When it comes to so-called “First World Problems,” ours are about as trivial as they come. Case in point, most of our weeknights are spent being wined and dined at the newest restaurants and bars in town, which leaves us very little opportunity to venture to Dallas’ more established spots.
We know, boo-hoo-hooooooo.
Yet when we are able to discover a superb restaurant years after its opening, it’s still worth shouting from whatever rooftop patio bar we happen to be writing from that day.
Our latest find is the only Texas location of The Grill on the Alley, an anchor restaurant at Galleria Dallas. We were invited to lunch and expected to dine on something simple. A club sandwich perhaps. Maybe a nice salad.
But once we walked inside the dark-wood laden interiors and took in the floor-to-ceiling arrangements of black-and-white celebrity photos, we felt immediately transported to Old Hollywood and knew we were in for a remarkable experience. And we were correct, from spectacular service of the white-coated waitstaff to the presentation of every dish.
The steaks are first-rate. The Grill Cobb Salad, absolutely divine. And the off-the-dinner-menu scallops with an orange fennel beurre blanc sauce, insanely flavorful and expertly prepared.
However, it’s the jumbo lump crab cake (above) that just might make you jump up and sing. Easily one of the top three crab cakes we’ve tasted in our lifetime, they’re made with just the scarcest bits of cracker to bind the crab together (one cup to 16 pounds of crab if we remember correctly). So all you taste is the rich, buttery, delectable crab. (And hopefully a sip of champagne.)
It’s the perfect tribute to tiny crustaceans at our new favorite “old” restaurant.
The Grill on the Alley
at Galleria Dallas
www.thegrill.com
