20 April 2022
Blog by: Maelynn Le
All photos were taken by Maelynn Le unless noted
Photo by: Trip 101
Dallas is one of the largest cities in Texas. It is home to the Dallas Cowboys, where John F. Kennedy was assassinated, the AT&T Discovery District, and of course, where great food Is cherished. I got to say, the food scene is definitely developing in Dallas and I really loved all of the places I got to eat in Dallas. A lot of the places that I wanted to go to were very far that required a car so if you are planning to go to Dallas, I highly recommend renting a car. I am thankful for the food experiences I got to have in Dallas even though I didn’t have a car. I would describe the food scene as country like, more chilled, everything in Texas is bigger especially their BIG BOLD FLAVORS. Here are the places I ate in Dallas, TX that are a must eat places whenever you are visiting Dallas.
Nori Handroll Bar
Photo: Tuna Bird’s next
Nori Hand-roll Bar is located in the Deep Elm district in Dallas, TX. If you are ever in Dallas, I SUPER highly recommend coming to this authentic Japanese restaurant. When you walk in, the server sits you down and there is a bar area where you can see the chefs create their dishes. Huge shout out for Chef Mason for the best omakase experience I ever had! He created this dishes with care, and Precision that I don't see often! I appreciate him taking the time to go slowly on making each dish tasteful, beautiful, and authentic. One of the dishes I got to try was the tuna bird's nest with quail egg and black truffle. Man, it's like the most sexist dish I've ever seen because it was so beautiful. Even though it was so beautiful the taste was so luscious and I can't believe that the fish was so fresh. The dish together had such lucious, light flavors that were truly awesome. That would have to be one of the best dishes I had. I also got some of their nigiri like the Salmon Sashimi Nigiri Takoashi (octopus) nigiri, Nodosuro nigiri, and the Toro uni truffle with caviar. Overall, the BEST and FRESHEST Omakase experience I ever had. I HIGHLY recommend coming out here in Dallas to check it out. Mason and the other chefs and serves are very nice and clean about their work so you know you are getting the best experience in Dallas.
2. Yolk
Photo: Veggie Burrito
Yolk Cafe has multiple locations in the mid-west and in Texas. I went to the one located at the One Arts Plaza. I typically don’t go to restaurants that have multiple locations “like a chain” but this brunch spot was an exception because we don’t have Yolk Cafe back in California. I found this place when I was in Chicago and I found out they have a location in Dallas too so might as well try it in Dallas. This brunch spot is super awesome in Dallas! Each dish I got to try was very good and definitely is a great place to just sit down and relax. The brunch item I recommend the most was their banana nut bread french toast. The sweetness from the banana and the nuttiness from the nuts is the french toast I absolutely love the most. This french toast isn’t just plain old french toast, it’s a one of a kind french toast they have at Yolk! I also love their veggie burrito because of the earthy flavors that meld into the burrito. The first bite was love at first sight and definitely, I loved every bite of that burrito. Super flavorful, I reccomend this burrito and pour the chili verde on top of it as well.
3. Hamilton
Photo: Hamilton Dinner Spread
Located inside the Lorenzo Hotel, Hamilton is one of the dining options they have inside their hotel. They are known for their sophisticated/modern dishes that give that mid-century theme to the restaurant and dishes as well. They also have a bar that serves great cocktails, drinks, and mock tails as well. Hamilton also has live jazz you can listen to on Friday and Saturday evenings as well for you to kick back and relax. On to the food. My favorite dish would have to be their Lorenzo signature gumbo. Yes I am mainly waiting plant based foodie but it doesn’t hurt to try something new when I travel. I like how thick the gumbo broth was and the strong flavors really punch. The gumbo also had a nice roux and was also rich as well. I can tell you this, the south does gumbo super well so if you are in the south, make sure to try some southern classics like this gumbo at the Lorenzo Hotel. I also loved their Baklava I had because I noticed it wasn’t too sweet like other ones I have tried in the past. This one tasted definitely sweet but this one was more nutty and floural. I actually like that because it’d not like it’s a sugar load of sweetness if you know what I mean. Love the texture and the layers, this baklava was so yummy!
4. The Salty Donut
Photo: Half a Dozen Donuts
The Salty Donut has multiple locations throughout Texas and Florida as well. I went to the Salty Donut located in the Bishop Arts District. I loved the interior inside how it was more modern rustic because it definitely reminds you of being in the south. The donuts also had that modern rustic deign and flavors that remind you of the south as well. They weren’t Texas sized donnuts but they were definitely Texas sized ones in terms of flavor. My favorite would have to be the apple butter spiced donut because it reminds me of apple pie which is a classic in the south. That fresh apple cider glaze topped with homemade apple butter was a dream in my mouth! It had that bitter sweet flavor combination that was addicting and I wanted to keep eating it. Definitely has to be my favor donut I had and I highly recommended it. I also like their mixed berry jam donut too. Inside, was a nice light jam that was flavorful and I also like the ratio of filling to dough too. I thought this was a nice donut I would totally get again.
5. Taco Enzo
Photo: The Texan, The Caribbean, The garden
What better way to celebrate Taco Tuesday with some tacos! Taco Enzo is perfect for this occasion. This place is another dining option inside the Lorenzo Hotel which is located outside. I love the vibe Taco Enzo brings in terms of tradition decorations and classic flavors that each taco brings. My favorite taco would be the garden one because I just feel like the portabello mushrooms give a nice earthy to the taco that is so inviting. The avocado gives the taco a nice saturated fat and the corn with the pickled red onion and cilantro also gives that earthiness to the taco. The taco flavors are so cohesive and you taste a great chunk of flavor elements in the taco.
6. WAYA Ramen
Photo: Tomato Ramen, Vegetarian, Vegetable dumplings, Spicy edmame
Waya ramen is located near the Lakewood Shopping Center in Dallas, TX. It's a small, casual, traditional ramen shop that serves Japanese food. Waya in Japanese means Japanese House (a place people come together). My god, their ramen was so bomb! This ramen shop has to be my favorite ramen shop of all time (no joke). Literally, the ramens were so flavorful that I wanted to eat the entire bowl. The vegetarian ramen that Chef Morto made was absolutely amazing! The broth was very cream and rich and the noodles had a nice light bounce in terms of texture. This vegetarian ramen has to be one of my favorite vegetarian ramens. I really wanted to highlight the tomato ramen which was my all time favorite ramen bowl I ever had! The ramen had that same light chewy texture and the tomato broth was spot on. There was even pesto that the chef added on top and it just took this bowl of ramen to another level in terms of flavor. You always get that creamy, authentic taste whenever you slurp those noodles and drink that broth. That's got to be the best ramen ever that I HIGHLY recommend . Overall, this has to be the best ramen shop in Dallas, TX. It's a small hidden gem that is located near Lakewood shopping. I love this ramen shop so much that I would definitely HIGHLY recommend this ramen shop whenever you are visiting Dallas or if you live in Dallas!
7. Botolino Gelato
Photo: Tropical Oaxaca
At the Greenville district, I was walking along where all of the shops and dining are and it was so hot that day in Dallas. I saw this gelato place called Botolino Gelato and had to try this place myself. I got some of their flavors like the Lemon and Rose and the Dulce de Lechees and they were very refreshing. As I was eating, I saw they had sundaes as well and there was this Tropical Oaxaca flavor and it looks so delicious. This gelato sundae was basically a coconut stracciatella gelato topped with a passion fruit and mezcal sauce and served atop pineapple cake. This has to be the perfect gelato sundae I’ve been looking for. The best gelato sundae ever because the gelato was so light and the passion fruit was sweet and tart. The pineapple cake was spongy and it had a nice tart flavor as well. Honestly, this has to be the BEST gelato sundae I ever had and I highly recommend you checking out Botolino gelato in Dallas! Perfect way to end my food journey in Dallas, TX with a bang!
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