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DALLAS
Restaurants:
  • Favorite restaurants
  • American
  • Asian
  • Breakfast and brunch
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  • The dining opportunities include everything from AAA Five Diamond restaurants and ethnic eateries to hole-in-the-wall cafes and taquerias. Dallas is home to some of the most highly acclaimed chefs in North America—and a fair amount of downhome cooking as well. At the top of our list would be the Mansion on Turtle Creek (elegant dining at the inn), the Fishbowl (pan-Asian specialties) and Star Canyon (Stephan Pyles' Southwestern cuisine). Keep in mind that you're in cattle country, so if you go out for barbecue, it'll be beef, not pork.

    Below is a sampling of restaurants in town. Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one, not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$10; $$ = US$10-$20; $$$ = US$21-$50; and $$$$ = more than US$50.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

    Aquaknox—The "global water cuisine" of chef Stephan Pyles is 90% seafood, served up within a watery decor. The menu changes seasonally, but features prawns, blue marlin, tuna, lobster, snapper and more—lots of flavor and style. Try the cheesecake spring rolls with brandied cherry dipping sauce for dessert. Sunday-Thursday 6-10:30 pm (bar until midnight), Friday and Saturday 6-11 pm (bar until 12:45 pm). Reservations required. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 3214 Knox, Dallas. Phone 214-219-2782.

    Champagne and Gold Bar—This noveau-French, palazzo-style restaurant and champagne/caviar bar is in the renovated Titche-Goettinger building. With a new chef and new menu, this posh eatery offers an expanded choice of entrees. Tops are the seared rack of lamb with saffron risotto, sauteed duck breast in a port cranberry sauce and scallops with wakeme salad. Live jazz Friday and Saturday nights. Lunch Monday-Friday 11 am-3 pm, dinner Thursday-Saturday 6 pm-midnight. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1900 Elm St., Dallas. Phone 214-747-4653.

    Fishbowl—This new pan-Asian restaurant has been carved out of the dining room at Aquaknox. It features satays, noodle bowls and a variety of wok stir-fries (or "wok chow"). A sushi bar is open past midnight. They also serve infused imported sakes, Asian beer and an extensive selection of wines by the glass. Monday-Friday 5-11 pm, Saturday 3-11 pm. Bar is open until 2 am. $$. Most major credit cards. 3214 Knox, Dallas. Phone 214-521-2695.

    French Room—The grand dining room of the Adolphus Hotel is worthy of royalty with its rococo-style, cherub-strewn ceiling and menu resplendent with brilliant French creations. Executive Chef William Koval adapts the rich cuisine to lighter American tastes. Check out, for instance, the lump crabmeat cakes and the famous hot chocolate cake. Service is suave but unobtrusive. Monday-Saturday 6-10 pm. Reservations required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 1321 Commerce, Dallas. Phone 214-742-8200.

    Mansion on Turtle Creek—Located in a wing of the top-rated hotel, in the Oak Lawn area just north of downtown, the Mansion features the creations of Chef Dean Fearing, one of America's top 10 chefs and a superstar of Southwestern cuisine. Specialties include a warm lobster taco with yellow-tomato salsa, pecan smoked salmon and tortilla soup. Lunch Monday-Saturday noon-2:30 pm, Sunday 11 am-2:30 pm. Dinner Sunday-Thursday 6-10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 6-11 pm. Reservations required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas. Phone 214-526-2121.

    Mi Piacci—Feast on classic Tuscan cuisine with homemade pasta, made-to-order risotto and superb breads. Wine Spectator rated the wine list as one of the top 10 all-Italian wine lists in the country, and the food has been cited as the most authenic Italian food in Dallas. Signature dishes are ravioli funghi and osso buco. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10:30 pm, Friday 11 am-11 pm, Saturday 5-11 pm, Sunday 5-10 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 14854 Montfort Dr., Dallas. Phone 972-934-8424.

    Pyramid Room—Extravagant and cosmopolitan—that describes the Fairmont Hotel's flagship restaurant, where sumptuous food is served with impeccable service. Braised sea bass in champagne sauce, sauteed Cornish hen and seared ostrich steak are among the featured menu items. Dessert headliner is nougat parfait with candied fruits and grilled nuts. Open 5:30-11:30 nightly. Reservations advised. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 1717 N. Akard St., Dallas. Phone 214-720-5249.

    Star Canyon—This award-winning restaurant is still packing them in five years after its splashy opening. Under the direction of famed Southwestern chef Stephan Pyles, the kitchen turns out such fare as seared salmon with coconut seranno broth and their signature bone-in cowboy rib-eye with pinto bean-wild mushroom ragout. A wine room and private dining room are available for parties. Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2 pm and 6-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 6-10:30 pm. Reservations suggested. $$$. Most major credit cards. 3102 Oak Lawn (in the Centrum), Dallas. Phone 214-520-7827.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    AMERICAN

    Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse—This is possibly the best classic pit barbecue in Texas. At the dingy old drive-in (original location) you sit in school desks or outside. The menu include ribs, barbecued beef, sausage and onion rings. Expect lines at noon. Monday-Friday 10 am-4 pm, Saturday 10 am-3 pm, Sunday 11 am-2 pm. $. Most major credit cards. 2202 Inwood. Phone 214-357-7120. Also in the West End at 302 N. Market, Dallas. Phone 214-744-1610.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    ASIAN

    Cafe Panda—This is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city. The moist Buddhist duck is a favorite. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10:30 pm, Friday 11 am-11:30 pm, Saturday noon-11:30 pm, Sunday noon-10:30 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 7979 Inwood (at Lovers Lane), Suite 121, Dallas. Phone 214-902-9500.

    Royal Thai—Wonderful Thai food is served in a beautiful setting. The curried chicken wrapped in banana leaves is exceptional. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2:30 pm; dinner Sunday-Thursday 5:30-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-11 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 5500 Greenville Ave., Suite 802, Old Town Village, Dallas. Phone 214-691-3555.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH

    Benedict's—Benedict's is a favorite in town for breakfast. Their famous Eggs Benedict come in four versions, all with their special hollandaise sauce. Monday-Friday 6 am-2 pm, Saturday and Sunday 6:30 am-3 pm. $. Most major credit cards. 4800 Belt Line at Inwood, Addison. Phone 972-490-0500.

    Kathleen's Art Cafe—Try this hot spot for breakfast, serving yogurt, home-baked breads, blue-corn pancakes and fried polenta with goat cheese. We like their breakfast pasta: scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato, basil and cheese with angel-hair pasta. They serve light, creative cuisine at lunch and dinner, and their dessert cart has a huge following. Monday-Friday 7 am-10:30 am for breakfast, 11 am-3 pm for lunch and 5:30-11 pm for dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 4424 Lovers Lane (University Park/Park Cities area), Dallas. Phone 214-691-2355.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    COFFEEHOUSES

    Cafe Brazil—This late-night Dallas institution is known for its great omelettes, veggie dishes and—especially—coffees (49 varieties, from which seven are chosen for the self-serve coffee bar daily). At their six locations, hours vary, but they're often open 24 hours on weekends, otherwise very late. $. Most major credit cards. Two to try: 2815 Elm St., phone 214-747-2730; and 6420 N. Central Expressway, phone 214-691-7791, Dallas.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    FRENCH

    Chez Gerard—This is Paris on McKinney, with a cozy setting, soft lights and impeccable service. We recommend the scallops and—for dessert—the cappuccino mousse. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2 pm, dinner Monday-Saturday 6-10:30 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 4444 McKinney, Dallas. Phone 214-522-6865.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    ITALIAN (INCLUDING PIZZERIAS)

    La Trattoria Lombardi—This venerable Italian restaurant has a handsome brick-walled dining room. Try mellow manicotti and sausage baked with a stew of mushrooms. Lunch Monday-Friday 11 am-2 pm; dinner Monday-Thursday 5:30-10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm, Sunday 5-10 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 2916 N. Hall, Dallas. Phone 214-954-0803.

    Pomodoro—This noisy, cosmopolitan spot is on the cutting edge of Italian food trends. The pasta is outstanding, the service smart and fast. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2 pm, dinner Monday-Thursday 6-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 6-11 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 2520 Cedar Springs, Dallas. Phone 214-871-1924.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    MEXICAN

    Javier's—Still a favorite after more than two decades, Javier's provides sophisticated Mexico City-style food. They're famous for their black bean soup and flavorful red snapper mojo veajo. It's dimly lit, with a colonial Mexico ambience and smooth, congenial service. A cigar lounge serves a variety of port wines, tequilas and cognacs. Monday-Thursday 5:30-10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-11 pm, Sunday 5:30-10 pm. $$$. Most major credit cards. 4912 Cole Ave. (Oak Lawn area), Dallas. Phone 214-521-4211.

    Primo's Bar & Grill—This favorite watering hole serves good, fresh Tex-Mex: superior quesadillas, tortilla soup and standout chiles rellenos. Breakfast menu is always available. Monday-Saturday 11 am-2 am, Sunday to midnight. $$. Most major credit cards. 3309 McKinney, Dallas. Phone 214-220-0510.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    SEAFOOD

    Cafe Pacific—All of the seafood served in this place is good, but be sure to begin with the clam chowder. The marinated short-smoked salmon with Pomeroy mustard sauce is a specialty, and a three-onion Chilean sea bass with sweet corn risotto and ancho cream sauce is becoming a star attraction. Desserts are lavish, and there's a great, reasonably priced selection of wines. Monday-Thursday 11:30 am-2 pm and 5:30-10 pm, Friday 11:30 am-2 pm and 5:30-11 pm, Saturday 11:30 am-2:30 pm and 5:30-11 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 24 Highland Park Village, Dallas. Phone 214-526-1170.

    S&D Oyster Company—Reliable Gulf Coast oysters on the half shell, oyster loaf sandwiches and gumbo are served in a New Orleans atmosphere. It's often crowded, but the service remains excellent. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 2701 McKinney, Dallas. Phone 214-880-0111.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences

    ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

    Cafe Izmir—Middle Eastern fare and Mediterranean tapas: an intimate cafe with only 13 tables and no menu (you leave it up to Mama—Chef Nazy Nazary—but your server asks whether you choose vegetarian or meat). Sit back and enjoy what you're brought—it might be Cornish hens with hummus, tabbouleh and basmati rice, or perhaps Turkish cucumber salad or dolmas. Mostly Greek and Spanish wines. Monday-Thursday 5:30-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-midnight, Sunday 5:30-11 pm. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 3711 Greenville, Dallas. Phone 214-826-7788.

    Fogo de Chao—A heaven for carnivores, this churrascaria operates with the traditional, distinctive southern Brazil style. Guests first select from a huge, gourmet salad bar, then fried banana and yucca are brought to the table, and finally a series of roasted meats are presented directly from the open flame. You choose what you want, as much as you want. Papaya mousse is a good dessert choice. There's no menu. Lunch Monday-Friday 11 am-2 pm; dinner Monday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-10:30 pm, Sunday 5-10 pm. $$$. Most major credit cards. 4300 Beltline Rd., Dallas. Phone 972-503-7300.


    Favorite restaurants  | American  | Asian  | Breakfast and brunch  | Coffeehouses  | French  | Italian (including pizzerias)  | Mexican  | Seafood  | Additional experiences



    Information prepared by Weissmann Travel Reports
    Copyright © 2000 by Reed Travel Group. All rights reserved.




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