We’re here to say you can have your cake and eat it, too, Dallas. Or for that matter, your pie, cookies, ice cream, or some yet-to-be-discovered combination of them all (the state fair needs to make this happen). Leave room for these 12 desserts, one of which is whiskey cake.
The Drunken Nut
Emporium Pies
Address and InfoBishop Arts District
No, not you, the pie! So much for walking off a few calories after dinner while in Bishop Arts since any walk invariably ends at Emporium Pies. The Drunken Nut is an elevated version of a classic Texas pecan pie. "Elevated" meaning it’s loaded with pecans, bourbon, brown sugar, and butter.
Cinco leches cake
Mesero
Address and InfoHenderson Ave
Tres leches cake is a Tex-Mex standard, so quatro leches cake took things a notch further. Now we have reached the ultimate decadence of cinco leches cake. Since we’re keeping count, that brings it to a whopping five versions of milk in a single cake -- whole milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and dulce de leche. We’ll just say it’s good for your bone health, as well.
Key lime cake
Cake Bar
Address and InfoTrinity Groves
Sure, there are plenty of great places to have dinner in Trinity Grover. But when the server asks if you saved room for dessert, you’ll want to politely decline and walk straight to Cake Bar, because a slice of Key lime cake is waiting. It bakes the traditional flavors of key lime pie into a impressively green slice of made-from-scratch cake.
Whiskey cake
Whiskey Cake
Address and InfoPlano
What’s in a name? Well that all depends, except when the name is Whiskey Cake, in which case everything is in the name. This namesake cake is a knockout punch of toffee torte, spiced pecans, and a bourbon anglaise. A designated driver might be necessary after a slice of this cake -- not from of the bourbon but the impending sugar daze.
Pumpkin soufflé
Rise Nº1
Address and InfoUniversity Park
Just when we thought that pumpkin couldn’t possibly be infused into another aspect of our lives, the soufflé connoisseurs at Rise Nº1 come along with their seasonal pumpkin soufflé to prove us wrong once again. It turns out there is no end to the ways pumpkin can be added to something and make it awesome.
Mango sticky rice smash
Malai Kitchen
Address and InfoUptown
The mango sticky rice smash at Malai Kitchen is equal parts beautiful and delicious. Deconstructed layers of sticky rice, crisped rice treat, and mango sit in a bath of cool and refreshing coconut milk.
Chocolate glob
Parigi
Address and InfoOaklawn
To call the chocolate glob a molten chocolate cake would be an insult. This is more of a chocolate implosion topped with a dollop of whipped cream. The fact that the Chocolate Glob is both crispy and gooey seems to defy nature.
Tableside s'mores
Tillman's Roadhouse
Address and InfoBishop Arts District
What’s camping without a campfire? And to that end, what’s a campfire without s’mores? Wouldn’t you be more excited for s’mores if it didn’t entail sleeping on the ground? Tillman’s Roadhouse has the answer to all these questions: tableside s’mores.
Galaktoboureko
Stratos Taverna
Address and InfoNorth Dallas
Trying to pronounce it is the hard part (gala-ko-boor-ee-ko). The easy part is enjoying this honey- and cinnamon-covered flakey phyllo, layered with orange-infused custard. Opa.
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The Bob
Remedy
Address and InfoLower Greenville
The dessert doctors at Remedy honestly believe that the answer to all of life’s problems lay somewhere between the dark chocolate ice cream, caramel, and whipped cream of “The Bob” ice cream sundae. We would have to agree.
Warm sticky toffee cake
Victor Tangos
Address and InfoHenderson
It’s warm. It’s sticky. It’s toffee. It’s cake. Need we say more?
Ice cream cookie sandwich
Coolhaus food truck (address and info)
Klyde Warren Park
The combinations of cookie and ice cream are practically endless, as is Coolhaus’ creativity with their flavors. Recommending just one pairing does not do their “architecturally inspired” ice cream sandwiches justice. Try a wild combo, perhaps Red Velvet cookie with Maker’s Mark ice cream, or something a bit more traditional, say, chocolate chip cookie with vanilla. There are no bad decisions at Coolhaus.
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Hayden Bernstein is a Dallasite by way of Dallas, feels warm and fuzzy when he sees the 'Green Building,' and becomes confused when it's not green.
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1. Victor Tangos
3001 N Henderson Ave, Dallas -
2. Emporium Pies
314 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas -
3. Mr Mesero
4444 McKinney Ave, Dallas -
4. Cake Bar at Trinity Groves
3011 Gulden Ln, Ste 117, Dallas -
5. Whiskey Cake
3601 Dallas Pkwy, Plano -
6. Rise No. 1
5360 W Lovers Ln, Dallas -
7. Malai Kitchen
3699 McKinney Ave, Dallas -
8. Parigi
3311 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas -
9. Tillman's Roadhouse Dallas
324 W 7th St, Dallas -
10. Stratos Global Greek Taverna
2907 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas -
11. Remedy
2010B Greenville Ave, Dallas
A classy, dimly lit Mexican restaurant doling out savory goodness like roasted marrow bones and brisket with chimichurri and toast, Victor Tangos in Knox-Henderson also offers killer cocktails to boot. Seasonal ingredients shine in boozy libations like the Pepper Smash with gin, red bell pepper, local mint, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and house-made clover-honey syrup.
Pies so good you wouldn't want to waste by throwing 'em in someones face. Choose from scrumptious options like the Drunken Nut with bourbon pecan & shortbread crust, plus the prezel-crusted Smooth Operator with french silk chocolate filling.
The guy behind Mi Cocina finally has another restaurant, and it's been worth the wait. In a space both intimate and vibrant, with vivid artwork contrasting nicely against exposed brick walls, Mr Mesero combines Americanized favorites with full-on Mexican dishes with outstanding results. The quekas laguera (pastry pockets stuffed with cheese and chicken or brisket) are definitely a standout. This joint also boasts what may be the best guac in all of the Big D, with a variety based on spice, zest, and ingredients -- one has serrano and onion crisps thrown in there.
You have not lived until you have tried the Key Lime pie from Cake Bar in Trinity Grove.
This rustic, high-windowed warehouse-style joint features communal tables, plaid sofas, rocking chairs, and a stacked firewood partition that is set off by industrial touches like Edison bulbs. Sink your teeth into Texas comfort foods like pulled pork sliders, thick burgers, smoked BBQ, and fried chicken. Don’t be surprised by some of the more interesting items like the Thai Cashew Pork Baguette and Pork Belly Ramen … Whiskey Cake whips up fresh comfort foods that you can’t get at grandma’s. Indulge in a long list of national craft brews whiskey flights, and whiskey cocktails like Little Rye Lies (rye whiskey, black tea syrup, and orange and angostura bitters). Yes, you can enjoy actual Whiskey Cake on a porch next to a fireplace if you’re so inclined.
A relaxed bistro focused on the souffle, Rise No. 1 is the first of its kind, bringing the French classic to Dallas diners in a comfortable and casual setting.
Two local Thai & Vietnamese cuisine vets who also ran restos in Cali have opened a bistro where ginger plants blossom near walls covered with Japanese polonia wood painted silver, gold, and green, and scored with a pattern of interlocking leaves.
Parigi is a chef driven bistro with a menu that changes twice a month. The source of much of Parigi's produce comes from local farmers, cheeses from small batch cheese makers, and seafood from sustainable and responsible fishermen.
You won't question if your're in the west while saddling up inside Tillman's. The staff is dressed in western attire and there's plenty of taxidermy on the walls. BUT, if you need another reminder, order the chicken fried steak and ride off into the sunset (after you finish, of course).
It’s a party every time you walk into Stratos Taverna; napkins are flying, belly-dancers are jingling, and most importantly, the drinks are being served as fast as they can be poured. The double-decker patio fills up in the warmer months, and (super-bonus!) the entire food menu is 1/2 off on Monday and Tuesday nights.
This novel Lower Greenville soda shop/restaurant fires on all cylinders, with Southern comfort dishes from Head Chef Danyele McPherson, with a contemporary-yet-soulful menu dotted with the likes of jalapeño-chive hush puppies with hot sauce butter, a crispy cured pork belly BLT on griddled challah, and confit fried Amish chicken with sour cream & chive mashed potatoes. This spot also has a great bar program featuring cocktails and handcrafted booze-free sodas, plus rotating pastries and ice cream sundaes.