The question I’m asked the most is “What’s a good new restaurant in Dallas?” Fortunately for Dallas residents and visitors alike there are usually at least two new options every 6 months. In this case my new favorite spot is in downtown Dallas on the top floor of a very posh boutique (Forty Five Ten) with a terrace that overlooks the art piece that locals call “The Eyeball”.
The Eyeball.
Mirador
1608 Elm St., Dallas
www.mirador-dallas.com
I had a feeling that Mirador would be great simply because of the culinary backgrounds of the two collaborating chefs, Josh Sutcliffe (executive chef) and Nilton “Junior” Borges (executive chef of The Joule Hotel). Sutcliffe, most recently, was executive chef at Filament and before that worked at FT33, both led by Food and Wine’s Best New Chef-Southwest and James Beard nominee, Matt McCallister. Borges also had a stint at FT33 as an executive chef. Prior to that, he was executive chef at Uchi when they earned 5 stars from the Dallas Morning News. Uchi, by the way, is also owned and operated by another James Beard winner, Tyson Cole.
Interior- Photo credit: Mei-Chun Jau/Paper City Magazine
Enough name-dropping and back to the food! At first glance the menu seems a bit common (deviled eggs, Scottish salmon and chicken paillard) but the complex flavors proved otherwise! You could tell that skilled hands and minds crafted the food and cocktail menus.
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- Bourbon and clove.
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- Beautiful glassware.
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- Tuna crudo with ginger, gooseberries and lime.
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- Special small plate of bluefin tuna tartare.
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- So much goodness!
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- Grilled okra with nori vinaigrette.
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- Summer squash with parmesan.
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- Roasted eggplant with sesame, cilantro and calabrian chili.
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- Fresh orecchiette with san marzano tomatoes and aged pecorino.
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- Featured special: beef Bolognese ravioli.
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- Chicken paillard with charred lemon, arugula and sunchoke.
Everything from the starter of whipped ricotta toast (not pictured because we devoured it!) to the veggie sides were superbly executed with complex, but delicate flavors. Some standout items: the grilled okra, the perfect-for-summer squash, tuna crudo and every pasta including the off-the-menu special of beef bolognese ravioli.
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- Looking up at the night sky.
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- The dinner gang and our server, Yesi.
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- Posing with the art work-photo credit: Jerry Miller (@jewami)
◊GG Tips from The GG List◊:
- Impress your date with a seat on the terrace overlooking the Eyeball, weather permitting.
- Don’t skip seeing the sexy design of the lounge. Have a pre- or post-dinner Bourbon and Clove cocktail (their take on an Old Fashion) or The Mirador Mule.
- Enjoy lighter fare such as crispy chicken bites, warm olives and cod croquettes in the lounge midday or until 11p (Thursday-Saturday) or visit during lunch (11a-2:30p Monday-Saturday) for budget-friendly alternatives to dinner.
