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Categories: Hotels, Restaurants
2821 Turtle Creek BlvdEnjoy half-price specialty cocktails. House favorites…
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Intro:
Went to the bar to celebrate the sale of our house. Money was in the bank and we wanted to blow off some steam. The Bar at The Mansion was the perfect choice.
Ups:
A spectacular bar with service that shines a brightly as any spot in Dallas. Not as pricey as you would think, drinks in the $9-$12 range. Great drink specials, including the Dark and Stormy (house made ginger beer and rum with a lime). They also make their own tonic for the classic G&T. Casual but elegant, this place feels like a million bucks.
Downs:
None.
Final words:
It's just an incredibly beautiful place to have a drink. The setting feels like something from another era and the service is outstanding.
People thought this was:
Magnificant hotel...Superior service...Absolutely AMAZING!
The moment that I arrived with my fiance & friends we were treated like royalty. The bell hop/greeters immediately open our doors, take our luggage, and hold out an umbrella to cover us from the rain. Valet is incredibly fast and the staff is very friendly. The rooms are spacious and cozy, complete with mini-fridge (expensive) and plush bathrobe. The shampoo & soaps are lady primrose and softening to the skin, supplied/refilled daily. Turn-down service everyday and the first night we even received a "Welcome" treat in our room.
I paid $20 for a veggie omelet. I had to send it back b/c it was full of grease & butter. Our waitor didn't like that very much, he was rude to me. Margaritas are $20 for 4 oz. and $5.50 for a cup of coffee. All menus are extremely overpriced.
Other than the overpriced food, I would definitely stay here again.
i honestly don't remember the food at all.. but i came here and proposed to my fiancee by the fireplace underneath the stars one dallas night..
i do however remember the service was excellent.. and they worked with me to make sure our special night was something to remember.. they truly paid attention to all the little details i wanted (e.g. rose petals on the table.. special seating.. etc).. being new to dallas.. they treated us like royalty and even provided us a ride back our hotel (adolphus) when a cab was slow to show..
I made reservations for my family to stay here. I had several family members coming to visit and my house was still a construction zone for my remodel. The service was outstanding. The doormen couldn't be more attentive. We can't thank everyone enough for saving our annual family get together.
Wonderful! Delightful! Absolutely Incredible!
After reading up fellow yelpers reviews on a few restaurants in Dallas, I decided to take on this beautiful restaurant/hotel.
Made reservations on http://opentable.com w/ out any problems.
We chose the 9:30pm slot (we had to close our shop down a bit early) for Saturday night. We got lost and the hostess Chelsea was more than happy to direct us to the right place. She sounded very professional and actually knew the direction unlike many other hostesses.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by happy valet parkers (great way to start the night). Entered the restaurant and was greeted by Chelsea herself who then took our coats (very helpful). We were quickly shown to our table. Our waiter even gave us a little thank-you card before the meal (I enjoy the attention to the detail). From the moment we walked into the restaurant, there was always someone nearby for our every need whether it was the 2nd or 5th lemon drop (great compliment- the best lemon drop I have ever had and let's just say, it takes a lot to impress me). The staff worked efficiently as a team.
I ordered the brazed rib and ohh how it melted into my mouth. Sorry to Savannah, you guys are now 2nd place. My date ordered the steak *cooked to perfection* watch out Ruth's Chris, you definitely have yourself a competitor. As for desert, I ordered the ice cream brulee. I wasn't too impressed w/ creativity but I had also ordered the 9 variety ice-cream which went hand in hand w/ the brulee.
There was also live entertainment in the lounge so of-course, we joined in on the fun. The band was a mixture of Michael Buble and Maroon 5.
This place is my exact definition of superb service. I am glad I decided to choose this restaurant as part of my vacay. I greatly encourage anyone who lives nearby Dallas and/or visiting Dallas to make a stop to this wonderful facility. You will NOT be disappointed. Dress up, have fun, and enjoy yourself a wonderful lunch/dinner!
Looking forward to eating at the Chef's table next time I'm in town!! Hello to Greg, Food and Bev Manager there who I introduced Yelp to!
People thought this was:
This place is special. I went for brunch on 12/14/08 and was impressed. It was a prix fixe menu for less than $50. The mimosas were good. If the weather's nice, it's wonderful to sit outside on the patio.
Service was almost too attentive, until the end; they disappeared and just left us alone on the patio for a half hour, which was fine with us! There are outdoor fire places on the patio - I'd have loved to nestle onto a nearby sofa near the fire.
We peeked into the bar area; it was all dark woods and amber lights. I hear there's a good jazz band that plays there.
I highly approve.
People thought this was:
Not dinner, just drinks and nibblers this time - four of us for the half-price cocktails on a Thursday night. Service was great, but the nibbly things (sliders particularly) - not big enough to share. Loved the Blazing Turtle martinis, but could not write (or, maybe it was a seeing issue at that point??) well enough to get the ingredients listed by the end of the evening- was it three or four I'd had? However, I think it goes something like, citrussy vodka, ginger something, and fire-roasted habanero flakes, which I initially mistook for chocolate shavings in the glass. One only need make that mistake ONCE. Best part of the evening? Two actually, the Blazing turtles and then, I got to drive the Baby Car, all the way home. And, I kept it.
I really do recommend the Mansion though, for afternoon cappuccino's on the terrace, or an impressive business luncheon venue. Always attentive, professional and consistent.
People thought this was:
This was a most impressive hotel. Upon arrival, the smell of stargazer lillies and hydrangeas welcomes you immediately. There is an abundance of staff to take care of every need. We stepped into our room and were instantly at home. The Bose radio was set to a nice classical station and the furnishings were top notch. The bathroom ammenities are second to none - complete with a generous supply of bath salts and lotion - both in beautiful crystal containers. His and her sinks cut down on bathroom run-ins, as do the his and her closets. The shower had a very strong stream and the jacuzzi tub was deep and luxurious.
Come in after a day of sightseeing and you are greeted by homemade sugar cookies in the shape of cacti and Texas. Bottled water and teas also await. Truly a wonderful extra.
People thought this was:
This is simultaneously the most pricey (salads at $16 - about 2$ a bite),
and excellent (each dish was exemplary in presentation and taste) place I have been in a long while.
The Mansion was lightly loaded on the Thursday night we went. About half full, which might have helped the service which was prompt, and courteous - almost hovering.
They almost seem to have a dress code - so dress up a bit - coats not overkill - I felt conspicuous in my running shoes and jeans; no one smirked.
Great wine list. Novel appetizers, salads. Solid entrees. Crazy good desserts. Everybody liked everything.
When done eating, the Mansion's car (Lexus - natch) drove us back to the hotel - so we wouldn't have to take a cab.
Just stunning. If you are in town and feeling rich.... do it. You'll actually feel richer when you are done.
People thought this was:
The Mansion at Turtle Creek has been on my list of must visit restaurants for a while. When people talk about fine dining in Texas The Mansion is always mentioned. Yes, it is an old standard of Dallas and yes it does deserve every bit of praise the restaurant gets. Chef John Tesar had some big boots to fill when stepping into the shadow of Texas's biggest chef , Dean Fearing, but after a remodel and a new face lift to the menu Chef Tesar clearly makes the cut. He brings his New York since of dining to a Dallas relic.
I was a good little boy and brought my parents here for a birthday/ Father's Day combo and my parents were very happy with their special meal. The staff treats you like royalty and are as nice as could be. The sommelier helped me pick out a great white Burgundy for the table (I drink way to much Californian wines). The food was exquisite and obviously sourced from the best around Texas and the country. The dining room is opulent and full of interesting people. The patio was also flourishing with rich Dallas socialites that come with the territory. Cougar hunting anyone?
We did some "no holds bar" dining and the price tag was around 500 for three of us and worth every penny.
People thought this was:
Mansion on turtle creek-
I was given a gift card for my birthday about a year ago. As the wedding anniversary was coming up, the husband. Made reservations for two. Here's the mansion in a nutshell. We were greeted whole heartedly by the maitre d, who sat us at our table. . The husband was presented with a happy anniversary card. I felt so nervous as ogling eyeballs were starting, to top it off a I dropped a spoon, I had every ones attention then! Our server was friendly, and checked up on us frequently.
Our appetizers
I had the king crab in a two butters and garlic foam. Out of this world seafood. Fresh/Great combinations with the parsley puree/Garlic Foam/Cream of Potato sauce.
Hubby dearest had the lamb ravioli he liked it but def wouldn't be something he would eat again.
Our Entrees
Mine: Porcini Crusted Filet Mignon I asked for medium well, I got very rare I had to send it back. I like my meat pink but not to say moo. The waiter was kind not rude gladly took the meat back. 10 minutes a new piece of meat magically appeared cooked to perfection. Every morsel tasted divine. Hubby got the Niman Ranch Lamb with the garlic crust and spring vegetables, his dish tasted excellent as well. He gave me a bite being the good husband he is.
Sweet Endings:
Mine: Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte with Toasted hazelnuts and a side of vanilla malt
The presentations of both our desserts made us not want to eat them. But after a few minutes we divulged . The textures mingle in your mouth crunchy smooth, the side of vanilla malt in a shot glass was great to wash down the chocolaty goodness.
Husbands: Lemon Verbana Pound Cake with a layer of Lemon Souffl and topped with a crunchy lemon meringue shell. A very appropriate summer dessert, light, and refreshing.
Now will we be going on a weekly basis, probably not. Is it on the special occasion dining list. Yes. We hope everyone gets a chance to eat here . Our dinner at The Mansion was stellar.
People thought this was:
Worst experience ever. My wife and I came here for a valentines set meal that included 3 courses and dessert.
Service
First of all, service was poor, I think our waiter was having an off day. We didn't get any bread and had to ask for it. When it came, we had no butter. We waited about 30 min between courses and they came out slightly on the chilly side.
Course 1.
I had the Lobster bisque. My wife had the beef cheek ravioli. My bisque was so salty it was briny. I didn't even want to try hers. We finished it and hoped it would get better.
Course 2.
I had the scallops with apply bacon. Actually pretty good. Scallops were buttery. Wife had the Foie Gras with some wierd spice that didn't go with the pairing.
Course 3.
I had the ribs, she had the torbot. We couldn't finish it. Mine was slimy because the ribs were boiled and tasted like it was water logged. She tried to choke down the torbot but gave up in the end.
Dessert.
I had a mango ice cream, Raspberry dessert pairing. My ice cream was icy. Raspberry dessert was actually ok. She had Chocolate diablo. The chocolate used cumin powder so tasted wierd.
Best yet, all this was for over $300 and we didn't even order wine. We rushed home and ate our Neiman Marcus Valentine's day Red Velvet cake. Best part of the night.
People thought this was:
Although I haven't lived in Dallas since 1988, my family has lived there for over 100 years. My mother is in her 70's, and the youngest of 9, and she was born at Parkland Hospital...you know, where they took JFK after he had been assassinated. Yep, they've been there a long time....too long if you ask me. No, we are not old money. My mother picked cotton when she was 5, and we are white. How many white people do you know whose mothers were farmed out for child labor to pick cotton? I'd guess not many, if any.
This is what prompted me to review The Mansion. People who have not dined here, and some who have, will attempt to make you believe that it is way out of your reach and that you aren't possibly of the right rank in the social hierarchy to be allowed in. It is simply not true. Is it expensive?...most definitely. If you are concerned about the cost, you should probably forego dining here until you can afford to throw down $400 for a once in a lifetime dining experience for two.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but the first time I ate dinner at The Mansion I was 15 years old (25 years ago). No, my parents didn't take me. To my knowledge, I'm the only one in my family to have dined here. It was a boy who was taking me out on a date. He was 16.
I still remember that night....my date driving his father's luxury sports car...the elegant decor...the exquisite meal...my first souffle (it was raspberry). I hadn't ever tasted anything like it. It was a night that one remembers forever. Even now I can visualize my date's baby-faced, metal-mouth smile. He knew he executed the date of a lifetime and it showed on his face.
Looking back now, I can only imagine what the wait staff must have been thinking when we walked in, as we were so young and by ourselves. They treated us like we were any other diners, and were never snotty or condescending. Neither of us was from a wealthy family, but where we lived we would've been considered upper middle class. We certainly were not jet-setting around in Gulfstreams as fellow yelper Christopher S. states humorously in his review.
Is The Mansion a place that you will eat on a regular basis? Probably only if you live nearby and earn 7 figures or more a year. The cost of living in Dallas is dirt cheap when compared to the cities that I've resided in the last 17 years (NY, LA, and SF respectively). This is something you may want to consider when you read someone's reviews of the Mansion. A yelper who lives in NY, LA, or SF won't think The Mansion is all that. But to someone who isn't accustomed to fine dining and haute cuisine prices, it might seem beyond their reach or come as a shock.
I hope you have a chance to eat here once in your life, should you find yourself in Dallas with $500 burning a hole in your pocket. My dinner at The Mansion is one of the top 5 meals that I've eaten in my lifetime, and I count this restaurant among the top 3 at which I have dined in the world.
People thought this was:
FOOD STYLE:
"Contemporary American"
(Translation - "My milkshakes, are better than yours, I COULD teach you, but I'd have to charge")
LOCATION:
James, sequester the auto-MO-beel with these lads, would you, and I prithee you pay them a farthing for the trouble. Mrs. Devonshire and I shan't be but an hour or two...
PRICE:
If you have to ask ... just go to the nearest McDonalds. Just ... go.
***
Dear Patrons, Readers, and Curious Souls ... The following is not a review of "a" restaurant in DFW, it is, quite simply, a review of THE restaurant; the only culinary establishment in Texas of worth or significance in the entirety of the State.
It is THE Bastion of Texican High Society and must, as ever, be scrutinized as such. Be forewarned that admittance is strictly regulated, and neither the poor nor their Gulfstream IIs are allowed on Restaurant Grounds.
***
There is no other like it in DFW - THE Mansion on Turtle Creek. An emblem of wealth, power, and pride as is not often seen outside of the culinary capitals of New York, London, Paris, or Tokyo. It is the ultimate in high-society catering, and for years has served as a mid-plains relief for passing industrialists, demigods of the arts, dignitaries of State, and - occasionally - the likes of ... you.
The reputation of this establishment ranges far and wide beyond the cattle pens and oil fields of the Lone Star State. Indeed, it is often among the only restaurants in Texas that has truly managed to cultivate a level of international notoriety for its sophistication and the competence of its staff. And deservedly so.
But, in spite of its intimidating reputation - the frequent patronage of major political figures, the formal dress requirements (full suits and ties, thank you), a phalanx of waiters in starched cream uniforms, and a parking lot full of "Rollers", Bentleys, Maybachs, and the latest amusements from Italy - the truth is that The Mansion has always been rather proletarian in its leanings.
Yes, there might be a special room for Montifort and Templeton to pass the time in while Mr. & Mrs. Fortesque feign sample a midday tea, but ... compared to other luminaries in its class, The Mansion is a downright bargain. Mostly. Relatively speaking.
The menu is littered with culinary buzzwords, like a linguistic salvage yard of Versailles. Conch seviche, black chicken consumme, spice-cured duck confit, porcini, wild sturgeon, caviar, turbot, guinea fowl, Alaskan crab, tarragon mayonnaise, kobe beef, and sweetbreads are but a few on this rotating menu of the seraphim.
Each a wonder, each a delight. Even the oddball offerings a layman might recognize, such as a basic Beef Stroganoff or filet of pan-seared salmon, is done in such a way that it's hard not to think you're eating it for the very first time. For the others, I'll leave the flattery and adulation to your imagination.
Very few walk away disappointed.
And yet, one of the great unspoken secrets of this stalwart is that - for what you get - the price is quite reasonable, if not downright criminally pedestrian. A patron ordering a modest lunch, for example, can run a bill of $50 and not suffer for a lack of choice or quality. No wine, obviously, but when APPETIZERS at some infamous New York restaurants can run over $50 for an equivalent level of class, The Manse almost qualifies as a high-society 7-11.
Even dinners can be quite "reasonable" by the standards of class and gracious civility that come in attendance with any establishment that features a dedicated professional wait staff. Yes, the opportunity is there to run a tab higher than the annual wage of your average day laborer, and the unwary might find themselves re-calculating their home equity or pricing the black market value of their second kidney. The final check can get as wild as you want it to be; but the damage is lighter than you might expect.
Surprisingly, reservations (especially for lunch) do not require a decade of advance notice or a Congressional mandate to obtain. A day's notice can suffice, although more is better, since you never know what Sheik or Hollywood Star might be passing through town with his full retinue in tow. Fear, it seems, is adequate to keep most of the commoners away and occupied with other, secondary establishments, such as Abacus.
Recently, the tranquility of this Grounded Olympus was disturbed by the departure of its famous chef, and hands were wrung with the trepidation that his replacement would be unable to fill those august shoes. Whatever.
People with something to prove might remember his name, but most folks never will, and his absence won't be missed - it's not as if a place like the Manse would replace its vaunted head chef with a fry cook from El Fenix. The quality remains.
So don't be afraid, ye humble multitudes, and make a res. for your special day. Regret is simply not allowed within these hallowed walls.
People thought this was:
So going for lunch probably wasn't the best idea to try to get a tasting of what they had to offer as everything was moderately priced, and nothing was too creative. The seafood ceviche was nothing exciting as it offered your normal white fish, shrimp, though sparse pieces of lobster and crab were found. The ceviche marinade was very conventional, and that was definitely a bit disappointing. The ahi tuna burger was well prepared, but I would expect something a bit out of the ordinary from such an upscale restaurant. Wasabi peas were a bit of a twist on the basic french fries, and box-toy tomatoes gave a nice classy touch, though the marinade was a tad sour. So, though I can't give a fully accurate review by basing it on lunch, I'd like to say that I wish there was a bit more thought behind the menu.
People thought this was:
if it weren't for my parents, i would never ever come here. mainly because i would never think to come here: i'm generally easy to please. i don't like to dress up. i'm not into cocktail anythings. and: i would sooner go spend the amount of money it costs to dine here on a lavish shopping spree at nordy's, however, i do have the sense.. and the palate... to admit that i know how damn lucky i.. and anyone else who can afford or who has parents can afford to come here.. actually am/are/is. i've been here several times.. generally three or four times a year. easter, thanksgiving, christmas, and a birthday or two. and as low key as i am, i always feel like i dine like a princess when i come here. not that i know what a princess necessarily dines like, but i suppose it's what i would imagine a princess to dine like.
fa-bu-lous.
People thought this was:
After living in Dallas for 10 years, I was taken here for the first time for my birthday. Itn was a surprise and I was worried that I was underdressed for the night since I only had on dress pants and a shirt (no tie). As I walked in, I saw someone in jeans in the lobby and my fears were put to rest.
The restaurant is impressive inside. It is worth going to once just to experience it. The food on the otherhand it not so impressive. I am not a picky eater but the choices on the menu for the entrees had me worried. They had a lot of dishes with foie gras, which I will not eat because I don't like to eat liver and I think it's cruel how they force feed these animals to make them extra fat because it somehow makes it taste better. They also had dishes with caviar, snails or truffle butter. I thought this was supposed to be "new american" food but it sure looked like upscale french food to me. Based on the choices, I was going to be forced into getting lamb (and wasn't very excited about it) but then found out they had a sirloin as a daily special so I got that. We also ordered the seafood salad (ceviche) for an appetizer which was delicious, probably some of the best in town. The wine list is actually a book and the wine steward will come to your table and make recommendations. We told him what we ordered and he made perfect suggestions. Since I wanted a red wine and my buddy wanted white, we bought wine by the glass and were both very happy with the wine. The bread they serve was also delicious but I found out most of the different types come from Empire Baking Company (except the sourdough). The meals came. My buddy ordered the scallops and he said they were okay but didn't seem all that excited with them. My steak was good and came with some potatoes and creamed spinach. For dessert, we split a lemon dessert that came with lemon ice cream. I found it to be very refreshing but my buddy thought it was too lemony. I can eat a lemon like an orange so there's no such thing for me! Overall, our dinner was around $200 and we felt like we could have eaten at several other restaurants in town for much less and had a better meal, but we were both happy to have finally experienced this place.
People thought this was:
Unlike my review cohorts, I was not completely impressed with The Mansion on Turtle Creek.
Don't get me wrong; I really, really wanted to be impressed. I read the reviews and sighed with pleasure, and then almost swooned with delight when I checked out the website and menu. I made reservations for our upcoming Dallas trip and then expounded the anticipated virtues of the Mansion to everyone who would be present for the amazing and life-changing dinner to be had.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. The evening started out nicely enough, and the atmosphere is absolutely amazing. However, once we were seated (we were a group of four) we were left alone with nary a menu or wine list for about 20 minutes. Granted, it was a weekend night but come on, that's just bad service.
Moving along to about an hour later we began tucking into our appetizers, salads, and then main course. An appetizer and two entrees came to the table way under the ideal temperature. Not that piping hot was expected, but calling the temperature lukewarm would have been pushing it. One entree had to be sent back twice (embarrassing not only for the staff and chef but for us as well) and by the time dessert arrived, we were all pretty much mentally "done" with the Mansion.
I would try it once more because I am guessing that our experience was an anomaly, but unfortunately we were not too impressed.
People thought this was:
We waited six months to try the revamped Mansion restaurant, and our food experience was so good that our only regret might be that we waited so long. Our tastes give Chef Tesar's almost new kitchen a solid 5 stars. The service gets 3 stars, giving the whole place a solid 4 stars with a chance to grow.
As others point out, there are seating options at the new Mansion that will dictate what you wear and presumably how you will act. There's The Bar, the Main Room (which should be immediately renamed the Commoner's room), and the hoity-toity Chef's Room. There's also a Chef's Table, and even a Chef's Bathroom for all I know, but let's get real.
We chose to be a Commoner, dressed business casual and spoke mostly English. We were obviously overdressed to some of our neighbors, as they chose to wear baggy blue jeans and other attire available in quantity at the nearest Thrift Shop. To be fair, others like us chose to wear nice sundresses or a jackets and slacks, but I'm fearing (Fearing?) they were out-of-towners. (Oh Dallas, sometimes you try my patience!!!). While being seated at a Commoner's table I winced, seeing that silverware was sitting on bare wood. The server thought I had disdain for the napkin so she remarked, "It's double-twisted Egyptian cotton." After they left, Mrs. G agreed with the table and place setting, "It looks like a picnic table."
Let's talk food. For appetizers I chose chilled pea soup with crab while Mrs. G picked pigtail with black truffles. Both were exceptional. Mine was so good that I would have given it perfect ratings without the crab but throwing in large, tasty sections of crab meat made it all the better. For the main course I had short ribs with whipped celery root while Mrs. G had halibut with fois gras & leeks. I am typically not a fan of halibut but this particular serving was so fresh and tasteful that I'm going to try it at home - again and again I'm sure - hoping to begin to approach Mr. Tesar's perfection. My short ribs are a standard menu item but one you should not overlook even though it's at the bottom of the menu. The marinade and cooking was perfect. The wine sauce was just sweet enough and reduced just right, yet full enough to start to taste a bit BBQ. The celery root was mashed potatoes from heaven. For dessert we opted for raspberry mango, but every dessert offering sounded good.
For wines, we took the advice of our waiter / sommelier, who thought a Pinot Noir would pair nicely with both dishes. He was right with the varietal, but the wine was young and didn't finish well enough. More about the service. Our waiter was friendly, but a bit pretentious and sometimes talkative. I guess I'm so used to meeting the head chef or head sommelier at a restaurant that I was surprised when neither sauntered towards our table. Apparently this is the price you pay for being in the Commoner's room. Further, the water guy was seriously efficient about filling my water glass, a herculean feat for most bus people since I'm usually drinking glass after glass at a record pace. However, this guy would either reach across me with the carafe or around my back, each being a distracting pose. We noted that they arranged fewer tables in the room than the previous Mansion seating, so I would have expected my water dude to find ways to maneuver the table so as to refrain from scaring me with his water jug.
Wait staff and hosts aside, oh yes, and in spite of the other local Commoners around us, we had such an exceptional meal at the new Mansion that we plan to return soon. With a little more tweaking this joint could easily be back in the five star category.
People thought this was:
Duck Quesadillas my ass!
Please note: I might be grumpy because im a poor 21 year-old who probably would never be allowed in this place unless it was to clean the bathroom.
People thought this was:
We had heard so many good things about the Mansion's brunch that we finally decided to give it a try. The restaurant is quite nice. Lot's of room between tables, huge windows overlooking the patio. The food was also good, but again, to me paying $45 bucks plus drinks for eggs benedict, pancakes or a burger doesn't really justify the price. I would have expected something more innovative yet appropriate for a Sunday brunch from chef Tesar. The service was very friendly and attentive at all times. Overall experience was good but not wow.
People thought this was:
My father had been raving about The Mansion on Turtle Creek restaurant for years. He always ate there while on business in Dallas. So what does a good daughter do while on business in Dallas? Drag her 2 colleagues (2 weeks after Sept 11th) to dine and support our country. Chef Dean Fearing keeps everything at 5-star level with the freshest, local ingredients.
I can absolutely tell you what to order and then what to make at home in between trips to this beautiful destination:
- Warm Lobster Taco with Yellow Tomato Salsa & Jicama Salad
- Mansion Tortilla Soup with Chicken, Avocado & Cheddar Cheese
The recipes are delicious, simple, and give you great results. Of course for dessert you can have something so outrageously decadent it will top off the perfect meal.
People thought this was:
Step into the Mansion at Turtle Creek, and look for J.R. Ewing of the Dallas TV series. Yup, the place for wanna be oil barons and cattle ranchers. Landmark restaurant of the highest quality located in a rich Dallas historic neighborhood.
Elegance all around, one is treated to an extraordinary restaurant by visiting the Mansion. Fabulously decorated inside with rich earth tones, wonderful paintings and the dark paneled wood all around.
Take a look:
http://www.mansionontu...
Tables are adorned with candles and flowers to make your time special. Absolutely, the place to take your special companion on special occasions.
The food? Marvelous. Everything I have tried, had a special flair and taste, which is the signature of the chef. Tortilla soup became a culinary landmark adventure. Salads are artistry in lettuce and more. Tenderloin begets new meaning as you cut it with your fork, and savor its taste. Desserts are truly sinful and works of art.
Here is a sample of some excellent dishes at the Mansion:
DINNER MENU
Starters
MAINE LOBSTER & miso consomm, selection of Maine shellfish
KOBE BEEF steak tartare, "21 style"
HUDSON VALLEY FOIE GRAS, apple & golden raisin compote, apple sauce, tart apple cider reduction
HAMACHI crudo, blood orange glee, blood orange syrup, basil oil & thai basil salad
DUCK CONFIT, risotto, black truffle, duck cracklings, duck stock & sauterne reduction
fresh shaved WHITE TRUFFLE
WILD BURGUNDY SNAILS, puff pastry, roquefort, garlic and walnuts
TORO TUNA tartare, scented with white truffle, cucumber liquor, japanese cucumber & wasabi tobiko
LONG ISLE BLUE CRAB "pot au feu" & sea foam
shaved FENNEL & raw ARTICHOKE, aged parmesan, black truffle & micro fennel
organic BABY GREENS, fines herbes, aged balsamic, rivera ligure olive oil, maytag blue cheese
ALASKAN KING CRAB, "scampi style"
selection of CAVIAR, blue corn meal blini, chive & lemon crme fraiche, traditional egg garnish: iranian golden OSETRA, iranian farm raised OSETRA, pacific white STURGEON
The Mansion Classics
the MANSION TORTILLA SOUP, chicken, avocado & cheddar cheese
warm LOBSTER TACO, yellow tomato salsa & jicama salad
Sides
PENNE RUSTICA with truffle butter
creamy whipped POTATOES
Steamed ASPARAGUS
POMMES Dauphine
Mains
BABY TURBOT, potato gnocchi, fava bean, mustard caviar & mustard greens
PACIFIC HALIBUT, melted leeks, red wine foie gras emulsion
WILD STRIPED BASS, chive spaetzle, hen of the woods mushrooms, black truffle vinaigrette
butter poached MAINE LOBSTER, sweet corn pudding, corn veloute, corn & white truffle foam
chili rubbed TENDERLOIN OF PORK, white cheddar cheese grits, stone fruit chutney
salt & spice crusted FILET MIGNON, pommes dauphine, braised artichokes & artichoke vinaigrette
mesquite grilled PRIME RIB EYE STEAK, bone-in, wild mushroom ragout, whipped potatoes
loin of cervena VENISON, creamy white polenta, huckleberry gastrique & sauce poivarde
hazelnut garlic & herb crusted RACK OF LAMB, roasted beets, potato gratin
grilled braised SHORT RIBS, chipotle macaroni & cheese, wilted chanterelle mushrooms
Well, you get the idea. The Mansion is classy and stands at the head of the line for great Dallas restaurants.
People thought this was:
5 stars based on the past - FYI Dean Fearing, ( Bless that boy) is no longer the chef here. Any reviews from a visit prior to Aug. 2006 will need to be updated with a follow-up visit.
From Aug Press Release:
"Chef Tesar's much-anticipated appointment as executive chef concludes a five-month chef search to fill the legendary boots of The Mansion's former chef, Dean Fearing. During the extensive selection process many of the nation's top chefs were considered and the top candidates were invited to Dallas for private tastings."
I am sure The Mansion with it's reputation for excellence has chosen wisely, but I have not been since the new hire.
Believe me when I say, you will pay dearly for quality, this is not a place for budget minded, but rather a local for someone seeking a truely upscale dining experience.
Try it out and let me know if the standards match those maintained by Dean for oh those many years.
People thought this was:
Well, this review is from when Chef Dean Fearing was still there. We made the rookie mistake to dine on Valentine's Day and had the special five-course menu.
The service was friendly enough, but we felt hurried and rushed (as if they had to give our table away)...they were hovering, and tried to take our plates away three times while we were still eating! In total, while we had planned a special night lingering over a special meal, we were hustled in and out the door in just about an hour! When you are paying $150 each just for the food (not to mention the overpriced wine we had), this is unacceptable...and the food!
The food was, in a word, awful. The predominant seasoning in all of the savory dishes was salt! We went through 2 full liter bottles of water because of it. I was also annoyed by their presentation of the "first course". The waiter brought us each a nice, bite-sized "Rose of Smoked Salmon and Basil Creme Fraiche with Cucumber Tomato Salad" which was presented as a gift from the kitchen - an amuse bouche. Well, where I come from, an amuse bouche is indeed a gift, and not considered a course! Furthermore, where it should have been chilled, it was at room temperature as if it had been sitting on the counter for awhile. It was too salty.
The next course I had was "Flash Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Late Harvest Riesling Orange Reduction on Smoked Duck Bourgionne with Creamy Cornbread Cakes and Warm Root Vegetable Salad". The foie gras was the size of a nickel, but was tasty. However, the rest of the dish was a disaster - the orange reduction tasted very much like warmed orange marmalade, the duck was overdone and stringy, and the entire dish was lukewarm. Oh, and it was too salty. My wife had the "Lobster Bisque Purse with Watercress Leek Saute, Butternut Squash Walnut Mousse and Aged Sherry Sage Sauce". It consisted of a a crepe, tied in the shape of a purse, and sparingly sauced with the lobster bisque. The lobster was tough and chewy as was the crepe, and the other flavors were muddied. Oh, and it was too salty.
For our third course, I had the "Jumbo Crabmeat Cocktail and Tiny Caesar Salad with Crispy Zucchini Chips". This was presented in a martini glass, with a nice, zesty cocktail sauce at the bottom, the "ceasar salad on top of that, topped by the crab. The crab was tough and stringy, and there was not a jumbo lump to be seen! Otherwise, though this dish was merely pedestrian, at least it was one of the few courses that were edible. My date had a "Warm Spinach Salad with Pancetta, Roasted Wild Mushrooms and Grilled Costa Rican Hearts of Palm with Burnt Honey Mustard Dressing". The dressing tasted bottled, and unfortunately, there was a generous portion of mushrooms that were, you guessed it, too salty to the point of being inedible.
Things did not get any better with our entrees. I had the "infamous specialty of the house" as our waitress put it, the "Surf and Turf of Beef Tenderloin with Cognac Oregon Black Truffle Sauce on Creamy Artichoke Spinach and Tarragon Broiled Lobster Tail with Taittinger Champagne Sabayon on Creme Fraiche Potatoes". The beef tasted poached, but it seemed as though the flavor had been completely boiled out of it and it therefore had the texture of a mop. The lobster tail was overdone (I could not even cut it with a knife). Oh, and everything was too salty. My wife had "Alaskan Halibut with Tangerine Mint Glaze on Peking Duck with Broccolini Stir Fried Rice, and Sweet and Sour Lobster Pot Stickers with Tart Plum Chutney". This dish represented everything that was wrong with the night. None of the flavors melded together. Two large, overdone fish fillets dominated the dish. The duck could have been taken from my first course - tough and stringy. No lobster essence or flavor could be detected, despite the presence of a large chunk of shellfish. And in an attempting to flavor the otherwise unpalatable fish, we had no recourse but to dip into the sickeningly sweet sauce. Oh, one flavor did cut through the sweetness - it was also TOO SALTY.
By now, we were so disappointed with the meal that desert, a selection of mini sorbets and fudge passed off as "Chocolate Pate" and mousse which were pleasant enough of their own right, failed to assuage our wounded palates and pocketbooks. The damage? In excess of $450 for the two of us. Frankly, I fail to see what made Chef Fearing's reputation. Why anyone would choose to pay for this slop when other fine dining options including Nana, Abacus, and the French Room are available? Dean Fearing's departure is the best thing that could have happened to the Mansion.
People thought this was:
I've never been there, but it sounds good!
People thought this was:
November Beer of the Month
Dallas, TX
10% off coupon!
Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX
Category: French
Dallas, TX
Category: Hotels
Dallas, TX
Category: American (New)
Dallas, TX
Category: French
Dallas, TX
Category: Hotels
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