bonnevendange's Profile
Dinner for 40 in Dallas
I second the vote for the French Room. That place is flawless! I just ate there last week, and I am always impressed. The other place I would recommend not on your list is Abacus.
From your list, I tried the Mansion at lunch a month or so ago. It was very much not up to par, and I had that same opinion both times I have been there since the chef change. I have been to Fearing's 3 times now, and I think the kinks are worked out there. I would choose it over Stephan Pyles, and the food is similar. The southwest twist of Pyles and Fearing's isn't my choice when I am going all out, but it does have a Texas feel (both restaurants are very good). I ate at Nana over Restaurant Week. It was mediocre, but it could have been due to the limited selections of Restaurant Week. I love York Street as well, but I agree that it is way too small. I also think Bijoux would be an excellent choice. I really enjoy that place. I haven't been to Lola or Aurora, but I've had good meals there.
DFW - Charlie Palmer
Tried this last night!
The decor was very sleek and inviting, and the service was perfect--not overbearing and not absent. I couldn't, howver, tell for sure who our actual server was, because several people took orders from us, etc.
We had:
Rube Beet Duo--excellent goat cheese in the layered beet portion, but the flavor was a little bland on the salad portion of the duo. It also had frisee lettuce, which was not mentioned in the description. It is my least favorite lettuce, so I would have appreciated a heads up.
Pear Salad--very good. The menu on the net says it has blue cheese. This did not. It would have been better with it. The crisp on top was a nice touch.
Monkfish--excellent quality and good sauce. I didn't care for the limp onions it came on. They lacked flavor and just did not go well with the fish.
Flat Iron Steak--outstanding--melted in your mouth. Cooked perfectly and loved the sauce.
Creamed Spinach--perfect and seasoned well.
Creamy Polenta--very good and cheesy.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate dessert (forgot the name)--amazing. Enough for two and loved it.
Trio of Tarts--you can choose any 3--we got key lime (good but a little too sweet), pecan (also good but the consistency was a little dry), and espresso mocha (the best!).
Their computerized wine list was neat if you are ok w/gadgets (I am). I loved how you could sort it any way you like--by region, by country, by grape. They offer a paper version if you prefer. The high-end selections were VERY reasonably priced. We ordered a 1995 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron ($155). When the sommelier brought it out, he only had the 1996. The 1996 is one of my favorite years from Bordeaux, so I was fine w/it. Also, I THINK the RP rating is 91 for the 1996 and 90 for the 1995. There was a drop of wine on the label that worried me a little. I tasted and it was fabulous! The drop came from elsewhere, because the cork was fine--no leaking at all. With dessert, I had a Colheita port. I can't remember the producer, but it started with a "K" I think. Colheita was misspelled on the menu--no biggie, but I was surprised, since the restaurant has such a great wine focus. I have only see Colheita ports in 2 restaurants in Dallas. York St was one (last time I was there they didn't have it anymore), and I can't remember the other...the port was excellent!
The only annoyance I have was that we made the reservation at the last minute. The reservation person said they could only do 6:00 or 9:00. She then agreed to do 6:30. The restaurant was barely half full. 7:00 or 7:30 (or any other time) would have been NO problem at all. I don't think they need to try to create hype like that. They should just depend on how well they are doing things. After Guidelive reviews this place, I think it will be extremely busy.
In sum, the meal was great, and I will definitely go there again soon!
Need Delicious Mac N' Cheese in DFW
Abacus (when they have it--same owner as Jasper's) and Hattie's. I agree with Toulouse as well.
Looking for a Romantic but intimate dinner experience
If you are not looking for Italian only--I haven't been there in a while and it is a little pricey, but I loved the quaint setting at Saint-Emilion in Ft. Worth. It has the feel of small-town France. My now husband and I spent our first Vday there, and we loved it!
Rise Number One--Open yet? Been there?
I finally found the website and it is open. www.risesouffle.com If anyone has been there, please let me know your comments!
Rise Number One--Open yet? Been there?
I see that Rise Number One was supposed to open on Lovers on January 15. Has anyone been there (assuming it opened)? If so, what did you think??
