This past weekend Alex and I had a little staycation here in Dallas at The Statler Hotel. We decided to take the time to explore our own city before all the hustle and bustle of the holidays hit. While we had been to the Statler for events and dining, we had not stayed in a room. The Statler opened in 1956 and played a large role in establishing downtown Dallas as a business hub. In 2015 the hotel reopened after renovations but kept much of the 1956 charm. We loved every little detail of our mid-century room and the fantastic view of downtown Dallas! We stayed in the King Bed Premium Larger Room and found the room, closet, and bathroom to be very spacious. The bathroom was hard to photograph, but there was a ton of counter space (win!) and a rain shower. The Statler also has 5 dining options including Overeasy, Fine China, Scout, Buron & Banter (a speakeasy), and Waterproof (rooftop pool).
The hotel is placed perfectly in downtown Dallas and is within walking distance of so many things. We were able to walk to the Neiman Marcus flagship to see all the Christmas decor and enjoy a cup of coffee at Royal Blue Grocery. Since we have dined at the Statler before, we walked across the street to Partenope for dinner. The rigatoni, prosciutto, and almond flour cake at Parenope were all to die for! If you are visiting Dallas or planning a staycation like us, the Statler Hotel is such a great option! The Statler Hotel is owned by Hilton and is a part of the Curio Collection. xoxo
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It might just be me, but lately, it has been hard to find an evening or weekend that Alex and I don’t have plans for. When we do find an evening without anything going on, we are usually stumped about what to do. We enjoy some time at home with @sirwinstonphillips but love a fun date night. I have listed some of our favorite Dallas date night ideas! If you are looking for a great place for a dinner date, be sure to check out my favorite restaurants in Dallas! xoxo
Late Nights at the Dallas Museum of Art – The Dallas Museum of Art keeps its doors open until midnight on the third Friday of each month. They welcome guests with social lectures, live music, and multiple bars. This is the perfect way to see the many beautiful collections at the DMA and it cost less than admission to a movie. Admission costs $10/person and is free for DMA members.
Topgolf – You don’t have to be a pro, or heck, even know how to hold a golf club to enjoy Topgolf. Each bay is well equipped with fans and heaters to make sure you’re comfortable in any weather. They also offer an extensive menu with some pretty delicious options. There are multiple locations across the metroplex.
Perot Museum Social Science – This museum is not just for kids! Stop by the Perot for one of their Social Science events to avoid busloads of screaming kids. Social Science is an evening of adult-only museum fun offered on a Friday every quarter. Tickets go quickly, so you might want to plan ahead for this date.
Sur La Table cooking class – Alex and I have been to a few cooking classes at Sur La Table and always have the best time. We end up learning so much and make a second date night trying to recreate everything we made in the class. You get to eat as you cook and the classes are BOYB, just be sure to wear shoes you can stand in all night.
Galleria Ice Rink (during the holidays) – Unless you absolutely hate ice skating as I do, the Galleria ice rink is the perfect holiday date to get everyone in the spirit. The properly oversized Christmas tree, the smell of Starbucks coffee, and the excuse to hold hands are the makings of a perfect evening. Admission is $12 during public skating hours, and skate rentals are $3.
Specialty screenings at Alamo Drafthouse – The dine-in movie theatre offers specialty screenings for new and old movies regularly. We recently enjoyed seeing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 35 mm film with time-relevant trailers. Times, prices, and availability vary based on location.
Dallas Trolley Tour – Learn something new about the city of Dallas, with over 100 sights and facts along the way. You are welcome to hop on and off at any of the 14 stops giving you the opportunity to try new restaurants, coffee shops, or bars. It is free to ride the trolly, but if you would like to join in on the tour, tickets are $29.
Sporting Event – One of my favorite things about Dallas, is the fact that we have a professional Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, and Soccer team in our backyard. Ticket prices vary, but if you find reasonably priced options, a sporting event is always an eventful and fun date.
Picnic in Klyde Warren – The park is the perfect spot to stop for lunch while exploring downtown. A meal at Savor restaurant, food trucks, or a packed picnic all make great date days.
Images via Denise Thompson.
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Ascension Coffee – There are seven locations in Dallas, including their roastery. Ascension offers a larger food menu than most coffee shops and has a great happy hour including both coffee and wine. Their coffee is sourced from local farmers and brews using a variety of unique methods. Most of their locations are great for both working and meeting friends.
Commissary – This is one of my favorite stops in Downtown Dallas (image featured above). Commissary has a large food menu offering breakfast and lunch options as well as a small market area to pick up things to go. This is more of a place to meet friends than it is a place to work. When you’re done with your coffee, be sure to grab a scoop of their gelato!
Davis Street Espresso – Trendy Oak Cliff coffee shop with a great patio. They host a lot of local events and have a large selection of merchandise for sale. It is a great spot for meeting up with friends, especially if the weather is nice.
Fiction Coffee – The rotating mural on the wall of the entrance is a must-see. They have local artists create the most fun pieces! Fiction Coffee is a smaller space but has plenty of room to work.
Foxtrot – The newest coffee shop/market/store in Dallas. Foxtrot has a great patio, plenty of space to work inside, a cute shop to buy gifts and gourmet foods, to-go and delivery menus, and a coffee bar. It is a full experience and should be on everyone’s list.
Halcyon Coffee Bar – Large coffee shop on Greenville with plenty of soft seating and work spaces inside. There is also a large patio if the weather is nice. They offer happy hour every day from 4-8 including beer and wine as well as coffee. They also offer a small food menu.
Houndstooth Coffee – They have three locations in Dallas and some in Austin as well. Houndstooth offers catering services if your office is near one of their locations, but each store has plenty of work space and small food menus.
La La Land Kind Cafe – La La Land is another new spot in Dallas and offers so much more than just coffee! They mentor and employ disadvantaged foster youth who are aging out of the system. Their menu is 100% organic, the food menu is limited to toast and cookies but there are some unique coffee, tea, and matcha options. It is located just off Henderson and offers great spaces to work or meet friends.
Magnolias Sous Le Pont – Hidden in the Harwood District, Magnolias Sous Le Pont has a spacious patio and plenty of room inside to work. The cold brew and matcha are our personal favorites.
Mudsmith – Locations on lower Greenville and Oaklawn, offering a much larger food menu than most coffee shops. Mudsmith also has a large selection of pressed juice, beer, wine, and kombucha on tap!
Overeasy – Inside the recently renovated Statler Hotel, Overeasy is part restaurant and part coffee bar. It is more of a place to meet friends than a space to work. The restaurant part offers a large and delicious food menu. The coffee bar is easily accessible through the lobby, but there will most likely be a wait for brunch in the dining room so plan ahead.
Royal Blue Grocery – The Highland Park Village location has a cute patio and a loft with plenty of workspaces. The downtown location has a smaller workspace and is better for to-go orders. Royal Blue Grocery offers a small menu but has plenty of to-go goodies and a mini-market where you can buy some groceries, gourmet foods, and gifts.
State Street Coffee – Located in uptown, the patio is very spacious and dog friendly. State Street uses unique brewing methods to create its craft drinks and offers a small menu of tacos and donuts. There is plenty of work space inside as well.
Images via Alex Phillips.
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Whether you are visiting or planning a staycation, there are so many unique, historical and high-end hotels in Dallas! I have listed my favorite hotels in Dallas to help you decide between all the great options. Be sure to read my Favorite Restaurants in Dallas and Favorite Places to Shop in Dallas to plan your stay! xoxo
The Adolphus – We stayed here after our wedding and loved everything about this hotel. The Adolphus originally opened in 1912 and has an incredible history, including a visit from Queen Elizabeth in 1991 (her portrait is in the lobby). The hotel has had many renovations over the years, which includes a recent remodel to the main entrance. The rooftop pool, spa, and the drawing-room (photo above) were my favorite parts of the hotel. Both City Hall Bistro and The French Room made my list of Favorite Restaurants in Dallas and are located in the Adolphus. The Adolphus is owned by Marriott if you would like to use Marriott Rewards.
The Statler – I must have a soft spot for historic hotels. The Statler opened in 1956 and played a large role in establishing downtown Dallas as a business hub. In 2015 the hotel reopened after renovations but never lost the 1956 charm (this Insta was from the opening). Every room in the hotel has a unique mid-century feel, including the rooftop pool with a great view of downtown. Even if you do not stay at the hotel, be sure to stop in Overeasy for brunch, Fine China for dinner, or Bourbon & Banter for the speakeasy vibe. The Statler is owned by Hilton if you would like to use Hilton Honors.
The Joule – The building itself was built in the 1920s and is one of only two gothic high-rises in the Dallas skyline. Once through the Main Street gold doors, the hotel is much more modern. Art is a primary focus throughout the entire hotel and some rooms even have the perfect view of The Eyeball. The rooms, spa, and restaurants create the perfect experience. If you do not stay at The Joule, enjoy lunch at CBD Provisions, dinner at Americano, or the speakeasy vibe of Midnight Rambler.
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek – Originally built in the 1920s as a private residence, this hotel still carries a sense of exclusive elegance. The rooms, restaurant, spa, and pool are all well maintained but the decor does give the hotel an older feel. The restaurant at the Mansion also made my list of Favorite Restaurants in Dallas.
Hotel Crescent Court – Sophisticated and modern are the perfect words to describe the Crescent. Every detail is perfectly thought out from the amenities in the rooms to the spa and rooftop pool. The space is perfect for hosting an event or wedding. Fine dining and retail stores surround the hotel within walking distance.
W Dallas – Perfect location if you plan to attend a sporting event or concert at the American Airlines Center. The W is a classic high-end hotel with a central location in the Harwood District. The rooms, spa, bars, and rooftop pool are all elegantly modern. The Harwood District is full of restaurants a short Uber or walk away. The W is owned by Marriot if you would like to use Marriot Rewards.
Omni Dallas – The 23-story building is one of the newer light additions to the Dallas skyline. This hotel is great mainly for its location, kid-friendly atmosphere, and ability to accommodate larger groups. The rooms are updated, the rooftop pool is open year-round (heated) and the spa has the perfect view of downtown.
Image via Alex Phillips.
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Whenever I have friends visit me in Dallas, they are always dying to go shopping. Since I have lived in Dallas my whole life, it is easy for me to forget that not everyone city has a NorthPark Center! My list does not cover all of the shopping centers, but I have listed my favorite places to shop in Dallas. xoxo
NorthPark Center – If you have ever had a conversation with me, I can guarantee that NorthPark has come up at least once. It has and always will be my favorite place to shop in Dallas (even with wild Saturday crowds). NorthPark is full of so many childhood memories. From lunch at Neiman Marcus, visiting the ducks while sliding down the planters, and listening to a puppet scrooge at Christmas, this mall has a special place in my heart. I like to park at the Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co. entrance and walk a full lap around the mall to enjoy all the artwork. A trip to NorthPark Center always includes a stop at Neiman Marcus, Tory Burch, lululemon, Anthropologie, J.Crew, Outdoor Voices, Zara, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Sephora, Rebecca Taylor, Kate Spade, and Williams-Sonoma. If I work up an appetite while shopping, I can be found at the Juice Bar (level two by AMC) or the Neiman Marcus Mermaid Bar enjoying a cookie (level one). If you have time to kill, enjoy the CenterPark Garden and my favorite works of art: Washington Island Gadwall (by Dillard’s fountain), Five Hammering Men (between Neiman Marcus and Dillards), Myths (on the north side of Dillards), and Flowers (above Tiffany & Co.).
Highland Park Village – HP Village is a great place to go for high-end shopping including Theory, Veronica Beard, Cartier, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Draper James, Tory Burch, Hermés, rag & bone, and Vince. If you ever need a handbag or pair of shoes repaired, I highly recommend Deno’s in Highland Park Village. They have repaired two Louis Vuitton handbags seamlessly for me. Post shopping be sure to grab coffee at Royal Blue Grocery or a cocktail at Bistro 31.
Galleria Dallas – The main perks of the Galleria are the ability to get in and out quickly as well as the ice rink. My favorite stops at the Galleria are Nordstrom, Zara, J.Crew, Sephora, and Banana Republic. All these stores also have a NorthPark location with more merchandise, but the curbside pickup at the Galleria Nordstrom cannot be beaten. If you have young girls, the American Girl Doll store is located adjacent to the Nordstrom parking garage.
Neiman Marcus (downtown) – The downtown location is much more than a department store, it is also the Neiman Marcus flagship and corporate offices. You will hardly be able to make it past level one’s beautiful cosmetic counters and shoe displays, but a ride up the escalators is a must. Enjoy the perfect lunch and a view of downtown at The Zodiac Room (level six) (also listed in my Favorite Restaurants in Dallas). Keep in mind that Neiman Marcus is closed on Sundays and be sure to stop by at night during the holidays to admire their Christmas lights.
Forty Five Ten – Just across the street from the Neiman Marcus flagship, is the flagship location for Forty Five Ten (the second location in Highland Park Village). The four-story building houses corporate offices, two restaurants, and three floors of over 400 designer labels. Spoil yourself and drop a pretty penny or enjoy either the No Aloha café or Mirador (also listed in my Favorite Restaurants in Dallas).
Inwood Village – A trip to Inwood Village always includes a stop at Neiman Marcus Last Call, Rich Hippie, Saint Bernard, Paper Affair, and Trader Joe’s. If you have kids, I recommend stopping by Doodle and Stinker and KidBiz/TheBiz. When shopping works up an appetite, enjoy brunch/lunch at Bread Winners or dinner at Rise No. 1.
Snider Plaza – Just across the street from SMU, this long-standing shopping center has something for everyone. Be sure to stop by Cotton Island, Hip! Hip! Hooray!, McCartney’s University Spirit (for all sorority/fraternity needs), Suzanne Roberts, The Ivy House, Impeccable Pig, Warron Barron Bridal, and Culwell & Son. If you are shopping around lunchtime, stop by Buda Juice, Bubba’s, or East Hampton Sandwich. I never leave Snider Plaza without grabbing an M&M cookie at JD’s Chippery!
Image via Alex Phillips.
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I get asked all the time about my favorite restaurants in Dallas, so I decided to list them all out in one post! Sorry for the long post, but there are just so many great restaurants in Dallas (and the list is constantly growing). I know I am missing some great places, so comment Dallas restaurants I might have missed! xoxo
Beverly’s – Great spot for brunch or date night. Their cold bar and pickled vegetables are my favorite appetizers and I highly recommend the spring pasta when in season. Parking is not easy, so plan to valet.
Bistro 31– This is a great spot for date night, or a happy hour if you go to the upstairs area. We loved the Salmon, Risotto (they change this seasonally), Tagliolini, Crab Cakes, Margarita, and Blueberry Moscow Mule (also seasonal). If the weather is nice, the patio is the perfect spot for people-watching.
City Hall Bistro– We went for a bunch and loved the Avocado Toast and Breakfast Sandwich. We are planning to go back and try the lunch or dinner menu as well. It is a smaller restaurant tucked away in the Adolphus hotel, but it is perfect for a group of 4-8 friends.
DL Mack’s– The best McCarthy salad! Honestly, everything we have tried on their menu is delicious including cocktails. Parking is not always easy and because the dining room is small I recommend having reservations.
Doc B’s– Great spot in uptown, surrounded by windows to watch the busy streets outside. We like the Grilled California Artichokes, Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad, and The Number Six Sandwich.
Dolce Riviera – We discovered this spot during Dallas Restaurant Week, which is a great way to try new places. We enjoyed the Melanzane Alla Parmigiana, Burrata Arrosto, Risotta Funghi, Asiago & Tartufo, Linguine Mare & Monti and Spaghetti Integrali Verdue. This is a great spot for date night or GNO, everything on the menu is amazing and they have a large wine selection. Ask to sit on the patio if the weather is nice.
Drake’s – This is a great spot to grab a drink with friends or all crowd in a circle booth and share pizza. I recommend reservations and if you are ever free on Sunday night they have live jazz music.
Hudson House– There are multiple locations in Dallas, but I prefer the Lovers Lane location. The decor gives off an east coast vibe and during the holidays they really deck the halls! All the seafood is fresh and delicious, some favorites are Oysters, the cheeseburger and Tuna Tower.
il Bracco – This is probably my favorite date spot in Dallas. It is hard to decide between the pasta dishes because they are all fantastic, but be sure to ask about the specials and do not turn down the scallops if they have them.
Javier’s– An upscale Tex Mex spot with a cigar lounge (there is no smoke in the dining section) that is perfect for a date or celebration. We like the Ceviche, Mole Poblano, Shrimp Brochette Cozumel and Carne Asada A La Tampiqueña. It is a Dallas classic!
Mi Cocina– There are multiple locations in Dallas, but my favorites are Highland Park Village and West Village. The Highland Park Village location has a neat little space upstairs perfect for happy hour. My favorite dishes are Mama’s Tacos, and Tortilla Soup and nothing beats their Mambo Taxis.
Mesero– The Prestonwood location has the best patio overlooking a golf course that makes you feel like you’re on vacation. I love the Shrimp Ceviche (which can be a full meal), Queso Mesero, Sopa de Fideo, Salmon a la Plancha (there is a lunch portion), and Cinco Leches Cake.
Montlake Cut – If il Bracco is my favorite date spot, then this is a very close second. The fresh fish rotates daily and is always paired perfectly with the accompanying sauce. If you order a side the shells and cheese are a must and the bartender knows how to make a great vodka martini.
Neighborhood Services– There are a few locations, but I prefer the Preston/Royal location. Everything on their menu is great, I love the Sea Scallops, Waldorf Now, and Crispy Asparagus. The Lovers Lane location is also great and they have a different menu.
Ocean Prime – Formal restaurant with a dress code and is a great spot for celebrations. I really like the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, White Truffle Caviar Deviled Eggs, Oysters on the Half Shell, Sea Scallops, and Baked Alaska for dessert.
Partanope– We love this downtown gem primarily for the delicious authentic Italian dishes. The prosciutto is made in house and sliced when ordered, so naturally I always order a dish that has prosciutto.
Pecan Lodge – Plan to get here early and wait in line (not worth waiting more than an hour). We went before opening on a Saturday, but a weekday would be much easier. All of the meat is delicious, but we really enjoyed the burnt ends and of course fried okra.
Rise – Who doesn’t love a souffle? Always start with the marshmallow soup and always end with the off menu reese’s souffle.
Saint Ann – Great spot in Hardwood (walking distance to American Airlines Center) with the cutest patio. We really like the Ceviche, Charcuterie Board, Pesto Flatbread, Seared Scallops, and Grilled Salmon.
Sixty Vines– We started going to the Plano location a few years ago, but since they have opened another location at the Crescent Court. If you are willing to drive up the toll road a bit, the Plano location is a lot less crowded and parking is not an issue. We love Brussels, Meatballs, Toasts, Rigatoni, and Fig & Prosciutto Pizza. They offer wine on tap and our favorite is the Matchbook Tempranillo.
The Mansion Restaurant – Tucked away inside the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, is this elegant dining room. Everything on the menu is delicious, but favorites are diver scallops, butternut squash agnolotti, and lemon oyster mushrooms.
The Zodiac Room– A Dallas classic on the sixth floor of the Neiman Marcus flagship downtown. Every meal starts with Popovers with strawberry butter and a small cup of Broth. I usually order the Avocado Toast, Shaved Salad, or Roasted Salmon. My grandmother always orders the Orange Soufflé and every meal should end with Neiman Marcus Cookies for dessert.
Toulouse – We usually go to the Knox location, but they recently opened one in Plano at Legacy West too. We like the Knox location because of the great patio right off Katy Trail. For brunch, we like the Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, any of their Salads, and the Belgian Waffle.
Up On Knox– Great spot for happy hour or dinner with friends. When the weather is nice, it opens up to a beautiful patio bringing even more natural light into the dining room. Favorites are Avocado Toast, Lobster Club Sandwich, Grilled Salmon Leeks, Grilled Artichokes, and Veal Piccata Marsala.
Image via Alex Phillips.
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This past weekend Alex and I had a little staycation here in Dallas at The Statler Hotel. We decided to take the time to explore our own city before all the hustle and bustle of the holidays hit. While we had been to the Statler for events and dining, we had not stayed in a room. The Statler opened in 1956 and played a large role in establishing downtown Dallas as a business hub. In 2015 the hotel reopened after renovations but kept much of the 1956 charm. We loved every little detail of our mid-century room and the fantastic view of downtown Dallas! We stayed in the King Bed Premium Larger Room and found the room, closet, and bathroom to be very spacious. The bathroom was hard to photograph, but there was a ton of counter space (win!) and a rain shower. The Statler also has 5 dining options including Overeasy, Fine China, Scout, Buron & Banter (a speakeasy), and Waterproof (rooftop pool).
