Any restaurant in Dallas... which one? Why?
 

I am having a special dinner next week and have the coice of any Dallas restaurant (Downtown to Frisco).
I have been to excellent expensive places and excellent cheap places.
I am not really concerned about the price. I do not want to be disappointed and sometime cheaper places are better than expensive places!
My question is this...
Has anyone been to a restaurant in Dallas during the past 6 months that was just awesome?
I like just about everything except hardcore steak houses (say 75% or more steak menu) and Italian.
Any recent experiences you care to share?
Thanks!!!!

If you have not been to Abacus, I think it fits your requirements. Creative menu with consistent superb quality with a very fine atmosphere.

ttt

Mansion on Turtle Creek or French Room if you are looking for upscale and superior service, plus great food.

Pappadeaux's is consistently good to us. Trulucks is nice.

I know you said no steak place, but we always like Texas De Brazil, and Fogo De Chao. The bar area's in these places are just incredible, not to mention all the meat. They are mainly beef, but have other things as well.

Melting Pot and Kobe Steaks are always good.

I haven't been to all of these places in the past 6 months, but have in the past couple of years.

Tripadvisor has a ton of latest reviews, I would imagine.

Wow, I have never looked at TA for restaurant reviews.
I had a look at Al Beirnat's and 11 of the 13 reviews were from the same person... and all anonymous.

I don't know what sounds good. Everything is so overdone, overhyped and so not worth the $$$.
Maybe I have just been to too many 'fine' restaurants lately.

I think I may narrow it down to Sushi or Asian Fusion. I wish the new Puck restaurant would be open by next week.
Nobu? Shinsei?
My companions do not like Sushi Sake, so thats out.

I second the <b>Abacus</b> suggestion. Always excellent.

Also, <b>Stephan Pyles</b> on Ross and St. Paul. Very nice gourmet Southwestern foods. Nothing over the top but a nice flair to it.

<b>Parigi</b> at Oak Lawn and Hall is excellent bistro with great fish dishes and daily specials,

<b>2900</b> on Thomas at Allen. Haven't been yet but hear it is fabulous.

<b>Local</b>. Another on the list that my sister raves about when she goes.

<b>Lola</b> for a cozy French dinner. Good wine list, too.

I avoid chain restaurants so I can't help you there.

I look to Zagat's for restaurant reviews from around the world and has not misguided me yet.

Abacus is asian fusion.

Sushi Zushi on Oaklawn is a fun and creative sushi destination with a very pleasant setting that is modestly priced.

If you haven't been to La Duni on Oaklawn, it's an Argentine restaurant with a wide variety of dishes. Not the pounds of meat on a spear kind of place. Good quality and a cozy setting.

For great sushi in cozy atmosphere I recommend Yutaka

I love Jaspers (get the bourbon creamed corn) and Screen Door for upscale southern

N9NE steakhouse is fantastic and I don't even eat steak. Order a side of Crispy White Truffle Gnocchi it is to die for!

I also recommend Craft.

for a less pricey option try Royal Thai on Greenville (the best Thai in Dallas IMO)

Abacus is great if someone is footing the bill.

Don't like Nobu, the seats aren't comfortable for a 3-hr omakase meal.

Yutaka is kind of small, and I don't think they take reservations?

One of my best meals in Dallas was at Hotel St Germain. Slightly stuffy with white glove service, but the food is spectacular with excellent service.

Second Royal Thai for a modestly priced very good Thai meal.

We enjoyed Mansion on Turtle Creek.

Anyone eaten at Fearing's lately at The Ritz??

Haven't talked to anyone that has dined there in the last few months. We've had drinks and appetizers in the bar but that doesn't count.

Check out York Street. It's off of Lower Greenville. Very intimate setting (maybe 10 tables); not much too look at on the outside.