BY JANET STEINBERG
Part
2 of a Series
"The
world was my oyster,” the late Oscar Wilde
quipped, “but I used the wrong fork." Well,
on my recent visit to Irving, Texas there was no wrong fork. From gourmet
Tex-Mex to booze infused specialties; from sitting with ranchers to gawking at
the Chanel-clad, botoxed ‘ladies who lunch’…I did it all as I dined in Irving,
Texas. And, every fork-full was delicious.
It’s high noon in Texas. Time for
lunch!
Let’s
start with an Irving icon. Nostalgia reigns supreme at Big State Fountain
Grill, an old-fashioned diner that has been serving Irving since the 1950’s.
In the 1900’s Big State began as a haberdashery…”a men’s outfitter”….and
was followed by a drug store. Several owners and remodels later, it is
now a bustling diner complete with red-upholstered chrome stools wrapped around
a red and white soda fountain. The menu includes favorites like the John
Lennon Grilled Cheese, Ma’s Famous Grilled Bologna sandwich and the Marilyn
Monroe Turkey and Swiss. And of course, there’s always room for one of
those Dang Good Burgers served with "housemade chips" and a Big State
Milkshake.
 |
| BIG STATE’S ROLLER SKATING WAITRESS WELCOMES YOU TO THE DINER |
Lunch is taken to the next
level at The Zodiac, the elegant restaurant on the 6th floor of the
original Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas. The restaurant was the brainstorm
of founder Stanley Marcus who conceived the restaurant for out of town shoppers
who would spend the entire day in the store. Guests are welcomed with a
complimentary demitasse cup of chicken broth and Neiman’s traditional signature
popover and strawberry butter. This venerable dining destination, which has
been serving fine cuisine for over 50 years, features an exquisite, classic
menu selection of seasonal entrée selections.
 |
SIGNATURE POPOVER AND DEMITASSE CUP OF CHICKEN BROTH |
Ding-dong…ring the bell. It’s time
for Dinner!
LAW, the new signature restaurant that opened in 2016 in the
Four Seasons, features bold Texas fare that uses ingredients sourced directly
from Texas farms, fisheries and ranches. The name LAW stands for Land, Air and
Water. LAW offers a robust menu that includes fresh poultry, meats,
and fish. At LAW, I lived my dream dinner of only appetizers...lots
of Gulf Oysters and Fried Green Tomatoes accompanied by grapefruit and avocado
guajillo vinaigrette.
 |
| DREAM DINNER OF OYSTERS…AND MORE OYSTERS |
Via Real, a stone’s throw from th e Four Seasons, is a gourmet Mexican
Restaurant, featuring Southwestern & Tex-Mex
dishes, plus a wide tequila selection. In Via Real’s Santa Fe-inspired
digs, I experienced the unique taste of Southwestern Cuisine. Fran
Mathers, the ebullient owner whom I watched “float like a butterfly” from table
to table, says that she serves Mexican cuisine with Santa Fe style. The Pork
Chile Relleno and Spinach Enchiladas are best washed down with a
Via Rita, Fran’s favorite Margarita. The Via Rita is made with Don Julio
Reposado, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and freshly squeezed lime juice. One
of those will do you just fine. But whatever you choose to eat or drink,
save room for the Tres Leches Cake laced with Raspberry Marmalade.
 |
TEX-MEX STYLE AND FOOD AT VIA REAL |
“Farm to Fork” is the
motto of The Ranch at Las Colinas. With its roots reaching deep into Texas
soil, The Ranch is a true taste of Texas. Both
the menu (Texas Gulf seafood and Texas Kobe beef), and the live Music on the
Porch (from Amarillo to Austin), are influenced by Texas. The Ranch
claims to be one of the few places on earth where a hard-working ranch hand and
a high-powered businessman could dine together and both feel comfortable. Their
saying is “Be yourself and you’ll fit right in.” For an after dinner
treat, you can book a helicopter that will whisk you off to see a skyline view
of the city.
 |
| THERE IS NO WRONG FORK AT THE RANCH AT LAS COLINAS |
Cool River is a warm and woodsy café
where the steaks are heavenly, the music is live, and you can still smoke a
cigar (in a separate smoking room) if you so desire. If you want a
booze-y dinner, you might start with an Absolut Peppar Shrimp cocktail;
continue on to a Jim Beam Rib-Eye, a Six Pac Mac & Cheese, and finish up
with a Makers Mark Pecan Bread Pudding. However, if by now you had enough
booze and want to go ‘on the wagon’ for dessert, try the mile-high chocolate
cake...five layers with toasted coconut.
 |
| MILE-HIGH 5-LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH TOASTED COCONUT |
JANET STEINBERG is an award-winning
Travel Writer/Editor and International Travel Consultant with THE TRAVEL
AUTHORITY in Mariemont, Ohio
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