dfwtexex's Profile
Help me find a great venue
The Belo is nice; as are the hotels mentioned, but it sounds like the OP wants something "special". Convention center space at the Belo or most hotel ballrooms would not fit the bill.
Help me find a great venue
I have been to nice events at Union Station, but it may be a bit bland for what you are looking for. Still, with nice music and food from Wolfgang Puck, it could work: http://www.unionstationdallas.com/#/events/amenities-and-floorplans/
Short light rail ride to Victory: consider Ghost Bar at the W (cheeze I know, but if it's your party, it's your crowd and the venue is great), or maybe Kenichi.
Short light rail ride to Arts District: The Nasher hosts beautiful events. I would highly recommend this if you can swing it (would be my fist choice). http://www.nashersculpturecenter.org/About-NSC/Facility-Rentals
Under $100 for two on the strip...best picks??
Mon Ami Gabi is my winner in this price range. Fresh warm bread and amuse salad are complimentary. $13 smoked salmon appetizer to share. 2 $25 Steak frites (or cheaper entrees), $20 for 2 drinks or glasses of wine. Great views, perfect service. Everything flavorful and well prepared (if not creative).
Coming to Dallas This Weekend-Need Advice
Lockhart Smokehouse is the best BBQ in Dallas right now (my opinion). The brisket and smoked prime rib (when it's available) really nail the Texas BBQ experience. It's in the Bishop Arts district in North Oak Cliff, an easy 20 minute or so drive down I-30 from Arlington, just before you get into downtown Dallas.
For Tex-Mex, you will get lots of opinions. In Dallas, Mia's is great. But, for a more festive experience go to El Ranchito, also in Oak Cliff on Jefferson Ave. It's in an interesting building by a famous Dallas architect and the food is really good. Because it's in Oak Cliff, you get a lot of Mexican families there and they have mariachis strolling around every night. It's always a party.
If you are interested in seeing pretty women, though, just go to the Mi Cocina in West Village. It's a happening crowd. The Taco Diner across the street is actually better, but the Mi Cocina crowd, for people watching purposes is good. The Mi Cocina food is unremarkable and overpriced, but it's not bad and you will have fun drinking margaritas (or their specialty Mambo Taxi) and watching girls in high heels. Plus, there are a couple of other bars a short walk away. Runner-up would be the Mattito's on Routh Streeet.
There really are no special experiences around the stadium. It really was built on a suburban parking lot, surround by strip centers and Wal-Mart. But, if you get there early, do what the other poster said and park in Lincoln Village. There are several bars/restaurants there. Olenjack's being the best. But, there is also Boomerjacks and Sherlock's. You can eat and drink and then walk to the stadium. It's actually a pretty good deal because if you spend the $40, you can park for free (leave receipt on your dash). Parking aound the stadium is $20 ++++ anyway.
New and Noteworthy in D/FW
Put Campo Modern Country Bistro on your list. It's in a very stylish space (the owners are design studio) on Beckley in Oak Cliff. Matt McAlister is the chef. He was the guy behind Stephen at Stephen Pyle's until he left a few months ago to stage at the French Laundry. We have been twice. It's a cool place that is casual but also sophisticated and stylish. The food is not your typical stuff. Like Ugyur at Lucia, he does all the work in house. His house cured meats on the charctuerie plate are every bit as good as Lucia. The menu is creative and interesting (crispy pigs ears, for example) and everything we had was delicious. The portions, by Dallas standards, are modest, but they are creating the feel of a high end Argentinian restaurant, but not Argentinian food (no empandas), Argentinian, like European. I can't explain it, but it's good.
That Campo, Lucia, Mesa, Bolsa, Hattie's, Zen, Nova, Tillman's, Enos, Lockhart and Oddfellows are all a bike ride from my house is pretty amazing, thought not great for the diet.
Best Italian in Dallas
Think about the Italian Club of Dallas. They serve meals at their "clubhouse" (not sure what to call it) in North Dallas/Addison on Inwood Road, just south of Beltline. I have only been for lunch, where you get soup, salad, pasta, and entree for $14 (some about less for less courses, but the portions are appropriate for lunch time). The guys are Italian and they are proud of their food. I have read about big family style dinners that they do on fridays and Pizza and anti-pasti nights on Wednesdays I think. I want to try one of those meals out.
Chocolates in Dallas
CocoAndre is really special, but it's hard to compare it to Dude, Sweet. They are both excellent, but in different ways. CocoAndre is all about traditional Belgiun chocolate and beautiful molded chocolate pieces. It's old school, but wonderful. There is nothing old school about Dude, Sweet. The creativity in the tastes is amazing. That these two shops are both in Oak Cliff, about a mile from each other, is amazing.
Mesa (Dallas) Review
I will chime in add that my experience was also excellent. This is now one of the best restaurants in the city. It is in an unexpected location. During dinner several people walked in perhaps expecting to find a more casual and typical Mexican restaurant. The chic, semi-upscale vibe was not what they were looking for. But the staff is warm and very hospitable. They made us feel special. I can see having a night out with dinner at Mesa and a show at the Texas. With Bishop Arts so crazy now and cars being towed, Mesa is nice change of pace.
We had a ceviche appetizer, a cup of a spicy seafood soup with crab, the mole with the tender duck leg, spciy grilled shrimp and enfrijoladas. We sipped on a glass of cava, a blueberry mojito and then Tecate Light that they have on draft (never seen that before). All of it was great. The hand made tortillas are special.
We will go back for dinner, but also to just sit at the bar with the cool bartender and have a beer, ceviche and tortillas.
Great Place.
Mansion Dress Code
Thanks, suggested but not required is exactly what I was looking for. I could not get that direction when I called myself.
Mansion Dress Code
I have not been to the Mansion for dinner in 15+ years. I am hosting a birthday dinner there in a few weeks. What should I tell the guests about dress? I know they relaxed the dress code and jackets are technically not required, but are jackets still expected? Are jeans really ok? Will nice casul and no jacket work? Are the different dining rooms and, if so, should we request one in particular?
Thanks!
10 Best Things - 2011 Edition
Here's mine. I am sure I will think of others later.
Ndjuja – Lucia
Burger – Wingfield’s
Xalapa Roll – Zen Sushi
Soba with pecan dipping sauce – Tei An
Brisket – Lockhart Smokehouse
Whole Branzini – Nova
Baba Ghanoush – Samar
Cauliflower Soup – Lucia
Mango chili ice cream – La Original Michoacana
Assorted roasted mushrooms - Craft
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Zen Sushi
380 W 7th St, Dallas, TX 75208
Dallas Restaurant Advice (5pm on Saturday)
Great choice. Samar is excellent and they are accustomed to doing a pre theater service.
Sushi in Dallas
My current favorite is Zen, down in Bishop Arts. Every time I go i am astounded by the great tasting fish. They don't do over the top presentations, but some of the signature stuff is truly wonderful and artisticly presented. The Xalapa roll is my favorite roll of all time (tuna, avocado, cilantro, jalapeno and a razor thin slice of lime). It's the perfect representation of the new approach to sushi that incorporates regional flavors. But, a plate of good ol' nigiri is special there too.
For old school, it's Teppo for me. Great stuff, always tasty. And the yakitori is also good to have in case you have non-sushi eaters with you.
Jaleo v Jullian Serrano
The reports on Jaleo sound great and I would go there. I have been there for drinks and the paella pit looked incredible. I am eager to go back. I did eat at Julian Serrano and it was a big disappointment. Of the dozen things we ordered, the only thing I really liked was the ceviche. Everything else was ordinary to below average. I can't imagine how that restaurant is so popular or wins awards. My neighborhood tapas place is 10x better.
Chowhound from Philly needs recommendations very near the Hilton in Market Center
That all sounds great. I am glad you had a good time. I am disappointed in the concierge though. Lots of families go to Fuel City and it is well lit. I can't imagine a problem there. Sending you to Taco Cabana is like someone in Philadelphia telling you to go to Subway when you really wanted an authentic cheesteak because the mall is safer than South Philly!
Chowhound from Philly needs recommendations very near the Hilton in Market Center
Lockhart has gotten more dependable lately and the brisket there is by a pretty wide margin, the best in DFW. It really gets close to the central Texas standard (not quite there, but close) with good smoke taste and well rendered fat. It would be a good choice for lunch in Bishop Arts, followed by a soda from the pop shop and/or an ice cream from the Mexican ice cream shop across the street.
Luckie's, down the road from Lockhart, is not really for human consumption. Cool patio bar, but really, really bad food. Twinwillow is correct.
Yes! the smores dessert at Tillman's is a great choice for a kid (and for me).
One night in Dallas - Where should we eat?
I'd agree with Stephen Pyles, but also consider Dean Fearings at the Ritz. These two chefs defined Dallas dining a generation ago and are still at the top of their game. The restaurants represent the "big" Texas that people like to see. There are smaller, more intimate places that represent the new Dallas, for one night only, go big. You have a Craft in NYC, so I'd skip that.
Chowhound from Philly needs recommendations very near the Hilton in Market Center
Hey Randi, looks like you have some decent recommendation all taking you North, but you should know the Anatole is also very close to the city's hippest dining area on Davis St. and in Bishop Arts. By taking Sylvan across the River, you can be in North Oak Cliff in ten minutes and have a choice of Bolsa, Hatties (Southern food), Tillman's (great "Texas food"), Nova ( bit of everything and a great neighborhood spot), Veracruz (authentic and very highly regarded Mexican) and an opportunity to walk around the District. There is a terrific ice cream shop and a unique shope that sells a crazy variety of soft drinks in bottle (kids love it).
On the way to Bishop Arts is the Belmont, which offers great views of the city from a Cliff and Smoke, an excellent restaurant the speaclizes in smoked meats, very Texas! It's upscale BBQ (not cheap, but interesting and worth it). You are less than five minutes from the Belmont.
Also, in your area (just about walkable) is the Meddlesome Moth, which is a gastropub with unique food and a great beer selection for you.
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Bolsa
614 W Davis St, Dallas, TX
21st birthday - Vegan/Vegetarian Dining Options?
Easy, what part of DFW are you in or where do you want to go for dinner? That would help narrow down the search. As far as veggie with non veggie options, ethnic restaurants generally offer the best options. Italian would be easy because you get a variety of pastas without meat or even some creative pizzas, but still have meat options for everyone. Mexican can work too as a great plate of cheese enchiladas, with guacamole and chips is a great vegetaran (though not low cal!) meal. Indian, Thai and Chinese restaurants also would have good options.
Trip help - casual lunch in, or close to, Aria
I agree P.U.B. does bar food very well. We had the carver platters, which are essentially make your sandwich plates of your choice meat, bread and sauces, served with pickled vegetables. The brisket and the crispy duck legs are what we had and they were both great.
é...it really is THE best!!!
I got into é last Thursday night. It was spectacular. After reading so much about it, I was worried about a let down. Far from it. It was spectacular. The "experience" was really special, from the greeting and the glass of cava to signing the book at the end. Although I agree that the sherry's weren't my usual thing, they were very good and went well with the meal. They poured all the wines and the beer generously and opened more to accomodate us.
BEE - Best Enchiladas Ever
Just wondering what the throughts are on Monica Greene's new spot in Oak Cliff - BEE (Best Enchiladas Ever).
The concept: it's an "enchiladeria". think Chipotle, but enchiladas instead. You fill out an order card choosing your tortilla (corn, blue corn, flour, or wheat), the filling (various cheeses and meats), and the sauce. You walk in line and as they finish your order, you can top it with more crumbled cheese, onions, cilantra, peppers, lettuce, tomato, etc. The space is bright and modern. They serve beer and margaritas (frozen only).
Here's what I think.
1. It's too expensive. The enchiladas are bigger than average, but not huge. On my last visit, I had one enchilada, a small (tiny) portion of guacamole with chips, a bottled water, and a sugar cookie. $15. Dinner for 2, with two enchiladas each, a couple of sides, a couple of beers, is easily $30+. For a walk up, counter service place. If you order a cheese filling for your enchilada, they microwave it in front of you to warm it up.
2. The environmental waste is silly. Even if you eat in, you end up with a tray full of styrofoam. You can't even get a cup of tap or filtered water. They force you to BUY a bottled water if you don't want a soft drink or beer.
3. The food tastes good. The process can be a little frustrating if there is a crowd. It takes longer to hand make a custom enchilada than a taco. But, at the end, it does taste good. Monica knows what she is doing on that front. The avocado crema is especially tasty. My vegetarian friends have really enjoyed the veggie options, including a burrito with quinoa.
4. The staff is friendly and helpful. Monica has been on sight every time, walking around, working the line, getting things done. She is great.
All in all, we are happy to have BEE in the neighborhood. I just hope they work out some of the kinks.
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Chipotle
2605 S I Hwy 35 E, Lewisville, TX 75067
Are there any *real* Cajun/Creole restaurants in Dallas?
My friends from Baton Rouge and their LSU buddies all swear by Dodies (the one on Greenville). I like it too. Nate's always underwhelms me. The crawfish at Dodie's is excellent. Pretty sure they boil it with seasoning in the water as opposed to just dumping the seasoning over the cooked crawfish at the end.
Best BBQ in DFW?
If Lockhart gets its consistency worked out, it will be among the best if not the best in the area. The brisket is really special. They do not serve or offer barbecue sauce, so the meats have to stand on their own and they generally do.
Luckie's Smokehouse, down the street on Davis, on the other hand, is terrible. The brisket is the worst I have ever had. Unbelievable that they would actually serve it and charge folks for it. Cool place and I have heard that other menu items are ok, but if the brisket is bad, it ruins the place for me.
Dallas best brunch
Smoke is a great recommendation. Oddfellows has good food, but is inconsistent and still working out service. If they figure things out, it'll be on the list for sure.
I would add Parigi. It's where we go when we want a bit of dignified brunch. Everything is excellent and the service is perfect.
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Parigi Restaurant
3311 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Where can I find good pizza in Dallas?
For traditional NY style pizza, I go with Neo in Victory Park. It's the best I've had in Dallas. For individual, more gourmet style pizzas, it's Nova down on Davis St. Perfect crust. For eating a lot of pizza and drinking beer, it's Eno's. Their crust is cracker thin and you can just keeping eating away without getting pizza full. Plus the toppings are fresh and interesting.
Dallas - best flour tortillas?
To each his own, but we live walking distance from Gonzalez on Jefferson and refer to the flour tortillas there as the "pancakes". They are so thick and foul tasting that they are not edible. Even mediocre store bought tortillas are better.
I do like the Central Market ones, but several of the mercados in Oak Cliff make fresh tortillas that are terrific. They are not that great the next day, but when you get them fresh and warm, they can't be beat.
Dallas: looking for a restaurant for party of 10-15
Cube Libre is closed. Izmir is a great recommendation because you can avoid menus and decisions. just have them bring out the meal with a mix of veggies and meats. You avoid the drag on the party as people read menus and make decisions and makes the cost predicable and even. It works great for groups and food is terrific.
