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Cafe Momentum.
Cafe Momentum.
Ivy Phan/EDFW

The Hottest Restaurants in Dallas Right Now, February 2015

A monthly guide to the restaurants of the moment.

by Whitney Filloon
View as Map
Cafe Momentum.
| Ivy Phan/EDFW
by Whitney Filloon

It's time once again for a fresh update of the Eater Dallas Heatmap, a monthly guide intended to answer the age-old question: "Where should I eat tonight?"

New additions to the February Heatmap include a new downtown restaurant devoted to a very worthy cause, a just-opened West Village hot spot, and the northern expansion of an Oak Cliff dining destination.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Blind Butcher

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1919 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 887-0000
(214) 887-0000
Visit Website
This dark Lower Greenville bar from Goodfriend owners Matt Tobin and Josh Yingling and chef Oliver Sitrin is a carnivore's dream, especially if you like craft beer and/or whiskey. Get the ever-changing charcuterie plate and one of the poutine variations (duck confit with luscious duck gravy is a standout). Housemade sausages are a must and vegetables are worthwhile, too, particularly the very bacon-y Brussels sprouts.

Also Featured in:

2. Knife

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5300 E Mockingbird Ln
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 443-9339
(214) 443-9339
Visit Website
John Tesar's getting no shortage of attention for his fresh take on the steakhouse, and it's well-deserved. Start off with a bacon tasting and ground-to-order steak tartare before moving on to a "new school" cut of prime Texas beef like the tri-tip, downright affordable at a mere $26; or simply grab a spot at the bar and order up a cocktail and the $12 Ozersky burger, which comes with a side of awesome onion rings or super-crispy salsa verde fries.

Also Featured in:

3. Proof + Pantry

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1722 Routh St Ste 102
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 880-9940
(214) 880-9940
Visit Website
Misery Loves Co. (that's Driftwood partners Michael Martensen and Sal Jafar II) and chef Kyle McClelland are giving One Arts Plaza a much-needed injection of something new and exciting with a well-edited cocktail menu and shareable plates like roast chicken and a fancy ham tasting. Bone marrow with onion marshmallows sounds strange but tastes delicious.

4. Clark Food & Wine Co.

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1920 Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 515-5500
(214) 515-5500
Visit Website
Craft cocktails, wine on tap, and smoked proteins galore await at this newest addition to Lower Greenville's ever-expanding dining scene. Expect trendy items like avocado toast, bone marrow, and things in jars (e.g. smoked fish dip and awesome pork rillettes) in a rustic-but-sleek, laid-back setting. Even "BBQ Snob" Daniel Vaughn was impressed by the smoked shrimp and Arctic char.

5. Henry's Majestic

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4900 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75205
(469) 893-9400
(469) 893-9400
Visit Website
Fantastic cocktails from barman Alex Fletcher (including tasty draft options like the Vietnamese coffee-inspired 8AM) and a great patio make this Acme F&B replacement worth a visit. On the food side of things, expect housemade potato chips with creamy onion dip, oysters with pancetta and kimchi butter, and a burger dialed up with bone marrow from chef Roe DiLeo.

Also Featured in:

6. Neighborhood Services

Copy Link
(972) 789-9639
(972) 789-9639
Visit Website
Nick Badovinus has brought his beloved concept northward to the Village on the Parkway. Expect the same NHS flavors you've known and loved with some new twists, including dishes like buffalo quail legs, chicken fricassee pot pie, and dry-aged steaks alongside fantastic cocktails.

7. OSO Food & Wine

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11910 Preston Rd
Dallas, TX 75230
(972) 789-1630
(972) 789-1630
Visit Website
Industry vets Michael Cox and Kelly Hightower are dazzling diners with a modern spin on Mediterranean flavors in a chic, colorful dining room. A giant pork chop milanese gets fresh with an herbal salsa verde, bacon-wrapped dates are stuffed with spicy pork chorizo, and a luscious braised lamb shank rests on a bed of fluffy apricot-studded couscous.

8. TJ's Seafood Market

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Preston Royal Shopping Center, 6025 Royal Lane
Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 691-2369
(214) 691-2369
Visit Website
Jon Alexis's ode to fine seafood is better than ever in its new Preston and Royal location. Oyster fiends will be delighted with the super-fresh options here; if you prefer your seafood cooked, look to pistachio-crusted sea bass or broiled Thai-style oysters. Thanks to the full bar, you can wash it all down with a rosemary and grapefruit-tinged gin & tonic or a smoked Dark & Stormy.

Also Featured in:

9. Remedy

Copy Link
2010 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75206
(469) 294-4012
(469) 294-4012
Visit Website
This 1920's soda fountain-themed sibling of neighbor HG Sply Co. is already knocking it out of the park with modern versions of homey favorites like perfect fried chicken with mashed potatoes and a killer housemade bologna sandwich. Cocktails are inventive and delicious (think a kaffir lime rickey), and do not skip the dessert menu, with daily rotating options like a dark chocolate grasshopper pie and potato chip-laden sundaes. The 90's hiphop soundtrack is a nice touch.

Also Featured in:

10. Small BrewPub

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333 West Jefferson Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75208
Visit Website
The first of many exciting new additions to the Jefferson Tower redevelopment, head to Small for interesting beers, tasty and fairly priced cocktails, and a very creative menu from former FT33 sous chef Misti Norris that includes items like pig trotters, fried chicken feet, and fantastic housemade charcuterie.

11. Cafe Momentum

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1510 Pacific Ave
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 303-1234
(214) 303-1234
Visit Website
Charitable pop-up sensation Cafe Momentum has found a permanent home downtown, and the kitchen of talented young men led by Chad Houser, Eric Shelton, and Justin Box is putting out refined dishes like smoked carrot pappardelle with mole chicken sausage and octopus tiradito with aji amarillo. Former Oak pastry chef Sarah Green is on desserts, but best of all: The cost of your meal goes to supporting one of the most worthy organizations in town.

Also Featured in:

12. Public School 214

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3700 McKinney Ave #148
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 599-6234
(214) 599-6234
Visit Website
Uptown is seriously psyched for the arrival of PS214, thanks to a creative menu of fancy scratch-made bar bites like buffalo cauliflower, bacon and cheddar-stuffed tots, and chorizo mac and cheese topped with crunchy salt and vinegar potato chips. Cocktails are made with fresh juices and housemade syrups and bitters, and craft beer drinkers will find plenty to their liking. Bonus: Nutella ice cream sandwiches.

13. Smoke

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2408 Preston Rd
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 599-2222
(972) 599-2222
Visit Website
Tim Byres' unique brand of "new firewood cooking" is reaching new heights at Smoke's new West Plano branch thanks to an impressive custom-built hearth in the kitchen. The Marfa-cool dining room is reminiscent of the Belmont Hotel original without being a carbon copy. Expect Smoke classics like "The Big Rib" and cabrito masa pie.

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1. Blind Butcher

1919 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75206
This dark Lower Greenville bar from Goodfriend owners Matt Tobin and Josh Yingling and chef Oliver Sitrin is a carnivore's dream, especially if you like craft beer and/or whiskey. Get the ever-changing charcuterie plate and one of the poutine variations (duck confit with luscious duck gravy is a standout). Housemade sausages are a must and vegetables are worthwhile, too, particularly the very bacon-y Brussels sprouts.
1919 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 887-0000
Visit Website

2. Knife

5300 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
John Tesar's getting no shortage of attention for his fresh take on the steakhouse, and it's well-deserved. Start off with a bacon tasting and ground-to-order steak tartare before moving on to a "new school" cut of prime Texas beef like the tri-tip, downright affordable at a mere $26; or simply grab a spot at the bar and order up a cocktail and the $12 Ozersky burger, which comes with a side of awesome onion rings or super-crispy salsa verde fries.
5300 E Mockingbird Ln
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 443-9339
Visit Website

3. Proof + Pantry

1722 Routh St Ste 102, Dallas, TX 75201
Misery Loves Co. (that's Driftwood partners Michael Martensen and Sal Jafar II) and chef Kyle McClelland are giving One Arts Plaza a much-needed injection of something new and exciting with a well-edited cocktail menu and shareable plates like roast chicken and a fancy ham tasting. Bone marrow with onion marshmallows sounds strange but tastes delicious.
1722 Routh St Ste 102
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 880-9940
Visit Website

4. Clark Food & Wine Co.

1920 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Craft cocktails, wine on tap, and smoked proteins galore await at this newest addition to Lower Greenville's ever-expanding dining scene. Expect trendy items like avocado toast, bone marrow, and things in jars (e.g. smoked fish dip and awesome pork rillettes) in a rustic-but-sleek, laid-back setting. Even "BBQ Snob" Daniel Vaughn was impressed by the smoked shrimp and Arctic char.
1920 Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 515-5500
Visit Website

5. Henry's Majestic

4900 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
Fantastic cocktails from barman Alex Fletcher (including tasty draft options like the Vietnamese coffee-inspired 8AM) and a great patio make this Acme F&B replacement worth a visit. On the food side of things, expect housemade potato chips with creamy onion dip, oysters with pancetta and kimchi butter, and a burger dialed up with bone marrow from chef Roe DiLeo.
4900 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75205
(469) 893-9400
Visit Website

6. Neighborhood Services

Addison, TX
Nick Badovinus has brought his beloved concept northward to the Village on the Parkway. Expect the same NHS flavors you've known and loved with some new twists, including dishes like buffalo quail legs, chicken fricassee pot pie, and dry-aged steaks alongside fantastic cocktails.
(972) 789-9639
Visit Website

7. OSO Food & Wine

11910 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75230
Industry vets Michael Cox and Kelly Hightower are dazzling diners with a modern spin on Mediterranean flavors in a chic, colorful dining room. A giant pork chop milanese gets fresh with an herbal salsa verde, bacon-wrapped dates are stuffed with spicy pork chorizo, and a luscious braised lamb shank rests on a bed of fluffy apricot-studded couscous.
11910 Preston Rd
Dallas, TX 75230
(972) 789-1630
Visit Website

8. TJ's Seafood Market

Preston Royal Shopping Center, 6025 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230
Jon Alexis's ode to fine seafood is better than ever in its new Preston and Royal location. Oyster fiends will be delighted with the super-fresh options here; if you prefer your seafood cooked, look to pistachio-crusted sea bass or broiled Thai-style oysters. Thanks to the full bar, you can wash it all down with a rosemary and grapefruit-tinged gin & tonic or a smoked Dark & Stormy.
Preston Royal Shopping Center, 6025 Royal Lane
Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 691-2369
Visit Website

9. Remedy

2010 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206
This 1920's soda fountain-themed sibling of neighbor HG Sply Co. is already knocking it out of the park with modern versions of homey favorites like perfect fried chicken with mashed potatoes and a killer housemade bologna sandwich. Cocktails are inventive and delicious (think a kaffir lime rickey), and do not skip the dessert menu, with daily rotating options like a dark chocolate grasshopper pie and potato chip-laden sundaes. The 90's hiphop soundtrack is a nice touch.
2010 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75206
(469) 294-4012
Visit Website

10. Small BrewPub

333 West Jefferson Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75208
The first of many exciting new additions to the Jefferson Tower redevelopment, head to Small for interesting beers, tasty and fairly priced cocktails, and a very creative menu from former FT33 sous chef Misti Norris that includes items like pig trotters, fried chicken feet, and fantastic housemade charcuterie.
333 West Jefferson Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75208
Visit Website

11. Cafe Momentum

1510 Pacific Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
Charitable pop-up sensation Cafe Momentum has found a permanent home downtown, and the kitchen of talented young men led by Chad Houser, Eric Shelton, and Justin Box is putting out refined dishes like smoked carrot pappardelle with mole chicken sausage and octopus tiradito with aji amarillo. Former Oak pastry chef Sarah Green is on desserts, but best of all: The cost of your meal goes to supporting one of the most worthy organizations in town.
1510 Pacific Ave
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 303-1234
Visit Website

12. Public School 214

3700 McKinney Ave #148, Dallas, TX 75204
Uptown is seriously psyched for the arrival of PS214, thanks to a creative menu of fancy scratch-made bar bites like buffalo cauliflower, bacon and cheddar-stuffed tots, and chorizo mac and cheese topped with crunchy salt and vinegar potato chips. Cocktails are made with fresh juices and housemade syrups and bitters, and craft beer drinkers will find plenty to their liking. Bonus: Nutella ice cream sandwiches.
3700 McKinney Ave #148
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 599-6234
Visit Website

13. Smoke

2408 Preston Rd, Plano, TX 75093
Tim Byres' unique brand of "new firewood cooking" is reaching new heights at Smoke's new West Plano branch thanks to an impressive custom-built hearth in the kitchen. The Marfa-cool dining room is reminiscent of the Belmont Hotel original without being a carbon copy. Expect Smoke classics like "The Big Rib" and cabrito masa pie.
2408 Preston Rd
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 599-2222
Visit Website

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