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Where to Whale Watch in Dallas

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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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Blue Martini

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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.

Cafe Pacific

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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.

The Capital Grille

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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.

Javier's Gourmet Mexicano

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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.

The Living Room

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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.

Marquee Grill & Bar

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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.

Mi Cocina

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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.

Nick & Sam's

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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.

Rattlesnake Bar

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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.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

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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.

Starbucks

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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.

The Zodiac Room

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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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Blue Martini

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.

Cafe Pacific

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.

The Capital Grille

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.

Javier's Gourmet Mexicano

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.

The Living Room

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.

Marquee Grill & Bar

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.

Mi Cocina

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.

Nick & Sam's

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.

Rattlesnake Bar

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.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

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.

Starbucks

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.

The Zodiac Room

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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