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Toughest Table in Town?

Posted on September 2nd, 2008 3:09pm by Kristiana Heap
Filed under Restaurant News, Travel

An article about the “toughest table in America” got me thinking—what’s the toughest table in Dallas? Does anyone make you book a year in advance here? I think we need to schedule a Dishers road trip to Talula’s Table (in Pennsylvania, of all places) for sometime in 2010. I’m sure the restaurant is mighty fine, but it will always make me think of this.

15 Comments to “Toughest Table in Town?”

Jamie Samford @ September 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Most of our local chefs enjoy maximizing their opportunities for revenue and would never think of having a restaurant with so few seats as Talula. That said, I admire Mr.Sikora and Mrs. Olexy’s commitment to excellence.

I believe the closest thing we have is the formidable York Street and the near perfect creations of the lovely Sharon Hage. I don’t know exactly what her rez book looks like but I would hope tables are hard to come by.
Kristiana Heap @ September 2nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm

That was my secret guess, Jamie. http://www.dmagazine.com/ME2/A.....BA9D11BF66
Marco @ September 2nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm

There’s no restaurant in Dallas that you can’t get into the week of, if you’re flexible on time and day. Most of them time, you can get in on the day of.
Nate @ September 2nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Marco: are you “caveating” many higher end restaurants during the holidays, New Year’s, Valentine’s and a few other occasions? I can guarantee you that trying to get a table at York Street during the last week leading into Christmas, or on New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s is pretty much impossible. You have to wait for a cancellation, which even has a waiting list. You’re lucky to get one of those cancellation spots.

Same goes with the Mansion, Al Biernat’s, Nonna, Bob’s, and many others in that caliber. You might be able to eat at the bar, which is cheating.
In the Know @ September 2nd, 2008 at 6:32 pm

Nate - you’re right but the Mansion’s new bar menu is going to blow everyone away. Here’s a hint of things to come . . .

You’ll read about some of the chef’s favorite things…

http://mansionrestaurant.wordpress.com
Marco @ September 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 pm

You’re right, Nate. Getting into a top restaurant on Valentine’s Day isn’t going to be easy if you wait until the last minute. But getting into any restaurant in Dallas on any day next week is a snap. That means there aren’t any “tough tables” here.
Cathy @ September 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 am

Even York Street is easier than people assume. If you’re going on Valentine’s or Christmas or any said holiday than that’s not really “regular dining” season where you’re likely to have an accurate reflection of whether or not tables are hard to come by.

It’s strange, using York Street as the most formidable example, how people keep subscribing to this illusion about it’s perfection…reinforcing this over-idealized image of it as a glorified and always thrilling “foodie heaven”…in which case would naturally follow: duh, that tables are just soooo (theoretically) hard to come by.

I’m waiting for the day when someone might throw up for discussion this conundrum: sourcing is phenomenal, her commitment to her craft is rare, but sometimes the food just isn’t “mmm delicious” and “mmmm-memorable.” And what about mood and ambience? Yikes. Anyone mind whispering over dinner?
Cathy @ September 3rd, 2008 at 6:32 am

Before I have to run and hide from the darts headed my way, I should specify that I don’t mind whispering over dinner, per se, but many times it has felt just plain uncomfortable. Too restrained. Waiting for fireworks.

So, anyone ready to claim that I prefer loud and obnoxious and non-food-conscious restaurants (think Nove or Al Biernet’s or other “scene” type restaurants, I’m having trouble listing them as I don’t frequent them)…not my case.
Jane @ September 3rd, 2008 at 7:48 am

Count me in for York Street..walking in just makes me, well, calm. I can shift my gears into low, breath and enjoy a meal that I never feel rushed through. There is something about that restaurant that is surreal…like I am under a spell.
cbs @ September 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 am

no tough seats in Dallas. Mansion, Fearings, York Street, Bijoux, etc. all can be readily had. That is the beauty of Dallas.

I’ll contend Fireside Pies on Knox is a harder seat on Friday night than any of the above.
Marci @ September 3rd, 2008 at 9:09 am

to be honest, during almost any holiday, even Chili’s is hard to get a table at.

I agree with Marco, don’t think Dallas really has any “tough” tables as long as you are flexible on time.
Nate @ September 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am

It all depends on when you’re trying to get a table, but you generalize it like Marco did, there is room for error in his “analysis.”

Yeah, Fireside on HENDERSON is a tough place for a table on Fridays and Saturdays. I think that is part of their charm though. I think a lot of people are willing to wait 2, almost 3 hours for pizza when you can have that atmosphere and energy…okay, throw in a few drinks too.
brian @ September 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am

maybe some of the more popular brunches? but they’re not even 2 hours.
CKent @ September 4th, 2008 at 11:36 am

Cheesecake Factory at North Park on any weekend night is the hardest seat in town! Never hear about chefs leaving, new menus, owner drama, etc. Hey they got a great concept so give them credit.
Jamie Samford @ September 4th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

Cathy, I guess no chef can please every diner every time but I would put York St.up against anyone in the % of dishes that meet their target in terms of what Sharon intended. Simple and elegant, it’s the hardest food to create and execute. Wether you cared for that dish or not is a matter of personal tastes and opinion, enjoyment is horribly subjective. I think York St. can suffer your darts.