Many people have been coming to Buck Kao's Royal China since its beginning in 1974. Royal China offers beautiful Chinese-style lighting and wall hangings for an upscale, quiet, and romantic ambiance. Specialty dishes include hot and sour soup and steamed pan-fried pork dumplings. The menu also includes mixed drinks, wine and beer to complement any meal.
Mi Cocina is a great Mexican restaurant and bar located in the Highland Park Village shopping center. The atmosphere is festive, colorful, and lively. The chic decor and friendly wait staff make this restaurant feel like a party whenever you walk in. The traditional Tex-Mex entrees are served with a touch of class. The enchiladas, flautas, nachos, quesadillas and fajitas are exceptional, while the tortilla soup is a bit unique-- it has peas! After your meal, stroll through the shopping center and window shop.
Pecan Lodge has been named the best barbecue in Dallas two years running, an incredible distinction in Texas where competition is saturated and barbecue aficionados are as scrutinizing as they come. Along with wife Diane, founder and pit master Justin Fourton recreates both of his grandfathers' recipes, fusing West and East Texas into a delicious blend of styles. Burnt Ends is one of the more popular dishes, consisting of meat, fat and crust from brisket that has been twice baked and is packed with barbecue flavor. The mac and cheese is also to die for and comes topped with bacon bits. Be advised, the wait for service is generally slow depending on the crowd, so show up early and be prepared to lick your lips as you take in the aromas wafting from the kitchen.
A favorite among local residents, Cane Rosso stands a class apart. The pizza here is made from scratch in the distinctive Neapolitan style, with fresh sauces and cheeses. Get ready for a gastronomic delight and revel in the flavors of Naples. Just reading their menu is sure to make your mouth water, as it offers a wide range of pizzas, appetizers, sandwiches, and desserts.
Lockhart Smokehouse's famed flavors draw people in from far and wide. Casual, as a good barbecue joint should be, their attitude towards meat is anything but casual. The Central Texas-style eatery churns out flawlessly smoked brisket, sausage, ribs, and chicken. Meats are sold by the half-pound and sliced to order, so you can get the exact amount of meat you want every time.
Snuggled in a charming building on West Eighth Street whose history dates back to the 1920s, Lucia offers a nostalgic dining experience to all of its patrons. Opened by chef David Uygur and his wife Jennifer in 2012, the cozy eatery has slowly established itself as a gastronomic mainstay of Dallas' vibrant Bishop Arts District. Lucia prides itself on serving authentic Italian cuisine and takes immense pleasure in tantalizing taste buds with the help of specialties like the Salumi Misti, Gnocchi Alla Romana with hedgehogs, and Red Wattle pork shoulder with mashed favas.
Common Desk is a place where all workaholics gather to discuss agendas in the company of unlimited coffee, pleasant music and like-minded co-patrons. The place is a wonderful amalgamation of an event venue and a cafe. Furnished with ample of seating spaces, and equipped with high-speed WiFi and charging points for all your gadgets, through this place, owner Nick responds to the latent needs of the city. Common Desk is buzzing with corporate executives, freelancers, entrepreneurs as well as start ups throughout the day; many occupy the seating area while some make the conference room their den. It is here that people can work in peace and after a long day they can rejuvenate with a friendly game of Volley Ball.
The House of Gyros is a traditional Mediterranean cuisine restaurant that specializes in gyros and other Greek delicacies. This authentic Greek cuisine restaurant is famous all over Texas for being the only restaurant that serves original Pork Gyro, the famous Greek dish that you will only find in restaurants in Athens. The menu features appetizers such as tzatziki, skordialia, dolma, calamari and Greek fries, a wide selection of gyros including the original gyro and pork gyro, lamb souvlaki in pita and veggie gyro, and Greek burger. Plates on offer at this Greek restaurant include gyro plate, pork gyro plate, souvlaki plate and calamari with skordalia.
A humble establishment run by a husband-wife duo, Sardis Point Cafe offers the best of American cuisine, with the comforts of home. Try a nice juicy steak, or maybe a fish fillet is more up your alley. The cozy, upbeat ambiance is the perfect place to enjoy your laid back meal, while you chat up with the owners, who love interacting with their patrons. Bring a wine or a beer to enjoy with the food, for while the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol, you're more than welcome to bring your own.
The menu at Via Real will appeal to both Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food lovers alike. Grilled fresh fish is served daily and the Cancun plate, large Gulf Shrimp and bacon-wrapped scallops, comes complete with Spanish rice and black beans. Lighter fare includes Squash or Spinach Enchiladas, perfect for vegetarians, and classic favorites such as Tacos and Flan are also available. The main dining room is picturesque, with its flowing waterfall and courtyard-like decor.
Chelsea's specializes in children's tea parties, but is also a great place for adults to enjoy a good lunch. Specialties include chicken salad sandwiches, a variety of salads, and a good selection of pastries and cakes for dessert. Tea parties include makeup, story time and party favors. The kids are sure to enjoy the dress-up clothing, including everything from hats, gloves and high-heeled shoes for girls, and ties and hats for boys. Head to the boutique for children's gifts and accessories.