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Where to Whale Watch in Dallas

by Whitney Filloon
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by Whitney Filloon

In honor of Whale Week, we present a map of a dozen places to observe high-rollers in their natural habitat—the bars and restaurants where they can be spotted eating foie gras and caviar, sipping pricey martinis, or even just getting their morning caffeine fix. (You can usually spot these places by the fleet of Bentleys and Maseratis parked out front.) Feel free to chime in via the comments to inform us of more prime whale watching spots.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Blue Martini

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Lone Star Drive
Plano, TX 75024
(972) 727-2583
(972) 727-2583
Visit Website
Shops at Legacy is where well-heeled suburbanites go to shop, dine, and play, and Blue Martini is the newest hot spot. Everyone knows cougars love live music and appletinis.

2. Cafe Pacific

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24 Highland Park Village
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 526-1170
(214) 526-1170
Visit Website
Cafe Pacific reeks of old money. The longstanding tony seafood spot has recently installed a new chef--Chad Kelley, formerly of the Meddlesome Moth--but the older, wealthy clientele remains largely unchanged. A dress code is strictly enforced, so don't think you can roll in here wearing shorts or flip-flops.

3. The Capital Grille

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500 Crescent Ct
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 303-0500
(214) 303-0500
Visit Website
Crescent Court is definitely whale turf, and the Capital Grille, with all its dark wood and slightly old-school feel, is a great place to spot them: At lunchtime you'll see plenty of ladies carrying Hermes Birkin bags; at dinner, it's all prime steaks and spendy bottles of wine. Service is impeccable, as the well-heeled patrons demand it.

4. Javier's Gourmet Mexicano

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4912 Cole Ave.
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 521-4211
(214) 521-4211
Visit Website
Javier's is a Highland Park staple, and as indicated by the Bentleys and Porsches out front, the well-heeled flock here for pricey Tex-Mex. They file in to the Cigar Room after dinner to sip expensive tequila surrounded by plenty of taxidermied animals.

5. The Living Room

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2440 Victory Park Ln.
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 397-4100
(214) 397-4100
Visit Website
If you're seeking a rich businessman for a one night stand, the Living Room bar at the W is the place to be. Everyone staying at the modern-fancy hotel in Victory Park will find themselves there at some point; it gets especially packed post-Mavs game.

6. Marquee Grill & Bar

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32 Highland Park Village
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 522-6035
(214) 522-6035
Visit Website
Ah, Highland Park Village: prime stomping (swimming?) grounds for whales. The gorgeous interior is prime real estate for the well-heeled, whether they're dining on pork belly and steak or sipping fancy cocktails at the bar.

7. Mi Cocina

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3699 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 533-5663
(469) 533-5663
Visit Website
For some reason, rich folks really love Mi Cocina. Maybe it's knock-you-on-your-ass Mambo Taxis, or maybe it's just the West Village patio scene -- either way, there's a steady supply of Maseratis and BMWs rolling through the valet stand.

8. Nick & Sam's

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3008 Maple Ave.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 871-7643
(214) 871-7643
Visit Website
Nick & Sam's attracts the kind of new moneyed people who like to show off and order $90 steaks and lobster alongside spendy bottles of cab. The atmosphere is loud and boisterous and the bar scene offers plenty of breast augmentations to gaze at, but even the non-rich will feel like they belong with the complimentary caviar for every table.

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9. Rattlesnake Bar

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2121 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 922-4848
(214) 922-4848
Visit Website
The bar at Fearing's is an ideal spot to go cougar hunting or snag a sugar daddy. Free valet sort of makes up for the (damn good) $14 drinks, but only the Maseratis and Porsches get parked in the front.

10. Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

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2821 Turtle Creek Blvd
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 559-2100
(214) 559-2100
Visit Website
The Mansion: just the name brings to mind visions of wealth and excess. It's a special occasion destination for many, but hit the dining room or bar on a weeknight and you'll find the regulars who have no problem dropping $50 on truffled gnocchi nightly.

11. Starbucks

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100 Highland Park Vil
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 528-0120
(214) 528-0120
Visit Website
Bankers and real estate moguls rush through here in the mornings for their caffeine fix; there's also plenty of regulars who occupy the tables to enjoy their three-pump non-fat extra hot vanilla lattes before embarking on another long day of shopping for Chanel bags and Jimmy Choos.

12. The Zodiac Room

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1618 Main St.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 573-5800
(214) 573-5800
Visit Website
For a window into the world of the Dallas socialite, pop into the Zodiac Room inside Neiman Marcus for a light lunch. Between bouts of shopping for couture, the city's well-heeled ladies dine on popovers with strawberry butter and chicken consomme. Warning: they only take the NM card and Amex, so bring cash.

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1. Blue Martini

Lone Star Drive, Plano, TX 75024
Shops at Legacy is where well-heeled suburbanites go to shop, dine, and play, and Blue Martini is the newest hot spot. Everyone knows cougars love live music and appletinis.
Lone Star Drive
Plano, TX 75024
(972) 727-2583
Visit Website

2. Cafe Pacific

24 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205
Cafe Pacific reeks of old money. The longstanding tony seafood spot has recently installed a new chef--Chad Kelley, formerly of the Meddlesome Moth--but the older, wealthy clientele remains largely unchanged. A dress code is strictly enforced, so don't think you can roll in here wearing shorts or flip-flops.
24 Highland Park Village
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 526-1170
Visit Website

3. The Capital Grille

500 Crescent Ct, Dallas, TX 75201
Crescent Court is definitely whale turf, and the Capital Grille, with all its dark wood and slightly old-school feel, is a great place to spot them: At lunchtime you'll see plenty of ladies carrying Hermes Birkin bags; at dinner, it's all prime steaks and spendy bottles of wine. Service is impeccable, as the well-heeled patrons demand it.
500 Crescent Ct
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 303-0500
Visit Website

4. Javier's Gourmet Mexicano

4912 Cole Ave., Dallas, TX 75205
Javier's is a Highland Park staple, and as indicated by the Bentleys and Porsches out front, the well-heeled flock here for pricey Tex-Mex. They file in to the Cigar Room after dinner to sip expensive tequila surrounded by plenty of taxidermied animals.
4912 Cole Ave.
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 521-4211
Visit Website

5. The Living Room

2440 Victory Park Ln., Dallas, TX 75219
If you're seeking a rich businessman for a one night stand, the Living Room bar at the W is the place to be. Everyone staying at the modern-fancy hotel in Victory Park will find themselves there at some point; it gets especially packed post-Mavs game.
2440 Victory Park Ln.
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 397-4100
Visit Website

6. Marquee Grill & Bar

32 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205
Ah, Highland Park Village: prime stomping (swimming?) grounds for whales. The gorgeous interior is prime real estate for the well-heeled, whether they're dining on pork belly and steak or sipping fancy cocktails at the bar.
32 Highland Park Village
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 522-6035
Visit Website

7. Mi Cocina

3699 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
For some reason, rich folks really love Mi Cocina. Maybe it's knock-you-on-your-ass Mambo Taxis, or maybe it's just the West Village patio scene -- either way, there's a steady supply of Maseratis and BMWs rolling through the valet stand.
3699 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 533-5663
Visit Website

8. Nick & Sam's

3008 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75201
Nick & Sam's attracts the kind of new moneyed people who like to show off and order $90 steaks and lobster alongside spendy bottles of cab. The atmosphere is loud and boisterous and the bar scene offers plenty of breast augmentations to gaze at, but even the non-rich will feel like they belong with the complimentary caviar for every table.
3008 Maple Ave.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 871-7643
Visit Website

9. Rattlesnake Bar

2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
The bar at Fearing's is an ideal spot to go cougar hunting or snag a sugar daddy. Free valet sort of makes up for the (damn good) $14 drinks, but only the Maseratis and Porsches get parked in the front.
2121 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 922-4848
Visit Website

10. Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
The Mansion: just the name brings to mind visions of wealth and excess. It's a special occasion destination for many, but hit the dining room or bar on a weeknight and you'll find the regulars who have no problem dropping $50 on truffled gnocchi nightly.
2821 Turtle Creek Blvd
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 559-2100
Visit Website

11. Starbucks

100 Highland Park Vil, Dallas, TX 75205
Bankers and real estate moguls rush through here in the mornings for their caffeine fix; there's also plenty of regulars who occupy the tables to enjoy their three-pump non-fat extra hot vanilla lattes before embarking on another long day of shopping for Chanel bags and Jimmy Choos.
100 Highland Park Vil
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 528-0120
Visit Website

12. The Zodiac Room

1618 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201
For a window into the world of the Dallas socialite, pop into the Zodiac Room inside Neiman Marcus for a light lunch. Between bouts of shopping for couture, the city's well-heeled ladies dine on popovers with strawberry butter and chicken consomme. Warning: they only take the NM card and Amex, so bring cash.
1618 Main St.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 573-5800
Visit Website

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