| Dallas Restaurant Reviews |
Dallas Restaurant Review:
I almost hate to say how good I think Cafe Pacific really is – because to say that it is “great”
would be a jinx, and then you’d probably be disappointed. But it is. With all due respect to
Oceanaire (the 4-star upstart north of LBJ), Cafe Pacific is arguably the primo seafood
restaurant in Dallas.
SETTING - Super elegant Highland Park Village. Bring your best credit card.
APPETIZERS - The BBQ Spiced Atlantic Sea Scallops with Warm Spinach Blue Cheese Salad
& Lemon Butter Sauce are absolutely over-the top. The "Cafe Pacifico" Crab Cakes with
Cucumber Salad are another winner. If you just came into an inheritance, try the caviar (type
and price seems to vary according to availability) for $75-$110 an ounce. Or build-your-own
fresh seafood appetizer plate at ala carte prices. Even the smoked salmon (with capers,
onions, watercress, and a sprinkling of fresh dill) was better-than-average. Wow. And that's
just the starters.
ENTREES - Every time I finish an appetizer, I think “The entrée can’t possibly match up”.
But it does. The Three Onion Crusted Sea Bass with Sweet Corn Risotto and Ancho Cream
($33) is their most popular dish. No surprise. The Short Smoked Salmon with Shoestring
Potatoes was equally outstanding. Then there’s the Lobster Trio (three tails, dangling out of
the shells) on White Truffle Risotto, with drawn butter ($39). Whoa! Nearly half the menu
is non-seafood, including a 3” thick (I’m only exaggerating slightly) Filet Mignon – charred to
perfection on the outside, done as you like it on the inside. Available lightly crusted with black
pepper or without. Overall price range: $20-$40.
You can see it all at their web site.
WINE - Many very good wines by the glass. And by the bottle or glass, the prices are so
modest that it's startling. They also have a top-end Reserve List, if you're so inclined.
AMBIANCE - Black-and-white marble floors, heavy wood paneling, well-placed beveled-glass
dividers between the tables. Combined with the wait-staff in white jackets and white
aprons, it speaks of Paris or old New York. The bar is classic. The crowd is well-heeled.
The service is silky-smooth. Twenty years ago, this was more of a coat-and-tie place, but the
attire these days just ranges from “dressy casual” to "sport jacket". No shorts.
RESERVATIONS - Highly recommended.
BOTTOM LINE - I’ll be brief - You will not be disappointed in Cafe Pacific. ’Nuff said.
I almost hate to say how good I think Cafe Pacific really is – because to say that it is “great”
would be a jinx, and then you’d probably be disappointed. But it is. With all due respect to
Oceanaire (the 4-star upstart north of LBJ), Cafe Pacific is arguably the primo seafood
restaurant in Dallas.
SETTING - Super elegant Highland Park Village. Bring your best credit card.
APPETIZERS - The BBQ Spiced Atlantic Sea Scallops with Warm Spinach Blue Cheese Salad
& Lemon Butter Sauce are absolutely over-the top. The "Cafe Pacifico" Crab Cakes with
Cucumber Salad are another winner. If you just came into an inheritance, try the caviar (type
and price seems to vary according to availability) for $75-$110 an ounce. Or build-your-own
fresh seafood appetizer plate at ala carte prices. Even the smoked salmon (with capers,
onions, watercress, and a sprinkling of fresh dill) was better-than-average. Wow. And that's
just the starters.
ENTREES - Every time I finish an appetizer, I think “The entrée can’t possibly match up”.
But it does. The Three Onion Crusted Sea Bass with Sweet Corn Risotto and Ancho Cream
($33) is their most popular dish. No surprise. The Short Smoked Salmon with Shoestring
Potatoes was equally outstanding. Then there’s the Lobster Trio (three tails, dangling out of
the shells) on White Truffle Risotto, with drawn butter ($39). Whoa! Nearly half the menu
is non-seafood, including a 3” thick (I’m only exaggerating slightly) Filet Mignon – charred to
perfection on the outside, done as you like it on the inside. Available lightly crusted with black
pepper or without. Overall price range: $20-$40.
You can see it all at their web site.
WINE - Many very good wines by the glass. And by the bottle or glass, the prices are so
modest that it's startling. They also have a top-end Reserve List, if you're so inclined.
AMBIANCE - Black-and-white marble floors, heavy wood paneling, well-placed beveled-glass
dividers between the tables. Combined with the wait-staff in white jackets and white
aprons, it speaks of Paris or old New York. The bar is classic. The crowd is well-heeled.
The service is silky-smooth. Twenty years ago, this was more of a coat-and-tie place, but the
attire these days just ranges from “dressy casual” to "sport jacket". No shorts.
RESERVATIONS - Highly recommended.
BOTTOM LINE - I’ll be brief - You will not be disappointed in Cafe Pacific. ’Nuff said.
| Cafe Pacific Highland Park Village - Preston Road at Mockingbird Lane Highland Park (Dallas) 214-526-1170 |
| Martini glasses chilling on ice at the bar. |