation of Texas breweries including Franconia, Rahr, Live Oak, 512, Real Ale, and Saint Arnold, as well as others that have recently stepped into Texas such as Green Flash (San Diego, CA) and Anderson Valley (Boonville, CA). To list a few others, there’s also Oskar Blues, Rogue, Avery, Dogfish Head, and Stone. The draft menu (minus the currently tapped cask) is on the website.
During opening week, they had Avery IPA on cask. I’ve also enjoyed North Coast Old Rasputin and Young’s Chocolate Stout (both fed through a nitro tap for a creamier pour), some super-fresh Avery Maharaja IPA, Dogfish Head Midas Touch, Lagunitas Coffee Stout, as well as the occasional beer flight.
Here’s a few of the dishes I have tried. I won’t leave too many comments about the food because the kitchen’s still making changes and I have voiced my opinion on a few items. They are definitely listening to constructive feedback. On my first visit during opening weekend, the lamb kofta (not pictured) came out way too salty, but that was certainly not the case when we tried it again a few days ago.
Moth Balls
Cheese platter, sprinkled with honey
Rabbit Meat Pie
Squid and oxtail
I will admit I’ve found some favorites already. I could eat that bacon jam and the little fried veal sweetbreads all day long. The fish and chips have a brilliant golden thick batter and huge, meaty hunks of cod. And I promise I’ll eventually snap a picture of the shrimp and (delicious and creamy) grits.
Sweetbreads with Bacon Jam
Expect many, many more updates on this place as we do tastings and more casks are tapped. Keep up the great work, y’all.
Great report, Airon. I too look forward to the menu tweeks as it is promising as is. The Moth has converted me into a better beer junky already with its more refined attitude and unlike its name less Meddlesome.
The Dogfish Head Midas had chilling effects on me and hope to revisit her soon.
nice pictures, Air. I would add that, while their fries (skinny) don’t get top honors, they’re quite good. How was that rabbit pie?
gavlist – the rabbit pie was actually an item that got sent back. Mustard dominated everything and it was inedible. Kitchen did fine fixing it, though I wasn’t particularly blown away, and not sure if I’d order it again.
Wow! They have tons of gourmet beers, including Texas brews. The food looks good. I’ll have to check it out.