This months city focus looks at Dallas and the Dallas restaurant scene. When we planned on this issue we knew we were putting a lot on our proverbial plate as the restaurant scene there is like everything in Texas, BIG!
From fine dining to barbeque, from Tex-Mex to Asian flair Dallas covers it all, and although we tried our best we had to enlist some local experts to cover it ourselves, but more on that later.
With Dallas Restaurant Week August 14 – September 6, 2009 pick your favorites and make reservations now!! Here are ours:
Abacus – Kent Rathbun is sure to please in this Dallas staple. Make sure you try the lobster shooters! Our meal there was a medley of perfection. The eclectic menu is a living entity as it is constantly changing and evolving with the seasons and the changing availability of the freshest products. Kent’s skills not only turn unique product combinations into the extraordinary he also turns common staples into unique offerings as with his rendition of bacon and eggs: ““Bacon and Eggs”, niman ranch chipotle bacon scrambled duck egg, black truffle….. to die for.
Bijoux Scott Gottlich not only produces exquisite offerings he and his staff put together the wonderful food in an absolutely elegant atmosphere with a perfectly trained set of cast members. “The service is unbelievable. At Bijoux, if you think of something you might want, someone offers it to you,” noted Margie Hubbard who I will introduce you to shortly.
Craft – Tom Colicchio produces another masterpiece in Dallas restaurant. As with his other fine restaurants Tom is always utilizing the finest and freshest ingredients compiling them in simple elegance to create a Picasso in every dish.
Fearing’s – Dean Fearing, a Dallas food icon brings the city a consistently top quality dining experience. Our cantÂ’t miss favorites – Tortilla Soup – A Trio of Griddled Jumbo Lump Crabcakes, Barbecued Duck Tamale and Two-Bite Lobster Tacos – Pan Roasted “BBQ Spiced” Filet and Chicken Fried Maine Lobster on Queso Fresco Corn Potatoes and CynthiaÂ’s Soft Spinach Taco. The Rattlesnake bar is also a must see!
Nana – Not even the most beautiful view of the city can top the food as each plate is a work of culinary art as well as being a well balanced and carefully crafted flavor experience that is sure to make your palate dance.
Shinsei – Who says pillow talk isnÂ’t powerful! When the wives of two of DallasÂ’s most celebrated chefs, Fearing and Rathbun, got together to create their own Dallas restaurant they proved they were listening! This sushi/pan Asian delight is sure to please.
Explore our favorite Dallas restaurants and let us know yours.
Stephan Pyles Always on everyones top ten. Chef Pyles, often referred to as one of the founding fathers of Southwest cuisine, splashed onto the scene in the Star Canyon days where he created was Dallass best regional food raised his own bar when the opened this Dallas fixture. If you are looking for a local flare make your reservations now.
The Mansion The biggest accolade that is often overlooked in any restaurant is what they produce. No, not the food, but the personnel. When you look at the list of high quality chefs that have cut their teeth at the Mansion you have to realize superior environment they must maintain. Tasting the food and experiencing the service at this iconic establishment only confirms the obvious. WOW!
York Street – Chef Sharon Hage has been nominated year after year by the James Beard House for best chef in southwest and for good reason. This small and inviting restaurant has the intimacy and care built into its foundation and the food. Sharons focus on fresh and local shines through beautifully.
#10 We will leave that to you contact us and let us know who you feel should round out our list.
Other Dallas Restaurants Experts Views
As I said earlier Dallas has such a large food and beverage scene that we felt it necessary to get the local experts opinions. We decided to get the opinions of two of Dallas food bloggers opinions of their favorite Dallas restaurants.
First we found Kim Pierce who has been writing about food, wine and restaurants in Dallas for 25+ years. Kim is a columnist for The Dallas Morning News and a regular contributor to its Eats Blog. Kim also is a freelance writer and Tweets. Check out her story about the hottest grapes in Texas in the August issue of Wines & Vines, and get her take on chicken-fried steak in the Oxford Companion to American Food And Drink.
We asked Kim to tell us her favorite Dallas restaurants focusing on ones that give you great value for the money.
Her list in no particular order is as follows:
York Street – No one does produce-centered, ingredient-driven high-end dining like Sharon Hage. She was sourcing locally long before it was hip.
Avila’s – Best Tex-Mex but higher consciousness with quality ingredients and a soft touch with gloppy fats.
Stephan Pyles – A Southwest celebrity chef who has grown beyond the confines of the regional cuisine to a mastery of global influences and innovations.
Twisted Root Burger Co. – Chef-driven burger bar with nearly every ingredient sourced locally and fab condiments made in house.
Mr. Wok – Second-generation suburban Chinese BYOB with consistently good food, including wok-seared edamame.
Ali Baba Cafe – Such a terrific representative of Middle Eastern cuisine, with freshest tabbouleh and vibrant food.
S&D Oyster Co. – A touch of New Orleans in Dallas, in historic building, as timeless as the Crescent City.
Dream Cafe – Best breakfast, bar none, with a health-foodie flair, but plenty of indulgence, too.
Hattie’s – New Southern that never gets old with hospitality to match.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse – Unsurpassed for steaks, lobster bisque, with a commitment to wine through staff and cellar the equal of none.
Then we contacted Margie Hubbard who has a wonderful blog Eating in Dallas. Margies love of food was deep as she is a self-taught cook and wanted the blog to be about food; eating food, cooking food, shopping for food.
We asked Margie to look at different food styles and let us know about her favorite restaurants in Dallas:
Margies Top Ten Varied Restaurants in Dallas
Fine Dining – Bijoux has constantly offered up the best dining experiences of all the restaurants in Dallas. The service is unbelievable. At Bijoux, if you think of something you might want, someone offers it to you. The food is imaginative and perfectly executed. The dining room is elegant, yet unpretentious. Very romantic, if you are.
Burgers – Twisted Root offers homemade everything from chips, fried green beans and pickles down to the condiments. Homemade ice cream and root beer. Beef, turkey, ostrich & venison, veggie, as well as bison burgers. Try the Western burger with pepper jack cheese, bacon, jalepenos and a big fat onion ring and a shake.
Italian – Nonna offers the only version of fine Italian food in Dallas that resembles the food I ate in Italy. You might find yourself at the bar if you venture in without a reservation, since the dining room is very small. The handmade pasta is incredible. The menu changes daily, so visit often.
Mexican – Dallas is full of Mexican and Tex Mex offerings. My personal favoritie is Pepe’s & Mito’s in Deep Ellum. The chipotle wine sauce, unique to their restaurant, is served as an option with several of their entrees. Try it. P&M’s is very affordable.
Upscale Comfort Food – The Porch is all about comfort for cash. $12.00 for a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tomato soup may sound like a lot until you eat it. It is so much better than the best I’ve ever had, it’s hard to describe. $14.00 hamburger with a fried egg inside and foie buttered bun? A steal.
Brunch – The Grape has an super brunch menu. The atmosphere is bistro-like with a nice bar area and patio dining available year round. Try the shredded ox tail and banana pepper hash. Trust me, you’ll be sorry if someone else gets it and you don’t.
Tasting Menu – Lola The Restaurant has one of the most delicious tasting menus in town. Better yet, the price blows most other fine dining tastings out of the water. With a separate dining area for the ten course tasting menu, the service at for this experience is excellent. Be prepared to stay a while.
“Texas” Feel – Tillman’s Roadhouse has been driven by the Texan spirit to create some of the best Texas-style comfort food you’ll eat in Dallas. It ain’t cheap. But, that chicken fried steak could make a grown man cry. Terrific cocktails and eclectic dining room are just a couple of reasons to visit. Don’t forget the trio of fries. Better than I thought fries could be.
Pizza – Campania Pizza has a perfectly thin crust with just the right amount of toppings. Everything is fresh and simple. Their salads are big enough to share and are put together with some imagination. Another bonus… it’s BYOB and affordable. So grab a bottle of vino on the way and order more than you think you’ll eat. Leftovers are great.
The restaurants in Dallas we visited were no short of excelent so any of the Dallas restaurnats you like best let us know so we are sure to add them to our next Dallas restaurant experience.