this Park is the place
July 13, 2009
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last night, i was invited to mock service at a new Dallas restaurant called Park.
its in a great space at 1921 Henderson next to Barcadia and offers up style that Dallas has yet to see…until now.
the space: a fusion of 3 different spaces, spanning the early 1900s to the newest of the fused spaces of the 1970s. the decor is solid throughout. its hippy-chic, artistic, mellow, and cool. but don’t let the design fool you. this space is full of energy. a wall of palm leaves at the back, a huge framed mirror in the upper dining area, bright red painted air ducts give off the funk vibe that really invites you in and makes you want to return. the patio is AMAZING. Jason Pautz is responsible for the landscaping and Breck Woolsey for design of the indoor-outdoor restaurant, which includes the Bocce Bar, with two full-size bocce courts. There’s an air-conditioned patio, complete with roll-up garage doors for the evening, and also an outdoor dining as well. I dared not to venture to sit out there…it was 100 degrees but there were a few brave souls basking in the setting sun.
the food: for starters, i had the meze platter. pita with hummus, couscous, and a black-bean purree. it was a great mix of texture, color, and taste. there was just enough to soothe the appetite but not fill up before a main dish. the menu consists of an array of starters, some great looking sandwiches and salads, meat dishes, and pizzas. the menu caters to any and all tastebuds and budgets. vegetarians can actually get some decent food without sacrificing taste or nutrition. for main course, i had the chicken fried flat-iron steak, “mashers” and some string beans…and gravy. extra care was notably taken to prepare this otherwise typical dish. it was the best chicken-fried steak i’ve ever had. dessert was carrot cake with cheesecake icing. think of heavenly and you’ll see this dessert. the presentation was immaculate and the helping…just right. (cost for 3 courses…about $30. you could easily have great dining experience for under $20).
the drinks: Park has a list as long as my leg of specialty cocktails. i had a pineapple infused margarita and a drink called Marsha Marsha Marsha (muddled blueberries and other yummy goodness). in a few months, Park will open $8/each.
the staff: decked out in jeans, sneakers, and crisp white short sleeved bowling shirts. they all exuded the ambience of the restaurant. seamless integration of good looks without effort and a friendly, mellow yet attentive and knowledgeable air…kudos to the hiring manager.
my 2 cents: Park will be the place to be for the cool Dallas crowd. the Henderson area is becoming more and more hip and with Park in place…its only up from here. i’ll definitely make this a regular hang out. see you there!
Park
1921 Henderson
Dallas, TX
