Anniversary Dinner in Dallas

April 21, 2009 11:30 AM

DFWAnniversaryFilter: Poor planning on my part but its me and the old ladys 8th year anniversary. Im struggling with a place to take her to dinner tonight, i could use any and all suggestions. We love Roy's in Plano however i was just trying to think outside of the box a bit. BTW...We are located in N. Dallas around the 75/190 area.
posted by lateriser to food & drink (17 comments total)

lateriser, what kind of food?

My fave place in this area is Samui Thai, by Shops at Legacy. You can then stroll around the shops, walk around the lake that sits in the middle, and stop by for ice cream at the cold stone creamery. Samui has these big booths that you can sit two people at, and it's pretty intimate.
posted by unexpected at 11:46 AM on April 21

I say were located around N.Dallas but im willing to go anywhere in the Dallas area.
posted by lateriser at 11:53 AM on April 21

I've never been, but there's Five-Sixty, Wolfgang Puck's place atop Reunion Tower.
posted by erikgrande at 11:54 AM on April 21

How about The Melting Pot? I did that for the wife's birthday dinner and added a rosebud vase and bottle of wine to the reservation and not only did the staff have it chilled and waiting at the table when we arrived, but they had all signed a card wishing her a happy birthday. The seating is also very intimate, which makes it great for the occasion. Only downside might be you having to "cook" your own food fondue style as opposed to sitting back and being served.
posted by genial at 11:58 AM on April 21 [1 favorite has favorites]

How much are you looking to spend? Do you want formal options? How far are you willing to travel? Let me know and I can give you tons of recommendations. (The wife and I try alot of places).

Guidelive is a great place to look, especially their best of Dallas section. You can see the super-luxe places like Fearing's and the Mansion and the French Room, which are all great, of course, but super pricey. Then you have all the great steakhouses like Del Frisco's and Nick & Sam's and Bob's. Again, great and pricey. But there are a lot of newer places in town that opened in the new economy that are different but would be a good change of pace for a anniversary.

For instance, we went last week to a place call Rathbun's Blue Plate Restaurant and enjoyed it. It is very stylish and chic, but still casual. And good comfort food that is not terribly expensive. Could be a nice casual but unique place. It's only been open for about a month. Just go south on 75 and then go west on Loop 12 to Preston. Another awesome and pretty new casual/chic place is called Neighborhood Services which we loved. It's where we went on Valentine's Day and enjoyed it. Also, a romantic place we enjoyed last month is called Dali Wine Bar, which has good dinners if you are wine drinkers.

There are some thoughts for different, new, good, but not stuffy places. But if you have something in particular in mind, let me know.
posted by dios at 12:00 PM on April 21

Five-Sixty, Wolfgang Puck's place atop Reunion Tower.
posted by erikgrande at 1:54 PM on April 21

My wife made me take her there. It is certainly a good restaurant, and the view/experience up in the ball is extremely unique. But as a restaurant on its own merits, I was not a fan. Basically, price-wise it is on par with our local culinary stars'--Stephen Pyle, Sharon Hage, Avner Samuel and Dean Fearing--places. That is, you are paying a premium to be eating their food (as opposed to just food). And Wolfgang Puck's food is just not as good. At that star-chef price point, I would rather go to Hage's York Street or Pyle's and Fearing's eponymous restaurants (Samuel's Aurora is more expensive but amazing). But then again, being the ball does not do much for me, so there is that factor.
posted by dios at 12:13 PM on April 21

My parents' go-to anniversary place is The Grape. My mother has been going there for 30 years, and she says she's never had a bad meal there. It's small, charming, not too stuffy and the food is good.
posted by MadamM at 12:15 PM on April 21 [1 favorite has favorites]

Seconding guidelive.

I'd suggest either Three Forks (review, website) or St. Martins (review, website).

I've been to both for anniversaries, and they're both superb from a food, service, and wine standpoint. They are my parents' haunts as well for special occasions.

Good luck!
posted by mrhaydel at 12:30 PM on April 21

Oooh. St. Martins is very romantic as well. Piano player, dark woods and lighting. Very good service. I'll second that if you are looking for a nice, romantic, white table cloth dinner. What's more, it's never crowded. If you go, make sure to have the champagne brie soup.
posted by dios at 12:34 PM on April 21

The Spiral Diner, Fort Worth. Healthy, yet tasty, vegetarian/organic fare. Board games while you wait. Bit of a drive, but it's outside the box.
posted by coffeefilter at 12:36 PM on April 21

P.S., there's a Dallas branch, now, but I've never been.
posted by coffeefilter at 12:37 PM on April 21

My wife and I had dinner at Kathleen's Sky Diner on Sunday and it was one of the best meals we've had in a long time. Low-key atmosphere. Big deserts, and they pour their wineglasses generously.
posted by adamrice at 12:47 PM on April 21

Came here to suggest Fearing's at the Ritz Carlton downtown. We were just there for a late lunch on Saturday and found it to be one of the best experiences at a restaurant we've had in a long time. You could even snack on their substantial hors d'oeuvres and sip on their amazing sangria on their patio or their very dark and romantic Rattlesnake Bar.

I've been wanting to try Craft, at the W Hotel...but it might be a little loud and trendy to be romantic so I can't recommend with confidence.
posted by dearest at 1:02 PM on April 21

One of the Brazilian Steakhouses might be nice. Texas De Brazil, Fogo De Chao.. I guess it depends if you like (a lot of) meat.
posted by getawaysticks at 1:12 PM on April 21

I would vote for Sambuca.
posted by aperture_priority at 2:52 PM on April 21

never been to either but my dallas friends swear by "the grape" and "the melting pot" -- when i asked them about this same kind of question for me in few weeks

from my research "the grape" is a great choice and like some have said earlier, ive heard that five-sixty is mediocre at best food wise..
posted by knockoutking at 3:40 PM on April 21

Thanks for all the suggestions....I cant wait for us to try all of these restaurants. However we ended up going to Cantina Laredo in Addison...Were suckers for some good Tex-mex. It was delicious!!
posted by lateriser at 8:26 AM on April 22