Recently landed in The Exchange food hall at AT&T Discovery District is Birdie, a fried chicken concept by chef Joshua Harmon, whose background includes training at famed NYC restaurants such as The Dutch, Le Cirque and Buddhakan. The menu is centered around southern and Asian inspired fried chicken tenders, which come in a variety of sandwich forms as well as on a stick with assorted dips. Options range from Nashville hot chicken to crispy chicken bao, and chicken katsu. Sides include Hawaiian-style macaroni salad, sesame-slaw, and warm potato salad. There's also a frozen drink machine that churns out flavored Kool-Aid slushies.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: For a quick bite before or after an evening downtown, Birdie fits the bill.
Ilene's expert tip: Park for free (with validation from one of the restaurants at The Exchange) in the Hall parking garages located at 1212 and 1500 Jackson Street.
From Jon Alexis, owner of the Malibu Poke and TJ's Seafood Markets, comes Escondido, a family-friendly Tex-Mex eatery set to open late fall/early winter in the Preston Royal shopping center. The space will sport a festive vibe with cozy booths, Mexican tile, vibrant otomi artwork, wrought iron lighting, and string lights. As for food, diners can look forward to all the favorite Tex-Mex classics like nachos, tacos, enchiladas, sizzling fajitas, and the like. Of course margaritas prepared a variety of ways will also play a starring role. And did we mention the massive patio and resort-style indoor/outdoor bar?
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Escondido aims to be a fun neighborhood spot where family and friends can meet up for a casual night out.
Ilene's expert tip: The restaurant is in the southwest corner of the shopping center. Follow on Instagram (@escondidodallas) to find out when the grand opening is.
Located inside the Renaissance Saint Elm Hotel in the historic Tower Petroleum Building, this French brasserie is a Francophile's dream. Chic, yet relaxed, the eatery aims to evoke a modern interpretation of French brasseries that were found in Paris and Vietnam at the turn of the century. To that end, expect a menu of Gallic goodies with Asian influences sprinkled throughout. Starters include an Asian inspired ahi tuna cru, charcuterie and cheese boards, and steak tartare. Mains range from green curry moules frites to vegan cassoulet, and boeuf Bourguignon. Also find salads, soups, and sandwiches plus dessert options like strawberry hibiscus créme brulee.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Toussaint is a good place to visit with friends, for a date night, or to stop in for a quick lunch.
Ilene's expert tip: Valet parking is free for Toussaint guests with validation.
The lineup of trendy dining options in the Harwood District is expanding this fall with the arrival of pizza and martini concept, Poco Fiasco. Diners can expect a menu built around Brooklyn-inspired pizzas with selections ranging from quattro formaggi to unique pies topped with barbecue brisket or bacon marmalade and eggs. Also on offer will be apps such as calamari and beef tartare as well as sandwiches. The dedicated martini program features classics with a Texas spin along with a build-your-own option featuring a variety of vodka, gin, vermouth, and olives to experiment with.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Poco Fiasco is one of the only places in Dallas where you can build-your-own martinis.
Ilene's expert tip: The restaurant is located on La Rue Perdue near Harwood Arms and Elephant East.
This new dining spot in Trinity Groves by Julian Rodarte, co-owner of Beto and Son Tex-Mex and his wife Alexa (Lexy) boasts an Instagram-worthy interior and a menu showcasing fresh seafood, Texas Wagyu, and seasonal produce from local farms. Texas wagyu hot rock, and brisket stuffed avocado croquettes headline the openers, while mains range from wood oven roasted chicken to a tomahawk ribeye for two carved tableside. There's also fried chicken & bacon jam flatbread, lobster grilled cheese, and a potato pave that can be enhanced with golden Kaluga caviar. CBD-infused cocktails, and desserts like tres leches bread pudding are also worth seeking out.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Lexy's is a terrific place to wow a date without breaking the bank.
Ilene's expert tip: Sign up for the newsletter & get exclusive offers and invites. Be sure to check out the Moet champagne vending machine.
After closing temporarily in late 2021, this legendary steakhouse atop the Hilton Anatole hotel has now reopened. And if the views alone don't wow you, then the food surely will. Now under the direction of executive chef Richard Hoffmann, the globally inspired menu focuses on hand-selected, top-quality USDA Prime beef, American Texas Wagyu, and specialty game along with fresh fish and seafood. Start off with bone marrow slathered in green apple butter, then follow up with one of the prime steaks, all of which can be enhanced with add-ons like a blue cheese crust or foie gras. If beef isn't your thing, consider the grilled elk rack with mango chipotle chutney. To compliment the meal, find handcrafted cocktails, and a global wine collection boasting over 350 varietals.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: SER is where to go for a special night to remember.
Ilene's expert tip: Score $10 cocktails and glasses of wine, Tuesday —" Thursday 5-6:30 p.m. Also note that valet parking is complimentary with validation.
Chef/owner of Zen Sushi, Michelle Carpenter, has recently debuted her latest venture Restaurant Beatrice, a New Orleans style bistro featuring fine dining inside and communal-style seafood boils on the patio. Here, Carpenter is drawing inspiration from her Lousiana roots and has brought in as executive chef, New Orleans native Terrance Jenkins, who began his career making gumbo at Commander's Palace. Together, the two have devised a contemporary Cajun menu that includes dishes such as duck and housemade andouille gumbo, fried chicken served with scratch-made pickles, and Cajun carbonara. Also expect to find po-boys and Cajun burgers during lunch while brunch brings items like praline pain perdu and soft-shell crab benedict.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Restaurant Beatrice offers two different dining experiences to fit the occasion: upscale inside, casual outside.
Ilene's expert tip: Free parking can be found directly next to the patio as well as behind the restaurant, and in the lot on the right-hand side at Ballard Street from El Dorado. Score food and beverage specials during Happy Hour from 5-6pm, Tuesday through Friday.
Now open in Preston Center, Au Troisieme is a cozy neighborhood bistro by two food industry veterans and Hawaiian natives, Bobby Pollette and Jeff Acol. The cuisine is globally influenced, and the menu is broad enough that it's best enjoyed by ordering multiple plates for everyone to try. Dishes run the gamut from a kimchee Reuben, and a Hawaiian inspired Cuban for lunch to Moroccan beef tartare, steak frites, and shrimp & grits at dinner. Weekend brunch is also a treat, with indulgent offerings like baked custard French toast, and corned beef hash with poached eggs and hollandaise.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Au Troisieme is a terrific place for a meet-up with friends who like to share.
Ilene's expert tip: Find discounted bites, wine, beer, and cocktails during Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
After vacating its premises in the Design District in 2020, this popular Italian spot has returned for a second act inside The Joule hotel, and it comes with a beautifully renovated space envisioned by ELLE Decor A-List designer Jean Liu. The result is a modern neighborhood trattoria with a subtle nod to Harry's Bar in Venice. As for the food, executive chef Mat Urban has created a menu of Italian cuisine that incorporates flavors of the Mediterranean regions of Southern France, Northern Africa, and Spain. Expect to find dishes ranging from small plates of tuna carpaccio, and tomato braised meatballs to mains like chicken involtini and grilled octopus. Other must-tries include hand-crafted pastas and thin-crust pizzas. Complementing the food is a curated collection of wines from Italy, California, and France as well as Italian cocktails.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Sassetta is ideal for a quick lunch or relaxing date-night dinner.
Ilene's expert tip: Complimentary valet is available at the Joule for up to 90 minutes with validation.
Making its way to the Oak Lawn neighborhood this fall is Miami-based pizza concept Mister O1, which recently was hailed best pizza in Florida by Food & Wine. The budding mini chain was founded by Italian-born chef, Renato Viola, whose extraordinary ability in pizza making earned him an O-1 Visa (for individuals with extraordinary artistic ability) to move to the United States. The pizzas are created with mostly Italian sourced ingredients and are made with a dough that's been fermented for at least 72 hours. Options range from a classic margherita to the Star Luca, a star shaped pie with ricotta cheese stuffed into each of the points and topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella and salami calabrese. They also peddle calzones, salads, antipasti, and dessert pizzas, all of which can be paired up with Italian wines or Peroni Italian lager.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Mister O1 is where to get some of the city's most unique pizzas.
Ilene's expert tip: Mister O1 also offers gluten-free and vegan pizzas.