Dallas Ft Worth Dining Report

[bleen68]

We just got back from a weekend in Dallas. We were staying at the Westin downtown so concentrated in that area. We checked in just after noon on Friday and walked down to the Nieman Marcus to check out the Zodiac. But it wasn't what my wife was looking for (too fancy I think). So we ate outside at Sol Irlendes on a shaded walk way across just up the street from the store and the Magnolia. Service was odd and there was some sort of disagreement going on over how the tables were supposed to be set. We are from New Mexico so I found my enchilada a bit bland and my wife did not care for her wrap mainly because it was stuffed with rice.

For dinner that night we checked the internet for Stephan Pyles and it was full until nine and then called Lola which was full the entire evening. So we ended up back near the Magnolia at the Dallas Fish Market. It was good especially since we aren't blessed with many upscale fish restaurants but we thought it was a little overpriced. I had the special which was Naragi a type of Marlin and it came as a huge steak served medium rare. My wife had Black Truffle Sea Bass and she said it compared favorably with Merluza from her home land of Spain. We had a bottle of Aubuisieres Vouvray which was good but way over priced. I had a Market Salad and my wife had a Caesar and both were good. My wife raved about her Caeser. We had no room for dessert.

Lunch the next day was in the Galleria at La Madeline. It was pretty good for a fast food place. The seem to be locked into competition with The Corner Bakery as both appeared in the Galleria and we noticed both within a block of our hotel.

Saturday night we called Stephan Pyles and again their tables were booked until nine. But Stephanie said we could come on down and eat at the tapa bar or common table without reservations. The tapa bar overlooking the kitchen was far more fun than a table anyway. The dinner was superb. One of the best we have EVER had. I don't know whether standing next to you makes the service more personal or wehter it was just he waiter (Al I) but it was excellent and personal without being pushy. My wife had a farmstead salad and I had the absolutely unique collection of four gazpachos which are served in little glasses buried in ice. See photos. For the main course my wife had Red Snapper and she said it was the best she has ever had, crispy on the top and bottom but moist in the middle. I had Osso Bucco, a pork shank topped with spinich and cheese. Wonderful. I had a Spanish Temprenillo while my wife started with a Wegeler Riesling. When asked if she'd like a second one and she said he didn't like it, Al asked if she had ever had an Austrian Laurenz Grune and brought her a taste. She liked it and had a full glass. Again we had no room for dessert. Stephan even came out to chat with the folks at the tapa bar. Food exquisite

Sunday we drove to Ft Worth. Lunch found us at the Stockyards and a local shop clerk recommended H3 or for the best burgers around the Star Cafe. The Star Cafe is a prototypical Texas dive but, indeed it was the best burger, cooked to order, that either of us has had in some time. I washed mine down with a Shiner Bock.

[twinwillow]

When you visit a city you're not familiar with, god food can be somewhat of a challenge unless you do some prepping before you arrive. That's what we're here for.
But, whatever you found that didn't work for you seems to have been made up for by your dinner at Stephen Pyles.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Most of us living Dallas do as well. Next time you visit Dallas, ask here for suggestions. You'll get a million of them.