One of my favorite things about growing up in the South is the abundance of mom and pop restaurants serving food that warms the soul and comforts the heart. However, these days in Dallas, comfort food is going beyond the Southern cooking genre and has ties to global cuisine. Here are my top picks on where to get food that allows your tastebuds to travel to a home away from home.
Executive Chef Andre Natera recently revamped his menu over at Village Kitchen (formerly Marquee Grill) and with items like Shrimp Corndogs with Sriracha Ketchup and Chinese Mustard, the allure of a playful take on comfort food is sure to please. The new concept, deemed a true neighborhood restaurant, hits close to home with reasonable price points and a seperate kid centric menu offering. Hell, with a Pecan Lodge smoked brisket flatbread on the list, what’s not to love? Julios Roasted Chicken with the fixings is a dish that takes me back to the family dinner table and that’s just the kind of thing Dallas needs when it comes to comfort food with an upscale twist. Take a peek at the rest of the village kitchen menu here, the new place is open now!
Get familiar with the newest ‘straight from the coasts of Thailand’ hotspot, PakPao in in the design district. “Primarily influenced by Bangkok’s streets, Pakpao’s chefs also draw inspiration from diverse regions of the country and all their dishes are prepared with fresh and traditional ingredients.” Those who’ve traveled far and wide to establish themselves would say that a trip to this restaurant isn’t to be missed. Serving up specialities like Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad), Bpouu Nimh Pad Phong Karee (Crispy Soft Shell Crab) and Coconut Forbidden Rice with Pandan Panna Cotta satisfy your cravings of a vacation to Bangkok with bite after bite goodness. Next time you crave a taste of Thailand, head to PakPao.
The streets of Dallas are littered with taco stands, tex-mex joints and drive thrus where drunken co-eds get their Doritos Locos Tacos on. But what we’re missing is an authentic Mexican restaurant to add to an endangered species of its kind in town. Enter Mico Rodriguez and his new concept, Mesero Miguel, set to open September 15th. The restaurant comes to a highly trafficked space off of Henderson. It’s been a Cuban joint, a failed Mexican concept and a Uptown Transplant gone wrong, but with the Mico touch what could go wrong? In a two-store 1960’s Palm Springs inspired space, Mesero Miguel will serve dishes like Albondigas De Mi Madre (a twist on meatballs made with Wagyu and served with White Queso and Salsa Roja) and Short Ribs with Guajillo Cheese Grits with Picked Onion and Arugula salad. The menu seems to be a spin on moms kitchen, Mico style with additions that make it a signature no one is soon to forget. More on the menu and concept here.
Photo Credit: Natalie Wolfe
Located in the bustling Travis Walk area of Knox street, ‘Le Bilbo’ as its known to its loyal following has swayed Dallas into a Parisian food coma. The famed Cajun Chicken with its smoky butter sauce and side of fries is the cure for the homesick French blues. Champagne flows as diners are invited to cozy up to the chic dining room and waiters swoop in to take care of the rest. Its a cozy little restaurant that has brought ‘J’Adore!’ feelings to the Lone Star State. Local reality stars and Parisian dreamers spotted here.
