Where to Eat & Drink in 2018

BEST TASTING MENU: THE FRENCH ROOM
It may well be the most extravagant gastronomic experience in town. Executive chef Michael Ehlert pulls out all the stops in the seven-course tasting menu offered at The French Room, the pièce de résistance of The Adolphus Hotel’s multimillion-dollar restoration. Inspired by the great 19th century chef Charles Ranhofer of Delmonico’s, Ehlert applies classic French cooking technique to the best of American ingredients. Diners should allow two to three hours to fully enjoy seven formal courses interspersed with surprises, all the better with optional wine pairings. What to expect? Perhaps cocktails prepared tableside to start, with a canape and an amuse-bouche. Next, the first course: a light seafood dish. And then the second, followed by increasingly substantial dishes. Foie gras? Likely. Fish? Yes. Two meat courses graced with vegetables and sauces. Palate-cleansing sorbet. An optional cheese cart. Dessert, and finally, whatever you’d like from the mignardise pastry and sweets cart. Tasting menu $135 per person, wine pairing $75 per person, cocktails and cheese cart priced separately, 1321 Commerce St., 214.651.3615

BEST PRIVATE CHEF: DARREN MCGRADY
Dubbed “The Royal Chef” after culinarily catering to Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II, Darren McGrady moved across the pond where he would cater to Dallas royalty, Charles and Dee Wyly, for 17 years. Today, he throws lavish Park Cities dinner parties, where you’d likely taste his signature sticky toffee pudding (a favorite of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge), through his company, Eating Royally. “Being able to go to someone’s house, create an intimate dinner and share world stories is what I love,” shares McGrady, whose roster includes Tom Cruise, Gianni Versace, Elton John and George Michael. Flip through his recently launched cookbook, The Royal Chef at Home: Easy Seasonal Entertaining ($33, Bright Sky Press), for his favorite Indian cuisine recipes and inspiration for your next McGrady-catered fete. “Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, a family connection or corporate business deal, food puts everyone in the right frame of mind,” says McGrady. We couldn’t agree more. $30 per entree and prep