I'm still new to Dallas, but I'm not new to Restaurant Week. Most cities indulge a version of the pimped out dining orgy. In the past I've heard some complaints about the promotion. Some think the $30 price tag provides a lame, watered-down version of high-class dining. They complain that chefs use lesser ingredients and that servers seem bothered by an influx of cheap diners.
Navigated carefully, though, Restaurant Week can provide a fine-dining experience to those who might not otherwise afford a four-star meal. And even if the restaurant gets its chicken thighs from a Sysco truck instead of a local farm for a week, you're still eating food prepared by Dallas' top chefs, many of whom view this week as an opportunity to shine for prospective customers who may otherwise ride the fence.
To get the most for your dollar, I recommend using restaurant week as a means to explore the most expensive restaurants with the best ratings in town. No matter where you dine your meal is $35, so why waste your time at a bistro that serves cheap steak? Check your menu ahead of time, though; some spots like to run up your check with foie gras supplements that prove too tempting to resist.
The following restaurants boast open table menus billed at $50 and above. They also receive 4 and 5 star ratings from The Dallas Morning News. As of the time of this post, each has open reservations:
- The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek (5 stars)
- Tei-An (5 stars)
- Lonesome Dove Western Bistro (4 stars)
- Craft Dallas (4 stars)
- Five Sixty (4 stars)
- Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (4 stars)
A three star rating is nothing to snuff off. Each of these restaurants has openings as well:
- Abacus
- StarsAl Beirnats
- Fearing's
- The French Room
- Kirby's Prime Steakhouse
- Nick and Sam's
- Nobu
Sadly for us all, Bijoux is booked solid.
See something you like? Make your reservations at Open Table.
