[DFW] The Mansion on Turtle Creek

[foodfun]

I will be leaving for Dallas Saturday, the 29th. A friend and I have reservations at Mansion on Turtle Creek. Is it any good? I have read about it in some of my magazines and am anxious to try it. My best dining experience so far was at Inn at Little Washington in Washington, VA. Any comparison?

[lturley4]

foodfun, I have always found the Mansion to be quite supurb. Have you reviewed their menu? Do you have any particular ways you are leaning?

Where are you coming from?

also curious what your other dining destinations will be while here. I will gladly and maticulously describe how to spend every second of your day if you like, or at least give a suggestion or two.

Back to the mansion, Fearing's "signature" dishes are the lobster taco and tortillia soup. The tacos are masterful. Depending on your taste, my personal reccomendation would be to stick with the savory and not the sweet. The kitchen is a master of meat.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know. I haven't been in about a yr, but used to frequent the place.

[foodfun]

We are going to Dallas from Iowa, and staying at the Westin Galleria. Most of my time will be taken up with the NEA Rep. Assembly, but we are squeezing this in. Yes, I have looked at their menu on the web; it is quite tantalizing. I was leaning towards the tasting menu since this is my first visit to the restaurant. (Although I lived in Carrollton when I was a youngster.)

Thanks for the tips about the lobster tacos and tortilla soup. They sound yummy.

[Rosie]

We had a memorable dinner there. This is the only restaurant I have ever been to where the waiter gave me his business card when the meal was over. Be sure to give us a report.

[Jordan Lea]

I ate there in feb. and am glad I did but I wouldn't rate it as one of my top dining experiences ever. The service is good and the food is more than adequate but the wine list lacks any reasonably prices value wine at all. All wines regardless of reputation are dramatically overpriced as is pretty much everything there.

that said I have always wanted to go and found it enjoyable enough; i just wouldn't make it a must when visiting dallas.

[bhoward]

I don't think the Mansion is nearly as good as it was several years ago. Also, it is far and away the most expensive restaurant in Dallas. For one excellent meal in Dallas I believe Abacus is the place. The food there is better than the Mansion and the prices are slightly lower. By the way, one of my all time greatest dining experiences was at the Inn at Little Washington as well.

[foodfun]

Well, I had my dinner at the Mansion. It was very nice. We both had the four-course tasting menu. My favorite was the Scallops on White Bean Sauce. The white beans were sooooooooooo good!

I found the building itself nicer than Inn at Little Washington, the food and service comparable, but the dessert not as good. At both places, I had the Creme Brulee. The Inn's was much better.

Glad I went; it was worth the trip.

[mcattaneo23]

Has anyone been to the Mansio recently, I am loking for some up to date reviews/experiences of this restaurant. Thanks in advance!!

[mcattaneo23]

Noone?????

[joiei]

Noone?????

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have you checked how recent the last review on the DMN's Guidelive was? It seems to me they did a review recently.

[BigboyDan]

Got a name of the new chef yet? A different cuisine in store? Has anyone eaten there in the last few weeks? Huh?

[Kent Wang]

What happened to Dean Fearing? Did he retire?

[BigboyDan]

Hey Kent,

Fearing is opening a restaurant in downtown Dallas somewhere. It's possible (so some have speculated) that The Mansion on Turtle Creek wanted to change cuisines, as the "Southwestern" that Dean specialized in is on the wane with patrons. Also, The Mansion is a Mobil 5 hotel without a 5 star kitchen; counts for a lot at Rosewood Hotels.

[joiei]

Their web site listed

Ian Beach and James Wagner, The Mansion on Turtle Creek

as the hotels participants in their summer BBQ event. That is the only place I saw names associated with the kitchen.

Having worked in a Mobile 5-star kitchen myself, it does make a difference. The 5 stars is a step up over the 5 diamonds.

[azlee]

Hey Kent,

Fearing is opening a restaurant in downtown Dallas somewhere. It's possible (so some have speculated) that The Mansion on Turtle Creek wanted to change cuisines, as the "Southwestern" that Dean specialized in is on the wane with patrons. Also, The Mansion is a Mobil 5 hotel without a 5 star kitchen; counts for a lot at Rosewood Hotels.

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my understanding is that Fearing's new venture is with Ritz-Carlton. if i can find published confirmation of that i will post it.

[Qwerty]

I don't think as of yet they have announced anything...I think that it might be a good idea to try and change the menu up a bit...got a little tired and old IMO.

[Richard Kilgore]

There have been several mentions in the Dallas Morning News that Dean Fearing's new restaurant will be in the new Ritz-Carlton condo and hotel complex now under construction.

[JWest]

I hear he has some sort of contract with The Ritz or (maybe its part of his original agreement with the mansion) that he's not allowed to be in a commercial kitchen for one year after leaving the Mansion.

[Kent Wang]

Someone on Chowhound is saying that it will be Jonathan Wright, who has worked in Indianapolis and New Orleans. An old bio.

[BigboyDan]

I know Wright, he's now near 40 years-old with a French technique background. If he is to be hired, then the Mansion did indeed want a new menu.

[Kent Wang]

John Tesar.

[Qwerty]

The Mansion

Looks interesting. Seems Chef Tesar put together a nice menu. Nothing too crazy opr out there, or experimental, but I think they did a good job of not potentially scaring away the clientele who are used to Dean's menu's.

Thoughts?

[MSchmidt909]

Nice Menu, but most of it is out of season.

Stone Fruit?

Asparagus?

Corn?

Heirloom Tomatoes?

I know all this stuff is all over Central Market and Whole Foods, but a great chef should be able to cook in season, even at over $40.00 a plate.

[jsmeeker]

the chef's 5 course tasting menu only offers cheese for dessert. That's kind of interesting. Is that something the Mansion always did under Dean, or is this new?

[Mike C. Miller]

Looks a tad boring, out of season, over done and too frou-frou for my tastes, not to mention overpriced. Give me York Street, Lola, or Local any day. I'll certainly try it, but it just doesn't look like the kind of menu that I expect to bowl me over.

Anyone know if they've changed their wine list at all?