| Dallas Restaurant Reviews |
| Toulouse Cafe French 3314 Knox St., Dallas, Tx. 214-520-8999 |
Toulouse Café is like a trip to Paris, and you don't even have to leave town. The cuisine is
2/3 French, 1/3 part Napa Valley. The atmosphere is 100% Paris. Readers of D Magazine
voted it their favorite French restaurant.
SETTING - An old building in the hip, restaurant-rich Knox-Henderson area.
APPETIZERS - The mussels are a specialty. They have them 5 ways, including Provençale,
Poulette, and Mariniere (not that I know what any of those things mean, but they're all
good). And the Tuna Tartare with Cucumber, Lime, Radish, Cilantro Puree, and Tomato Oil is
one of my favorites. There is a small plate (Plateau Charcuterie) with a great country pâté,
peppered salami, and prosciutto with Dijon mustard. Haven’t tried the salads, but they
looked good.
FOOD - Everything is top-notch. Their entrees include a quiche du jour, Duck Leg Confit,
Steak Pomme Frites (that means with great french fries), Filet au Poivre et Cognac (beef
filet with crushed black pepper), and Dover Sole Meuneire (brown lemon butter). The
Bouillabaisse (French seafood soup) is as good or even better than any I’ve had in France,
with a broth so flavorful and intense that I guarantee that you will sop it up with the French
bread. They also have cheeses, soufflés, and half a dozen ports. Café Toulouse serves the
same menu for lunch and dinner.
WINE - Nice mix, predominantly European, nothing outrageously expensive. Half come by
the glass. They have an attractive bar.
AMBIANCE - Paris bistro. Cozy restaurant inside, nice semi-enclosed patio out front –
great for people watching. Lots of Parisian touches – black wood trim, euro-tiled floor, zinc-
topped bar. Check out their web site.
RESERVATIONS - For 6 or more only. You might have a short wait for a table during the
peak dinner hours, but there are usually tables open at lunch. This place has a late lunch
crowd, lingering even past 3:00. Parking is tough – you can either walk a block and do some
window-shopping, or better yet, just use the valet.
BOTTOM LINE - Save yourself the airfare, because Café Toulouse is as close as it gets to
Paris.
2/3 French, 1/3 part Napa Valley. The atmosphere is 100% Paris. Readers of D Magazine
voted it their favorite French restaurant.
SETTING - An old building in the hip, restaurant-rich Knox-Henderson area.
APPETIZERS - The mussels are a specialty. They have them 5 ways, including Provençale,
Poulette, and Mariniere (not that I know what any of those things mean, but they're all
good). And the Tuna Tartare with Cucumber, Lime, Radish, Cilantro Puree, and Tomato Oil is
one of my favorites. There is a small plate (Plateau Charcuterie) with a great country pâté,
peppered salami, and prosciutto with Dijon mustard. Haven’t tried the salads, but they
looked good.
FOOD - Everything is top-notch. Their entrees include a quiche du jour, Duck Leg Confit,
Steak Pomme Frites (that means with great french fries), Filet au Poivre et Cognac (beef
filet with crushed black pepper), and Dover Sole Meuneire (brown lemon butter). The
Bouillabaisse (French seafood soup) is as good or even better than any I’ve had in France,
with a broth so flavorful and intense that I guarantee that you will sop it up with the French
bread. They also have cheeses, soufflés, and half a dozen ports. Café Toulouse serves the
same menu for lunch and dinner.
WINE - Nice mix, predominantly European, nothing outrageously expensive. Half come by
the glass. They have an attractive bar.
AMBIANCE - Paris bistro. Cozy restaurant inside, nice semi-enclosed patio out front –
great for people watching. Lots of Parisian touches – black wood trim, euro-tiled floor, zinc-
topped bar. Check out their web site.
RESERVATIONS - For 6 or more only. You might have a short wait for a table during the
peak dinner hours, but there are usually tables open at lunch. This place has a late lunch
crowd, lingering even past 3:00. Parking is tough – you can either walk a block and do some
window-shopping, or better yet, just use the valet.
BOTTOM LINE - Save yourself the airfare, because Café Toulouse is as close as it gets to
Paris.
