Dallas

(From December 2010)

Looking like a small, colorful Tower of Pisa were stacked rounds of buffalo mozzarella brushed with pesto, slices of yellow and red heirloom tomatoes, and a sprinkling of tiny sourdough croutons and water-cress. A pyramid of truffle whipped potatoes and baby vegetables came parked beside a hefty hunk of wood-roasted beef tenderloin napped with a velvety red-wine butter. If you’ve never had sage ice cream—who has?—it’s a treat, especially paired with a blackberry crisp, as it is here. Note the sizzling bar scene, where everyone seems to be celebrating some sort of corporate coup. Bar.

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(From July 2011)

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(From February 2011) Usually it’s breakfast that brings us to this small, laid-back spot, but we indulged in lunch this time around, specifically fish tacos: grilled wild salmon, sautéed red peppers and onions, and avocado wrapped in soft flour tortillas. Utterly negating that more or less healthy lunch was our dessert: a gargantuan slice of luscious three-layered Italian cream cake. Interestingly, the menu leans heavily toward buffalo, if you’re so inclined. BYOB.

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(From June 2012)

Elegantly renovated, with black-and-white marble floors, tables graced with small cacti, and windows looking over a canopy of trees, this room exudes old-world charm. A satisfying West Coast omelet with Pacific Rim salmon, sautéed spinach, roasted tomatoes, and dollops of cream cheese made a healthy beginning for our day (though the accompanying potatoes were underdone to the point of being inedible). Service is friendly, and we liked having our own carafe of Lavazza coffee on our table. Bar.

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(From November 2011)

Located inside the NYLO hotel and flowing out onto a romantic courtyard complete with pool and fireplace, this contemporary restaurant attracts locals on the weekend and the business crowd during the week. The Social Plates are real pleasers, like the succulent barbecue shrimp tacos, the pulled pork sliders, and the flatbread topped with arugula, ricotta, and lobster. Heartier appetites should try the Moroccan-style roasted pork chop with caramelized apple, couscous, and a red wine demi. Creative cocktails and an extensive wine list cover the drinks department. Bar.

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(From February 2012)

Maguire’s offers casual, upscale dining for this far-north neighborhood. Slide into a comfortable booth or take a seat at the bar and order one of the specialties, like beef bourguignonne or a mesquite-grilled steak; satisfying sides include mashed potatoes and Southwestern creamed corn. We chose a three-tiered entrée: delightful herbed chicken with a foundation of slightly sweet fiocchi (small pasta “ribbons” stuffed with pear and cheese), a tomato cream sauce on top, and a lovely garnish of orange gremolata. Bar.

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(From January 2012)

The new four-course vegetarian tasting menu (only offered within the past few months) has every bit the skill and imagination of Bruno Davaillon’s regular repertoire. Delicate greens embellished with dates, pine nuts, shaved Manchego, and a subtle lemon dressing whetted our appetites, as did roasted baby beets with spring onions and zippy horseradish. For our main courses, we chose tender potato gnocchi with wild mushrooms, asparagus tips, and fresh spinach and Israeli couscous with hazelnuts, crunchy cauliflower, and a slice of grilled mango. What really knocked our socks off, though, was dessert: a hollow sphere of white chocolate, coated with raspberry purée, whose top lifted off to reveal vanilla cheesecake inside, crowned with margarita sorbet

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(From June 2011) Like the Energizer Bunny, Nick Badovinus just keeps going and going, and his newest spot, at Preston Royal, is wildly popular (there’s plenty of parking and a nice al-fresco patio). Seattle-style deviled eggs, topped with cherry wood–smoked salmon, cucumber, and a small dab of chicory, were inexplicably bland. But we found no fault with a meaty slab of pan-roasted grouper with a decadent lemon-caper beurre blanc and a side of smashed-garlic spinach; it was definitely world-class. New York–style cheesecake with lemon, lime, and orange zest was also superb. Bar.

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(From June 2011)

Creative and fresh combinations are the or-der of the day at this earthy, urban hot spot (and, yes, there is a real porch in front). Locals love the “Big Board,” with its daily specials, but the regular menu is filled with American comfort food dishes. Smoked-brisket enchiladas with tomatillo rice, avocado, and fresh salsa were good and filling, as was the Porch Salad, with greens, red grapes, toma-toes, crunchy smoked almonds, and pickled on-ion. Leave room for the S’more Redux; the heavenly pillows of torched marshmallow topped with gooey chocolate lava cake and crunchy graham crackers will take you back to campfires of yore. Bar.

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(From January 2012)

Tucked away in Preston Center yet always busy, Sevy’s defines longevity. Warm wood accents and a Frank Lloyd Wright look only add to its charm. One of the menu’s mainstays is the fresh corn chowder, a chunky mix of potatoes and corn in a rich creamy broth with a Zen-like slash of red pepper purée for decoration. Entrées lean toward meat and seafood, but we’ve found that the angel hair pasta with sautéed spinach, Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and a generous sprinkling of toasted pine nuts makes a fine lighter meal. The duo of sorbets with sugar wafers end any meal on a sweet note. Bar.

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