Perle on Maple may feel quiet when you walk in, but its brunch menu is worth a shot.
It’s a fairly new spot in The Stoneleigh hotel. What’s most exciting is that executive chef Wade Burch is giving Uptown a taste of a French bistro, something we don’t have enough of in Dallas.
The space is really what a hotel restaurant should be: a beautiful room offering a comfortable experience. If that feels like a thing of the past in Dallas, it works here. Brunch, which they’re calling Bubbles and Brioche, is brand new here, and so far, results are promising.
You can eat in a dining room full of natural light or you can sit at the adjacent bar, where you can still experience beautiful aesthetics alongside conversation with those behind the bar.
One thing that immediately stands out is that they know how to make a good Bloody Mary, prepared as spicy as you want it. Keeping with the French Bistro feel, the menu also features champagne, offering glasses from $10 to $25.
To start, it’s highly recommended you try the sautéed chicken liver mousse ($13). It’s available on the small plates of the lunch menu (which you can get at the same time), but if you’re one of those who constantly craves pâté, you won’t want to miss this. Served with stewed prunes, shallot jam, mustard and toast, you and one other person can clear this little jar easily.
The duck confit pancakes ($15) are a nice idea, and Perle nearly pulls them off. On a recent visit, the duck was a bit overcooked, but the sweet potato pancakes, roasted grapes, caramelized shallots and warm brie work wonderfully well.
If avocado toast is your thing, there’s a signature Perle version ($19). The price seems steep, but it is a main course and includes lump crab, crushed avocado, poached egg and lemon-chive emulsion. (Not your average avocado toast, that is.)
There’s also an eggs “mimosa” ($17), which is a delicate plate of poached eggs, champagne-poached crab meat and orange Hollandaise.
A nice deal here is you can pick your starter and main dish for a two-course prix fixe menu for $29.27.
Perle on Maple, 2927 Maple Ave. (Uptown) Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.