The Best Dishes Eater Dallas Ate in March
One might not expect the pulled pork sandwich to be a star at a place called Brisket Rules, but this newly opened spot in the Exchange Food Hall in Downtown Dallas serves one that is killer. The chef even took an informal poll around the hall from other vendors, and they all concurred — it’s the must-eat item.
A specialty of Chef Chuy, the crudos at the Charles are among the very best in Dallas. During a March visit, this off-menu option with kingfish, black squid ink, and garlic was meant to be a shareable plate, but each bite was so addictive that it wasn’t shared at all. A strong citrus acid from the oranges adds to the dish’s bold, intense flavors that somehow all harmonize together. Diners can’t go wrong with any crudo on the menu, but pay special attention to the off-menu options that will be suggested nightly by the staff and give them a go. Those are usually among the Charles’s strangest and more creative dishes. Pro-tip: sit at the bar this spring and pair an order of crudo with a spritz.
The new brunch service at this French and South Asian restaurant rolled out this month with several tempting dishes. The most notable is its take on chicken and waffles, which is coated in the same house-made five-spice used on Le PasSage’s Beijing duck; then, mixed with hot honey and chili sauce that’s thinned into a syrup. The dish is finished with Chinese pickles, made by cold pickling cucumbers and daikon in vinegar, leaving the vegetables crisp. The chicken is served boneless, which helps with the ease of eating it. Order it with a glass of the ube lemonade, which is also incredible.
Though Highland Hotel recently ended its relationship with chef John Tesar, there is still time to get to the hotel’s restaurant Knife before the Dallas outpost officially closes. Tesar didn’t make this burger personally (and he won’t be making any there again), but it’s still darn good. The aptly named Pimento Burger comes topped with warm, melty pimento cheese and caramelized onions, along with a side of salsa verde fries. It is highly likely to dribble on your clothes and entirely worth it.
