2 Days in Dallas

[definiteopinions]

Meeting friends for a 2 day "reunion" in Dallas.

Know many of the usual suspects; we are foodies who also care about atmosphere/service. Will be staying at the Anatole. Interested in lunch and dinner ideas.

Any recs for new restaurants in Oak Cliff (lunch or dinner)? Or around Oaklawn or knox/henderson? Prefer no chains. Liked Hibiscus and Parigi on earlier visit, as well as Stephen Pyle's and Hattie's in Oak Cliff. The Melrose is good for Library and for b'fast. Know there are some new ones in Oak Cliff--also maybe Deep Ellum?.

Looking for creative/interesting but also an atmosphere where we can talk. Doesn't have to be "fancy", need OK /good wine list too.

Recommendations greatly appreciated!

[definiteopinions]

These are some GREAT options! Many thanks to all for replies--I'll check them out on line and start dialing for ressies! Thanks so much!

[LewisvilleHounder]

Oak Cliff Recs:

Lunch - Hatties,Bolsa, Smoke, El Ranchito, or Gonzalez (small local chain)

Dessert - Paletas Frutitas - Try one of the specialty ice creams (corn, egg nog (rompope), or avocado) or even a mangonada (a frozen granita of mango with a tamarind sauce at the bottom and topped with chile powder, you can add extra Valentina to the top).

Dinner - Lucia, Nova, Mesa or any of the above

[twinwillow]

I totally agree with all of LH's recs above!

[bhoward]

Agree with most of what LH says with one BIG exception--Bolsa is very uninteresting at lunch in my opinion. If you are doing Bolsa it has to be dinner.

[foiegras]

Brunch at Bolsa is excellent.

[twinwillow]

Brunch at Smoke or Hattie's is even better (IMHO).

[sass]

Brunch at Oddfellows and Smoke are tough to beat.

Brunch, lunch, dinner at Cane Rosso. Amazing pizza and shockingly awesome meatball sub.

[twinwillow]

A huge second for Cane Rosso!

[bhoward]

Gotta be Bolsa in Oak Cliff.

[demigodh]

Some newer options include Oak in the Design District or the very recently opened Boulevardier in Bishop Arts district. I would highly recommend looking into those.

[twinwillow]

In Oak Cliff: Arguably, the best restaurant in Dallas is, Lucia.
Make reservations now! Very difficult to get in.
Also, Bolsa and, Smoke. All above a must!

New on Henderson: Sissy's and, Velvet Taco.

In Deep Ellum On Commerce Street: IL Cane Rosso for the best pizza this side of Naples. Great place, too!

We also like Malai Kitchen and Baboush in the West Village.

I'll let you Google them.

Also log on to the Dallas Observer's "City of Ate" food blog to see other new places.

[tiffeecanoe]

Agree greatly with Smoke and Cane Rosso.