Izkina

When Izkina opened in Deep Ellum Youth Hostel, chef Joel Orsini was in the kitchen creating a menu of Spanish tapas that we loved. In 2019, though, Orsini left and Izkina got a new name – Booty’s – and a menu focusing on “international street food.” The food was still good, last time our critic […]

Cafe Izmir

This shop boasts it has the best hummus in Dallas, but what it really gives you is the option of teleportation to the Mediterranean or New York when you enter under the yellow awning. Customers can order myriad mezze at this sister joint to Caf

J Black’s Feel Good Lounge

This recently opened Henderson Avenue hot spot may look a lot like the original Austin location, but the designers of the Dallas branch of the “Feel Good Lounge” went with a more polished, less rock-and-roll feel that’s appropriately Dallas. The interior has the feel of a place to kick back, compatible with enjoying its top-shelf […]

Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant

Customers who have traveled to the Big Apple’s Chinatown swear this East Dallas joint, in an old drive-in, is the closest thing to New York Chinese food in Big D (especially if driving up 75 to Richardson is out of the question). Aside from the standard Americanized Chinese choices, there are more traditional options tacked […]

Jake’s Burgers & Beers

Offering greasy burgers like The Works, which is composed of â���”everything in the kitchen,â��� Jakeâ����s has welcomed all comers since 1985 — from frat boys and the ladies who love them to cornflower blue button-down desk jockeys. The cheap-ass happy hour deals have a lot to do with it. These include three-dollar apps and two-dollar […]

Jalisco Norte

When it opened, Jalisco Norte faced a tough challenge: Satisfy the somewhat risk-averse palates of the Uptown and Park Cities moneyed classes while giving an acclaimed Mexican chef space to innovate. So far, that balance appears to be working; chef Jose Meza gets to roll out monthly specials like escamoles (ant larvae), but he’ll fix […]

James Rowland’s Bistro Nous

James Rowland’s New American mesh ambles-like most N.A. menus-from Mediterranean to Asian to Southwestern. But what makes this place endearing are his experiments, like lobster bastard, a lobster omelet with American caviar, or his grilled pineapple and squash salad. Others don’t work, like the ceviche with warm, gray seared tuna and remoulade. But it’s all […]

Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano

Since 1977 Javier’s has been a Mexican classic in Dallas, one that sneers at Tex-Mex in favor of sophisticated Mexico City cuisine. It’s a dark destination, a hideaway shielded in lush Park Cities foliage. Yet with all of this, we find ourselves in deep “like.” There’s no denying its elegant rusticity (two stuffed bears-felled by […]

JD’s Chippery

Since 1983, John and Julie Broad have owned and operated the kind of place where everybody knows your name. That type of hospitality only makes the from-scratch, small-batch, freshly baked cookies even better, say the regulars — some of whom have patronized JD’s Chippery since the beginning. Always gooey and warm from continuous baking, chances […]

Jen’s Place

From the outside, Jen’s Place looks like the ultimate gathering place for ladies who lunch. But the parking lot is full at lunch, and it isn’t just ladies-workers from the Galleria area line up for the daily special, such as chicken enchiladas, as well as tasty homemade soups, sandwiches and a great selection of fresh […]