Shandy1977

Next month, I will be traveling to Dallas with my wife when she takes her medical boards exams. This is a rather stressful test for her and she has been working towards it for over a year now, so I would like to take her out to a nice dinner after she is done with it.

It does not need to be super-luxury but I would obviously want it to be nice. We do not like Italian, but enjoy seafood, Mexican, Oriental, or trying local cuisine. We also like places like The Melting Pot, but would prefer not to go to a chain while traveling. Something fun or out of the ordinary could be a good treat, too.

If it helps, I saw Reata in Fort Worth mentioned in another thread and it looked like the exact type of place I was looking for. Seemed pretty nice with some cool decor and a nice menu with seafood and local dishes. Since we are staying at the Warwick Melrose in Dallas, however, it seemed like a 45 minute drive to Reata in Fort Worth and I assume I can find a place just as appealing in Dallas.

I welcome any and all suggestions... and I thank you in advance for all of them!

spirobulldog

Patrizio's for Italian-some of the best & reasonably priced

Eatzi's- an awesome deli(kicked up vers of Whole Foods Deli)
It's good for breakfast and lunch too.

Kenny's Wood Fired Grill

Rex's Seafood

Pappadeaux or Pappa Bros, or Pappasitos

La Duni

moldyhotelsaregross

Check out Rise #1. The menu is unlike any other - all souffle.

It is a wonderful relaxing restaurant.

moldyhotelsaregross

Correction - mostly souffle. I just checked their menu.


If they have the blue crab souffle when you are there, I wouldn't hesitate to order it. It was divine!

Shandy1977

Thanks for that suggestion. You know I have never had a soffle before? Might be fun to try. It looks like it can be a dinner stop or a nice dessert/wine stop, so I like that flexibility!

Thanks for these, and for others that may roll in... off to check these first suggestions out now!

annesherrod

I agree with all of Spirobulldogs suggestions.

If it is nice out the patio at Patrizio's is lovely and festive. The menu is very nice. The best best Tiramasu in the world!!

The have great cocktails too.

jill_h

Stephen Pyles in downtown Dallas: http://stephanpyles.com/
You will definitely need reservations.

Patrizio's would be OUT as the OP said they don't like Italian.

jcb

Javiers?

http://www.javiers.net/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...las_Texas.html

jill_h

Screen Door (Arts District) http://www.screendoordallas.com

/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g55711-d1175803-Reviews-Screen_Door-Dallas_Texas.html

Stephan Pyles (recommended earlier):

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...las_Texas.html

MomDDTravel

Since you are looking for a steak (as seen on another thread) and a celebration dinner - perhaps combine the two so you can spend a little more on the steak dinner?

We are going here for a company event - they always select very nice places to take their clients:

http://www.nick-sams.com/home.htm My husband has been there before and says it is excellent.

My husband also raves about 111 forks

http://www.3forks.com/location.php

My personal favorite so far in the Dallas area is Jaspers.

http://www.jaspers-restaurant.com/

But that is in north dallas area/plano.

Many congrats to you and your wife!

MissMandy

Hands down - The French Room would be my first choice. Other than that Abacus or Wolfgang Puck at the top of the Reunion Tower would both be amazing! Definitely need reservations for all restaurants. I think you posted on here before, no?

BigRuss

Patrizio's passes for good Italian in Texas, but the OP said he does not like Italian (which is some sort of genetic defect, the locus of which is still not identified by the genome project).

Eatzi's is TAKE OUT for chrissakes, not a nice sit down dinner, which is what he wants. I used to live near Eatzi's and never got sick of it, but it's not what you're driving at with this question.

Neither souffle nor Mexican is the type of semi-haute cuisine you're looking for. Nana Grill still works, I think. So would Screen Door, Stephan Pyles, the Mansion on Turtle Creek Restaurant and Fearing's (last is in the Four Seasons Hotel).

If "nice" can also mean you don't have to drop $200+ for the meal, you could go to Cafe Izmir on Greenville. Can't tell from their website, but just getting the standard "dinner" is very good and the atmosphere is very nice.

As for steak dinners (per your other thread) - there's a fish-in-a-barrel aspect to that here. Bob's Steak and Chop House, III Forks (not 111, it's the roman numeral for 3), Delfrisco, Al Biernat's, Perry's, and more are all in your wheelhouse. See this article: http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Maga...Dallas_01.aspx

MomDDTravel

I do not care for Bob's...but I am not a huge steak lover.

Sarastro

Reata is a long way to go for basically steaks.

I have been to all of the mentioned restaurants. There are some excellent suggestions. I like the idea of Javier´s as it offers what is not generally available elsewhere and its top notched service is a stand out but I shall make but one recommendation for your special event: Nick and Sams.

It´s close to where you are staying, the sommelier is very competent yet down to earth in his recommendations, and the food is perfectly prepared. But the difference here is the service. Al Biernat´s has a particularly noteworthy and competent staff but at Nick and Sam´s, it´s the attention to detail, the romantic setting, and the willingness to please that really sets it apart from other places.

This is an important event, your celebration dinner together will be just as important and probably more memorable if you enjoy it at Nick and Sams.

MomDDTravel

I am excited that you like Nick and Sams so much - we are going Sat. night and I am excited

MomDDTravel

Reporting back that I think you should go to Nick and Sam's for your celebration/steak dinner. They make things very special and it has a wonderful vibe/food/service - we had a wonderful dinner - they do a great job - let them know what you are celebrating and they go out of their way.