Saturday, June 12, 2010

Baileys Prime Plus

A DALLAS STEAKHOUSE WITHOUT ALL THE TESTOSTERONE

"Baileys Prime Plus" didn’t get the most glowing review by D magazine. Something about it being more Vegas glitz than quality food.
"Perhaps I’m not a big fan of Bailey’s because Ed Bailey seems to care more about the atmosphere than the food or service
"
I beg to differ. I actually thought the décor was subtle and classy in this Park lane eatery.
You have to respect a man who started with a McDonalds Franchise and then later went on to sue the very company that made his first millions. That alone is almost worth a Baileys Prime Plus voyeuristic visit .
We arrived purposely early to dinner in order to sample one of the signature cocktails in the adjoining bar and we were surprised to see there was a reverse Happy Hour about to begin (half price off all cocktails, house wines and domestic beers…and on a Saturday night. Sweet)

The bar itself was elegant and lush with reds and gold rich colours. The bar staff were friendly and the welcoming without being too gushy.

My drink (cucumber Martini) was made perfectly without and fancy trimmings and the bargirl actually used a straw to taste test the cocktail before handing it to me. A quality control I find sadly lacking in most places.
The restaurant itself is beautiful. Its touted as being a steakhouse without the usual testosterone hunting dark wood walls. The walls were pale and chandeliers kept the rooms light and elegant.

Running down the middle of the restaurant is a marble lined reflecting pool framed on both sides by trees.
As far as first impressions go this place has it spot on.
Our waiter was as pretty as the surroundings and helped us through the menu making suggestions along the way.
The food did not disappoint.
For an appetizer the insanely decadent chicken fried and lobster stuffed avocado was as good as it sounds ($15). I don’t eat steak (I know….I know..) so I opted for the seafood entrée and the Jalapeno onion crusted Bass ($25) was fabulous with a tequila and chile cream sauce making the dish extra special.

My dinner comrades did have steak and no complaints there either.
Hubby had the prime strip steak ($35) and my girl friend tried the waiters recommendation the "Steak and Cake" which was a personal twist on surf and turf only this was steak and crab cake!
There ARE better steakhouse in Dallas (Bobs!) but for a good food experience in gentile, pretty surroundings this one has my vote.
Rock on Ed Bailey!

http://www.baileysprimeplus.com/

Bailey's Prime Plus on Urbanspoon

Friday, June 4, 2010

Sushi Sake


SUSHI SAKE in the suburb of Richardson has been touted as "best of.." by the Dallas Guide (alongside such names as Nobu) for as long as I remember, and yet last night was the first time we made it to this sole-location family owned spot.

In this case Location does not determine popularity, as SUSHI SAKE is a stand alone restaurant hidden from highway 75 on Collins and Campbell but don’t let this fool you. Word of mouth has ensured that you will have a small wait on weekends here.

They don’t take reservations here unless you want the private Tatami rooms in the back for 6 or more people so the wait can be long on popular nights.

The rather plain exterior was reminiscent of restaurants in Japans suburbs ..Plain brown with simple hanging curtains above the doorway.
On entering the doors I was taken aback with how busy this place was and the simple elegance of the décor.

Modern yet traditional seems an oxymoron yet SUSHI SAKE managed to fuse those two styles perfectly from the large curved sushi bar flanked by bright coloured sake barrels and (to my amusement) porcelain lucky cats smiling moronically from above.
The rest of the tables were bench style with cushions on the seats. Designed to seat four or six, so be ready to share a table with another couple during busy times.
If you do opt for the back Tatami room rest easy in the knowledge that the floor has been "scooped out" allowing for easier seating for our less flexible western legs!

The lighting was candlelit and romantic and the waitresses all dressed in traditional Japanese dress (even though our waitress was Chinese)
Ambience alone scored this place brownie points in my head so I waited with baited breath hoping the food wouldn’t let it down.
It didn’t disappoint !

The menu was noticeably absent of most pimped out rolls you find at more Western geared joints and its focus was on more simple and traditional foods.
The Sake list was impressive and served in the wooden box (typically overfilled) style. We started with edamame ( $3.50) and gyoza (pork dumplings..$4.50) which I didn’t eat but apparently they were very good as our dinner mates promptly ordered another plate of the same dumplings

My Sashimi mix was fresh and fleshy and presented beautifully ($15). Hubby had the tempura and cold soba ($13.50) and whilst good couldn’t compare to the same dish eaten in Tokyo recently.
Our friends ordered a selection of sushi from the separate menu and all of it was fresh and delicious. This included the stunning rainbow rolls and a hand rolled (ice-cream cone looking) sushi roll.
To finish we shared a black sesame ice-cream (tasted rather like peanut butter)
We sat back fat and happy looking up at those Lucky Japanese cats realizing we were now smiling BIG just like them!

www.sushi-sake.com/

Sushi-Sake on Urbanspoon