The holidays are now upon us. Visitors from all over crowd the airports and highways, enduring long lines, long drives, and long nights all for the sake of family, friends, but most of all, food. For those traveling to the Dallas area or hosting in Dallas, we’ve curated this list of culinary hotspots that offer finer cuisine options, lavish libations, exciting entertainment, and stunning views as alternatives to whatever you had planned.

Crown Block: Elevating Sunday Brunch to New Heights

Perched high in Dallas’s iconic Reunion Tower is Crown Block, Hunt Realty and Blau + Associates’ latest acclaimed restaurant that is turning heads and craning necks. Led by the husband-wife duo of James Beard-nominated Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwall, a 30-year seasoned chef, Crown Block is literally setting the bar high with an elevated touch on the classic-inspired brunch buffet.  

Crown Block’s brunch destination begins in the downstairs lobby with complimentary mimosas as you wait for the elevator to take you up 400 feet. Once in the restaurant, 360-degree views of the Dallas skyline encompass you as brunch stations entice you at every turn. With selections that include a sushi and seafood bar serving up oysters, ceviche, poke bowls and shrimp cocktails; a carving station complete with mouth-watering breakfast meats like bone-in smoked ham, roasted striploin, and grilled sausage; and a dessert bar with seasonal pies, house-made donuts, signature cakes, and a luxury candy display, all senses are rightfully overwhelmed in this extravagant Sunday brunch experience. Also available for an additional purchase is the customizable Bloody Mary Bar, where for $29+ diners are welcome to create their own custom Bloody Mary through multiple mixes, garnishes, and spirits

Crown Block’s signature brunch will be open for service each Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Each brunch includes an unlimited breakfast station buffet (excluding the Bloody Mary bar) with a choice of one plated entrée and non-alcoholic beverages priced at $80+ per person. Reservations can be made three months in advance via the restaurant’s OpenTable link, with each reservation having a two-hour time limit. 

Sidecar Social at The Star in Frisco: Go All Out at This New Entertainment Destination

There’s no shortage of social lounges in the greater Dallas area. Each offers their own nightly indulgence for socialites to gather, drink, see, and be seen. However, not many break the mold of your typical Dallas bar. That is until the Social Sidecar opened up their second location at the Star in Frisco, which if you haven’t heard is Jerry Jones’ own entertainment district in North Texas.

Sidecar Social invites guests and diners to “Don’t just go out. Go all out,” with 18-foot TVs, live music, DJs, and games like Skee-Ball, ping pong, darts, cornhole, and eight-person foosball. While all this sounds standard, Sidecar Social pairs its classy and sporty interior design spread across 20,000 square feet with favorite dishes like ahi tuna nachos made with blackened ahi tuna on house-made wonton chips. While fun runs amuck inside, you’ll always have the option to soak up the Texas sun at any of their climate-controlled, spacious outdoor pavilions on their 7,000 square foot patio. Bring the pooch as Sidecar Social offers a “Best Friend Bowl” that features specially prepared chicken, carrots, and rice for your four-legged better half.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a part of the Jerry Universe if the Sidecar Social didn’t lean into the Cowboy craze. Sidecar Social hosts the Cowboys Hour Podcast every Monday at 6 p.m. Additionally, each of their private lounges or event spaces boasts the names of Cowboy greats like Troy Aikman and Emmett Smith. Whether you’re looking for a place to sit, eat, and drink, or host your next private event, holiday party, or birthday party, make sure Sidecar Social is on your list for best vibes in the greater Dallas area. Reserve your table here or book an event.

Georgie: Home of the Best Bite Winner

Georgie is widely known in the greater Dallas area for their elegant aesthetics and culinary excellence. From the lavish marble floors to the orange upholstered booths to the perfectly plated masterpieces on a dish, Georgie epitomizes the fine dining experience. Now Georgie and Executive Chef RJ Yoakum can add another accolade, winner of the Chefs For Farmers Food & Wine Festival Best Bite of the Night Award.

In the event where chefs and restaurants from all over North Texas partnered with farmers and growers to present the delicious farm-to-table inspired bites and craft libations for visitors, there were plenty of savory and sweet bites to remember. However, Chef RJ stood above them all with his smoked tomato soup, grilled cheese custard and rosewood wagyu pastrami custard.

The award is representative of Georgie’s commitment to sustainability using high-quality ingredients sourced from local farmers and ranchers. Signature dishes made with local ingredients include the succulent 16 oz Rosewood Ranch Wagyu Ribeye and the Carrot Hummus from Profound Farms.

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Cover photo courtesy Kathy Tran

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.