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Dakota’s restaurant leaves behind an impressive legacy. From its grand entrance to the fine-dining scene in 1984 to its closure in 2020, Dakota’s has been woven into Dallas’ restaurant history. The atmosphere and unique subterranean design were a major draw for high-end clientele, but also the cause of its worst disaster in 2002.
'Dining down under at Dakota’s’
The restaurant’s popularity among Dallas’ fine-dining crowd was due to its unique location and extra perks when dining in. A longtime Dallas Morning News reporter, Cheryl Hall, describes her experience at Dakota’s restaurant for the High Profile section of The News on March 10, 1985.
“The restaurant is located under the city-owned street — a technicality that allows liquor service because the Lincoln Plaza, just across the street and connected by an underground tunnel, is built on property purchased from the First Baptist Church that is deed-restricted to prohibit the sale of booze.”
“Once inside, it’s clear Dakota’s means business — right down to the pencil and pad that are part of each table setting. Reserved tables are assigned promptly, assuring hurried execs of a lunch that can be complete within an hour.” Then when the bill arrives, reports Hall, give the maitre d’ the valet parking receipt to have your car waiting.
Dakota’s atmosphere and service gained such an exquisite reputation that the restaurant would be rented out for parties or be the spot to gaze upon the rich and famous.
Princess Stephanie of Monaco throws a private dinner at Dakota’s
Princess Stephanie, the daughter of the late Princess Grace of Monaco, was one of the many famous people visiting Dallas in October 1986. She was attending the Princess Grace Foundation “Junior Gala” at the Mistral nightclub at the Loews Anatole Hotel on Oct. 16, 1986.
The News reported on Oct. 17 that “at 9 o’clock, while guests at Mistral were around, eagerly awaiting the royal arrival, Princess Stephanie was just sitting down to dinner at a private party she was hosting at Dakota’s restaurant.” It was also reported that surrounding the princess was an entourage of 35 people including her bodyguards, actor, and boyfriend at the time Rob Lowe with his bodyguards and actress Brooke Shields with her bodyguard.
"Princess Stephanie and Lowe sat next to each other and hugged and kissed throughout their courses of cold appetizers, barbecued shrimp, salad, blackened snapper and tenderloin. Between kisses and food, they smoked a lot. Miss Shields was seated with Cecilia and Tony Peck, daughter and son of actor Gregory Peck. Tony Peck was rumored to be the date of model Cheryl Tiegs but they were said to be attending “separate dinners.'”
Princess Stephanie and her entourage arrived fashionably late to the gala at 10:30 p.m.
Dakota’s makes the TasteMaker 100 in ’99
Into the ’90s, Dakota’s continues to create an exquisite dining experience for patrons and impressing News restaurant critics, like Dotty Griffith.
On Aug. 5, 1999, Griffith reported that Dakota’s restaurant made The TasteMaker 100 list. “The TasteMaker 100 was selected by a group that included Paul Draper, restaurant designer; Anthony Fedele of Flowers & Fedele Advertising; Dotty Griffith, restaurant critic of The Dallas Morning News; Jan Lovell, consultant and retired hospitality/restaurant educator; and Macky Sellers, consultant and retired restaurateur.”
Flood forces Dakota’s to temporarily close
On Aug. 10, 2002, The News reported that “A 12-inch water main broke under the street at the intersection of North Akard Street and Ross Avenue on Friday, turning the buckled street into a pond and flooding Dakota’s, a below-ground restaurant in downtown Dallas.”
Dakota’s Steakhouse is back on the fine dining scene
Kim Harwell, Guide writer, reports on Dec. 5, 2003, that ″after a fairly extensive renovation, the restaurant reopened in mid-September with executive chef Ted Grieb back at the helm and a new emphasis on steaks."
The News restaurant critic at the time, Leslie Brenner, reviewed Dakota’s Steakhouse on Dec. 30, 2011. She started her review with the sentiment that “Dakota’s may be the prettiest, most inviting steakhouse around. Step off the downtown sidewalk into a glass elevator, and see the twinkling lights of the restaurant’s garden with its lovely waterfall as you descend. It feels celebratory and special right off the bat. The dining room has a polished, New Orleans feel; it’s cozier and a bit more intimate than many a Dallas steakhouse. The greeting is warm, and graceful gas lamps mounted on the walls give everything a lovely glow.”
On June 8, 2012, Dakota’s Steakhouse earned a spot on Guide’s The Best in DFW: Steakhouses. Brenner wrote that Dakota’s Steakhouse “earned a spot thanks to its attentive service and unfailing attention to how its fine cuts are seasoned and seared.”
On May 20, 2020, local Dallas publication CultureMap, breaks the news that the iconic subterranean Dakota’s Steakhouse announced that it officially closed its doors on May 19, 2020.
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