Where do you take a Dallas native for her birthday when she’s been everywhere?
Posted by DFWUnhinged@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 85 comments
Alright Dallas, need some help here.
I’ve only been here about a year, but my girlfriend is born and raised Dallas and works in the restaurant/bar industry, so she’s basically been everywhere and knows everything.
Which makes this kind of difficult.
I want to take her somewhere for her birthday that actually feels special, not just another spot she’s already hit a bunch of times. She’s into sushi, loves a good steakhouse, and has a pretty solid palate overall. Thinking Dallas proper.
I’ve looked at places like Georgie, Uchi, and Nonna, which all seem great, but I honestly have no idea if those are played out to someone like her or still feel like a good birthday move.
Not trying to go completely insane on price, but also don’t want it to feel cheap.
What’s the move here if you’re trying to impress someone who already knows the whole Dallas food scene?
_GrimFandango@reddit
Tatsu
doyouevenfitbit@reddit
Lucia in Bishop Arts is a good shout!
ranjithd@reddit
hanuman temple for blessings first
Fit_Lion9260@reddit
If she knows dallas and you want to surprise her or show her something new, got to fort Worth, its a great city she probably hasn't explored. Uber to Fort Worth, go to ether the kimbel/MAMFW (2h), the botanical gardens (2-3h), the zoo (2-4), or the stockyards (30m-6h depending if you want to get your drink on), all of them are world class level experiences and not crazy expensive. Look for a "clasic legacy" restaurant in Fort Worth, something like Lonesome Dove (tho fuck tim love) or Grace tho honestly you know your gf better than me so just do some quick research and you'll find the right place to eat, plenty of options. End the night by walking around Sundance square and take her to Skat Lounge. Its my favorite jazz bar in texas, and one of my favorite bars. They do allow smoking indoors so if that's a deal breaker Thompson's Bookstore would be a great alternative, and its much more upscale and a speakeasy. Overall I would plan on spending 300 to 700$ depending on drinks and dinner and spend about 6 to 9 hours doing it. Bonus points for getting a hotel room in somewhere like the Ashton Hotel and that can run anywhere between 120 to 400$ a night depending on room and date. Idk your budget but 300$ on the low end for a crazy date is amazing.
I will also give my best date night tip in Fort Worth, ive held the secret for years and now I'll tell it. Go to Gus fried chicken on 7th pick up a bucket and some sides, then go next door, its a wine bar, they allow outside food, they also sell Dom Perignon at cost (around 200$) for some reason. Take your chicken and eat it with the champagne. It is one of, if not the best pairings in food an wine ever. If she loves food this will blow her mind.
shitswithdoorajar@reddit
Uber to Fort Worth sounds DREADFUL!
texaskittyqueen@reddit
Sister is incredible.
FortuneHasFaded@reddit
Found the Alabama transplant. Roll tide.
SpeedRevolutionary29@reddit
This right here!
psychlion2123@reddit
Uchi is amazing. If you can do the omakase, don’t hesitate!
rougefalcon@reddit
Lakewood Landing
mypd1991@reddit
At midnight
bl4ckt4cm0ps1@reddit
Las Palmas is my vote too.
bl1ndside@reddit
Magic Time Machine
bl4ckt4cm0ps1@reddit
No. To. This.
Arpie7@reddit
This is so funny!
juandl21@reddit
Quarter Acre was a favorite for my wife and I.
lazertagostrich@reddit
An OG would take her to Keller's on Harry Hines
Leader_Bud@reddit
Heavenly, then drinks after.
DTX-Lugo@reddit
Where to drink ?
jalapenos10@reddit
Uchi is never played out. My chef friends love Uchi
They also like Maison chinoise
mathmagician9@reddit
Maison chinoise is so fuckin bland for Chinese food. The only thing good they have is their dan dan noodles which would be so much better with seschuan.
jalapenos10@reddit
Idk what they all ordered - I think a ton of apps. They liked it 🤷♀️ I’ve only ever had drinks there. Can vouch for Uchi though
daktru@reddit
Neighborhood Services is a great balance between food quality and price. Town Hearth is super nice too.
mathmagician9@reddit
Uchi is always a safe choice. Overs sushi spots are Norman’s, Namo (specifically tuna breakdown), sushi kozy, and tatsu.
Other good restaurants are sister, written by the seasons, Knox bistro, el Carlos elegante, monarch, and Nona. I know it gets some hate, but I also really like the Mexican and Javier’s.
cramothmasterson@reddit
Mi Cocina.
Designerfrog@reddit
Ewww
cramothmasterson@reddit
Get the mambo taxi
katie4@reddit
On my birthday I prefer to just go to my favorite! The familiarity with the food and staff is comfortable.
Inhocooks@reddit
There's a champagne bar called Coupes that is really nice and looks great for a date night. There's also a restaurant called Gemma that does pretty good food from scratch and wine selections. Apothecary is a bar that does pretty unique cocktails and just extended their service to include food as well. There is also the spot FarOut that Misti Norris does the food for, she is an award winning chef that doesn't miss very often.
Designerfrog@reddit
FarOut is so cute and fun!
happyklam@reddit
I've been to Musume three different times now and each time has been just as incredible as the last. The sushi is top notch, they have the largest saki menu out of any local spot, the atmosphere is chill, the wait staff is unbelievably knowledgeable and personable. Extra points for taking her to Akai through the kitchen afterwards for cocktails.
GlitteringHotMess@reddit
Goodwin's is legit! Hell ya.
Covri@reddit
Milo Butterfingers cheese sticks and a patty melt
AndrewJenkinsDesign@reddit
My girlfriend just took me to Goodwin’s for my birthday, also.
A little pissed that the speak easy in back was closed for a private function.
Muted_Chard_139@reddit
I really like Knox Bistro. Just feels close to Europe for me. Classy. Can’t go wrong.
Altruistic-Carry-684@reddit
Pound town...lol...just kidding. Take her somewhere that holds meaning
Responsible_Way6885@reddit
Harry Hines Blvd
Illustrious_Swing645@reddit
For future reference: Make her a meal or take her somewhere that holds some sort of emotional connection
TheRealRevBem@reddit
Chicago
bugattibrito@reddit
Ayahuasca cantina for dinner, it’s nice.
Lounge here for drinks, dinner is good.
Mr max in irving is goated.
Kirin court for dim sum.
Rise has good soufflés.
Depending on when, inside the Stoneleigh hotel is a 7 Michelin star chefs new restaurant opening the first week of May. Tasted some things, it’s fabulous.
Little rubies is a new Australian restaurant, very nice.
I hear Delilah is good, haven’t been.
Milo butterfingers has the best blt in the game.
Aw shucks on Greenville has my heart.
I can’t think of anything else off the top of my head.
bugattibrito@reddit
I wanted to avoid vandelay but Anchor sushi bar is good and it’s the same company as drakes Hollywood, so they share the same cocktails and some food items.
jalapenos10@reddit
If she’s really a sushi person anchor sushi will disappoint
Key-Handle6764@reddit
Easy - wanna impress her - cook a meal at home. She works in the service industry , and going back as a customer is just too chaotic and noisy and similar to being at work for her. She’d probably enjoy the relaxed pace of a well thought out home cooked meal.
catsnconstellations@reddit
Medieval Times
SupermanHill@reddit
For my wife and I, one of our favorite places is Jinbeh. Fun, festive, great shows, great service that treats you like family, and fresh high quality sushi.
Medical-Orchid4215@reddit
Hey, keep this one in your back pocket.
One year for my ex-wife's birthday I went and picked up her all time favorites from a few different restaurants for dinner. This, of course, was before Uber eats so it would be even easier. She thought it was one of the most amazing things.
subhawk737@reddit
St. Martin's Wine Bistro
https://maps.app.goo.gl/idN18CGXUqscqTwB7?g_st=ac
CommercialAnything30@reddit
If she has been everywhere then you don’t compete.
Go a different route. Cheap. Fun. Eatery with game options or great people watching. It’s less about the food and make it all about the experience.
DavidTheBlue@reddit
Take her to Fort Worth.
meleant@reddit
This is what my mind instantly went to. If you want something novel, go to a place outside the realm of what she knows.
HolyForkingBrit@reddit
… ask her?
cleargummybears@reddit
Don’t take her anywhere, hire a culinary student or chef to do a private meal.
chef_barksy@reddit
Money spent =/= effort
MissTerious7@reddit
The Bloom Lounge in Plano. Need reservations
MoveParticular@reddit
What about Norman’s Japanese Grill on Oaklawn? Still trendy but not quite as well known as a place like Uchi. Seems the cuisine could be up her alley.
ForeverGoBlue33@reddit
Norman’s was my thought too.
SpeedRevolutionary29@reddit
Been three times and let down every single time.
Alarmed_Parking6782@reddit
Go opposite and go for Magic Time Machine in Addison. Don't tell her till she arrives.
Acidbyrn@reddit
My though? Day trip go outside of the area. Something 2 to 4 hours away. Go see a show n snack and do cool stuff outside of dallas.
yellowsun_97@reddit
Uchi is my birthday dinner every year and they always make me feel special.
Ok-Imagination7355@reddit
Georgie and uchi are super basic. The food scene here is weak compared to other large cities. Stick to one of the staples she loves and make the rest of the day/night memorable in other ways 🕺🏻
Yes_ITSPARKLES@reddit
Meow Wolf
Acrobatic_Report9055@reddit
Been to Kome on Walnut Hill? It’s a fun spot.
StarAnnealer@reddit
Drake’s Hollywood!
steinfink1@reddit
Georgie on Travis(Knox henderson)
sonosink1113@reddit
If she likes sushi, maybe make it experiential, like an omakase experience. I’ve heard the ones at Sushi by Scratch (inside the Adolphus) is pretty good and Sushi Kozy is amazing. As far as steakhouses, overall experience-wise (atmosphere + steak), my favorites are Town Hearth, Drake’s, and Al Biernet’s (Dee Lincoln or Al’s North if you’re up north).
Honestly, though, as long as the food is good and you put thought into the date, she’ll probably have a great time. Get her something thoughtful, take her to a good restaurant, and make reservations for a cocktail bar after, easy peasy.
MediumLong6108@reddit
Shoyo or Sushi Kozy
EmotionalSupportDoll@reddit
Local in Dallas
bevothelonghorn@reddit
Fort Worth
I_SmellFuckeryAfoot@reddit
Vegas
wizardlyhvac@reddit
Delilah Dallas
kindastillhere@reddit
Nori
Informal-Building731@reddit
Nonna, I cannot emphasis this enough!
Groobear@reddit
Mexico
CycloneCowboy87@reddit
Las Palmas is great, and a surprising amount of the people I know in Dallas have never been there. I think there’s a shitty chain with the same name so make sure it’s the one on Routh if you go lol
Arrasor@reddit
Home. Nothing really beat home cooking. Pan sear a steak, roast some potato and asparagus, pour some margaritas. Then snuggle and watch a show together. I wouldn't trade that for a $500 meals in michelin starts restaurant.
4ofheartz@reddit
Agree!!
4ofheartz@reddit
Maybe she’d like a home cooked meal or you do take home with candles! 🕯️
boopernickel@reddit
Honestly - Mr. Sushi in Addison. Fabulous sushi, great prices, seasonal/unique options, truly a great spot. Been around for decades. I sadly avoided it for years because I assumed it was another generic sushi restaurant with the name, but I was happily proved wrong and now it's my go to for special occasions without breaking the bank.
I will say, I've enjoyed Uchi exactly two times, and they were both amazing. But the cost, imo, is only worth it when they have special items coming in. For example, I was lucky for my birthday one year when they had 5 different varieties of uni flown in that day and I got to do a flight - 1000/10, would spend every penny again. But it's otherwise great sushi (I'll never say it's not that) that is frankly overpriced. That's just the truth. Fun experience, I've only ever done omakase there, and I do think it's great. But I would never recommend it unless there was a specific reason.
Mr. Sushi has a similarly authentic vibe - no sauces on their rolls (eel sauce and spicy mayo are not my thing), really fresh fish, care in preparation - but all for a much more reasonable price point. Not the cheapest, far from the most expensive. Get their ankimo of they have it.
Severe-Post3466@reddit
Maybe try a different experience than your standard meal? I know there are a couple of places that offer high tea in the area. You could also look into cooking classes or private chef experiences
Leader_Bud@reddit
For me, I love to hit my favorite places on my birthday. If she’s accustomed to the industry (same), I would avoid new spots that may be a let down. Get an Uber Black and plan to bounce around to her faves, tip their people incredibly well and…shit, you can’t go wrong. People try to do too much, when the simple places we love the most were right there waiting for us.
Leader_Bud@reddit
Fwiw, it gets no better than a night at Louie’s while some games are on for me. Stellar food, interesting service if they like you, a wealth of drinks and TV’s.
Wasabi2238@reddit
Sushi Kozy
Ok_Foundation2125@reddit
Not sushi but if you can get a resy el molino is fantastic and I didn’t feel like crazy expensive for the quality of food and atmosphere
Dr_Enolam@reddit
Mamani maybe, because it is newer?