On this week’s Eat Drink D-FW podcast, the Dallas Morning News food team touched on a very popular reader topic: now-closed restaurants you would bring back.
We also addressed an emailed question from James, who has a background in wine and spirits distribution. He asked about strong wine programs in Dallas (and requested we continue to cover them), especially as it will likely factor into Michelin Guide selections.
While the team noted most of Dallas’ fine-dining establishments have sommeliers and wine programs they’re proud of, we did have a handful of suggestions.
Sarah Blaskovich, senior food reporter, noted Sachet, located at 4270 Oak Lawn Ave. It has received James Beard nods in the past in the Outstanding Wine Program category.
Food reporter Claire Ballor pointed to North Dallas’ Postino at 5280 Belt Line Rd., while Imelda Garcia, also a food reporter, pondered where to find Mexican wines. Don Artemio in Fort Worth matched that query.
I asked a friend with industry experience, Ryan, who likewise touted Sachet, but added the following picks:
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse: It’s arguably the most elaborate book-size list in Dallas, he said. While it narrows in on classic regions due to its steakhouse status, it does have special wines in its 100-plus pages that would be hard to come by elsewhere.
Barcelona Wine Bar: The list has a strong focus on Spanish varietals and regions, though you can find other European and Latin American hubs represented, such as Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Lebanon, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
Malai Kitchen: He noted while it’s not a large list, it has a pleasantly surprising mix that offers excellent pairings for the Thai and Vietnamese fare.
The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek: Wine director Brian Huynh has enhanced the broadened the well-known restaurant’s book-size list of over 600 labels. It was recently awarded the Wine Spectator’s 2024 Best of Award of Excellence.
The ones I rattled off honed in on lists that have a breadth of pricing and geographically evocative or esoteric bottles. Those included French-flavored options with Toulouse Café and Bar (3314 Knox St.) and Rise No. 1 (5360 W Lovers Lane, Suite 220), in addition to a Spanish choice with Sketches of Spain (321 N Zang Blvd.). Eataly, which is part-retail front at NorthPark Center, has the expanse of Italy covered for both conservative and adventurous palettes.
Editor’s note: Eat Drink D-FW is hosted by Dallas Morning News food & events editor Anna Butler with food reporters Sarah Blaskovich, Claire Ballor and Imelda Garcia. Each week, our food journalists dish, debate and analyze local restaurant news, food and drink trends, tips for cooking and shopping, and other obsessions. You’ll also hear from chefs, farmers and foodies like yourself as we explore the people who make D-FW one of the most vibrant, diverse and ambitious food scenes in the country.
Eat Drink D-FW from The Dallas Morning News is made possible by Central Market. All editorial decisions are made by The News.
