Dallas » Eat » Citybuzz Favs
Old Style cafe with a new twist on classic food. Grandmother-style cooking. This place will have you licking every drop of food of your plate AND place-mat!
The new Sfuzzi harkens back to the roots of an old New York City pizzeria, centered on our commitment to serving fresh pizzas and pasta, wonderful wine and beverages, and, oh yes, a dash of great music. Musically, you will hear everything from 80s dance songs, sing-a-longs of the 70′s, jazz and blues, current top 40 hits and classic rock of artists such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.
Ocean Prime was not developed overnight. Their executive chef teams traveled, tasted and compared notes to refine a menu that would ignite curiosity and surpass expectations. Their operations teams sourced the finest and the freshest ingredients to elevate every plate that leaves our kitchen. They curated a Wine Spectator-honored wine list for perfect pairings. And they poured energy with a fresh twist into the creation of our signature cocktails, expertly prepared by our well-trained bar chefs.
Ed and Dan Dunn refused to open just another coffee shop.
They wanted to set an entirely new standard for coffee: fanatic about freshness, unyielding on quality and rooted in community.
Inspired by Eugene, Oregon’s legendary coffee houses, they would offer only the finest quality beans and craft-roast them on site. Ed and Dan also understood coffee’s power to foster connection among their customers. When people entered their shop, they would be greeted by its aroma and enveloped by a spirit of community.
Three chefs, sick of eating frozen, tiny, and under-seasoned burgers, opened a real burger joint to make it the way they do at home. Fresh and seasoned meat, hand battered buttermilk fried stuff, fresh cut sweet potatoes, homemade pickles, Root Beer, ice cream and even condiments… It’s like eating at our kitchen table!
Inspired by 1920′s nouveau nostalgia & outfitted with the proper balance of comfort at your favorite greasy spoon & the timeless class of a silver one; The Cocktail Den & Cravings Kitchen combine to form an experience as refreshingly familiar as the concoctions it features.
Afghan cuisine consists of a rich mix of spices and tastes. Some of the ingredients you’ll find at Nora include yogurt, garlic, onions, spring onions, and tomatoes as well as mint, saffron, cilantro and cardamom. Looking to try something different? You can’t go wrong with satiating dishes like Mantoo, Sabzi or Qabili Palao. In addition to their kabobs which are great for meat lovers, many of our dishes can be prepared vegetarian or gluten free.
If you’re searching for THE best coal-fired brick oven, New York-style thin crust pizza in the world, look no further. Grimaldi’s offers over 100 years of pizza-making traditions and the tantalizing aroma of pizza and calzones baked to perfection in the signature coal burning oven. Why coal-fired ovens? It gives our pizza and calzones a unique flavor and a crisp crust that is just not possible from gas, convection or wood burning ovens.
At DEBC, they like hops, but they like American hops most of all. Here they use some of our absolute favorites. However, they might not be used like you may expect, by using varieties with high alpha acid contents (which means more potential for bitterness) and using them in ways that emphasize the flavor and aroma they can render a rather bitter ale with over the top tropical fruit, citrus, pine, floral and more hop derived aroma and flavor.
When Cameron Bonfield, came to Texas he did not anticipate starting and running a food truck concept in the emerging food truck scene of Dallas, but fate dealt him a hand he had to play. Joined by his brother Scott in in the fall of 2011, the two worked hard to bring flavorful tacos with a bit of South African spice to the DFW Metroplex. They were able to create a cult following, but something always bugged them. The food they were serving was great, but it didn’t say anything about who they were. Tacos? Englishmen? What is the connection? They began to serve some more traditional English fare along with the tacos and saw demand for the food quickly grow. So, early in 2012 they made the decision to start over and Three Lions food truck was born. A concept that was wholly about their heritage and a higher calling to represent English cuisine in a positive way to the DFW Metroplex. They now run and operate the Three Lions food truck bringing fast, delicious English fare to America.
When a fabulous restaurant serves afternoon tea, you have to try it. Make a reservation at City Café for a real treat. The homey vibe is to die for. The decor is neutral with lace-covered windows …
If you are longing for real Tex-Mex choose the place the locals choose. At Primo’s Bar & Grille you can choose from a wide variety of spicy Southern Tex-Mex food or enjoy cocktails in an relaxed …
Dallas » Eat » The Buzz List
Ever wanted a gourmet meal but didn’t want to drop a load of money? Check out the Chef’s Gallery at the Art Institute of Dallas. This restaurant is a working classroom for students in the Art Institute’s culinary program, so you get gourmet meals at half the price. The menu’s are seasonal and put together by the program’s instructors (in other words, no “gourmet” hot pockets) and the students spend time working each different part of a restaurant from the kitchen to the front end. They offer lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Friday and a limited menu in between lunch and dinner Wednesday through Friday. They don’t even burn the cous cous.
Taco Diner is pretty much the yuppie version of a traditional Mexican taqueria, brought to us by the folks over at Mi Cocina. While the majority of the menu dons tacos in various forms, they have …
Fred’s is one of those decades-old gems that has now found itself nestled amongst a gaggle of shiny new restaurants and apartments. Despite the West 7th neighborhood growing up (literally) around them in the last few years, they still offer the same old chill atmosphere, “cold ass beer always,” arguably the best burgers in town and a down-home good time. With a quaint but tiny interior, people usually come to Fred’s for the patio. Be warned: it fills up quickly on nice days. Luckily Fred’s is the kind of place where everybody seems like an old friend and nobody thinks twice about sharing tables or letting you squat while they settle the bill.
JD’s Chippery in University Park is a little bakery with a big following. Their following is so big they manage to stay in business despite only selling two things: cookies and muffins. Yes folks, they are …
Daniel Day Lewis may drink your milkshake, but Purple Cow Diner will spike it first. Purple Cow is kind of a new take on the old 50′s diner, offering sloppy good burgers and dogs, traditional sides and a few things that carry a little Texas twang like jalapeno poppers, chicken fried chicken, fish and shrimp tacos and guacamole with “cow chips.” While the food is good, the real draw is the milkshakes: their shakes and malts are 50′s style, thick and creamy and delicious on their own, but you can also make things interesting by adding a shot of liqueur.
This family owned now-national chain started right here at home after the Ginatta family missed the rich espresso and gelatos of Italy after a relocation to Dallas. They opened up Paciugo to share these flavors of Italy with Dallas and have now expanded to 15 states across the country. At Paciugo’s you’ll find a healthy variety of traditional Italian gelato flavors (like Italian wedding cake, Tiramisu and Limoncella) as well as some more modern and locally inspired flavors, like Tres Leches, green tea and turtle cheesecake. There’s nothing like a spoonful of Paciugo’s melting on your tongue to cool off on a hot day or even soak in holiday spirit with seasonal flavors like egg nog and pumpkin pie.
Calling Bob’s Steak & Chop House a traditional steak house is cheating just a little bit because they’ve been around so long they’ve practically created the traditions and set the standards. Between the dim, leathery ambiance that seems to have leaped from a different decade and a menu donning steaks no smaller 9 oz, this is definitely a manly, meat eaters paradise. The menu offers your regular steakhouse staples, including some nice “surf” selections, but where they really get props is offering roast duck instead of some boring rosemary chicken like all the rest of the steakhouses. For twenty years, Bob’s has proven that you don’t need posh interiors to sell steak, all you need is damn good steak.
Located off Royal and I-35 (aka “Koreatown”), Seoul Garden is one of the more popular Korean restaurants in the area. The outside looks a little, dare we say, “strip mall,” however the interior and ambiance is the exact opposite: clean, nice, and almost “fancy.” They offer all the Korean favorites, including Korean barbecue, bulgogi, dolsat bibimbap, Soon Doo Bu (soft tofu soup), Pajeon (Korean pancake), and the traditional Banchan (aka, those little dishes they set out before the meal, including Kimchi) making Seoul Garden is both a meat eaters panacea and a vegetarian’s panacea. They also have the regular gamut of Korean aperitifs, including Soju (a weak-ish vodka made from sweet potato), wine and makkolli (an unfiltered rice wine).
Plano’s Bavarian Grill Restaurant and Beir Garten is one of the few places in town to get tried and true traditional German food, from the Bavarian region to be specific. Get spatzel, schnitzel, wurst, authentic German beer and schnapps in this festive setting with equally festive staff. Reservations are recommended on Saturdays when the “oompah” band plays as patrons tap silverware on beer glasses and sing along to German songs. Be wary that the oompah band may make you get up and do the chicken dance. Every spring they have a special “Weisser Spargel” (white asparagus) menu featuring these sweet and delicate white spears.
Buttons Restaurant takes the upscale approach to soul food with gourmet ingredients and regularly scheduled live jazz, R&B, blues and motown that’s netted them awards in both the culinary and music categories. The menu offers a …
Looking for authentic Mexican taqueria cuisine without the bars on the windows? Then Urban Taco is calling your name. They’ve brought Mexico City style tacos and tortas to two locations in Dallas, but snazzed up their taqueria with contemporary interiors and flavored margaritas for one “modern Mexican dining experience.” The menu is chef-driven while keeping to tried and true Mexican favorites. Whether you’re there for the tacos, empanadas, or just to pick up some fresh poblano-pepita pesto, it’s all fresh food made daily. Some favorites to check out include their yucca fries, pozole tortilla soup, the mango-jicama slaw or anything in barbacoa.
With more young professionals moving away from the city, Downtown Plano is moving from the down-home country atmosphere and bringing in a younger, cooler crowd. The new-ish pizzeria, Urban Crust, brings in both the family-oriented diner as well as the young drinking crowd with a big family-style interior and a rooftop bar, complete with 32 degree beers and an ice bar to keep your cocktail chilled.
The Blue Goose Cantina offers up Tex-Mex favorites at five locations across the metroplex. The menu boasts all the favorites: enchiladas, fajitas, tamales, and of course a big ‘ol bowl of chile con queso. They also have rotating weekly specials, including specials during hatch chile season. The Blue Goose additionally offers a weekend brunch menu, complete with a Bloody Mary bar and is one of the few places in town that offers Machacado con heuvos, a shredded dry beef in a scramble.
Si Tapas in Downtown Dallas is one of those house-turned restaurant gems nestled in the State and Thomas neighborhood. In addition to cozy interiors, their patio seating is exactly that: tables on a quaint house patio. Enjoy Spanish favorites such at Tortilla Espanola (a spanish tortilla omelet), fried calamari, ham croquettes and a few exotics such as veal sweetbreads or baby eels in garlic sauce, all served up with a healthy helping of Spain’s most celebrated condiment: aioli.
Austin taco chain Torchy’s Tacos has branched out to Big D with a location in North Dallas, bringing its famous tacos with it. Torchy’s is a breath of fresh air, considering how few really good taco stands call DFW home. Torchy’s takes gourmet ingredients, mixes them up in clever combinations and wraps it all in a tortilla. The Mr. Pink (Ahi tuna and chipotle sauce), the fried avocado (self explanatory), and the brush fire (Jamaican jerk chicken, with mango and grilled jalapenos) are a few favorites on the menu.
The Smoke Pit, just outside of downtown Fort Worth, is kind of the local barbecue version of Hooters. Scantily clad waitresses take your order and try to talk to you as you dine on their fine barbecue menu and guzzle down a cold one. They actually have a bikini top day. At The Smoke Pit, however, people actually do go for the food. The menu is simple: sliced barbecued meat sandwiches and baskets with various side options. It’s barbecue at it’s best, simple and delicious. What really sets The Smoke Pit apart is the Friday special, a two inch thick pork chop served with fries and beans. People can’t get enough of pork chop day at The Smoke Pit.
DFW’s beloved Fuzzy’s Tacos serves the metroplex Baja-style Mexican food that’s always fresh, and with a slogan like “Eat me!” every order always comes with a small side of attitude. After gaining a following at their original location on Berry Street in Fort Worth, Fuzzy’s has since expanded with several locations across DFW, the state and even the nation. While everything on the menu is good, most patrons visit Fuzzy’s for their Baja tacos (especially of the shrimp tempura or crawfish variety). They also have ample TV’s set up for your sports viewing pleasure, keep the margaritas and beer flowing and make some of the best chile con queso in town.
Pirhana Killer Sushi is a clever little local sushi chain that started up in Arlington. Pirhana always has impeccable interiors; fashionable and sophisticated yet welcoming with a keen sense of detail. While the ambiance is a nice touch, people really go there for their killer sushi. While you’ll find a few old favorites on the menu (like all the classic rolls, ie: spicy tuna, California, etc), the main attraction is in their specialty roll selection jam-packed with creative rolls, cleverly named. A few favorites are the Bullet Roll (spicy salmon mix, cucumber, shiso leaf, avocado, escolar, cilantro puree) and the Marry Me Roll (shrimp tempura & ginger cream topped with avocado, tuna & strawberry), with the Vietnamese Summer Roll to give things a twist (salmon, tuna, crab, greens, mango & asparagus wrapped with rice paper). Wash it all down with some sake or one of their specialty cocktails and make a night of it at this sushi joint that over delivers.
Long hailed as one of the founding fathers of Southwestern cuisine, Stephen Pyles in his namesake restaurant combines culinary expertise with his down-home, west Texas roots. Stephen Pyles combines the flavors of Mexican, Tex-Mex and Creole cuisine into a category of its own with international influences and even a little molecular gastronomy thrown in for good measure. (Like with his Tamale Tart with Roast Garlic Custard, Peekytoe Crab
and Smoked Tomato Sauce or anything from the “ceviche bar.”) Located in the Dallas Arts District, Stephen Pyles offers a dining experience that is big on flavors from the world over while providing gentle reminders here and there that yes, we are still in Texas.
Sushi doesn’t always have to be swank. Tampopo at Lovers and Greenville is a great little no frills Japanese cafe that hits the spot when you’re craving sashimi but looking for a place that’s fast, casual and reasonably priced. The inside is clean and unpretentious but pleasant for an order-at-the-counter establishment. The menu is pretty simple but dons the basics: sushi, a small selection of rolls, sashimi, teriyaki and tempura. Their bento boxes make for a perfect little lunch and they always have some variety of Udon noodle soup written on their specials board. They also serve beer, wine and hot sake.
Oft-hailed as one of Dallas’ best Indian restaurants, Madras Pavillion offers a healthy variety of South Indian (also all vegetarian) delights. While the sag paneer and ghobi mancurian never disappoint, most people show up for the dosai, a giant crepe rolled with your choice of filling (the potato onion filling is the most popular, and they offer spicy or non spicy for those with a more sensitive palate). Afraid you’ll find yourself in an Indian restaurant with no idea what to order? No worries, either order one of their sampler platters or show up for the lunch buffet any day of the week to try a variety. The lunch buffet usually even includes an order of dosai.
R+D Kitchen has done the seemingly impossible by turning “diner” inspired cuisine into, well, fine cuisine. The restaurant offers a posh little atmosphere with quaint patio seating and a circular bar located in the center of the restaurant. The menu is short but sweet, offering home-style favorites that are taken up a notch with quality ingredients and gourmet touches. For starters, they have a handful of sushi rolls, a cold dip duo of guacamole and pimento queso, or a plate of deviled eggs to whet your palette. The mains include creative entree salads, a few fish options, a center-cut filet and a wild mushroom meatloaf that actually comes medium rare on purpose. All mains come with home-style sides such as warm potato salad or wilted spinach. They also don a special brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill is a Chicago-style chop house with a wood grill and impeccable service. They offer American steak house cuisine, all cooked with the rustic, smokey flavor of a wood fire. Notable starters include the wood grilled brie fondue and the Ahi tuna nachos (for something on the lighter side). In addition to the standard selection of steaks, their 16 oz pork chop is a specialty and a favorite. Kenny’s also has a great selection of surf to go with their turf, all wood grilled to perfection (try the red chili camarones or the trout). Their specials change daily and are usually creative and excellent.
Brought to you by Daniele Puleo of Daniele Osteria, Brix Pizza and Wine Bar in Fort Worth serves up gourmet Neapolitan pies and classic Italian entrees with an extensive wine list at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is open yet cozy, even if you’re not sitting on the quaint little patio. For starters, the bruschetta is especially special and the hell’s kitchen fries marry tabasco and gorgonzola in a mound of starchy deliciousness. The pizza menu changes a little here and there but the pies are always inventive and tasty. A few staples include the prosciutto and spinach and the classic margherita. With two Italian chefs working the kitchen, this is about as authentic as pizza gets in America.
The Dream Cafe is Dallas’ quirky little breakfast spot with an inventive menu, a dog-and-kid-friendly atmosphere and excellent food. Their two locations (Uptown and Addison) serve those who live in Uptown, and those who used to live in Uptown but have now moved further from the city due to job location/kids. The Dream Cafe is also one of the few places in town to get good breakfast and brunch fare before 10 am (their doors open at 7 am daily, brunch menu is available daily). The Uptown location stays open later with a pseudo-international inspired dinner menu. A few favorites include the Santa Fe omelet, cloud cakes, the global dinner and the Mystic Pasta (think pasta tossed with brie and smoked bacon).
Food trucks are starting to populate the streets of Dallas, and one of the first on the scene is Asian fusion truck Ssahm BBQ. Ssahm puts Korean favorites in Mexican clothing with Korean inspired tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Pick your Korean marinated meat (or tofu), pick your style (taco, burrito, or quesadilla), and they add caramelized Kimchee and fixin’s. Also available are the ever popular Kimchee fries topped with cheese. The Ssahm truck may seem elusive at first, moving locations every day for lunch and dinner, however, they have a schedule posted on their website or you can follow them on Facebook for more specifics. Come get SSahm!
Fort Worth’s beloved Tim Love recently opened his newest venture, The Woodshed: a smokehouse right on the Trinity River with an ample patio and laid back atmosphere. While the menu dons some of the regular smokehouse expectations, what takes The Woodshed to the next level is A) a few interesting proteins (to the tune of rabbit and rattlesnake sausage or “game bird”) and B) Tim Love will smoke anything. They will throw anything in that smoker at The Woodshed, like artichoke or a whole head of cauliflower in addition to all the meats, means fantastic sides or even a vegetarian’s delight. Wait, a smokehouse? With yummy things for vegetarians? But the meat stuff is also awesome? Really? No seriously, really? Yes, my good friends. Everybody leaves happy.
Dough, a Neapolitan-style pizzeria out of San Antonio has opened up shop in North Dallas with gourmet ingredients and an 800+ degree brick oven. Dough hand makes their own mozzarella fresh daily or give the option of buffalo mozzarella imported from Italy, all topped off with a topping list to make any foodie salivate. A few favorite pies include the Fontina (oak roasted mushrooms and caramelized onion topped with Fontina cheese), the Pork Love (red sauch, Fior di Latte, salami, sausage, pancetta & speck) or the Margherita “STG” (traditional margherita topped with Mozzarella di Bufala and Parmesan Reggiano). Ingredients aside, it’s the hand-tossed pizza dough that turns into a puffy, flat bread-like crust that brings Dough’s pizza to the next level.
The Mansion at Turtle Creek has been a staple in Dallas’ fine dining scene for over thirty years. An upscale atmosphere and excellent service only add to The Mansion’s French-inspired menu. Sip a little bubbly while enjoying seared foie gras with a pineapple-raisin chutney, roasted duck breast with carmelized turnips, quince and a black current reduction, or enjoy any number of Chef Chef Bruno Davaillon’s seasonal tastings. For a switch, enjoy your meal on their picturesque restaurant terrace or reserve an intimate private dining suite for a cozy dinner for two or for a crowd. Dining at The Mansion is the perfect start to enjoying a night on the town.
Afghan Grill, located at roughly Preston and Frankford in Far North Dallas, is kind of a drive from the city but worth the gas. The beautiful rugs displayed on the walls and dim lighting give off …
Twisted Root Burger Co serves up gourmet burgers and fried hot dogs with a healthy dose of sass at six locations across the metroplex. It’s not a gourmet burger without options, and Twisted Root does not …
The folks from the Flying Saucer bring Dallas its first official “gastro pub.” The Meddlesome Moth, located just west of downtown in the design district, provides a setting that brings foodies and beer snobs together. …
Exposition Park’s Pizza Lounge is the kind of place you’d expect to see in the Dallas section of Lonely Planet. The interior gives off an eclectic ambiance with purposely-mismatched couches and lounge chairs around every …
This strip mall gem offers mostly Southeast Asian fare with a few other Asian specialties (like Udon noodle soup and orange chicken) thrown in for good measure. Their noodle menu offers Thai favorites as well as …
To say that Dallas has enjoyed having Ocean Prime in its line-up of seafood offerings is an understatement. Since bursting on the scene, this sophisticated fine dining establishment has created impeccable service, gigantic and delicious shrimp …
A Dallas staple in upscale Highland Park Village, Patrizio is one of those tucked away bistros that you can always rely on. Whether it’s a quaint meal for two or entertaining friends from out of town, …
