ALÓ

ALÓ
4447 North Central Expressway, Suite 100

at Knox Promenade

Dallas, TX 75205

214.520.9711

Aló a new restaurant from the owners of La Duni. This restaurant is in a great location and has trendy atmosphere with causal a crowd consisting of families, dates and large groups. Now to the meal, everything came out and appeared very appetizing until it was time to actually eat the food, the ceviche was chewy, the volcano (like nachos) were just gross and by end of the meal when we ordeded dessert I was spitting the food out in my napkin.

Can't miss dishes: None.

Service: Could be better.

Negatives: Terrible food. VOLCANES, PERUVIAN CEBICHE, GRINGAS.

Cost: $

Recommendation: Eat somewhere else. GROSS.

Trader Vic's Dallas

Trader Vic's
Hotel Palomar
5330 E. Mockingbird
Dallas, TX 75206

If you're looking for fun drinks, fabulous food, and wonderful, hospitable service, then Trader Vic's is perfect for your night out on the town. I've been to Trader's twice now and each time I have left totally satisfied with my evening. The bar area is a fun place for a bachelorette party or just a night out with friends. The service is unbeatable, and the food... well, lets just say, you'll love the menu. From the crispy calamari with spicy wasabi sauce to the special snowball dessert, each bite will be remembered for its own unique taste.

Definitely try something from their Chinese wood-fired oven. The Chilean sea bass practically melts in your mouth and is served on a bed of fresh spinach. For the meat lover, try the Pork Chop Hawaiian. The mashed potatoes on the side are to die for and you won't leave hungry.

If you can, grab dessert. The snowball (ice cream dipped in shredded coconut) is not what you expect, it's creamier and richer than the menu lets on.

There is a whole other menu that you can't skip as well. The extensive drink menu, all 4 pages, includes mostly rum and island inspired concoctions as well as mixes that actually can be lit on fire or garnished with a flower. They are pretty costly, ranging from $10- $24, but some you can share with a long straw across the table. The Kamaani was my favorite, it came inside a coconut. Try a few, the hangover will be worth it.

Service: friendly and helpful

Price: expensive, especially with drinks

Comments: make sure to make reservations and get there early so you can sit at the bar and check out the menu.

Hours:
Dinner: Monday-Thurs 5-10pm
Friday and Sat 5-11pm
Sunday 5-9

Bar: Mon-Thurs 4-11pm
Fri and Sat 4-12am
Sunday 4- 11pm

Reservations are available on OpenTable.com

YO Steakhouse

www.yoranchsteakhouse.com
702 Ross Ave
Dallas, TX 75201

I really don't like writing bad reviews. But I feel like it is my duty to inform dining-out Dallasites on where not to go as well as places to try if they are looking for something new.

YO prides itself on being one of "Dallas' premier dining establishments," but falls flat when it comes to decor, ambiance, and the quality of its food. The cheesy antler chandeliers, saloon styled bar area, and gimmicky signs leave you in small-town East Texas, a place that hasn't been cleaned since it opened in 1913 or so.

Not only does it serve Tex-Mex, wild game, AND seafood and clearly can't decide what kind of restaurant it actually is, but at lunch time you get free banana-pudding... even if you don't want it. My dining partners wondered how many times the pudding bowls had been handled before someone finally accepted the dessert. Gross.

YO tries to compete with the finer West End restaurants including: Landry's, The Palm, and even Hoffbrau with its quality of service, but the food is atrocious. I can usually find several things on a menu to eat, but when your co-worker urges you not to order the buffalo steak salad any rarer than medium, you then know that the meat is not what you might find at a fine steak restaurant.

After I ate my chicken sandwhich, I desperately wanted to head back to the office, and out of reach of the banana pudding, which was compared to something a baby had spit up. (Sorry for the nasty visual).

Another problem is that YO is located in The West End, where tourists gather. I hope that our Dallas visitors do not find YO to be typical of our Dallas restaurant base, when clearly, it is not.

Sushi Samba- Dallas

Sushi Samba
Galleria Dallas
13270 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, Texas
214-866-0214

What Sushi Samba does best is the eclectic ambiance of sexy lighting and friendly service, mixed with creative drinks and sensational food. When you walk into the main door of Sushi Samba, the bar becomes your main focus complete with floral, glass fixtures and orange mood lighting. The table settings have been well thought out to accompany the furniture you might find in a modern loft of New York City.
While the Dallas restaurant lacks the shaded porch of the New York 7 restaurant, the service and food is similar in quality and feel, with even a few extras on the menu.

Can't Miss Dishes: Neo Tokyo Roll (yellowfish tuna, tempura flakes, aji panca), Fresh Sushi, Mango Martini.

Scene: Galleria Shoppers, Dallas socialites, Uptown crowd venturing above the Mason Dixon Line (I-635)

Cost: Reasonable to high for Sushi

Service: Friendly and attentive

Negatives: No outside dining, connected to the Galleria.

Recommendation: Go for drinks...eat somewhere else.

Hours of operation: Phone Reservations:214-866-0214 Fax: 214-866-0213
Sunday & Monday 11am - 10pm Tuesday & Wednesday 11am - 11pm Thursday 11am - midnight Friday & Saturday 11am - 1am
SAMBABRUNCH:Sunday 11am - 3.30pm
Sunday Brunch is served family style!!! Drinks are not to be missed!

Daddy Jack's Deep Ellum

Daddy Jack's
2723 Elm Street
Dallas, TX 75226
214.653.3949
http://www.daddyjackswoodgrill.com/

When you walk into Daddy Jack's off the corner of Elm and Crowdus, the powerful smell of the wood burning grill and the industrial feel of the restaurant creates an atmosphere not far from the French Quarter of New Orleans. Deep Ellum might not be the most popular area for trendy Dallasites, but the food is worth risking a trip under Woodall Rogers. Make sure you check out the bar and lounge area when the food coma sets in.

Can't miss dishes: Beef Carpaccio appetizer, horseradish crusted tilapia with light lemon butter sauce, penne con pollo with fresh vegetables, The garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and flowerless chocolate cake

Scene: artsy deep ellum residents and musicians, Dallas seafood lovers, couples

Cost: reasonable

Service: friendly and helpful. Our server recommended wine to go with dinner and which fish was freshest that day.

Negatives: The restaurant (and Deep Ellum in general) was not crowded so it wasn't as lively as it could have been. It would be worth it to bring friends for a private happy hour or large dining party.

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, Sun, Tue-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat 5:30pm-11pm
Sunday Brunch includes bottomless mimosas!

Fearing's

Fearing's
2121 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201
214-922-4848
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Dallas/Dining/Fearings/Default.htm

The place to see and be seen. The newest upscale hotel in uptown rolls out one of Dallas' most distinguished chefs. Dean Fearing is back and in true Texas style he is back in a big way. Fearing's has four distinctly different dining areas including alfresco seating around soothing water elements and finely landscaped patio.

Can't miss dishes include: Big Eye Tuna Ceviche, Barbecued Shrimp Taco, Barbecued Bluepoint Oysters, Dean’s Tortilla Soup, Pan-Browned Halibut, Pan-Roasted “Spiced” Filet and Chicken-Fried Maine Lobster (Dean's version of surf and turf), Soy-Glazed Black Cod, Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Duo.

Dishes you can live without: Soy-Glazed Wild Salmon, Dark Chocolate Cake, and a grilled peach concoction with whipped cream.

Scene: Who's who of Dallas.

Service: Impeccable. Dishes are all brought out at once. You never have to ask for a refill.

Notes: Reservations are recommend especially for dinner. Lunch reservation not necessary unless you have a large group. Dress code says causal but at dinner everyone in the restaurant was very formal, men wearing jackets and women were dressed accordingly.

Cost: Pricey

Recommendation: Food doesn't live up to the hype, but overall it is still fine dining at its best!

Hours of Operation:

Breakfast:

Daily: 6:30am - 11:00am

Lunch:

Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm

Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm

Dinner:

Monday - Thursday: 6:00pm - 10:30pm

Friday & Saturday: 6:00pm – 11:00pm

Sunday: 6:00pm-10:00pm

Sunday Brunch: 11 am-4 pm

Kenichi

Kenichi
2400 Victory Park Lane
Dallas, TX 75219
214-871-8883
http://www.kenichirestaurants.com/


Kenichi which has locations in Aspen, Hawaii and Austin opens its most recent location in Dallas' Victory Park. This swank sushi restaurant has music pumping loudly throughout the night as the guests dine before hitting uptown for a late night on the town. The two floor restuarant has an upstairs lounge area with the same full menu as the main dining area.


Can't miss dishes: Tartare Trio, Spicy Edamame, Dim Sum, Blake Roll, Miami Roll, Chocolate San Bon.

Scene: Very trendy. All ages.

Service: Consistently bad on several occasions.

Negatives: Had reseverations on more than one occassion and each time was seated at least 30 minutes after reservation, on one occassion seated an hour and half after the scheduled reservation time.

Notes: Open for dinner only.

Cost: Very Expensive. A dinner date for two people with wine will run approximately $200.

Recommendation: Great place to take a date or go for sushi with friends from out of town you are trying to impress. Don't be in a hurry because service is slow and the chances that you will get seated on your reservation time are not good.

Yutaka Sushi Bistro

Yutaka Sushi Bistro
2633 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas
214-969-5533
http://www.yutakasushibistro.com/

You walk into this little 800 square foot Sushi Bistro with 8 tables and a sushi bar and probably think this is just another trendy Uptown sushi restaurant. Think again! This is the best sushi in the city!! From Sashimi that melts in your mouth to the sensational black cod; Chef/Owner Yutaka Yamoto formerly of Citizen has done an unbelievable job here!!

Can't miss dishes include: Summer Sashimi, Spicy Tuna Gyoza, Yellowtail Sashimi. Anything on the menu.

Scene: The place to go for Sushi whether you are dressed to the nines or are in a polo and jeans.

Service: Very friendly and attentive service.

Negatives: No reservations unless you are a party of 6 or more.

Notes: Open for Lunch and Dinner. Mon 5:45-10 pm; Tue-Thu 11:45 am-2 pm, 5:45-10 pm; Fri-Sat 11:45 am-2 pm, 5-11 pm. Get there early to beat the crowd.

Cost: $30 and up. Good prices for a Sushi Restaurant.

Recommendation: If you want the best sushi outside of Tokyo you are here! Great for dates, dinner with friends, good lunch specials.

Nobu

Nobu
400 Crescent Ct.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 252-7000
http://www.noburestaurants.com/


The Dallas outpost of famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa's orginial Nobu restaurant in New York. This trendy spot has been a Crescent staple since opening in 2005. The restaurant is very sleek and trendy filled with a well dressed crowd.


Can't miss dishes include: Spicy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Black Cod, Fresh Yellowtail Sashimi, and Chocolate Bento Box.


Scene: During the week the restaurant is filled with larger groups and hotel guests. On the weekend the crowd picks up.


Service: Attentive service.


Notes: Reservations Recommended. Great martinis.


Cost: Pricey


Recommendation: Consistent, trendy, expensive. Can't go wrong here.

Local

LOCAL
2936 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75226
214-752-7500
http://www.localdallas.com/

Located in the old Boyd Hotel which was built in 1916, it is one of the oldest hotels still standing in Dallas. This building is one of the few remaining cast iron front buildings. Many of Deep Ellum's Blues musicians stayed at the Boyd. Chef Tracy Miller has turned this old hotel into one of the best restaurants in the city. As you walk up to the restaurant you might think to yourself this is the restaurant everybody is talking about? You then walk inside to this very contemporary little boutique restaurant with music in the background dim lighting and a very friendly greeter at the door, if you are lucky the greeter may even be Chef Tracy Miller. The menu is spilt into short order and tall order but all dishes are relatively small but still fulfilling.

Can't miss dishes include: All desserts are amazing, specifically the cinnamon donuts and chocolate souffle with cookies and a miniature chocolate shake. Tuna tartare, Sea Bass, Buffalo Burger, Lamb Chops.

Scene: Very trendy. Off the beaten path (outside of Uptown!)

Service: Excellent attentive service.

Negatives: No Liquor but great selection of wine and champagne.

Notes: Even though liquor is not served they have a short list of custom made drinks such as a champagne mojito.

Cost: At least $60 per person.

Recommendation: Great place for special occassion or romantic date.


Highly Recommended.

The Porch

The Porch
2912 North Henderson
Dallas, Texas 75206
214-828-2916
http://www.theporchrestaurant.com/

Another Tristan Simon hotspot on Knox/Henderson that can best be described as Houston's on steriods. You walk up the side of the restaurant to the main entrance with the feel of walking through an outdoor cafe in Paris then you enter the crowded restaurant and you feel like you are in a neighborhood tavern there is a great bar area, a cozy but spacious dining room and of course a porch.

Can't miss dishes include: Brisket Sliders, Stodg Burger, Pounded Chicken Parm, Fish and Chips, Crab and Shrimp Chop and of course the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.

Can't miss specials: Tortilla Soup (is out of this world), New England Clam Chowder.

Dishes you can live without: The desserts.

Scene: Hip. Mid twenties and up. Women dressed to the nines. Men in button downs and jeans.

Service: Excellent attentive service. Very well managed restaurant.

Negatives: Desserts made fresh but don't live up to expectations.

Notes: Open for Lunch and Dinner. No reservations.

Cost: Average meal ranges from $20 to $50 per person.

Recommendation:
If you are looking for great burger, hip date spot, or a place to mingle with some singles then the Porch is your place.

Highly Recommended.