Restaurant Listings

Multiple Locations

8.0 RESTAURANT AND BAR, 2800 Routh, 214-979-0880. 111 East Third at Commerce, Sundance Square, 817-336-0880, Fort Worth. Ocho quesadillas with spinach and mushrooms. “Mas Chicken Salad,” with balsamic sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, veggie enchiladas, chipotle chili made with Shiner Bock beer, sweet jerk chicken. Too much? Try the “Green Plate” (vegetarian). Quirky cuisine; it’s a mix of Cajun/Creole, Southwest, Tex-Mex, Italian, and much more. $

ECLECTIC

CAFE BRAZIL, 6420 North Central, 214-691-7791. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; open 24 hours. 2221 Abrams, 214-826-9522. Weekends until midnight. Open until 10p.m. weekdays. 2815 Elm, 214-747-2730. Sunday through Tuesday, until I a.m.; Fridays and Saturdays open 24 hours; Wednesday and Thursday until 3 a.m. Big Brazilian-sryle breakfasts and fragrant coffees are the attraction here, and you can enjoy them any time. Try the French toast with fresh fruit, homemade breads, breakfast empanadas. Or build your own crepes or omelet! The menu also offers hearty soups, salads and sandwiches, plus a worldwide collection of coffees with featured specials that change daily. No alcoholic beverages. $

COFFEEHOUSE

CRESCENT CITY CAFE, 2615 Commerce at Good-Latimer, 214-745-1900. Monday-Thursday lunch only, Friday and Saturday dinner and lunch, closed Sunday. 2822 McKinney, 214-969-1885. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Most popular: muffaletta and po’ boy sandwiches. Signature dish: Crawfish étouffée. Don’t miss the beignets. Children’s menu: mini-sandwiches, corndogs, chicken fingers. Muffaletta hot on 8-inch, fresh-baked Italian bun with salami, moz-zarella, provolone and olive salad topping. Real steal: one-quarter muffaletta and gumbo, $5.50. $

CAJUN CREOLE

DEEP ELLUM CAFE, 2706 Elm, 214-741-9012. 5001 Belt Line, Addison, 214-392-0894. Lunch and dinner. Trendy spot with a trend-surfer’s menu to match: Singapore-style noodles, jerked pork chop marinated with scotch bonnet (habanero) chilies, lime, and Jamaican spices served with grilled bananas, coconut rice, Vietnamese grilled chicken salad. Mom-sryle stuff: pot pie, chicken and dumplings, chicken-fried steak, grilled banana bread with vanilla ice cream and ginger butter sauce. $$

ECLECTIC

ESPARZA’S RESTAURANT MEXICANO, 124 East Worth at Main, Grapevine, 817-481-4668. 1212 William D. Tate, Grapevine, 817-481-4867. Lunch and dinner every day. A neighborhood family favorite comfortably ensconced in a 100-year-old house in Grapevines historic district. Big menu of everybody’s Tex-Mex favorites. Most popular are the sizzling fajitas served for one or two with chicken, steak, shrimp, or pork as the main ingredient. Try the ratones appetizers: deep-fried jalapenos stuffed with chicken or seafood. Leave room for dessert: ice cream nachos! $

MEXICAN

GOOD EATS CAFE, 6950 Greenville, 214-691-3287. 3888 Oak Lawn, 214-522-3287. 702 Ross, 214-744-3287. 1101 North Central, Piano (nonsmoking), 214-516-3287. 3516 West Airport Freeway, Irving, 313-0803. 1400 Airport Freeway, Bedford, 817-540-3287. 1235 W. D. Tate, Grapevine, 817-329-3287. 5812 I-35 North, Denton, 817-387-3500. 14905 Midway, Addison, 214-392-3287. Lunch and dinner to 10:30 p.m., until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Chicken fried steak, mesquite grilled chicken and fish, pasta salads, fresh veggie plates at reasonable prices make this D Readers’ Choice winner: “best lunch for the money.”Casual atmosphere: brick walls, rustic collectibles, lots of greenery and swift pleasant service. Popular with both locals and visitors, office workers, and families too. No reservations. $

HOME COOKING, CONTEMPORARY

LA MADELEINE FRENCH BAKERY A CAFÉ, 11930 Preston Road at. Forest, 214-233-6446. Similar location at 3906 Lemmon Avenue at Reagan; other smaller locations with limited menus throughout Dallas. Breakfast, lunch and dinner eveny day, A French bakery that gr-r-rrrew; this one has a quaint dining room with a country French menu: woodfire-roasted chicken, imaginative pastas, plus all the quiches, soups, salads and sandwiches that make the take-out counter so popular. Limited wine list, imported beers. $

FRENCH BAKERY

MASSIMO DA MILANO, 2931 Irving, “106, 214-630-4683. Preston Center, 6109 Berkshire, 214-987-2782. 6333 East Mockingbird, Suite 106, 214-826-9456. 710 NorthPark, 214-739-3933. 5519 West Lovers, 214-351-1426. 2121 San Jacinto,214-871-0400. 5100 BeltLine, Suite 208, Addison, 214-661-5255. 4000 North MacArthur, Irving, 214-579-3463. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, and takeout. Fresh flowers belie the fact that this is a bakery and takeout shop cum cafeteria. The food is good and a great value, too. Most popular: pasta salads, cannoli, eggplant lasagna, and thick low-fat pizzas (try the signature tomato-free albino pizza), Bakery features fresh specialty breads, pumpkin pies, cheesecakes, holiday cookies; 65 percent of customers are women, many for takeout. Gourmet coffees, kids’ menu. $

ITALIAN BAKERY/CAFE

MORTON’S OF CHICAGO, 501 Elm, 214-741-2277. 14831 Midway between Spring Valley and Belt Line, Addison, 214-233-5858. Dinner only, seven nights. The original downtown Location has a speakeasy feel (enter through the lower level door) while the newer Addison location has a more uptown atmosphere. Both have a “New American” style menu that goes beyond charred steer. Thick lamb chops, Sicilian-style veal, marinated tenderloin with a blackened crust, inventive appetizers such as sea scallops with apricot chutney. There’s cheesecake, of course. And Morton’s brings hack such sinful solace as the souffle. . .even 40 variations on the martini. $$$

STEAK

PASTA PLUS, 17194 Preston, Suite 150, at Gunpbelt. 214-713-7181. 225 Preston Royal East, 214-373-3999. Lunch and dinner, closed Sunday and holidays. Italian bistro with a gourmet takeout shop specializing in fresh pastas, all prepared exclusively with olive oil, fresh ingredients, and no preservatives, tomato paste, roux, or thickening agents. Breads, desserts, and low-fat sausages made on premises. There’s also an alternative “light” menu that trims fat and calories by substituting skim milk cheeses and less oil. Does this sound like denial: eggplant Florentine with grilled polenta? It’s pasta plus more, way more. $

ITALIAN

PATRIZIO, 25 Highland Park Village at Preston, 214-522-7878. 1900 Preston Park at Preston and Park, 214-964-2200. Lunch and dinner, closed holidays. Original art, tile floors, Oriental rigs, marble tables, fresh flowers on the mantel over the fireplace. Charming outdoor patio at Highland Park location. Don’t fill up on the pep-petoni bread, you need room for baked ziti or tiramisu. Updared pasta and pizza plays to a crowd at these yuppie feeding grounds. $

ITALIAN

SAMBUCA, 2618 Elm, 214-744-0820. 15207 Addison, 214-385-8455. Monday to Friday lunch and dinner, late night Sunday to Wednesday, open to 12 a.m., Thursday until 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m., closed holidays. Sexy new digs in Addison with a similar menu to Deep Ellum original- Favorites include spinach and sun-dried tomato linguini with smoked chicken, grilled tiget shrimp spiked with harissa sauce, salmon over spinach and gorgonzola, gnocchi with wild mushrooms, lamb couscous with Calamata olives. Thitiy-somcthing trendsurfers will feel right at home. Live jazz nightly alter 8:15. Reservations except Friday and Saturday nights. Call tor wine dinner schedule. $$

MEDITERRANEAN

SAM’S CAFE, 100 Crescent Court at McKinney and Maple, 214-855-2233. 8411 Preston at Berkshire in Preston Center West, 739-2288, Lunch daily and Saturday, dinner every night. Sunday brunch. Southwest-style grill with an imaginative menu, including chili-rubbed fresh tuna, crayfish cakes with pico de gallo and black beans, and a Southwest style calzone stuffed with chicken, roast pepper, and goat cheese. The cinnamon bunuelo is filled with Mexican vanilla bean ice cream and warm caramel. $$

SOUTHWEST

SNUFFER’S, 1526 Greenville at McCommas, 214-826-6850. 14910 Midway, Addison, 214-991-8811. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days. Dreaders voted these the best burgers in Dallas: half a pound, cooked medium rare, then topped with mustard, pickle, red onion, lettuce, and tomato; ask for a side of their signature “Cheddar fries.” Sandwiches, salads, chicken, and other fast fuel on the menu too. $

HAMBURGERS PLUS

SFUZZI, 2504 McKinney at Fairmount, 214-871 -2606. 15101 Addison at Belt Line, Addison, 214-960-2606. 2408 Preston at Park, Suite 704, Piano, 214-964-0700. Lunch and dinner every day, brunch on Sunday. Pizzas from wood-burnine oven, lush raviolis plump with smoked chicken, tagliatelle in Gorgonzola cream. Fall Pasta Festival dishes, seasonal features. Frozen Sfuzzi (a frosted bellini). inexpensive wine list. The available and semi-available begin gathering at the bar immediately after work in search of Mr. Right or Ms. Right Mow, $$

ITALIAN

SONNY BRYAN’S, 302 North Market, 214-744-1610. 2202 Inwood, 214-357-7120. 325 North Saint Paul, 214-979-0102. Plaza of the Americas, 214-871-2097. 4701 Frankford, 214-447-0102. Macy’s third level, Galleria. 214-851-5131. 4030 N. MacArthur in Las Colinas, Irving, 214-650-9564. Lunch and dinner. The best-known name in Dallas barbecue. Muge portions of smokehouse meats: beef brisket, pork ribs, sausage, ham, pulled pork, with traditional “sides.” For mini appetites, try a sandwich and two vegetables. $

BARBECUE



Downto

DAKOTA’S, 600 North Akard at Ross, 214-740-4001. Lunch and dinner. Most popular: swordfish, lamb, five-pepper chicken. Signature dish: lamb chops with minted angel hait pasta. Menu lists calories and tat on the Dakota signature dish: citrus-marinated chicken with herbed wild rice and asparagus. Go lor the vegetable lasagna. Use the saved calottes tot vanilla bean cheesecake with gingerbread crust and minted pistachio sauce, apple pecan chimichanga, or Kahlua low-fat, mile-high pie made with Haagen Dazs frozen yogurt. $$

AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

DICK’S LAST RESORT, corner of Ross and Record in the West End, 214-747-0001. Open 11 a.m.. 2 a.m. Put on a bib and order up one of this restaurant’s infamous buckets of messy ribs, chicken, catfish, shrimp, or crab legs. A Live Gospel Brunch on Sunday typifies this place’s penchant for off-beat fun and entertainment. The brunch features salads, breakfast and dinner items, and yummy desserts.

AMERICAN

THE FRENCH ROOM, (Adolphus Hotel) 1321 Commerce at Akard, 214-742-8200, ext. 191. Dinner; closed Sunday, flawless food and service have always been the hallmarks here. “Neo-c lassie” is lighter French, not so austere as the old “Nouvelle”: boneless quail filled with wild mushrooms, roasted tuna au poivre. Conde Nast Traveler readers’ poll: top 50 in USA. Afternoon tea: cucumber sandwiches and petits tours on Villeroy and Boch china. $$$

FRENCH NEOCLASSIC

MONICA’S ACA Y ALLA, 2914 Main at Oakland, 214-748-7140. Lunch Monday to Friday, dinner Tuesday to Thursday 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Live music on Sundays. Business crowd attracted to Deep Ellum at lunchtime. Dinner draws singles, young professionals; weekends, couples, large groups enjoying a night out. Latin and jazz bands, dancing; This is an eclectic spot where appropriate attire includes anything from tuxedos to Bermuda shorts. Southwest and Tex-Mex dishes, plus pasta. Most popular: Greene Pasta (named for owner Monica Greene), and Mexican Lasagna. The restaurant’s signature dishes include Pumpkin Ravioli and healthy but delicious fat-fire black beans. $$

MEXICAN

NEWPORT’S, 703 McKinney Avenue in The Brewery, 214-954-0220. Lunch weekdays, dinner seven days. Seafood is the feature here, prepared simply or lavished with spicy sauces and seasonings. Best bets: chipotle tuna or blackened snapper with crabmeat, topped with lobster sauce. Always bustling and busy, but expect good service. Tablecloths, fresh flowers and soft jazz combine for a relaxing ambience. Call for wine dinner schedule. $$

SEAFOOD

PALM RESTAURANT, 701 Ross at Market, 214-698-0470. Lunch and dinner weekdays, dinner Saturday 5:30p.m. to 1.0:3.0 p.m., Sunday 5:30 p.m. to 9: 15 p.m. Enormous lobsters and hubcap-size steaks are the feature here in this quirky clone of the New York City institution. Here they still have sawdust floors and walls tiled with celebrity caricatures. Megabites of protein on every plate; so if your appetite is normal, consider sharing (or take home a doggy bag). Even the spinach is high calorie, but wonderful. Bustling bar, lots of booths. $$

STEAK

Northwest

ADELMO’S, 4537 Cole at Knox, 214-559-0325. Lundi and dinner; dinner only Saturdays; closed Sunday and holidays. You’ve never had veal until you’ve ordered Adelmo’s 20-ounce USDA prime veal chop with green peppercorns, priciest pick on an otherwise moderate menu. (You pay for the side of beef it could have been.) Rack of lamb, lobster ravioli, crab cakes spiced with hot harissa and pesto, lamb sausage on couscous, gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce, crème brulée for dessert. Cuisine is an artful blend of French, Italian, and Middle Eastern. $$

MEDITERRANEAN

ARCODORO BAR, 2520 Cedar Springs at Fairmount and Routh, 214-871 -1924. Lunch and dinner to midnight, (2 a.m. Friday and Saturday). Pomodoro’s little sister shares chefs Victor Orms and Salvatore Gisellu, who serve up thick pizzas, roast chicken from their wood oven, plus lots of vegetarian choices, and tiramisu for dessert. Latin music and Italian frescoes bring loyal locals and European expats who eat late. Full bar. $

ITALIAN, NORTHERN

BEAU NASH, (Hotel Crescent Court) 400 Crescent Court, Maple and McKinney, 214-871-3242. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner 365 days, Sunday brunch. Classy brasserie, up-to-the-minute menu. Power breakfasts, exec lunches, late night jazz and weekend brunches. $$

INTERNATIONAL

BOB’S STEAK AND CHOP HOUSE, 4300 Lemmon at Wycliff, 214-5 28-9446. Dinner, closed Sunday. Dark wood and leather booths, white tablecloths, Frank Sinatra and Patsy Cline in the background. Most popular: filet mignon. Signature dish: cote d’boeuf. Bob’s brings business people on weekdays and special occasions. “Cigar friendly.” $$

STEAK

CAFE MEDITERRANEE, 5950A Royal at Preston, 214-692-7716. Lunch and dinner weekdays; dinner Saturday, brunch weekends. Mediterranean and Moroccan flavors beckon in this appealing restaurant with Italian, Greek and North African influences. Begin with King David Salad-not simply asalad, but an assortment of Middle Eastern appetizers: hummus, tahini, felafel, dolmades. Choose the layered Mediterranean Pasta Ricotta Pie as an encore, grilled ribeye with portobello mushrooms, vermicelli and grilled vegetables, pistachio-crusted red snapper Moroccan style with raisin-dotted asparagus, or grilled duck breast with polenta and gorgonzola, Side dishes include rice pilaf and eggplant, veggie couscous, risotto with asparagus. Desserts: mascarpone cheese cake, apricot baklava, lemon pistachio tart topped with raspberry coulis. Non-smoking. $$

MEDITERRANEAN

CAFE PANDA, 7979 Inwood at Lovers, 214-902-9500. Lunch and dinner. Spicy Szechwan dishes and other favorites including Peking duck, quail, hearty Hunan beef, tangy seafood chowder, sweet and sour tangerine beef. Tableside coffee and tea ceremonies, fried ice cream, classical music, pink tablecloths, and excellent service. Gourmet takeout and fax orders for nearby delivery. $

CHINESE

cafe society, 4514 Ttavis #133 at Armstrong, 214-528-6543. Tuesday through Thursday noon to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed Monday. Coffeehouse with blackboard menu of contemporary grill dishes, pastas, salads, imaginative vegetable dishes, spectacular desserts in inspiring surroundings. $

COFFEEHOUSE

CALLUAUD’S, 5405 West Lovers at Inwood, 214-352-1997. Lunch and dinner, closed Sunday. Smoking permitted only in bar area. Innovative “Gourme! Leger” menu offers terrine of pheasant and vegetables, fresh ravioli with wild mushrooms, eggplant caviar style wrapped in smoked salmon, veal tenderloin coated with fresh herbs and roasted with feta and sun-dried tomatoes, boneless quail on baked apples and pilaf. Or try these favorites from the regular menu: lobster soufflé, rabbit, sweetbreads, escargot, classic onion soup. Wonderfully presented rack of lamb, Dover sole. Indulge on Lover’s as if near the Eiffel Tower. C’est magnifique. $$$

FRENCH

DREAM CAFE, 2800 Routh at the Quadrangle, 214-954-0486. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. A harmonic convergence of environmental friendliness and nutritional inventiveness fuses southwest and southeast Asia with a heavy dose of California dreamin’. Cool! Lots of politically correct vegetarian dishes, of course, but fish and chicken too. Breakfast choices range from the gra-nola-strewn to the butter-soaked traditional. Wholegrain but still decadent desserts, great coffee selection-and blender-whizzed fruit smoothies for snacks. $$

HEALTH FOOD

EUREKA!, 4011 Villanova, 214-369-7767. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Right in rune with the times, this cafe has a high flavor, low-fat Pan-Cultural menu that s garnering rave reviews. Try veggie “Eureka!bohs” or the “Eureka! Wrappers”: Armenian bread rollups. Trices are as low-as the calories. There’s no wine; you can B.Y.O.B. And eat your veggies, too. $

NEW AMERICAN

FOG CITY DINER, 2401 McKinney at Maple, 214-220-2401. Lunch and dinner daily. Anyone who’s visited the San Fran original will recognize the stylish spoof of American comfort food, redone for Dallas with a Southwest spin: sirloin chili, BBQ scallops, grilled pasilla pepper stuffed with five cheeses and topped with avocado salsa, diner chili dogs, and crisp mahogany chicken with homemade rice-a-roni. What, no chicken fried steak’ Don’t miss the chocolate chili tart with coffee ice cream, A worthy tribute to the quirky San Francisco chrome palace. $$

NEW AMERICAN

HOFSTETTER’S, 3840 West Northwest Highway. #400, between Marsh and Midway, 214-358-7660. Lunch and dinner, closed Sunday. Classic Beef Wellington, Wiener schnitzel, jager (veal.) schnitzel, veal Zurich, and bratwurst are the standbys. Fall brings game: pheasant, wild boar, venison, and rabbit. For vegetarians there’s a richly indulgent vegetable platter with spaetzle (then follow it with Viennese pastries). Forest green tablecloths, French windows, and lots of plants make this a lunchtime favorite with senior male execs during the week. Other times, a mix of families and couples. (Kindermenu for children. ) $$

GERMAN

HOTEL ST. GERMAIN, 2516 Maple at McKinney, 214-871-2516. Dinner Friday and Saturday with reservations and other nights for private parties. In nice weather there’s a walled New Orleans-style courtyard. It’s the perfect place to indulge on crab custard and creamy bisques, fresh seafood. They claim to serve the best potatoes in Dallas. Regular clientele, mostly local prosperous business people who appreciate the polished old world service. Special dinner for $65 arranged specially in advance. $$$

FRENCH NOUVELLE

INDIA PALACE, 12817 Preston, #105, 214-392-0190. Lunch and dinner. Tandoori lamb and chicken, curried lobster, shrimp vindaloo, crisp vegetable samosas (fried patties), chicken tikka masala-all fire and spice! Wonderful vegetable dishes: saag paneer (homemade fresh cheese chunks in a creamy spiced spinach mixture) and kashmiri kufta (fresh vegetables and cheese in dumplings). Authentic desserts include gajar (carrot) halwa. Indian breads arrive hot and puffy or crisp and fragile. $

INDIAN

JUNIPER RESTAURANT, 2917 Fairmount at Cedar Springs, 214-855-0700. Dinner only, closed Sunday and Monday. Introduces herb-infused rack of lamb, rosemary-scented chicken, pheasant breast with wild mushrooms and Madeira pepper sauce, grilled tuna with pistachios and sun-dried tomato butter. Includes vichyssoise, the classic potato soup. Decide early and order a soufflé. Nice wine list features many French finds for few francs. Outdoor dining available. $$

FRENCH COUNTRY

KATHLEEN’S ART CAFE, 4424 Lovers at the Tollway, 214-691-2355. Breakfast, lunch, anddin-ner. Funky place with art on the wall and meat-loaf in the oven. Homestyle warmth comes paired with originality. Self-taught chef-owner Kathleen Ellington loves to bake and comes up with such delights as ancho chili fudge pie (fudge with a kick), sesame-crusted catfish, meatloaf pizza, chili rellenos, smoked pork chops with apple brandy-wonderful early morning breakfasts and brunch-es, too. Lots of inexpensive Texas wines to try. Down the street at Kathleen’s Art Bakery, most dishes are available as take-out, $

AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

LAWRY’S THE PRIME RIB, 3008 Maple at Carlisle and Wolf, 214-521-7777. Lunch and dinner, no lunch on Saturday; Sunday brunch. Edwardian English dining room with brass chan-deliers, unique dome ceiling. There are potted palms, fresh flowers, silver dining carts, all geared to make you feel pampered and privileged. The bar is like an upscale cozy pub. Prime rib, thick steaks, and enormous hand-carved roast beef sandwiches are the main features, You can get takeout or evening delivery. Save room for dessert; it should be the English trifle with strawberries. Winner of the Wine Spectator Great Wine List Award, Lawry’s boasts an extensive list that’s moderately priced. $$

STEAK

LOMA LUNA CAFE, 8201 Preston, 214-691-1552. Lunch and dinner. Like a trip to Santa Fe without the airfare. Warm adobe decor suggests a hacienda. Smoke-sweet scent sharpens your appetite for the house specialty: meats, seafood, and chicken, gently grilled over pecan shells. Have yours Santa Fe style with posole (hominy) and beans. Desserts are unique: Indian bread pudding or cajeta sundae (homemade vanilla ice cream sauced with sweet caramelized goat’s milk). $

SOUTHWESTERN

THE MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK, 2321 Turtle Creek, 214-559-2100. Lunch and dinner, seven days. Antique-filled historic Italianate mansion, with spectacular carved inlay ceiling. World famous and full of surprises (the wine cellar is a silver vault). Carafe Nast Traveler readers place it among the top 50 restaurants in the U.S. Its vaunted stature is due in part to executive chef Dean Fearing. Not yet 40, he’s the acknowledged originator of what has come to he known as Southwest cuisine. Consider: wild boar with cumin black beans and watermelon relish; homemade venison Chorizo with cracked mustard, a Southwestern version of veal piccatta on tomatillo rice, savory Louisiana crab cakes. Very extensive and pricey wine list. $$$

SOUTHWESTERN

MIA’S, 4322 Lemmon at Wycliff, 214-526-1020. Lunch and dinner, closed Sunday. “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” is not just this restaurant’s slogan, but a true threat, explains manager Paul Rodriguez, whose mama co-owns this restaurant with her husband. Mama’s high standards have made this a popular Tex-Mex spot for nine years. The chile rellenos special on Tuesdays is said to be habit-forming. $

TEX-MEX

NATURA CAFE, 2909 McKinney at Howell, 214-855-5483. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner every day, closed holidays. High energy, environment-conscious, fun atmosphere. Go see the 10-foot tall faux asparagus forest in lieu of a palm tree. Bar with fireplace; open-style kitchen in the dining room. Most popular: red snapper racos, chicken penne pasta, smoked tomato sauce, ahi ground tunaburger on kaiser roll, shrimp with black beans. It’s good for you food that is fun. $$

AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

PAUL’S PORTERHOUSE, 10960 Composite at 1-35 and Walnut Hill, 214-356-0279. Lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Beyond the perfectly scared red meat you’ll find non-steak innovations and sophistication that belie the wagon wheel decor: southwest style cabrito (goat),charbroiled pecos rabbit, red river game hens, Texas quail, or spicy, blackened prime rib. Extensive winelist at some of the lowest prices anywhere; most rated 95 or better by the Wine Spectator. Rustic decor features original Winchester rifles, Remington bronzes and pre-Columbian art. Winner of the Texas Beef Council’s “Best steakhouse” prize, geared toward inventiveness as well as excellence. $$$

STEAK

POPOLOS CAFE, 707 Preston Royal Shopping Center at Preston and Royal, 214-692-5497. Lunch and dinner, seven days. Smoking only at the bar. This is the comfortable sort of place where you could happily eat every night: white tablecloths, candlelight, fresh roses on each table, quiet jazz at low level, original paintings, and the kind of food you never tire of. For a prerty perch, nestle into the heated/cooled screened sun porch built around a huge tree. Chef Mark Gonzales shows his Napa Valley roots in his able version of Italian nuova cucina with lots of low-tat, low-cholesterol entrées. Many enticing vegetarian dishes, too. Try the extra hot and spicy “pizza for the brave,” or meatless lasagna with wood-fire grilled vegetables. Most popular dish: angel hair pasta with shrimp. $$

MEDITERRANEAN

THE RIVIERA, 7709 Inwood, 214-351-0094. Open seven days, dinner only. Smoke free. The Riviera continues to flag down awards with its practiced rendition of classics: updated rack of lamb with chutney, escargots with tortelloni, quail, and polenta. It’s one of the top five Dallas restaurants according to readers of Conde Nast Traveler. It’s also won the Wine Spectator Great Wine List Award. $$$

FRENCH/ITALIAN

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE, 5922 Cedar Springs at Inwood, 214-902-8080. Open seven days, dinner only. Most popular: corn-fed steaks. Signature: shrimp rémoulade, BBQ shrimp. Yes, there is a vegetable platter, even though it’s not on the menu. Attracts business and professional people, special celebrations. This is the home of serious steaks. Country French building overlooks meandering stream. Upholstered antique church pews in the oak bar; white tablecloths and brass candles with frosted shades in the dining room; 1,200 bottles of wine on view behind an arch foretell an extensive wine list. $$$

STEAK

SIPANGO, 4513 Travis, 214-522-2411. Lunch and dinner weekdays. Ron Corcoran, Keith Jones, and Matthew Antonovich have hit upon a recipe tor success that has made this one of the trendiest restaurants around. The entire menu is imaginative, from the pastas with a definite Mediterranean flair to selections from the oak fired grill to the wood-fired oven picas. Even if you feed on the attention, you’ll enjoy the tastes. $$

CALIFORNIA/ITALIAN

STAR CANYON RESTAURANT, 3102 Oak Lawn #144 at Cedar Springs, 214-520-7827. Lunch and dinner. Here’s where the stars ar night shine big and bright, but none more sparkling than home-boy celebrity chef Stephan Pyles himself presiding over the restaurant’s open kitchen where a scurry of young chefs slice, dice, stir, and whirl native ingredients into jalapeno-stuffed smoked quail, wood-roasted rabbit enchiladas, Gulf Coast red snapper on Texas jambalaya dolloped with chilipiquin aioli, chile relleno filled with black bean chili, steak ’n’ cowboy beans, all with attitude…the ultimate Dallas dining experience at accessible prices. $$

NEW TEXAS

YELLOW, Z719 McKinney at Worthington, 214-871-1772. Lunch and dinner weekdays, dinner only Saturdays, closed Sundays. East meets West cuisine with the sure hand of chef-owner Avner Samuels (who’s better at creating dishes than restaurant names.) The dishes are imaginative, polished, and perfectly presented: seared ahi tuna, foie gras with mung beans, or duck with tamarind plum sauce. $$$

NEW AMERICAN

ZIZIKI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR, 4514 Travis at Armstrong, 214-521-2233. Lunch and dinner until midnight, closed Sunday. Crossa Greek diner with a Soho-style bistro and a trendy wine bar, throw in some Italian blood and a Hawaiian upbringing and here’s what you get: Chef Costa Arabatzis’ eatery. Fad-free fusion that scours the Mediterranean and Aegean for inspiration, then lightens up on the oil. All your Greek favorites, plus pasta originals. $

MEDITERRANEAN



Northea

AL DENTE CAFE, 1920 Greenville, 214-821-6054. Bargain neighborhood place with the kind of Italian fare you remember (even to the prices). Mussels and calamari, veal cacciatore, baked ziti, Gamberoni Fra Diavota. Got the picture? When you’re in the mood for candle-in-a-Chianti-bot-tle cuisine, this place won’t disappoint. Lovely oak bar, intimate dining. $

ITALIAN

CAFFE PAPARAZZI, 8989 Forest at Greenville,

214-644-1323. Lunch and dinner, closed holidays. Contemporary black and white decor softened with tropical foliage and oil lamps: Soft Mediterranean music. Specialties: lamb, seafood, and pasta nova. Most popular: spinach, mushroom asparagus lasagna, Vegetarians rejoice ! Luscious gnocchi and cannelloni, too. Lunchtime favorite of nearby medics. Outdoors on nice days. Full bar, booths. $$

ITALIAN, NUOVA CUCINA

DADDY JACK’S, 1916 Greenville at Ross, 214-826-4910. Dinner seven nights. Owner/chef Jack Chaplin re-created a typical backstreet Boston chowderhouse, right down to the live lobsters. Perfectly prepared fresh fish, sea-scented lobster bisque, and clam chowder. Featured in season: fresh softshell crabs, stone crabs, oysters, scampi, mussels marinara, grilled tuna with lobster brandy sauce, salmon with Dijon caper cream sauce.$S

SEAFOOD

GERSHWIN’S BAR & DRILL, 8442 Walnut Kill at Greenville, 214-373-7171. Lunch and dinner. White tablecloths, oil lamps, fresh flowers on every table, the romantic tinkle of the piano, stylish samplings for appetizers, an au courant menu: tenderloin with garlic-whipped potatoes, blackened salmon, grilled yellowfin tuna with avocado cilan-tro sauce, snapper en papillote, “Beggar’s Purse” filled with lobster and shrimp in a creamy bisque. Trendy pizzas and pastas. Popular Sunday brunch; outdoor dining in good weather. $$

AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

MATT S RANCHO MARTINEZ, 6312 La Vista Drive at Gaston, 214-823-5517. Lunch and dinner, closed Monday. Busy, popular place puts a healthy new spin on old standards: flautas are grilled, cowboy beans are fat-free. “Lite” fajitas, even all-veggie fajitas. But then there’s buttermilk-battered chicken-fried steak, frog’s legs, chile rellenos stuffed with beef, chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, plus Texas pecans, raisins, and Jack cheese. $

MEXICAN

NERO’S, 2104 Greenville at Prospect, 214-826-6376. Dinner every night. Fresh seafood with pasta or rice, and veal chops an inch and a half thick with your choice of sauces: Masala-mush-room, port wine spiked with cracked pepper, or a zesty green peppercorn butter. Most popular: Linguini fra diavola: pasta with sea scallops, shrimp, and mushrooms. But don’t miss the chicken breast stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and spinach, all topped with creamy garlic sauce. The “pink garlic bread” gets its color from tomato and grated mozzarella. $$

ITALIAN

ROYAL TOKYO, 7525 Greenville, 214-368-3304. Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday buffet 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Authentic sushi bar, the largest in Texas. Tatami room offers kimono-clad servers in the traditional manner (wells for your feet; no need to sit cross-legged!) Hibachi food cooked at your table. Big draws: Black Angus beef, the karaoke bar. Extensive, well-written menu explains cuisine and customs to Westerners. $$

JAPANESE

ST. MARTINS WINE BISTRO, 3020 Greenville, 214-826-0940. Lunch and dinner, Sunday brunch. Extensive selection of wines by the glass, moderately priced, to pair with such elegantly executed entrees as shrimp and scallops in a creamy wine sauce, baby lamb chops with Dijon-garlic bordelaise, tournedos, fresh pasta, homemade paté, excellent cheese choices. Check the blackboard specials. $$

FRENCH

TERlLLl’S, 2815 Greenville at Vickery, 214-827-3993- Lunch and dinner, late night to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Business lunch spot by day; Italian bistro/supperclub by night. Live jazz nightly. Chicken primavera most popular. Try the “Ital-chos,” nacho-size chips of pizza crust with a variety of Italian toppings. Outdoor dining, too. $$

ITALIAN

YEGUA CREEK BREWING COMPANY, 2920 North Henderson, 214-824-BREW. Lunch and dinner. Open to midnight, Thursday through Saturday until 2 a.m. Pig heaven for beer aficionados, appropriately paired with adroitly prepared entrées with a Southwest sting. Try salmon in beer batter and “beerbecued” buffalo brisket tacos, or black bean ravioli topped with Asiago cream sauce. They’ve outdone themselves with pizza ideas: smoked venison and hoar sausage with ancho chilies and wild mushrooms. It’s a bucket o’ fun. $

SOUTHWESTERN



Oak Cliff

SWEET GEORGIA BROWN, 2840 East Ledbctter, 214-375-2020. Lunch and dinner every day; open to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Collards, corn-bread, black-eyed peas, fried chicken, barbecue ribs..this is old-time down-home southern cookin’ with nocholesterol updates. There’s a fresh harvest of veggies every day-about 15 choices- some slow-cooked with a hamhock, others sl-l-low baked in casseroles. Gospel music makes a rousing background; it’s live on Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m. No alcohol; no credit cards. $

HOME COOKING



Far North

ACCOLADES, 19009 Preston, 214-713-7090. Lunch and dinner weekdays, dinner only Saturdays, brunch only Sundays. Dallas restaurant vets Victor Mari Alonso (La Tosca and Trieste) and Chef Christian Svalesen (Ristorante Savino) team successfully in this stylish North Dallas gathering place with all the right elements: great bar, smart New American menu with Mediterranean and Northern Italian influences. Example: salmon Napoleon with Swiss chard, green peppercorn-studded lobster on angel hair, New Zealand venison with black currant sauce, flourless chocolate torte, “Dreamsicle parfait”: housemade vanilla ice cream swirled with tangerine sorbet. $$

AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

BLUE MESA GRILL, 5100 Belt Line at the Tollway, Addison, 214-934-0165. Lunch and dinner 365 days. Worth the trip just for the two versions of nuevo adobe pie: chicken, cheese, and roasted peppers baked in fresh corn masa, and a vegetarian version with whole black beans, tomatillos, and mushrooms. The digs are adobe style with Southwest artwork, mesa colors, lots of cacti, Santa Fe-style outdoor dining. $$

SOUTHWESTERN

CAFE ATHENEE, 5365 Spring Valley at Montfort, 214-239-8060. Lunch and dinner six days; closed Sunday and holidays. Romantic English library decor: dark paneling, white tablecloths, warm chandeliers, fresh flowers, potted palms, soft music. Senior execs and affluents come for business lunches, quiet dinners. Most popular: gypsy appetizer platter, homemade Romanian sausage. Signature: sole à la Scorpio, chicken martini ( low-fat), grandmother’s stuffed cabbage, white caviar salad. $$

EASTERN EUROPEAN/CONTINENTAL

CHAMBERLAIN’S PRIME CHOP HOUSE, 5330 BeltLine,Town Hall Square at Montfort, Addison, 214-934-2467. Dinner, closed Sunday. Free valet. Fashioned aftera ’50s-style European brasserie: polished brass, dark woods, and deep burgundy tones. Most popular: tenderloin stuffed with portobello, lamb and horseradish-mashed potatoes, peppered venison steak, slow-smoked prime rib. Dallas-born namesake chef (Mansion, Crescent Club, and Agnew vet) is co-owner. $$

STEAK

COPELANDS OF NEW ORLEANS, 5 353 Belt Line at Prestonwood/Montfort, 214-661-1883. Lunch and dinner. Busy, bustling Dallas site of the popular Cajun chain in attractive brass-greenery-Tiffany-lamplit setting. Pleasing adaptations of Cajun classics: gumbo, shrimp étouffée, blackened redfish, andouille sausage with red beans and rice, plus pasta, ribs, burgers, Po’ boys, croissant sandwiches, pecan cookie-crusted cheesecake, sweet potato bread pudding- Specialty drinks and coffees, creative kid’s menu, “lite” and veggie offerings. Sunday brunch bar, booths, seasonal outdoor dining, child sears, take-out, local delivery. $$

CAJUN

DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE, 5251 Spring Valley at the Tollway, 214-490-9000. Dinner, closed Sunday. The carnivore’s castle. White tablecloths, candles, lots of tourists, frequent flyers, and visiting firemen in search of the quintessential Texas steak experience. Here it is. Mega-lobsters, too. $$$

STEAK

FERRARI’S VILLA, 14831 Midway near Belt Line, Addison, 214-980-9898. Lunch weekdays; dinner six nights; closed Sundays. Has been turning out classic old country pizzas and fabulous focaccia breads since 1983, along with succulent seafood, steaks and chops, chicken and veal, authentic pasta dishes. $$

ITALIAN

HUNTINGTON’S, (The Westin Hotel) 13340 Parkway at LBJ, 214-851-2882. Lunch anddinner weekdays, dinner Saturday, closed Sunday. An elegant respite in a beautifully appointed dining room with lots of greenery and fresh flowers, wing-back chairs. You’ll be cradled in comfort, surrounded by soothing music, and spoiled with attentive service. The menu promises Dover sole meunière, rack of iamb, wild boar and other game, longhorn beef, even pan-seared ostrich with sun-dried blueberry chutney. Winner of the Wine Spectator Great Wine List Award, it offers an extensive, yet moderately priced selection. $$

AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

MAY DRAGON, 4848 Belt Line at Inwood, Addison, 214-392-9998. Lunch and dinner 365 days. One of the most scrutable Chinese menus ever; descriptions so complete you can use it as a cookbook. Almost as many dishes, too! Most popular: sesame chicken, crispy whole red snapper in Hunan sauce, Peking duck, Hong Kong-style steak. Roll your own: lettuce with shrimp, chicken, pork or vegetarian. Giant fortune cookie filled with chocolate mousse. Piano music Friday and Saturday nights. $$

CHINESE

MI PIACI, 14854 Montfort, Addison, 214-934-8424. Lunch and dinner Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday dinner only. Homemade Bologna-style pasta (with eggs}, and hand-stirred risotto dishes with imported short grain rice are featured. Try the salmon and sea scallop risotto. Or the cappellacci: giant ravioli filled with fresh crabmeat, finished with lemon cream and asparagus. Brodo frutti di mare is the classic fishermen’s stew, enough for two. Simple pleasures: new potatoes roasted with rosemary and olive oil. $$

ITALIAN

PREIZLER’S DELICATESSEN ft BAKERY, 116

Preston Valley Shopping Center at LBJ, 214-458-8896, Fax 214-701-8571. Breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Saturdays. If you lust after lox, cry for knishes or salivate over smoked sable, here’s your place. Genuine Jewish penicillin (chicken soup with matzoh balls or kreplach) chopped liver, potato latkes (pancakes) with applesauce, blintzes (crepes), pure beef franks. Sandwiches are stupendous. Fax for takeout. $

DELI



Midcities-Fort Wor

CACHAREL, 9th Floor, Brookhollow Two, 2221 East Lamar at Highway 360, Arlington, 817-640-9981. Lunch and dinner, closed Sunday and holidays. Imagine a French country penthouse! This one serves escargot, house-cured salmon on haricots, pesro-brushed swordfish, tenderloin Peri-gordine sauce. Most popular: duck breast with cranberries, filo with white chocolate mousse and raspberries. $$$

FRENCH COUNTRY

MICHAELS, 3413 West Seventh at Montgomery, Fort Worth, 817-877-3413. Lunch and dinner weekdays, dinner Saturdays, closed Sundays. Trendy take-off of cowboy cuisine in sophisticated contemporary setting. “Bjg Plates” really are: afoot in diameter! Artfully arranged crab cakes, southwestern style, infused with ancho chile. Char-broiled lamb chops topped with Texas goat cheese and raspberry chipotle sauce. Pecan-crusted chicken fillets enclose a creamy goat cheese filling. $$

TEXAS NEW

SAINT-EMILION, 3617 West Seventh, Fort Worth, 817-737-2781. Dinner seven days a week. Pretty French country decor and traditional dishes, lovingly prepared. The fixed-price full menu at $28.75 is truly a great find. Choose rotisserie duck, sage-scented roast chicken in the country style, boneless lamb, smoked beef tenderloin, or imported Dover sole in lemon butter. $$

COUNTRY FRENCH

STAR OF TEXAS GRILL, Worthing ton Hotel, 200 Main in Sundance Square, Fort Worth, 817-870-1000. Sophisticated Southwest cuisine: West Texas venison chili, BBQ Brazos chicken & peppered Jack cheese quesadillas; lump crab pecan-crusted tart with tempura jalapeno and black bean roast corn relish, pasta caliente spiced with roasted peppers and Dallas moz-zarella. Decor designed by Arlington Ballpark architect David Schwarz. $$$

SOUTHWESTERN

VIA REAL, 4020 North MacAithur at Las Colinas Plaza, Suite 100, Irving, 214-255-0064. Lunch and dinner seven days, closed holidays. Mexican cuisine with Santa Fe style in a lovely Las Colinas setting; menu is right on target. Try the succulent gulf shrimp on serrano chili fettuccine, or almond-crusted chicken in a spicy orange-scented sauce. Squash enchiladas and mushroom tacos are great selections for vegetarians. Bargain-priced wine list. $$

MEXICAN

LOCATION GUIDE

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS: Look in this section for restaurants with two or mote locations.

DOWNTOWN: Bounded roughly by 1-30, I-35, Woodall Rogers, and Central Expressway, also includes Deep Ellum.

NORTHWEST: The area west of Central Expressway, north of downtown, and south of LBJ. Includes the Oak Lawn, Lemmon Avenue, and McKinney Avenue areas as well as the Park Cities.

NORTHEAST: The area east of Central Expressway and north of I-30. Includes East Dallas, Lakewood, Garland, and Mesquire.

OAK CLIFF-SOUTH: The area south of 1-30. Includes all southern suburbs.

FAR NORTH: The area north of LBJ. Includes Addison, Carrollton, Richardson, and Piano.

MIDCITIES-FORT WORTH: Arlington, Bed-ford-Euless, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, and Irving.