Food for thought A menu of eateries to suit the situation By KIM HARWELL Staff Writer / The
Dallas Morning News
From meat 'n' potatoes
to hip Asian fusion, the Dallas-Fort Worth area offers diners
a remarkable array of cuisines. The Texas Restaurant Association
puts the number of restaurants in Big D at greater than
7,000 – more than four times the per capita count
of New York City – which might explain why dining
out is practically a sport in these parts. Whether you're
looking for a romantic dinner a deux or a fun spot to take
the kids, the Dallas dining scene has you covered. The only
hard part may be narrowing your options, so here are some
suggestions.
Hot
Breads in Irving offers a wide variety of French-style
bakery goods along with spicy Indian fillings.
Mei Chun Jau/DMN
Inexpensive ethnic fare
HOT BREADS:
This Irving fast-food spot pairs French-style bakery
goods with spicy Indian fillings. Geared toward takeout
fare, the eatery offers such exotic items as chicken
tikka croissants and rolls stuffed with goat or curried
chicken. Desserts range from familiar chocolate chip
cookies and fruit tarts to masala cookies and Hot Breads'
specialty eggless cakes. 5330 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving,
972-753-1000
SAN CHEON GARDEN:
Diners with an adventurous palate should be in for a treat
at this modest strip-mall eatery near Richland College.
Meals begin with the customary panchan, complimentary small
appetizers that usually include spicy kimchee, mung sprouts
and the like. From there, you can order a Korean standard
such as galbi (barbecued beef short ribs) or savor the exotic
flavors of spicy codfish casserole or a dish evocatively
named "steamed beef of knee." 9410 Walnut St.,
Dallas, 972-437-4388
SHEBA'S PALACE:
If you're not familiar with the cuisine or language of Ethiopia,
you may run into some difficulties. But the authentic fare
should prove worth the trouble. Standards such as kitfo
(steak tartare), fitfit (ground lamb in a red chile stew)
and doro watt (stewed chicken) are served with injera, a
spongy pancakelike bread used in lieu of cutlery to scoop
up your food. Call ahead if you're interested in experiencing
a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. 9220 Skillman St.,
Dallas, 214-349-4470
TAQUERIA PEDRITOS:
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is studded with authentic
Mexican taquerias, where soft corn tacos are served a la
carte for around a buck apiece. One that stands out is Taqueria
Pedritos, where taco fillings include such traditional variety
meats as tripe, brains and tongue, as well as chicken and
beef for the squeamish. The cafeteria-style setup is muy
low-key, though free ballet folklorico performances make
things a bit more festive on weekends. 4910 Capitol Ave.,
Dallas, 214-826-2940; 321 E. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, 214-941-1864
TODAI: The
panoply of Japanese cuisine can be overwhelming for the
uninitiated and the high price tag that often accompanies
the fare can make trying new dishes a daunting task. Not
so at Todai, an all-you-can-eat buffet that doles out an
astonishing array of sushi, cooked seafood, tempura dishes,
teriyaki beef and chicken, and noodle bowls. The fish is
fresh, the assortment enormous and the price from
$12.95 lunch to $22.95 dinner is most definitely right.
6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano, 972-202-8433
For a casual date
AVANTI RISTORANTE:
This McKinney Avenue stalwart has been around for more than
a decade, but its supper-clubby blend of Italian-Mediterranean
cuisine and live jazz lends a sophisticated touch that never
seems to go out of style. You can't go wrong with classic
dishes such as Caesar salad and veal Marsala, and late-night
dining Thursday through Saturday allows your evening to
last as long as you'd like. 2720 McKinney Ave., Dallas;
214-871-4955
MERCY: This
newcomer to the Dallas dining scene offers all the makings
for a great date. The setting is softly lighted, with cozy
tables and comfortable lounge areas. The menu offers small
plates of noshes sized for sampling and sharing. And the
extensive wine list features selections from around the
globe poured in individual 6-ounce carafes or in multiglass
flights. 5100 Belt Line Road, Addison; 972-702-9463
MONICA'S ACA Y ALLA:
You can't be all things to all people, but this
Deep Ellum destination comes close. The food – think
upscale Mexican with a twist: chile-pumpkin ravioli, Mexican
lasagna – is always dependable, and the daily specials
offer something for everyone. On a budget? Visit Tuesday
through Thursday, when bargains such as 50-cent margaritas
or half-price food are featured. Music buffs should visit
Friday and Saturday for live jazz, while Sunday brings the
truly adventurous out for dinner and dancing to a salsa,
mambo or cha-cha beat. 2914 Main St., Dallas; 214-748-7140
SIMPLY FONDUE:
Afraid of what happens when your date-night dinner discussion
lags? Give yourself a built-in conversation piece at a cozy
spot where do-it-yourself dining is de rigueur. From a gooey
cheese fondue appetizer to hot-pot entrees of beef, chicken,
seafood or veggies, you're assured of a memorable meal.
And a decadent chocolate dessert fondue makes for a guaranteed
sweet ending. 2108 Greenville Ave., Dallas; 214-827-8878;
770 Road to Six Flags, Arlington; 817-274-7909
TOM TOM NOODLE HOUSE:
The Asian noodle house is one of the hippest trends on the
dining scene, and no one does it better than Tom Tom. The
sleek décor and fashionable West Village setting
are part of the appeal, but the affordable Asian fare
focused on noodle bowls, rice dishes and soups is
what brings diners back. An added bonus: You're just steps
away from the Magnolia theater if you want to do the dinner-and-a-movie
thing. 3699 McKinney Ave., Dallas; 214-522-1694
Dining with the kids
CRYSTAL'S:
Sure, this glitzy pizza parlor looks like your standard
birthday-party palace and it is. But it's also much
more. Kids will love the games, the movie room and the build-your-own
sundae bar. Parents will love the relatively sedate library-themed
dining room and the better-than-average crisp-crust pizzas
and pasta dishes. 930 W. Airport Freeway, Irving; 972-579-0441
DREAM CAFE: Dining
out doesn't get more kid-friendly than this without
an animatronic rat and a handful of video-game tokens.
There's a patio playground and weekly "Lollipop
Palooza" kids' entertainment (call for details)
to keep the younger set amused pre- and post-meal. For
the grownups, the wide-ranging menu offers breakfast,
lunch and dinner fare, much of which housemade
granola, veggie burgers – boasts a healthful bent.
2800 Routh St., Dallas; 214-954-0486; 5100 Belt Line
Road, Addison; 972-503-7326
Michael Lainsworth/DMN
PURPLE COW:
Nothing unites parents and kids like a good old-fashioned
burger and fries. Unless it's a burger and fries served
with a creamy milkshake. This retro diner appeals to both
generations with its good, basic food and fun setting (there's
a miniature train circling on an overhead track). The kids
will like the signature purple cow shake because it tastes
like vanilla but has a weird purple hue. The adults will
like it because it's also available with a shot of amaretto,
peach schnapps, coffee liqueur or Irish creme. 110 Preston
Royal Shopping Center, Dallas; 214-373-0037; 5809 Preston
Road, Plano; 972-473-6100; 4601 West Freeway, Fort Worth;
817-737-7177
RAINFOREST CAFÉ:
OK, so there are animatronic animals throughout,
and we hesitate to recommend a restaurant with its own gift
shop. But it's impossible to deny the kid appeal of this
eco-safari-themed eatery. There are faux rainstorms, waterfalls
and a fiber-optic starscape overhead. Adults will appreciate
food that's probably better than it has to be and the Magic
Mushroom bar, where a cold beer or specialty drink just
might take the edge off. 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine;
972-539-5001
Juan
Garcia/DMN
WILD ABOUT HARRY'S:
There's nothing on Harry's menu that's not kid-friendly
– the '50s-styled eatery specializes in hot dogs
and frozen custard. But even adults will enjoy the quality
of the dogs and their poppy-seeded buns, as well as
the creamy custard, which comes in an array of flavors
from chocolate and vanilla to peppermint and Key lime
pie. It also has one-third the fat of Häagen-Dazs,
according to founder Harry Coley. 3113 Knox St., Dallas;
214-520-3113; 11661 Preston Road, Dallas; 214-378-5000
For Sunday brunch
BLUE MESA GRILL:
This Southwestern restaurant pulls out all the
stops for its weekly brunch buffet. Whether you're craving
breakfast cuisine (made-to-order omelets, Belgian waffles,
huevos rancheros) or hearty lunch fare (blue-corn enchiladas,
Adobe pie, roast turkey), you're certain to find something
to hit the spot. And the modest $13.95 price includes champagne,
mimosas, coffee, tea or soft drinks. 5100 Belt Line Road,
Addison; 972-934-0165; 1600 S. University Drive, Fort Worth;
817-332-6372; 7700 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas; 214-378-8686;
8200 Dallas Parkway, Plano; 214-387-4407
BREAD WINNERS:
This popular bakery and cafe dishes up brunch fare that
ranges from the simple (the "basic breakfast"
– two eggs with potatoes and toast) to the sophisticated
("Neptune's Favorite" – scrambled eggs with
shrimp, asparagus, tomato, Monterey Jack cheese and citrus
cream). It's one of the few spots serving brunch on Saturday
and Sunday, and the brick courtyard and atrium make it one
of Dallas' most beguiling outdoor-dining locales. 3301 McKinney
Ave., Dallas; 214-754-4940
CAFÉ MODERN:
The fare at the restaurant in the new Tadao Ando-designed
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is nearly as intriguing
as the setting. Sunday brunch offerings include a Japanese
breakfast sampler, as well as an all-American whole-grain
short stack. After eating, you're just steps away from a
grand collection of postwar artworks. 3200 Darnell St.,
Fort Worth; 817-840-2157
GUMBO'S LOUISIANA
STYLE CAFÉ: If you're looking for brunch
with a Cajun flair, Gumbo's is the place. Spice things up
with blackened shrimp and chicken crepes or some Cajun seafood
pasta or sample a decadent dish of eggs Hussarde,
a poached egg creation that includes bacon and fried oysters.
And although the menu says "down on the Bayou,"
the ritzy Crescent Court location is Big D all the way.
100 Crescent Court, Dallas; 214-720-6094
LA DUNI LATIN CAFE:
La Duni's Latin-inspired Saturday and Sunday brunch goes
a step beyond breakfast tacos and scrambled eggs. Hearty
eaters can fill up on torta sandwiches filled with slow-roasted
pork loin or grilled Argentine sausage. Those with a sweet
tooth can opt for orange brioche French toast or rum-banana
nut waffles. 4620 McKinney Ave., Dallas; 214-520-7300
