Son lives in Dallas and we will visit soon, definitely to hit Pecan Lodge, maybe Knife, a (relatively new) steak place we’ve enjoyed once. What else is there now in Dallas–high end or $1 tacos–just the good stuff? TIA.
Uchi - Creative Japanese fusion cuisine. Very good and the best part is they allow corkage at $20/btl. (randomly charged on multiple bottles). Corkage allowance is rare here - especially at the higher end. Bring champagne, whites, and possibly pinot for pairing. They have a food happy hour menu from something like 5-6:30 that is a good deal and is relevant to us because we are usually dining with our 6 year old. You need reservations any day or your wait will likely be loooong. Bonus: it isn’t terribly expensive as my wife, 6 year old daughter, and myself almost always get out for under $150 with the corkage. We go a lot, so shoot me a PM if you want party crashers.
On the completely opposite end, Tipicos on NW Hwy close to Love Field (not far from SMU) serves excellent, authentic Mexican/Tex-Mex. It’s very low end, but always busy with those that know. Their breakfast dishes/tacos/soups are excellent. Bring your cholesterol medicine. Spanish is helpful, but not at all necessary. We do breakfast there routinely. No need to shower before going.
If you like Soba I recommend Tei-An.
Cattleack has great barbecue if you’re there when they’re open. (only a couple days a week)
Was just there for a week. Had a great meal (the best of the trip) at Filament. Southern “inspired” cuisine but elevated without losing its roots and they have a great wine list both by the glass and the bottle. Also ate at 18th & Vine. Some of the best brisket ever and I eat BBQ a lot! Dos Jefes was fun. Good cocktails and delicious bites. Quite a scene the night I was there, reminded me of Big Star Taco in Chicago a bit. Madrina was also great! French/Mexican fusion that works! Everything we ate was spot on and they have a fantastic Tequila and Mezcal program if that interests you. The Enfrijolada was particularly delicious, we ordered a second once everyone at the table had a taste. Dallas food scene is coming around, some exciting new restaurants with more planned. Have fun, eat well!
In Dallas proper, we like Gemma http://gemmadallas.com/ and Hibiscus http://www.hibiscusdallas.com/ As luck would have it, they are both located on the same street.
Lucia - http://luciadallas.com/
La Nueva fresh & hot tortilleria - very hole in the wall taco spot (I don’t recall, but most likely to go only, no seats, etc…)
Cane Rosso - http://www.canerosso.com/
The Slow Bone - http://slowbone.com/
Good timing, my son is attending SMU in the Fall. I’m headed out there next week.
my son enjoyed SMU so much he stayed for law school. With what it costs, I should own part of a building there. Have fun!
I loved Tei-An but don’t limit yourself to the soba. their chicken hearts and microgreens stand out in my memory.
I agree with all the other recommendations in this thread, but I thought Alan was asking for relatively new places or undiscovered ones. Most of these are the top restaurants in Dallas for the past 5 years or so.
I know a place in Mansfield that does halfway decent brisket.
Congrats . . . I think. 
My son is looking forward to it and I really like Dallas so it will be fun to visit him.
bunch of great ideas–much thanks–son also wants to go to Lucia’s. Is that a good choice?
Lucia is excellent. Totally chef driven and owned and he just creates Italian themed items - think rustic, northern Italian, not red sauce. Tiny restaurant and reservations are typically very difficult. The reservation book opens on the 1st day of the month at 9 am for the following month and books up quickly. You leave a message and they call you back. Best chances are if you give them a range of dates and times.
It is decidedly NOT BYO friendly despite the manager (Jennifer, the chef David’s wife) being a big wine person. The list is fairly small but interesting and not terribly expensive by Dallas standards.
Can’t help but recommend restaurants that have been able to stick around awhile and keep their clientele but if new restaurants you must, then Flora Street Cafe by Stephan Pyles will probably be great. I haven’t eaten there but he never fails to deliver. http://florastreet.com/
And for a French inspired Mexican restaurant there is Madrina http://www.madrinadallas.com/
For tacos go to Velvet Taco. Looks like a dump but they have unique tacos. Open until 3 or 4AM too so thats promising. Torchys is also very good.
High end there are a lot of good options. For an old school style steak house try Bob’s, for a more new age feeling try Al Bernaits or Nick & Sams.
In general principle, Pyles will never get another dime of mine. Jus like Feering will not see any of my money.
Flora Street is fantastic…it is Pyles influenced but further elevated…I am pretty sure he is letting the young guns he poached from across the country run the show here.
Madrina has been hit or miss for me but they just brought in a new chef so i will probably go back. The cocktail program is great.
El Come is my favorite taco spot.
One that has not been mentioned but in my opinion is top 3 in the city is Casa Rubia.
any updates? heading to dallas next week for business and appreciate any thoughts.
thanks.
If you are in the mood for steak, just had a great one at Pappas Steakhouse on Saturday. Good winelist, I had the 2016 Carlisle Papa Syrah, that was very good. Make sure that you try their cheesecake, pair it with one of their “special” Ports that come in the huge bottles.