Fine China at The Statler recently debuted the restaurant’s full-scale relaunch—rolling out new menus including this colorful Sake Sangria. finechinadallas.com
1. Uchiba
Perched atop Uchi lies this concept from owner and chef Tyson Cole. The array of cool and hot tastings, including Uchi favorites (hello, maguro crudo and tiger cry bao!), yakitori and shareable plates, is headed by chef de cuisine Alex Astranti. End the night with the crowd-pleaser—fried milk. 2817 Maple Ave., 214.855.5454, uchiba.com
2. Fachini
Julian Barsotti makes a splash once again, this time with Fachini, an elegant ode to the classic Italian-American restaurants of the East Coast. Internationally acclaimed interior designer Emily Summers designed the buzzy bar and elegant, warm brick dining room perched above the movie theater in Highland Park Village. Kick off here with a Negroni before diving into the chef’s signature wood-fired proteins and luscious pastas made in-house. 33A, Highland Park Village, 214.838.9688, fachinidallas.com
3. Tei An
Chef Teiichi Sakurai’s venture in One Arts Plaza serves handmade soba and artful Japanese cuisine in sleekly serene surroundings. Check out the rooftop lounge. 1722 Routh St., Ste. 110, 214.220.2828, tei-an.com
4. Il Bracco
Nestled in the ultraconvenient Plaza at Preston Center, Il Bracco offers a fresh take on classic Italian dishes with from-scratch comfort food. The chic restaurant houses luxe seating surrounding a buzzy bar, and an expansive patio perfect for family dining. Start with their crispy baby artichokes paired with Italian aioli for dipping. 8416 Preston Center Plaza, 214.361.0100, ilbraccorestaurant.com
5. Montlake Cut
Nick Badovinus opened this Pacific-Northwest-inspired destination with a simple and sophisticated menu and crowd in mind. The restaurant prides itself in serving delectable plates with the freshest ingredients and perfect portions. The clam chowder and Alaskan halibut are must-tries. 8220 Westchester Drive, 214.739.8220, mlcdallas.com
6. Lucia
Chef David and wife Jennifer Uygur’s 36-seat neighborhood gem is always packed. Standouts on the often-changing menu include house-cured meats, perfectly textured risotto and superb secondi. Try the classic housemade cannoli. Early walk-ins can sometimes score a coveted seat at the bar, where you can overlook the kitchen and see the chefs preparing dishes. 408 W. Eighth St., 214.948.4998, luciadallas.com
7. Meddlesome Moth
Shannon Wynne’s intriguing spot in the Design District is a gastropub with a knockout beer menu and savory plates such as steak frites, fish and chips, and cheesy moth balls. Hang out for lunch or dinner and snag a table on the patio. 1621 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.628.7900, mothinthe.net
Photography by: Courtesy of Fine China at The Statler