Gaylord Texan Hits, Misses; Bistro 31's "Clubby"

Here's where the critics ate this week.

DALLAS OBSERVER -- Scott "Hipster Dreamboat" Reitz predictably loves the neighborhood feel of Goodfriend out in East Dallas. He writes that the burgers "border on greatness," while the rest of the menu is "decent bar food" with names that "may test your patience," such as the "Dippity Do" chips and salsa. Conclusion: it's a "little gem."

DALLAS MORNING NEWS -- Leslie Brenner says the Lombardi family's new Bistro 31 is a "perfect fit" for Highland Park, and gives it two stars, which is likely at least two stars below the number Highland Park folks feel they're generally "fit" for. The cocktails are "splendid," the food is "not terribly adventuresome," but it feels like a "clubby gathering place" for old-school Parkies.

DFW.COM -- Teresa Gubbins reviews the new V Spot Cafe on Henderson Avenue, which serves honest-to-goodness vegan-only fare. The restaurant doesn't do tofu, writes Gubbins, but "showcases vegetables and grains in their very best light." She says the gnocchi is "just as luscious as those at your local Italian restaurant" and the desserts are a "must-get."

DALLAS MORNING NEWS -- Mark Vamos gives one teeny star to Zeppole at the Gaylord Texan, which he describes as "Italian food from another planet," and not in the good way. Generally crapping on the kind of people who eat at the Grapevine mega-hotel ("diners who were apparently frightened by spaghetti") Vamos was also pissed off by servers mispronouncing the restaurant's name.

D MAGAZINE -- In contrast, Nancy Nichols had a lovely evening at the Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Gaylord Texan, where they had fancy French wine, a nice cheese plate and "delicate" and "gentle" entrees. Nichols is "crazy for the improvements and the personal touches" added by Chef Joanne Bondy.

[Photo: Goodfriend/Facebook]