Dallas, TX

[JaneDoe]

Dh and I are going to Dallas in two weeks sans kids. Wahoo!!!!! We will be staying at the W, which I don't even know in what part of Dallas it's located. Lol. Does anyone have any recommendations for dining? We will not have a car.

ETA: I did a search on Dallas and found some threads on the subject, but nothing about dining. So, I'm hoping some of you have some restaurant suggesions.

[v-girl]

I don't get to go to the hip Dallas restaurants anymore. But I can check with some trendy cool Dallas friends on fb to get recs for you.

[ladymoreta]

Ooh, this is my kind of thread! If you can possibly fit it in the budget, I would highly recommend a car. Dallas is not a friendly city for not having a car, especially in August/September (because even if something is within walking distance, it's usually too hot to walk). I believe there is a train that runs to the area - you'll be right next to the American Airlines center. If so, you can probably ride it to Mockingbird Station, where there is some shopping. If you go there, you *have* to eat at Trinity Hall. It's an amazing Irish pub. The queso (it IS Texas) is fantastic, and the pork loin was my favorite entree.

If you get a car or a taxi for a special night out, I can recommend some amazing places, depending on your budget. Our most expensive was the full chef's tasting menu with wine pairings at The French Room (at the Adolphus Hotel). It was around $400 for the two of us. If you're looking for a more eclectic tasting menu, Abacus was great. I think it was closer to $200 or $250, but I can't remember for sure. There was sushi (flown in same day, of course) on that one. You can go much cheaper at both of those without doing the tasting menu, but I would highly recommend them.

If you're looking at closer to $100 for the meal, Arthur's in Addison is always a wonderful experience. The duck there is my favorite anywhere. We always had great food at Texas de Brazil (Brazilian steakhouse), The Clay Pit (Indian food), and Kobe Steaks (hibachi) in Addison. Nick and Sam's is my favorite place for a steak in Dallas, and you'll probably run around $150 for your dinners there.

We had drinks at all of those, so it'll be cheaper if you don't. And we usually had appetizers and/or dessert.

Mmm, now I want a grown-up weekend in Dallas! Not that we could afford that at the moment... I haven't seen the inside if The W in Dallas, but we stayed at the one in NYC, and it was amazing! I hope you have a great trip!!!

[GrayMatterWife]

The W is completely awesome and you will LOVE it. It's in Victory Park, which is right near downtown and near Oak Lawn.

I always liked The Palm (totally trite, I know--but good food) and Palamino. I heard Zaza's bar was a cool place to be seen, but I am not cool, so I cannot confirm that.

For more casual fare, if you like Central American, I'd recommend Gloria's on Lemmon Ave. I'd go there right this very second, if I could. Ok, now I am really craving. Damn it. I could really go for a fried plantain.

[ladymoreta]

Ooh, how could I forget Gloria's?! Yum!!!

[JaneDoe]

Awesome recs!!!!! Thank you. I will be taking this thread with me. We will only be in Dallas for four days to watch the Oregon Ducks beat LSU We are traveling with the Alumni Assocation, which will be providing transportation to and from the hotel and game. That is why we will not have a car. We figure we will just get a taxi for go to meals, shopping, etc.

I'm looking for great food not so much a place to be seen. I'm not cool either. Lol. In fact, I've heard (tell me if this is bs or not) that women in Dallas dress really, really well. I'm an Oregonian and casual is my style. I'm actually worried that I do not have nice enough clothing for our trip.

[ladymoreta]

You'll be fine! Yes, there is the crowd that shops exclusively at high end shops, but DH and I weren't out of place at any of the really nice restaurants wearing a simple black dress (me) and a suit (DH). In fact, being TX, the men usually didn't wear suits, especially in the summer (and September pretty much is still summer there). If you're looking for a reason to buy something new, go for it, but you'll be fine in whatever you wear as long as it doesn't end up making you drenched in sweat.

[ladymoreta]

And, this is just me loving cheesy stuff, but you'll be pretty close to Medieval Times. I know it's silly, but I can't get enough of that place...

[SoonerTexan]

If you want to meet up...but I understand if it is a hubby-only thing. Wildfin, Vgirl, and I are ready and waiting, though!

If you go there, you *have* to eat at Trinity Hall. It's an amazing Irish pub.

A mile from my home. I just told a friend today he needs to eat there.

Also, the W is right on the DART, so you can easily get to Mockingbird Station and other areas without a car. Knox/Henderson has a bunch of really great restaurants, but it is hard to get to sans-car.

[SoonerTexan]

PS...I will say I'm not a fan of any of the restaurants directly next to the W in Victory Park. We've eaten at Naga (Thai) and Luna de Noche (Tex-Mex) and were very disappointed in both.

[v-girl]

Love Gloria's. Love love love.

[Thirteen]

*watches this thread intently*

[GrayMatterWife]

PS...I will say I'm not a fan of any of the restaurants directly next to the W in Victory Park.

Yes, stay away from the ones immediately close by, in general. They believe they have a captive audience and perform accordingly.

[JaneDoe]

PS...I will say I'm not a fan of any of the restaurants directly next to the W in Victory Park. We've eaten at Naga (Thai) and Luna de Noche (Tex-Mex) and were very disappointed in both.

This is good to know. This thread has been so helpful. So, I'm putting Trinity Hall and Gloria's a the top of my list. I will report back on where we ate and our thoughts. Our trip is packed solid: we arrive Thursday afternoon, we tour Cowboy stadium on Friday, the game is on Saturday and we leave early on Sunday. It will be a whirlwind trip. I would love to meet up, but I am so freakin' excited to go on a trip with just Dh and no kids that I think I'm going to pass on a hook-up. I know, I'm a really bad IMSNer. *Holds head in shame*.

[SoonerTexan]

We forgive you Though you are missing out on Wildfin's ridiculously cute baby!

Specifically, if you can get to Knox/Henderson I would try The Porch or Tei Tei Robata.