Dallas’ 2017 Eater Awards Winners

After a week of voting and much deliberation, the results are in and we’re happy to announce the winners of the 2017 Eater Awards. It’s been an exciting year to dine in Dallas, and the scene just continues to grow. From ritzy fine-dining establishments that could put Big D on the national culinary map in 2018 to the explosion of the poke craze, being an Eater in Dallas just keeps getting better.

Without further ado, behold this year’s Eater Awards winners.

Restaurant of the Year: Sachet

Kathy Tran

The power duo of Chef Stephen Rogers and front-of-house manager Alison Yoder, the minds behind Henderson Avenue’s Gemma, have found another smash hit in this Mediterranean-inspired stunner. Equal parts chic and welcoming, it’s quickly become one of the hardest reservations to secure in town, and for good reason.

From bright, colorful mezze to stick-to-the-ribs entrees, the menu at Sachet is diverse without being scattered, the execution of each plate is near-flawless, and the service is attentive without being aggressive. And don’t forget the gin and tonic program, which is turning out some of the finest cocktails in the city.

Reader’s Choice: Sachet

Chef of the Year: Joshua Harmon

Kevin Marple

Starting first as a temporary chef at Kitchen LTO, Joshua Harmon has transformed the since-revamped eatery (now known as Junction Craft Kitchen) into one of Dallas’ most exciting dining destinations. His obsessive focus on unique ingredients, ranging from smoked kimchi to black butter cajeta, add interest to otherwise familiar plates like shrimp and grits, steak tartare, and fried green tomatoes.

Harmon is as much a mad scientist as he is a chef, using his kitchen to make giant batches of koji, a fungus grown on rice that can be used for everything from culturing butter to fermenting soy sauce and curing meats. He’s also recently launched a late-night cart that serves up steam buns in Deep Ellum, so there’s really no telling what this up-and-comer is going to do next.

Reader’s Choice: Due to suspected voting irregularities, a Reader’s Choice winner will not be awarded in this category.

Most Gorgeous Restaurant of the Year: Bullion

Courtesy Bullion

It’s only been open for a few weeks, but Chef Bruno Davaillon’s Bullion has already staked its place as Dallas’ most stunning new restaurant. From first glimpse, the swanky Downtown restaurant’s exterior is a nod to its name — it’s literally shaped like a bar of gold bullion. Inside, dark woods, plush seating, and an overall luxurious vibe make dinner at Bullion feel a little bit like being transported out of Dallas.

Here, even the tableware is stunning — custom plates emblazoned with a “B” are made in France by Bernaudaud, with hefty Christofle silver placed alongside. But that really shouldn’t be surprising, considering that Davaillon is known for making sure that each and every detail is obsessively perfect.

Reader’s Choice: Bullion

Bar of the Year: Lounge Here

Melissa Hennings

In a city with many worthy watering holes, Lounge Here has firmly staked its place as one of Dallas’s best bars. The laid-back, Marfa-inspired decor makes for a perfect setting to enjoy cocktails from a thoughtfully-arranged menu that covers every possible preference or poison of choice. From sippable easy drinkers to more complex, spirit-forward libations, the bar staff at Lounge Here expertly stir and shake cocktails that are as thoughtful as they are consistently great.

Reader’s Choice: Midnight Rambler

Comeback of the Year: The French Room

Steven Visneau

Once the grande dame of Dallas dining, The French Room had really faded in recent years. When it shuttered in 2016, expectations were high that the Adolphus Hotel and new chef Michael Ehlert would return this much-lauded dining room to its former glory. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that The French Room has made a major comeback in 2017 thanks to its talented new chef and a stunning interior revamp.

Reader’s Choice: The French Room