| Dallas Restaurant Reviews |
| Javier's Mexico City style Mexican 4912 Cole Ave., Dallas, TX. 214-521-4211 |
Dallas Restaurant Review:
Javier's restaurant is perfect for a business dinner or that extra-special Mexican meal. It
serves great Mexico City style food -- no enchiladas, no tamales, no tacos, and no tortillas
(except tortilla soup). This well-known restaurant has been pulling in the crowds since 1977.
SETTING - A 1930's building (with original pressed tin ceilings) on the edge of the elegant
Park Cities. The interior has 70 year-old brick walls, heavy woods, Mexican tile, and a great
copper-topped bar. The entrance is actually on the back side (on McKinney Ave., not on Cole).
Valet only.
FOOD - This is not Tex-Mex. Javier's specializes in upscale Mexican-style steaks, seafood,
fowl, and even mushroom crepes (a side item with the Corazon de Filete, a tenderloin steak
which is my personal favorite). I also love the Filete con Champinones (sautéed tenderloin,
bacon-wrapped with mushrooms and brandy sauce) and the Red Snapper Mojo de Ajo (fresh
Gulf snapper sauteed in a garlic-lemon sauce). Entrees run $20-$29. The Tortilla Soup is one
of the best, and the Caldo Xochitl ("SO-sheel") – a spicy chicken soup with minced onions and
cilantro – is outstanding. When they bring the hot sauces (plural), there will be two of them, a
red and a green, served warm. You can see the menu and photos on their web site.
BEVERAGES – Javier’s house margarita is as good as a top-shelf margarita at most
restaurants. The top-shelf is even better. For an after-dinner show, order one of the two
special coffees spiked with several liqueurs. Your waiter will prepare it table-side – flaming
the brandy and pouring the flames from glass to glass. It's a great finish to the dinner, and
it's great theatre. Javier's also has a sizable wine list, including 15 by the glass, and an
excellent selection of cognacs and ports. There's even a secluded cigar bar, far in the back,
if you ask.
AMBIANCE - There is a subtle mystery about Javier's. It starts with the ever-present
Ferrari parked at the door – Javier's, I presume. Then there are the maze of rooms,
corners, second bar, and the old carved woods from Mexico. The decor is elegant but rustic,
with vintage photos and even a few stuffed animals. The crowd is typical Highland Park,
stylish and casual. Service is smooth.
RESERVATIONS - Recommended. Note: open for dinner only.
BOTTOM LINE - There is no higher-class Mexican restaurant in Dallas than Javier's.
Javier's restaurant is perfect for a business dinner or that extra-special Mexican meal. It
serves great Mexico City style food -- no enchiladas, no tamales, no tacos, and no tortillas
(except tortilla soup). This well-known restaurant has been pulling in the crowds since 1977.
SETTING - A 1930's building (with original pressed tin ceilings) on the edge of the elegant
Park Cities. The interior has 70 year-old brick walls, heavy woods, Mexican tile, and a great
copper-topped bar. The entrance is actually on the back side (on McKinney Ave., not on Cole).
Valet only.
FOOD - This is not Tex-Mex. Javier's specializes in upscale Mexican-style steaks, seafood,
fowl, and even mushroom crepes (a side item with the Corazon de Filete, a tenderloin steak
which is my personal favorite). I also love the Filete con Champinones (sautéed tenderloin,
bacon-wrapped with mushrooms and brandy sauce) and the Red Snapper Mojo de Ajo (fresh
Gulf snapper sauteed in a garlic-lemon sauce). Entrees run $20-$29. The Tortilla Soup is one
of the best, and the Caldo Xochitl ("SO-sheel") – a spicy chicken soup with minced onions and
cilantro – is outstanding. When they bring the hot sauces (plural), there will be two of them, a
red and a green, served warm. You can see the menu and photos on their web site.
BEVERAGES – Javier’s house margarita is as good as a top-shelf margarita at most
restaurants. The top-shelf is even better. For an after-dinner show, order one of the two
special coffees spiked with several liqueurs. Your waiter will prepare it table-side – flaming
the brandy and pouring the flames from glass to glass. It's a great finish to the dinner, and
it's great theatre. Javier's also has a sizable wine list, including 15 by the glass, and an
excellent selection of cognacs and ports. There's even a secluded cigar bar, far in the back,
if you ask.
AMBIANCE - There is a subtle mystery about Javier's. It starts with the ever-present
Ferrari parked at the door – Javier's, I presume. Then there are the maze of rooms,
corners, second bar, and the old carved woods from Mexico. The decor is elegant but rustic,
with vintage photos and even a few stuffed animals. The crowd is typical Highland Park,
stylish and casual. Service is smooth.
RESERVATIONS - Recommended. Note: open for dinner only.
BOTTOM LINE - There is no higher-class Mexican restaurant in Dallas than Javier's.
