DFW Area-destination dining for an 80th B'day

[amykragan]

Anyone have a suggestion for a once in a lifetime type place for an 80th birthday in the DFW area?

We've done Mideval times.
Anything else that combines some entertainment with good food?

[pizzaQTpie]

Lone Star Park is so much fun! I would second that choice. Good idea!

[Jayzee]

There is a show on 4/1 - FYI

[Jayzee]

Check this out at the Addison Improv, can't vouch for the food, but looks entertaining.

http://www.symfonee.com/Improv/addiso...

[Webra1]

The food at the Addison Improv is horrid. I also can't imagine taking my 80+ grandpa there.

[amykragan]

Guess I'll take that one off the list.

[Analisas mom]

Also a fun dining experience if people have never been is fogo de chao, we always take out of towners there and they are very impressed.

[soulslinger]

Fogo de Chao is awesome....I would second this recommendation.

http://www.fogodechao.com/

[Thefoodczar]

Let's see....entertainment with dinner, great food, some wow factor, nice champagne, in April, he's from Canyon in horse country.......Horse Country!!! Tell me, Amy....what about horse racing??? Specifically, Silks at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie?? Chef Jake Duplantis trained under Paul Prudhomme and worked with Emeril Lagassi, so his chef credentials are impeccible. Fabulous buffet with carving stations and pasta and omelet bars, or a very nice set menu if you prefer. Full bar with champagne. All this and live horse racing too. Maybe it's not his cup of tea, but then maybe it is. Think about it. I've spent some truly wonderful times in Silks. Website is www.lonestarpark.com and I have a review on my blog at www.foodczar.blogspot.com. It's a November posting if you're interested. Thanks!!!

[amykragan]

Great idea! I'll check out the websites!

[Analisas mom]

There use to be a greek place over near northwest highway where they had belly dancers during dinner. I can't remember the name but maybe some of the other posters will.

[soulslinger]

Goldfinger was probably the old place but has been replaced by Stratos as the belly dancer place. I went for lunch to Stratos not to long ago and thought it to be pretty pricey and not quite as good as say Charlie's Opa Grill (Preston & LBJ), the other greek place at Preston & LBJ or Greek Isles In Plano. Goldfinger has been replaced by Extravaganza, which from what I gather is Hispanic themed dance hall/restaurant.

[amykragan]

Are there any places that have a dinner and a show thing going on?

[DeniseAV]

If you want to see a movie, go to Studio Movie Grill. They have 5 Star food from a great chef. (You mus get the spicy tabasco wings!) Medievel Times is good, but you've been there. Magic Time Machine has great food and super entertaining servers. El Ranchito has Mexican singers, but their food isn't even close to El Fenix. I wouldn't even call it Mexican.

[soulslinger]

I haven't found too many places in Dallas that have cabrito on the menu, which is what I had at El Ranchito. I am not sure about the other less adventurous side of the menu but I thought the food at El Ranchito to be quite good. Also which El Fenix did you go to?

[Epicurious Esquire]

Denise, El-Fenix is Tex-Mex, not Mexican. El Ranchito is fairly authentic "Northern Mexican". Because of regional differences it is very hard to define "Mexican" cuisine, but it ain't El-Fenix.

[dalaimama]

Sorry, but I have to disagree about Magic Time Machine. It's is pretty much Friday's with costumes.

[pizzaQTpie]

My folks love Trader Vics. They are not in their 80's but they have very fond memories of the place from 'back in the day'. http://tradervicsdallas.com/
I must admit it is fun. However a bit dark inside but very kitchy.

[soulslinger]

Perhaps Pappas Bros. Steakhouse on 35 @ Technology Blvd. They have recently been given the honor of the best steak in Texas. I am sure your grandparents might find the steak memorable and they perhaps are comfortable with steak coming from Canyon (Home of the Buffs).

http://www.pappasbros.com/

[Epicurious Esquire]

Price range? Style of food? Does the 80 year old celebree have any special requirements (my grandparents both live in Dallas and they are both older than 80!)? Patio? Big windows and well-lit (my grandmother requires both)?

Etc.

[amykragan]

Any price range and any food type. There will be 6 of us.
Only special requirement is that we can order champagne or a nice bottle of wine (or BYOB with a reasonable corkage fee).
The main point is to make it a dinner to remember so something unique would be great. He's from Canyon which is a tiny town near Amarillo, so we want to wow him!

[Webra1]

OK, there's no entertainment, but I'd recommend the French Room. It's hard not to be wowed by the atmosphere, service, and food.

It's quiet, there's enough light to see your food, and the food is very classic. I know personally, my grandparents don't understand or like "fusion" anything.

If you're still wanting more of a "fun" atmosphere, maybe Trader Vic's?

[amykragan]

Thanks Webra, I'll check out their websites. The birthday isn't until April, so I have some time to plan.