Mirador Soars With New Brunch, Reclaiming Its Downtown Penthouse

Tim Headington's Downtown Dallas Renaissance took a hit at the height of the pandemic when hundreds of employees were laid off and the businesses shuttered. Some downtown staples were able to persevere, but more closed with uncertain futures — like Mirador, the tony restaurant that filled the penthouse of luxury department store Forty Five Ten.

For four years, it was uncertain whether the restaurant would reopen or become something completely different. But last December, the restaurant reopened completely transformed. The staff swapped dinner service for afternoon tea, prioritized seasonal ingredients and gave the entire space an airy and posh makeover.
Unless you're in the ballpark of the 1%, shopping for the $24,000 diamond bracelets downstairs, it's easy to understand why you may not have heard of Mirador or have chosen a more approachable alternative.

Like us, you may not need a glass of champagne and a dollop of caviar to break up your shopping outing. But also like us, you won't regret dropping in to see Mirador's undeniable glow-up.
Swoon The Studio, a Dallas design firm, re-imagined the space. It's the brand that designed The French Room, Rodeo Bar and The Adolphus, among many others.

For Mirador, owner Samantha Sano and principal Joslyn Taylor were inspired by Viennese modern design and sat on an inspiration board for years waiting for the right project to fulfill it.

The Viennese decorative arts movement Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese Workshops) in the early 20th century was a collective of artists and craftsmen in Vienna that created luxurious furnishings and textiles with harmonious shapes and references to nature.

Prime examples are all over the restaurant — from the wall lanterns sourced in Vienna to the hand-sewn silk drapes from Copenhagen and curved, velvet upholstered banquettes. The wood, stone and muted splashes of color unify everything and make "Mirador an elegant jewel box,” Taylor told Paper City Mag.

The surroundings may be different, but the menu has touches of familiarity among new items brought to life by Executive Chef Travis Wyatt. Chef and team have worked to create a progressive American menu for brunch, lunch and a modern afternoon tea.

The afternoon tea has been a certified hit since its launch last year, but we couldn't pass on Mirador's invitation to come try the brunch menu.
The escarole caesar was a fun spin on an otherwise timeless classic with its salsa verde dressing. Whipped ricotta proved some trends never die. Chef Wyatt's gravlax is a multi-day labor of love that pays off, and the French omelet shines with simple ingredients and perfected technique. 

The orecchiette is one of the reigning favorites of the former menu with thoughtfully sourced San Marzano tomatoes and aged parmesan over perfect al dente pasta. A bite of the steak, egg and yolk-soaked rice is as indulgent as it is smoky.
During our visit, a highlight was the recently launched fall-themed menu item pumpkin pancakes. The pancakes are quite dense from the pumpkin, but still fluffy; they're topped with house-made whipped cream, cinnamon butter and candied Texas pecans.

All that indulgence, and still not as sweet as you'd expect. The three-tiered stack is a lot for one person, but order them for the table and you get an ideal portion. Once these land in front of you, it's the perfect time to squeeze in a coffee between cocktails.
Caviar doughnuts and feelings of exclusivity aside, the service is what impressed us the most at Mirador.

Sometimes, the friendliness that encourages a down-to-earth atmosphere isn't intrinsic to upscale restaurants like this, but at Mirador it feels ingrained. Where your water never goes half-full and as soon as you finish your first cocktail, the second is there to replace it. The warm hospitality comes naturally and encourages you to linger.

Mirador, 1608 Elm St. (above Forty Five Ten). Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; closed Sunday – Monday.