My husband and I are spending a weekend at Hotel Zaza to celebrate his 50th birthday. I'm looking for recommendations on a nice restaurant. I considered Dragonfly (in the hotel) but read some not-so-good reviews. I also considered the Mansion on Turtle Creek but...not sure.

I want something in the vicinity, great food, romantic atmosphere, good service, not stuffy or pretentious. I'm open to suggestions as far as type of food, it could be steaks/seafood, 'new american' or italian, or asian. We like food that is delicious but very simple, not over the top gourmet where I don't even recognize the ingredients!

A few I've seen recommended- Al Biernat's, Pomodoro, Hibiscus, Abacus, Ferre, and Parigi.
Any suggestions on these or any other recommendations would be most appreciated!

ttt

www.lola4dinner.com
Check the wine list.
M

Or, www.guidelive.com is pretty reliable.
M

Even though a little stuffy, DH & I had our best meal (yet) in Dallas is at Hotel St Germain. Service is perfect and the food is from out of this world.

www.hotelstgermain.com

If you don't want stuffy or pretentious, avoid The Mansion.

The Old Warsaw is fairly close, and it consistently gets excellent reviews. You'll need reservations, and ne sure to tell them it's a special occasion.

I've heard many good things about Parigi. Not been there myself.

Is the Old Warsaw still around?

Absolutely! We treid to go there for our anniversary in December, but they were full with Christmas parties. Maybe next year...

My brother, who has lived in Dallas proper all of his life, says York Street restaurant in East Dallas near Lakewood. Very small place, about twelve tables, so you would need advance reservations. He said that the place was written up recently in the New York Times travel section very favorably...

I think Lola is right on the mark.

IIRC, York Street recently closed. You might check on www.guidelive.com to verify...

< Author: ChristieP
Date: 04/16/2007, 07:11 am
IIRC, York Street recently closed. You might check on www.guidelive.com to verify... >

I don't think so. Guidelive just published a new review of York Street on 3/2/07.
http://tinyurl.com/glmgo

OTOH, York Street isn't in Uptown area though.

Ditto on Lola!! And its not far from the hotel. The other restaurants you mentioned are worth a visit: Parigi's -- love it, fresh fish specials to gourmet bugers. Nice atmosphere, too. Maybe lunch? Same for Ferre in West Village. Nice area to go for wine at Cru and then next door to Ferre for dinner. Both have small patios.

Abacus is one of our favorites but wouldn't put it above Lola for a romantic dinner. Al Bernat's is nice but a traditional steak house for me. Hibiscus is ok not great. Service has been spotty and food just ok.

Be sure to ask for a room away from the pool area at Zaza or you will be over the late-night party area.

York St is alive and well. Their website just went live last week.

We were disappointed at York Street after rave reviews many years ago - lots of inexpensive ingredients for NYC prices.
Perhaps things have changed.
M

Wow...Mikemo. I'm surprised. I haven't been there in about a year or so - used to do the Thursday (only) lunches and get a tasting menu. I wonder what's going on? I know she uses mostly organic, sustainable ingredients - I wonder if supplies where low. I've been there and had something as simple as a celery root salad - probably inexpensive, but certainly well-executed.

Something like that could be said of Craft in the W hotel. I fell over backwards over the fresh hearts of palm salad while nobody else at my table cared.

Beachgirl, thanks for all the info? Would you recommend we try a different hotel? Maybe the Crescent?

ZaZa and the Crescent are very different from each other. Crescent is more refined while ZaZa is more of a party hotel.

You could walk to Lola from the Crescent.

Pepper is right. Also, if you stayed at the Crescent, you could have a night cap in the Capital Grill Bar which is in the same building. They have a piano player that's pretty nice to listen to and its a little schmoozy in there as well.

You could also walk to Lola from ZaZa as its right across McKinney from the Crescent. Watel's Allen Street Cottage is another good choice in walking distance. I loved Lola (did 10 course tasting with wine pairings), but I noticed your comment regarding more simple ingredients and I believe Lola is quite gourmet. Also, I had a delicious lunch at Bice (in Crescent) recently and am dying to go back for dinner.