Dallas Restaurant Tips by EdwinWatson

Fearing's: The Father of Modern Southwestern Cuisine

Celebrity Chef Dean Fearing has left behind the world famous "The Mansion of Turtle Creek" and opened up his own restaurant, Fearing's, in the Dallas Ritz Carlton hotel.

Fearing has created seven spectacular dining and gathering settings, all featuring "Elevated American Cuisine - Bold Flavors, No Borders."

There's the relaxed and welcoming Rattlesnake Bar with its warm glow of honey onyx; The Gallery with its elegant table settings and superb art collection; the intimate Wine Cellar featuring private dining for 16 people under a vaulted stone ceiling; or dining ringside while watching chefs in action beneath the rawhide chandeliers of the relaxed Dean’s Kitchen. The path to indulgence lies in the Sendero, Chef Fearing’s stunning glass dining pavilion looking onto its own walled garden, while the lushly landscaped Ocaso patio features soothing water elements. The nearby Live Oak Bar is an equally inviting gathering spot, complete with its own outdoor fireplace.

Esquire Magazine rated it the restaurant of the year and Zagat named it the best hotel restaurant in the US.

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Victory Plaza outside Downtown

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 0

Theme: American

Website: http://www.fearingsrestaurant.com/

Screen Door: Southern Food Done Haute

Where modern culinary wisdom and decades of tried and true tradition blend. The menu takes you back to the porch of decades ago and introduces you to new generations of dishes
that think in fresh ways about southern cuisine.

The menu is divided into two sections, Now and Then. The "Then" section has dishes that are done in the classic and traditional manner, the "Now" section has classic dishes done with a modern interpretation.

The crowd is a bit young (21-35) and a bit elite (relaxed snobbery), but if you can block that out, the service is great and the food is even better.

Favorite Dish: Classic Shrimp and Grits. Braised colossal shrimp with stewed tomatoes, house smoked turkey “ham” and Anson Mills grits.

Ridiculously good.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Downtown

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: American

Website: http://www.screendoordallas.com