Cindy

Hey Lyle, You certainly need to get back, then! If you're ever in San Antonio, I'd suggest what has become my very favorite Texas restaurant, Las Canarias. It's located on the Riverwalk, in the La Mansion del Rio. I've been several times in the past few months and the experience gets better each time. The prix-fixe menu changes often and is very creative. The staff is gracious and the setting is most romantic. They even offer a Sunday brunch. Give it a try sometime.

Thanks, Lyle! I live in Austin and seldom get to the Dallas area, so I have very few recommendations for dining. More often than not, it's a quick meal and a hop back into the car. I'm interested in seeing what's out there, though.

My suggestion for dining in the Dallas area would be The Restaurant at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. Housed in a hundred year old cattle baron's home, The Restaurant is richly decorated and very beautiful. I dined there in January, and it's on the list as one my favorites. The evening began with drinks in the rustic dark wood bar while listening to a smoky-throated jazz singer. The staff was very attentive and held our table on the enclosed verandah while we finished our cocktails. We were attended to almost immediately upon being seated and were treated to a very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The sommelier was gracious and well informed, offering clever anecdotes about the wine selections and a listing of his personal favorites at the end of the meal. For starters, we tried the Pan-roasted Nantucket Bay Scallops with Parmesan Gnocchi, Shaved White Truffles & Sorrel on Artichoke Puree. My taste buds sang. My boyfriend enjoyed the Warm Lobster Taco with Yellow Tomato Salsa & Jicama Salad; which is a popular specialty of the restaurant. For our main courses, I had the Grilled Hamachi, which was so tender and buttery that it raised the bar on seafood dishes for me entirely. My boyfriend had the Texas Steak Diane with Queso Fresco Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus & Chorizo Avocado Nacho. Delicious. I am a little embarrassed that I begin to lose all recollection of dessert and sauternes due to the sensory overload of the wonderful meal and wine. I only know it was divine. The meal was topped off by a visit to our table by Chef Dean Fearing asking for our thoughts on the evening. The Restaurant had elegance and adventurous cuisine teamed with wonderful Texas-style friendliness. I hope to go again soon.