The Best Upscale Dallas Restaurants
In the midst of the Great Recession, most people have had to scrimp and save, and dining out in one of many upscale Dallas restaurants is a definite budget area. So the idea of indulging in a night out at a fancy restaurant, without thought to the final bill, is tantalizing. If you’re looking to scratch your culinary itch, here are some of the best upscale Dallas restaurants to choose from:
The French Room
You might not think of the heart of Texas as a prime location for French cuisine, but The French Room at the posh Adolphus Hotel of Dallas has won just about every restaurant award there is, including top marks from the Zagat Survey. With a royally-decorated dining room that will make you feel like Louis XVI and traditional French preparations of seasonal local ingredients, The French Room has held AAA’s prestigious Five Diamond Award for 22 years straight.
The Dallas Fish Market
A steak-and-seafood place that puts the emphasis on the briny side, The Dallas Fish Market flies in seafood from all over the world on a daily basis. The menu changes according to what’s fresh on the market. Steaks are not ignored, using only the finest Texas grass-fed beef, and there’s even a respectable sushi bar. A clean, contemporary-looking dining area and expansive wine selection make for a true Dallas dining destination.
Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck
Part of the growing chain of restaurants owned by the ubiquitous celebrity chef, Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck is located atop the 50-story Reunion Tower. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer an amazing view of downtown Dallas, and the menu is a creative mix of Asian fusion and sushi concoctions. A rotating bar allows guests to look out on the dining room and city skyline. The interior is a Zen-like balance of hard architecture and sensuous modern décor.
Charlie Palmer at the Joule
One of a small chain of high-end eateries, Charlie Palmer at the Joule emphasizes its breezy theme with lazily-spinning turbines in the ceiling, setting off a dining area of earthy colors and textured materials. Classic steakhouse dishes are given a personal twist, like Dry-Aged NY Strip Steak with bone marrow flan or Poached Black Tiger Shrimp in Bloody Mary vinaigrette. Topped off with a top-notch wine selection, this hotel restaurant puts the luxury back into dining.
Nana
Contemporary American tastes combine with a fantastic view from the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole Hotel. (Upscale restaurants sure seem to go with fancy hotels in Dallas!) Recently named one of “America’s Top 50 Restaurants” by Gourmet Magazine, Nana is all about casual sophistication and laid-back glamour. Not to mention eclectic dishes with influences ranging to the Far East.
::Is your favorite local upscale restaurant missing from this list? Leave a comment below and tell us about it.::
Posted on Jun 2, 2011 by Christopher Lloyd
