Today Dishing: Day Two in Dallas

Needing coffee and a quick nosh before embarking on day two, we inquired about a Starbuck's location. "On the next corner", we were told. We sped to the corner and found nothing. The curious thing about Dallas is that there are no retail stores and few restaurants at ground level.  The lack of retail diminishes the amount of foot traffic, thus no people walking around.This is a noticeable difference from what we are accustomed to in Chicago. After making another inquiry, we learned the Starbuck's was located on the basement level  of the commercial building at the corner. Our scavenger hunt over, we ate.

Coffee in hand, we made our way to the light rail station where we boarded for our ten minute ride to The George W. Bush Presidential Library on the campus of SMU. The library offers inter-active and engaging educational activities. One room is dedicated to 911, the day and the activities of the days that followed. In the center of that room stands twisted, charred girders from the World Trade Center. And although , Marianne and I both visited the 911 Memorial in NYC seeing these massive twisted girders was chilling.
                                     
This was my first Presidential Library experience but Marianne has visited four and she ranks this one second to The Kennedy Library. I say this is certainly a worthwhile stop on any trip to Dallas.
Admission: $15.

Opting to walk to the Dallas Arts District we worked up an appetite. Heeding the tip from a parking valet, we headed to Savor. This gastropub is located in the 5.2 acre deck park which provides green space to the downtown area. The food delighted us, the activities in the deck park entertained us and "the see and be seen" crowd in the restaurant enchanted us.

Located in the center of the Dallas Arts District, the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in 1898, allowed us a few  minutes of quiet reflection amidst elaborate stained glass windows.

The Dallas Arts District plays home to the Nasher Sculpture Garden  and Museum. Coming from Chicago we were perplexed by the large concrete wall  around the garden limiting people passing from enjoying the art. The garden as well as the museum  offers a worthwhile use of your time.
Admission: $10

The Nasher Sculpture Garden

                                       
Drake, the concierge at the Adolphus reserved seating for us at Dakota's. Dakota's sits on a plot of land formerly occupied by a Baptist Church. The land acquisition stated no alcohol could ever be sold "on" that property. For that reason Dakota's is one floor below street level. A ride down a glass elevator to a subterranean courtyard reveals a five tiered waterfall. The art deco/beaux arts architecture provides a stunning backdrop to this unique dining experience. I  recommend this spot for both the food and the circuses.

This day again ended with wine and chocolate cake in the lobby of the Adolphus.

I stayed in Oakcliff for four additional days but Marianne flew home late Saturday afternoon but not before checking out Old Red.  The following is her assessment of Old Red.

Below is the interior of Old Red where I spent three hours.  Built in 1892 as a courthouse, it now is an extraordinary museum covering the history of Dallas County with many interactive exhibits, films, and artifacts. Most interesting of the latter are Clyde Barrow's gun, Tom Landry's fedora, a KKK hood, a flapper wedding dress bought in 1925 from Neiman Marcus, and the handcuffs worn by Lee Harvey Oswald. 

Lee Harvey Oswald was held at the old Municipal Building on Main with an exit on Commerce. He was being transferred to the Criminal Courts building (across from Old Red) when he was shot.

Last note about the Adolphus: After visiting Old Red Marianne tripped and fell. Upon reaching the Adolphus, the concierge called for the hotel car and directed the driver to take her to a  near-by Primary Care facility. While the Doctor checked her and bandaged her leg, the driver remained with her the entire time. When released the driver drove her to the airport and refused any payment.... even a tip. Instead he told her to enjoy a glass of wine and relax before boarding the plane.

Now if that's not going above and beyond, I don't know what is. A big shout out to the Adolphus and it's staff. We strongly recommend this hotel.

Honestly, if you plan well two or three days is sufficient to explore Dallas. Our unsuccessful attempts to dine at Wolfgang Puck's Five Sixty in Reunion Tower leave us with reason to return.

The "lights at night are big and bright...."

                                         

 

In days to come, I will include a blog about the eight establishments I dined at in the Bishop's Arts District.