My husband Marcus and I don’t ever skimp out on our weekly date night and you shouldn’t either. The person you’re taking out may be new or long-term, either way, you want to have a special evening with them. The menu is important, but the atmosphere is even more. Most of all, you want to impress your date with your heightened taste and attention to detail.
Luckily, Dallas has some of the best restaurants in the country and there’s plenty of places to choose from. Maybe too many! I’ve got you covered. I’ve tried most of the restaurant scene in Dallas to create the ultimate list of the best places to go on a date. My hope is that this guide will help you find the perfect place to take your person, saving you time and stress. Now you’ll only have to worry about what you’re going to wear! Here are Marcus and I’s favorite places to dine in Dallas when its the two of us:
Image by Doce Mesas
Doce Mesas
I’m a 25% Hispanic girl from San Antonio, so naturally I navigate towards Mexican food. I can’t help it. It’s also one of my favorite cuisines to cook, thanks to watching my mother whip up the best tacos and enchiladas. Anyways, Doce Mesas is both small and intimate, you won’t even feel like you’re in a Mexican restaurant when you enter. You’ll think you’ve teleported to a nice little, breezy bistro in Los Angeles. The patio’s white and airy curtains make for a romantic spot when the weather is right. They also have the best complimentary chips and salsa in town - you’ll get three salsas to dip and enjoy.
To start:
Queso: I mean, duh. Who doesn’t love it? Doce Mesas uses a fresh, white cheddar with added spinach and poblano pepper to get your greens in. And its all done right - it is thick, hot and creamy. It won’t leave you feeling like you ate toxic goo nor will it leave you feeling heavy.
Sopa Azteca: The best tortilla soup in Dallas. Hands down. This is how tortilla soup should be. It's not watery nor transparent thanks to Doce’s approach on slow-cooking real chile ancho and chile guajillo. The broth comes out rich and flavorful, like how they do it down in Mexico. Its top with cubes of queso fresco (you won’t have to worry about a date-inappropriate, stringy mess), avocado slices and crunchy tostaditos.
Entree:
Fish Tacos: This is what Marcus always gets. They've never failed us, we are always delighted by them (I say we because I always sneak a few bites). The fish is a “catch of the day” so you can rest assured it is going to be fresh. It's your choice if you want the tacos grilled or tempura fried - Marcus goes grilled. And it's served with delicious black beans and rice.
Carolina Chicken Adobo: This is the holy grail of the chicken dinner. You’ll have to come early to get your share as they tend to run out due to its popularity. The chicken is slow-roasted all day and packed with authentic Mexican-spice flavors. You'll get homemade corn tortillas, black beans, cilantro-green rice, and seasoned vegetables on the side. Good luck. You’re going to crave it forever.
*If they are out of Carolina Chicken, opt for Chicken Fajitas. They aren’t on the menu, but the secret is worth sharing.
Image by Boulevardier
Boulevardier
Paris is the most romantic city in the world, but a trip there isn’t the most convenient date night. Luckily, you can get that same French-inspired feeling in Bishop Arts. Like any great French restaurant, Boulevardier’s menu is Chef-driven, with a cozy and charming atmosphere. The ever-changing menu will have you trying something new every time you visit. Boulevardier offers over 200 different American and French wines. If you’re not a wine person (how?) then you’ll find something on their cocktail list. Like the B-Spot, its made with blackberry infused gin, mint, ginger, lime, and Topochico. If you’re like me and aren’t a gin person, you can request vodka instead - it goes just as great. Before or after, Stroll around Bishop Arts and check out the quaint shops and bars along the way. We always walk over to Neighborhood Cellar, a quaint wine bar, for a nightcap.
To Start:
Wood-Grilled Gulf Oysters - I didn’t know I liked oysters until I tried Boulevardier's. What makes these babies a real treat is the house-made Casino Butter. The butter is infused with bacon, shallots, garlic, bell peppers, tabasco, Worcestershire, lemon and more! Each oyster is topped with the Casino Butter and then placed on a wood-burning grill until the they sizzle and pop.
Entree:
Heritage Berkshire Pork Chop - This is Marcus’s choice. Somehow, this pork chop tastes better than a steak. The bad boy is brined for many hours and pan-roasted to perfection. Its served with a vegetable cassoulet, pickled fennel, and a mustard-cornichon sauce. I’m pretty sure this will become your pick for the best pork chop in Dallas.
Fish Special - The special may be red snapper, salmon, tuna, or sea bass (fingers crossed its red snapper). Whichever it is, it’s going to be magnifique and will have some French flavors to it. Be sure to order the Brussels Sprouts as your side. They are oven baked to crispiness with house bacon and sweet soy and togarashi sauce.
Shinsei
Shinsei is the place to go for sushi in Dallas. Their rolls are high-quality, genuine, and fresh. It makes for a welcoming date spot with its dim lighting, hip vibe, and beautiful people. Get there a little early and enjoy a tasty Moscow Mule at the bar. I don’t normally order a Moscow Mule, I’m more of a martini kind of gal, but the homemade ginger beer has me ordering one every time I’m here. The bar upstairs is usually quieter, so you may opt for that one if you’re wanting a more intimate scene.
To start:
Katina’s Crispy Rice - It’s spicy tuna served on crispy rice and topped with Sriracha and jalapeño. The crispy rice is like a little fried patty of white rice. It adds just the right amount of texture without dominating the tuna’s spicy element and the bold Sriracha flavor.
Rolls/Sashimi: These are all creative and delightful rolls that are going to surprise you and your date. Each of them are packed with flavor and a little something that’s unexpected. My hope for your evening is that you order a bunch and share, dip, and laugh with your person.
Dragon Lady Press - Flame Seared Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Serrano Peppers, Crispy Onions
Lynxes Roll - Salmon, Cucumber, Superwhite Tuna, Ahi Tuna
Pressed Roll - Spicy Tuna, Big Eye Tuna, Salmon, Avocado
Shinesei Sashimi - A house specialty: yellowtail, super white tuna, jalapeño, ponzu
Entree:
Soy Glaze Salmon - It is oven-baked and finished on the grill, you’ll be able to tell because of its distinctive hashed grill marks. Each bite holds both sweet and umami dimensions. Its marinated in soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil for some ideal amount of time making it as tender and flavorful as possible. This is an easy plate to share alongside the rolls you choose, or all on its own if you’re not feeling sushi.
Image by Nonna
Nonna
With a wood-burning oven as the restaurant’s focal point, you’ll be feeling warm and fuzzy as soon as you walk in. This same fire adds the irreplaceable, rustic flavors to the food you’ll soon be devouring. If Olive Garden and Buca di Beppo have you rolling your eyes, then you’ll appreciate Nonna's authentic and regional Italian menu. The menu is both seasonal and local with an emphasis on artisanal Salumi, pasta, and pizza. The space is small and a little inconspicuous, making it a well-kept secret in Dallas.
To start:
Pizza Crust Bread - Everyone gets a huge portion of puffed up pizza crust with an olive oil and sea salt drizzle. The size is so big that it takes up half of the table. Delizoso! The challenge is to not get too full before your main meal comes.
Little Gem Salad - The fresh and local produce is what makes this salad as delicious and refreshing as it is. It's accompanied with gorgonzola vinaigrette, bosc pears, persimmons, and hazelnuts. You can share it, but you’ll want it all to yourself.
Entree:
Ravioli of Maine Lobster - The pasta menu is almost never the same, except for its Lobster Ravioli. The ravioli are housemade, hand-cut, and the chefs use the finest lobster out of Maine to fill them. Each ravioli will melt in your mouth and you'll wonder how you lived so long without it.
Image by Up on Knox
Up on Knox
An American Brasserie known for its casual-chic atmosphere and wood-fired seafood plates. I know it as a lively place to spend a Friday night with my husband. Up on Knox takes on the same energy as the bustling Knox-Henderson district its set in. You and your companion will be impressed by the creative menu, excellent service, and beautiful table settings. The bartenders are always accommodating and talented, especially when it comes to martinis. Tell them the way you like it and they will deliver. Try to make it in time for the happy hour on Sunday-Friday from 3-7 pm and Friday-Saturday from 9-11 pm.
To start:
Tomato Braised Meatballs - Meatballs are fun to eat, especially when they are this delicious. They are super moist and don’t fall apart thanks to the San Marzano, parmesan, levain combination. You’ll enjoy sharing these with your sweetheart from across the table.
Wood-Fired Gulf Shrimp - This is where Up on Knox’s wood-fire oven comes in clutch. They use a cast iron skillet and fill it with the fresh shrimp and then put the whole skillet into the fired-up oven. The shrimp comes out tender and with a robust flavor that you can’t get from cooking on a regular stove. They are then tossed with preserved lemon, almond, and mint.
Entree:
Steak Frites - Any good French-American restaurant should have a good Steak Frites, and Up on Knox agrees. They use an Arrowhead Farm Bavette steak and smother it with salsa verde. Of course, the fries are the best part of the plate. They are hand-cut, crispy and fresh out of the fryer.
Trout Almondine - The trout falls apart at the touch of a fork. It’s topped with toasted almonds and a brown butter sauce. The haricots vests are crisp-tender and make for the perfect complement.
Sides:
Potato Mousse - I'm a huge potato fan. I'll eat them in any form, any time, any day. And if you like potatoes as much as me, and butter as much as Paula Dean then you have to order this whipped potato concoction. They are fluffy, airy and velvety. It is worth undoing a button or two to make room for an extra side.
Image by Al Biernat’s
Al Biernat's
Al Biernat's has been named as one of the best steakhouses in the country several times. This is well-deserved due to its superb service and fine steaks. But it really is so much more than just a steak restaurant! It has some of the best seafood around. Since 1998, its grown its reputation as the Dallas staple offering fine steaks, fresh seafood, and over 650 selections of wine. Don’t be surprised if Al Biernat, the owner himself, stops by your table to see how your date is going. The atmosphere is busy and loud, but still charming. This is the right place to impress your person with a fancy steak dinner that’s not too stuffy. There are two locations: one in Oak Lawn and the other is in Addison.
To start:
Ahi Tuna “Poke” - It’s basically tuna tartare. And it’s to die for. They use top-notch, chopped ahi tuna and toss it with toasted sesame seeds, pine nuts, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers. All of these bold flavors end up working so well together. Do beware - it the jalapeños bring some heat! It comes with crispy sesame lavosh to dip and stack with.
Entree:
Any Steak - Order your favorite cut of steak. You can’t go wrong at Al Beirnat’s. The chefs are so incredibly trained in the art of cooking a steak, that you can rest assured that what comes out of the kitchen will be phenomenal. This will soon be your go-to place for when you and your fellow carnivore's red-meat craving takes over.
Crab Stuffed Lemon Sole - As if the sole wasn’t good enough on its own, they decided to stuff it with the freshest and tastiest crab ever. The hints of lemon bring it all together. Its served over a bed of sautéed spinach and topped with a lobster butter sauce.
Chicken Parmesan - Your jaw may drop when this plate is placed in front of you! It’s one of the biggest plates of Chicken Parm that I’ve ever seen (there’s more than plenty to share). The chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and the marinara sauce is house-made, never bland. Sharing may get a little messy, but maybe you’ll end up having a Lady & The Tramp moment…
Sides:
Whipped Sweet Potato - Not too sweet and the right kind of fluffy. Goals is to get my sweet potatoes at home this whipped.
Lobster Risotto - I could eat this as a meal all by itself. Risotto can be tricky to cook, but Al Beirnat’s hasn’t failed me yet. Get it with your steak and you’ve got steak and lobster, but even better!