Archive for February 13th, 2009

The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek – Dallas, Texas

Friday, February 13th, 2009


2821 Turtle Creek Blvd
Dallas, TX 75219
Tel. 214-559-2100
Website: www.mansionturtlecreek.com
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Dress Code: Dressy Casual (blue jeans are now permitted)
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive

The Mansion on Turtle Creek, now managed by Rosewood Hotels, was built in the early 20th century by a local cotton magnate named Sheppard King. In the early 1980’s it was converted to a hotel and remains to be one of the top hotels in Dallas.
After longtime chef (over twenty years) Dean Fearing left to open a restaurant bearing his name at the Ritz Carlton Hotel he was replaced by well-known New York chef John Tesar and a complete redo of the dining room followed, converting the dining space into three distinctive sections: the main dining room featuring à la carte items, a more luxurious area with a choice of prix fixe menus, the Chefs’ table where Tesar cooks what he fancies on any given evening (six persons only). Blue jeans, a Texas staple, are now finally permitted; and we especially enjoyed seeing them on the young, local Dallas women that tend to congregate here in the evenings.

Cuvée Napa Restaurant, Napa – California

Friday, February 13th, 2009

photo credit: www.winecountrythisweek.com

1650 Soscol Ave., Napa
Tel.707-224-2330
Website: www.cuveenapa.com
Opening Hours: Open for lunch, Monday-Friday; dinner, nightly
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Moderate-Expensive

Chef Octavio Barrera prepares comfort food for the Napa Valley crowd in the new restaurant Cuvée Napa that opened last April; it is basically a reshuffle of Restaurant Budo and although under the same ownership, it has a less pretentious menu. The cuisine is billed on the menu as “New American Favorites”. The restaurant’s aim is to appeal to regulars that live in the area, and is located next to The River Terrace Inn (www.riverterranceinn.com). Cuvée is a good spot for cocktails and canapés in the bar, or try dinner in the pleasant courtyard where the food now reflects the wine country theme with good old American dishes that people are comfortable with and are perfect for pairing with the mainly California wine list.

Chez Jay’s, Santa Monica – Los Angeles

Friday, February 13th, 2009


1657 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica
Tel. 310-395-1741
Valet Parking and Parking Lot
Opening Hours: Dinner: Every night; Lunch: Tues-Fri; Breakfast: Sat & Sun
Credit Cards: Yes
Prices: Moderate

This is a scruffy neighborhood joint, a watering hole that has been going strong for decades under the guidance of owner Jay Fiondella, who ran the place for over 40 years. He recently died at age 82. Presently, long-time manager Michael Anderson is in charge. It is conveniently located above Santa Monica Beach just south of the Santa Monica Pier on Ocean Avenue, close to major hotels. They are known for serving mainly steak and seafood.

A genuine little dive with sawdust and peanut shells on the floor.