Must Eat Restaurants-Downtown Dallas or Arlington

[chabrab]

I and three buddies are making a trip in April for a Texas Rangers game. We are in our early 30’s and are all foodies. We are looking for restaurants in Dallas, but if you have any for Arlington that is also helpful. We’re looking for 1 to 2 must eat places. We will be there Saturday and Sunday. In regards to price it can be expensive, but preferably not more than $75/person with a drink. If you have any ideas on things we should do/see that would also be thoughtful and appreciated.

[LewisvilleHounder]

Frist to give us all some information to go on, where are you coming from and will you have transportation?

When are you coming?

Some places have Ramadan menus and other special menus depending on the month.

[chabrab]

We are coming from Orange County, CA and yes we will have a rental car. We will be in Dallas the first weekend of April.

[KrumTx]

Orange County? The place that stole our Hamilton? In that case, we'd highly recommend Olive Garden for dinner, Denny's the next morning for breakfast, and a fabulous lunch place at Applebee's.

In all seriousness, though, there are some great recommendations here. Enjoy your trip and enjoy having the Hambone in SoCal.

[chabrab]

Hey now, i can't help that. I do appreciate it however. Glad to see you picked all of the WORST places possible for me to try haha. If you ever come to the OC i would be delighted to assist you even if you do beat the Angels :)

[KrumTx]

You're a kind soul:) I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get a Yu/CJ matchup while you're here, which will send the Ballpark into a whole 'nother level of bonkers.

[chabrab]

Oddly enough i went to high school with CJ Wilson and i don't even like him haha You can have him back.

[chabrab]

Would you happen to know of any bars/restaurants that have a free shuttle to/from the Rangers game? My buddies and I are on a baseball stadium tour (Usually see about 5 stadiums a year) and when we were in Milwaukee they had a bar that had a free shuttle to and from the game. We will be in Houston before we come to Dallas and oddly enough i found a restaurant there that offers it too.

[foiegras]

yes, sherlock's offers that, but i believe it's all of lincoln square, so other business choices as well.

http://www.lincolnsquarearlington.com...

[chabrab]

Thank you, i looked into it. Humperdinks also offers a shuttle too. Lincoln Square is $3.00/round-trip. Humperdinks is $10/round-trip. Humperdinks seems to get better reviews than: Boomer Jack's, Sherlock's and Lupe's.

[CocoaNut]

Just for info - Lupe's is definitely more (Mexican) restaurant than bar. The others mentioned are more sports bar with menus.

[foiegras]

oh, were you going to eat there too?? of these, i've only eaten at humperdink's, and unless it's drastically changed it's nothing special.

technically you should just have a receipt from any business there on your dashboard. i would go somewhere else for your actual dining & just park there, at most drink there.

[KrumTx]

Glad you found some options. I'm about 30 miles north of the ballpark, so obviously we drive in. As for the baseball stadium tour, I give you serious props. What a fantastic thing to do. I lived in Chicago during my 20s so I'll always be biased to Wrigley.

[KrumTx]

No matter how much beer you and your friends have at the game, stay far far away from the $26 hot dog at the Ballpark:) Ranger games are a ball. Have a great time here.

[chabrab]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I am now reminded that a few years back i visited the Palm and it was excellent. After reviewing the menus of your recommendations, you have served me well and i appreciate that.

In regards to things to see... Are there any places we should visit historical or just associated with Dallas/Texas we won't see anywhere else?

[CocoaNut]

A city's skyline is always a unique view not seen anywhere else. You could enjoy a cocktail and appetizer atop Reunion Tower (the ball) at Five Sixty (happy hour Mon-Thur). http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restauran...

[twinwillow]

Second that! Great idea, CocoaNut.

[twinwillow]

Dallas now has some wonderful new museums downtown. If, you have the time and inclination.

Again, your hotel's concierge will be very helpful in telling you more about them.

[chabrab]

Excellent ideas, thank you both and i will ensure to check in with the concierge!

[foiegras]

the kimbell's bernini terracotta model exhibit (the first ever mounted) will be open through april 14.

[twinwillow]

In downtown Dallas, I always like to recommend-
Samar
Stephan Pyles
The Palm
Cook Hall in the W Victory Hotel.
http://www.cookhalldallas.com/
http://www.samarrestaurant.com/
http://www.stephanpyles.com/menu/
http://www.thepalm.com/Dallas

I love Smoke. And, you will too! Especially their Sunday brunch. It's outstanding!

However, with all due respect to my fellow 'Hounder, foiegras. Smoke is not actually in downtown Dallas. But it's not that far away south of Dallas in Oak Cliff. Just cross the new Margaret Hunt Hill bridge and about one mile turn left on Sylvan to Ft. Worth Avenue and you're there.
http://smokerestaurant.com/

The concierge in your hotel will be helpful with directions and taxies.

Also very good downtown, Bob's Steak and Chop House in the Omni Hotel.
http://www.omnihotels.com/Home/FindAH...

[foiegras]

true--i think of that as extended downtown ;) my 'mental map' is highly proprietary ...

[foiegras]

in downtown, recommend Smoke; if you like ethnic, Thanh Thanh in Arlington is good.