Texas Restaurants~Nobu

I picked this restaurant without knowing very much about the Nobu restaurant.  I told my mom that I was thinking about canceling this reservation and she mentioned that the Nobu's Hawaii location was receiving good reviews.  Mike and I decided to make this past Saturday a date night and went to the Dallas Symphony's Gershwin Favorites concerts after our dinner at Nobu. 

Here's Nobu's Restaurant Week menu.

Mixed Green Salas with Matsuhisa "Soy Onion" Dressing and Miso Soup.

For a few minutes, I could not figure out why I wasn't enjoying the salad as much as Mike. Then I realized there was wasabi in the dressing (I do not like wasabi).  Mike realized it before me and was surprised that I had been eating the salad.  My salad was then transferred to Mike's side of the table.

 Appetizer: California Roll

Appetizer: Chef's Choice-Rainbow Roll

Beef Tenderloin with Wasabi Pepper Sauce

Mike chose this against his instinct.  He knew that another beef dish would wane in comparison to the steak we ate at Tim Love's Lonesome Dove. 

Chef's Choice Restaurant Week Special Dish-Sea bass cooked tempura-style with two dipping sauces and chips.  I think this was a upscale version of Japanese fish and chips. 

Green Tea and Mango Mochi Ice Cream

Nobu's recap. We enjoyed d the food at Nobu's and probably would have liked it more if we hadn't gone to Lonesome Dove the week prior. The sushi was at par to your average sushi back home in Hawaii (yeah, we are spoiled), and overall, it's hard for us to compare mainland Japanese food to Japanese food served in Hawaii.

While we were enjoying our dinner at Nobu's, Mike and I ranked our favorite restaurant that we dined at.  We decided that Lonesome Dove was the overall winner for our favorite restaurant.  Nobu's won for best ambiance. Loft 610 came in a close second for best main dish, but Mike's complaint was that the portion was smaller than he wanted. 

Oh and here's a random anecdote:
A few weeks ago, I was asked how Mike and I can afford to eat at all these expensive restaurants.  I replied that it was "Restaurant Week" so the meals were cheaper.  Then my co-worker said, "Are you guys DINKS?"  I gave him a blank stare.  He then replied, "Dual Income, No Kids."  Never heard that term before, but yes, we are DINKS.

Nobu
400 Crescent Court
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 252-7000

Texas Restaurants~Fearing's

Back in 2009, I was at the Research Chefs Association's annual conference in Dallas and helped to plate some of Dean Fearing's food. We got to meet the chef and got to eat some of the food that he had prepared for one of the events.  At that time, I didn't realize that he was one a famous and popular chef in Dallas. I thought that the food was underwhelming, but not my cup of tea.  I decided to give Dean Fearing's food another shot, so last week  I went to a girl's night out at Fearing's, which is known for upscale southwestern food.  

 

 

Corn Muffin

Dean's Tortilla Soup with South of the Border Flavorings

Mesquite Grilled Wild Salmon Glazed with Apricot Barbecue Sauce,

Black-Eyed Peas and Living Watercress Salad (I ordered the salmon)

Chili Braised Short Ribs with Queso Fresco Corn Whipped Potatoes and Crispy Tobacco Onions

Watermelon/Jalapeno Glazed Berkshire Pork Tenderloin

on Sweet Corn Pan Stuffing with Gunbarrel City Greens and Fried Okra

Duo of Dessert

Caramel Brownie Sundae and Texas Peach Parfait

A lot of people that I talk to really enjoy this restaurant, after all it is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Dallas, TX.  But I left the restaurant feeling the same way I did after eating Fearing's food back at the RCA conference.  The food was "okay" nothing spectacular or any dishes worth recommending.  Maybe the food was just "okay" because we ordered off the Restaurant Week menu.  Maybe the regular menu has better food options.  Maybe the atmosphere is more upscale and elegant in other parts of the restaurant (it seemed like all the Restaurant Week patrons were seated in a separate room from the main dining area).  Maybe my palate just doesn't like upscale southwestern food.  Maybe there was just too much hype around Fearing's being a great restaurant.  My conclusion is that there were too many "maybes" about the restaurant that I told Mike that it would not be worth his time and money to try Fearing's out.  
If I had left Mike home when I went to Lonesome Dove, there would be no question in my mind that I would say, "Mike, you have to try out Lonesome Dove, I'm sure you'd really enjoy it." But nope, I have the complete opposite opinion of Fearing's. 


Fearing's
at the Ritz Carlton 
2121 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201 
(214)922-4848

Texas Restaurants~Lonesome Dove Western Bistro

Last Saturday Mike, a friend, and I made the trip to Fort Worth Texas to Tim Love's Lonesome Dove Restaurant.Tim Love's Restaurant Week menu was one of the more limited menus, nevertheless the food was superb!

Again, the dish I chose is in a pink font, and Mike's choice is in blue. 
Salad Course - Choice of:

Butter Lettuce, Bacon Lardoons, Chili Pepitas, Red Chili Buttermilk

Mike and I ended up switching appetizers because I enjoyed the soup more and he enjoyed the salad more. 

Roasted Summer Squash Soup, Shaved Gruyere, Creme Fraiche

We also ordered a couple of dishes that were not part of the Restaurant Week menu.

 Elk sausage sliders, seared foie gras, blueberry jam ($14). 

Mike and Sean really enjoyed these burgers.  They were debating whether they would rather eat 4 sliders plus the dessert we had or the beef tenderloin  Mike and Sean both would choose the burger and the dessert. 

White Truffled Mac and Cheese ($12).

This dish was really rich and creamy and had a nice subtle truffle flavor.  It was topped with 

Main Course - Choice of:

 Roasted Garlic Stuffed Beef Tenderloin, Western Plaid Hash, Syrah Demi Glace (this dish is normally $35)

The meat was awesome! Yes mom, I ordered a whole hunk of meat and really enjoyed it.   If you all know me, I'm not a big meat eater, but this steak was so tender and well-flavored, it was perfect.  I think this might have been one of the best steaks I've eaten in my life. 

Pork Chop, Three Bean Ragout, Crispy Parsnip(we didn't order this)
Flounder en Papillote, Shallot, Summer Vegetables, Spanish Olive Oil (we didn't order this. i was debating whether I wanted to eat fish or meat, and Mike rationalized with me and convinced me that steak is usually the best choice at at steakhouse)

Dessert Course

Caramel Budino (Butterscotch Pudding with Salted Caramel and Fresh Cream).  I don't even like butterscotch or caramel, but this was simple and delicious.  I liked how the salt slightly muted the sweetness of the caramel.  

Lonesome Dove has definitely made it to my list of "Favorite Restaurants in Texas."  Even thought it's all the way in Fort Worth, TX (about a one-hour drive from where we live), we'll have to go back when people come and visit us.

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
2406 N. Main Street,
Fort Worth, TX 76164.

Texas Restaurants~Loft 610

About two years when I was interviewing in Texas,  I went to Loft 610 for dinner.  I previously posted about this restaurant and was not thrilled about the food.
Flash-forward to 2010 and after a couple of recommendations and the fact that Tre Wilcox from Bravo's Top Chef is the Executive Chef, Mike and I decided to check out the restaurant with a couple of friends. 

The menu was posted online and I was not quite sure what I wanted to order.  Here's the complete $35 Restaurant Week menu with pictures of the items we ordered.  My choice is in the pink font, Mike's is in the blue font.  All the dishes in the black font are items that we did not order. Would you believe me if I told you that I pre-posted Mike's picks prior to dinner?  Based on his food preferences, I took a stab at what he would order. 

1st Course

Seared Shrimp and Diver Sea Scallop, Watermelon, Cilantro, Olive Oil

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Citrus Champagne Sauce

Crispy Pork Spring Rolls, Red Chili Dipping Sauce
Baby Iceberg “Wedge” Oven Roasted Tomato, Bacon, Chives
Caesar Salad, Grilled Sourdough Croutons, Shaved Parmesan
Lobster Bisque, Grilled Vegetables

2nd Course

 Red Wine Braised Chicken, Polenta Croutons, Grilled Asparagus

Grilled Wild King Salmon, Black Truffle Risotto, English Peas, Citrus Brown Butter

Roast Beef Tenderloin, Chipotle Jack Cheese Grits, Ancho Shiner Bock Sauce

 Pan Roasted Mahi Mahi, Shrimp Fried Rice, Carrot Ginger Butter (The actual menu had a sea bass with a mango sauce). 

Wood Roasted Bone In Pork Chop, Three Cheese Potato Gratin, French Beans

The highlight of my night was definitely the sea bass. It was perfectly cooked and so light, yet moist. I wasn't a fan of the fried rice because the texture of the rice was a bit like risotto.  Actually our friend Chris thought that it was risotto. 

Dessert

 Chocolate Seduction Cake with Caramel Whipped Cream and Raspberry Sauce

White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding with Rum Toffee Sauce

Texas Peach and Blueberry Crisp with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

I ordered the chocolate cake, but ended up finishing up Mike's peach and blueberry crisp.

We enjoyed the company and will definitely be trying out more restaurants! I love it when you go out with friends who also enjoy good food and who like to sample each others dishes!

If you were like me and wrote Loft 610 off your list of dining establishments, I would recommend that you go back to the restaurant and try it again. 

Loft 610
Granite Park 5760 State Hwy 121 Suite 175
Plano, TX 75024
972.377.2500

Restaurant Week...dun dun dun

Wow, I am just starting to realize just how frequently Mike and I eat out here. It's so difficult to keep up with the blog posts of all the restaurants that we visit. Personally, I enjoy eating at home more than eating out, and in a given week, we eat out about once a week or less. I think we end up eating out often because of group gatherings (which are usually fun even without the food).

But, in the month of August, Mike and I will be stepping up our game and checking out some high-end restaurants during "KRLD Restaurant Week" in Dallas.  Restaurant Week is a week (or more) when participating restaurants serve 3-course meals for $35.  The purpose of Restaurant Week is to support the North Texas Food Bank.  There is still time to make reservations at some of the participating restaurants. I found this link to be the most useful in planning our schedule and selecting which restaurants we wanted to attend.
 You may have to make a reservation later in the evening or settle for one in the middle of the week.  Also when calling for reservations, some restaurants request that you mention that you are making reservation for restaurant week. 

So which restaurants will Mike and I be visiting?  Stephen Pyles, Loft 610 (Tre Wilcox from Top Chef is the executive chef ), Nobu, Tim Love's Lonesome Dove, and Fearings.

Yes, we'll be eating a lot during the month of August.  Hopefully the 8-10 miles I run/walk and the two spin classes I take each week will minimize the poundage I may gain.