Dining recommendation for a girl's wkend

[cchavez]

I have several girl friends coming up to visit me in September for a girls's weekend. I am planning on taking them to Green Papaya on Friday night and we will have Sunday Brunch at La Duni. We will be staying in the Park Cities area. I have only eaten at the La Duni in Uptown so is the atmosphere and food as nice at the Oak Lawn location? We also need recommendations for lunch and dinner on Saturday. I was thinking of eating at The Mermaid Bar since we will be shopping at NorthPark.......or we may hit In N Out Burger. Finally, for Saturday night dinner, I was would love to do Hibiscus but I think it is more than my friends want want to spend. So right now my number one choice is Dish since the price point and food are great. Do you recommend eating on the patio? I have only eaten inside. Or I am also considering Victor Tango's or Neighborhood Services. I have never been to either one of those restaurants though and I do know that they are "hot spots." Since my friends are from out of town, I kind of wanted one restaurant where we can "people watch" since it is so fun to do that here in Dallas. We are all in our late 30's so trendy is good but nothing too crazy. Any ideas for lunch or dinner? Thanks!

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Neighborhood Services
5027 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX

Green Papaya Cafe
3211 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

La Duni Cafe
4620 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

[LewisvilleHounder]

Where are your friends coming from? How far are you willing to stray outside of the Park Cities area? What are your price points for lunch and dinner? You have some reasonably good choices but once you answer my previous questions it could help us recommend some better spots.

[cchavez]

We would prefer to stay in the Uptown, Oak Lawn, Park Cities area.....Prices points for lunch aroudn 20.00 and dinner around 50.00ish...not including drinks. Thanks!!!

[HalfBaked]

If you are going to hit Northpark, I would do Duni there.
The owners are focusing more on that spot lately, it seems, imho.

[cchavez]

hmm....hadn't thought about doing la duni at northpark....that's a good idea! I do love their brunch though....so we may have to eat their twice....:) although I should just pick another brunch place. Finally, I would love to hit neighborhood services but I doubt we will get there before 7:30....so how long would a party of 5 have to wait on a sat. nite???

[foiegras]

Not a hotspot, but one of my favorite places to eat lunch, and right near Northpark ... Highland Park Pharmacy. It was recently acquired by the Minyards, used to be a bit more authentic before that, but it's a pharmacy with a soda fountain that goes all the way back--still has its original Deco light fixtures. My regular order is a ham salad sandwich and chocolate malt. If you go, be sure and stop in at Froggie's a couple doors down. If there are children in your life, Tadpole's next door is also fabulous.

[cchavez]

Ha! Ha! We don't want to be seen but would get a kick out of people watching.....The Bubble Bar looks like fun! It is my friend's bday that weekend so this looks like a great place to take her and celebrate w/ a glass of bubbly!

[DallasDude]

Every place you mention sounds fun for your group.

Your Saturday night sounds great, I might recommend Victor tango if you are wanting good food, a fun atmosphere, and a place to be seen a bit.

Also RedFork just opened up on Fitzhugh and is starting to get some of the overflow crowd of Henderson. They have some nice dishes. The chef is from Craft and has a lot of good experience. The cocktail program is fast becoming one of my favorite programs in Dallas. Nothing is overly girly sweet and well balanced. Nice place for a late cocktail off the beaten path, but should have a nice crowd. Last time I was in Tom Colicchio was dining there (he's the Top Chef guy and owner of all the Craft's across the country).

Also on Henderson I like Veritas Wine Bar. You can get a late night cheese board and a great selection of good wines at value prices (plus the high dollar stuff). You may like Bubble Bar, it's new and trendy.

There are plenty of fun places around Park Cities in the Uptown area. I am sure you will have a great weekend.

[pgwiz1]

I would pick Neighborhood Services over Victor Tangos, for food (Victor Tangos does have great cocktails). VT's food is mostly fried and isn't very creative IMHO. Neighborhood services on the other hand something for everyone and is absolutely delicious (show up before 7:30 if you don't want to wait forever for a table tho). They also have very good drinks. Alma is another excellent choice.

Another good "girly" place if you're in the Park cities is Rise. It's by the inwood theather. Very "girly" for tasty souffles.

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Neighborhood Services
5027 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX

[foiegras]

Rise is a great idea ... the souffles are also big enough to share. I've split a dessert souffle with two other people before. Some are specifically made for two, like the lobster one, which is huge ... If you're all into your food, though, they're also light enough not to share.

There's also shopping and the Inwood right by Rise, of course ...

[DallasDude]

Disagree with fried remark about VT. I do not even recall a fried item on the menu, but its possible they have them. I like the burrata, lamb, hummus and much more. All made sharable.