Fearing's Restaurant — Restaurant in Dallas

I spent each consecutive step of my birthday dining experience at Fearing’s restaurant…. Fearing that I would not be returning (yes, the technical pronunciation of the chef’s Surname-inspired restaurant actually sounds like “fairing,” but please indulge false phonetics for the sake of my dark, annoyed comedy).

With regard to service, it was satisfactory. However, it makes one aware of the declining relevance and current state of the “Ritz” factor. While it may have once been an exceptional and out-of-this-world experience to be served by a team that’s been trained by a world-class Ritz curriculum, it simply doesn’t stand out anymore. The hosts were polite, the server was charismatic, and the cadence of the food was timely. I’d argue that these qualities are now an expected standard out of any restaurant dining experience. Has the collective dining population gotten more high-maintenance and impatient? Maybe. Regardless, there wasn’t anything to set this apart as a distinct, above-and-beyond factor of being at a Ritz-Carlton, and paying top-dollar for it.

Fried Risotto ball with aioli: 3/10. Marketing wizardry and elevated vernacular for fried ball of rice with mayo.

Caesar Salad: 1/10. The amount of smoked flavor in this salad is absolutely criminal. The Caesar dressing has an overpoweringly-smoked additive that makes it feel like you’re eating romaine leaves that have been doused in smoked liquid cheese. I understand that Texans have a passion for queso, but I imagine it would be not in such a disrespectfully overdone way, over a salad. It would’ve been one thing if the restaurant’s menu had highlighted this very salient flavor feature of the salad, but it doesn’t. The salad is also sprinkled with pomegranate seeds… which feel as if they’re pathetically floating around a smoked mess only to provide a very off-putting and tooth-breaking crunch amid an unpleasant grimace, leaving the guest defeated and unwilling to take another bite.

Antelope 5/10: According to the internet, Antelope is always a risk… and I took it. I would not order it again. It is recommended to be served medium-rare. Maybe if I had ordered it cooked a little bit more, the gamey-ness would’ve been less pronounced. Regardless, the mole sauce they serve it over was an overpowering purée of vague allspice and cinnamon, totally not meshing with the texture or taste of the meat. The rabbit enchilada served on the side was actually wonderful and should arguably be its own main dish. Rabbit tastes like a tender chicken, if chicken found its own unique poultry flavor identity. It was served with a delicious green/cilantro/lime purée. Wish there was more of it!

Birthday Chocolate Torte: before we get into the flavorlessness… simply from a design perspective- don’t write “Happy Birthday” in dark blue font on a black plate… I didn’t notice it was written on there until the last few minutes of the dinner. It’s a nice touch, but can’t be appreciated if it can’t be seen. Also… maybe better marker contrast with greater visibility would help the avoidance of spelling errors? “Tatiana” was missing a letter and turned into “Tatian.” Creative. As for the taste… I don’t know how else to say this, but it tasted like brown dust in the form of a rectangular prism with some vague frosting. There was no deep chocolatey/cacao flavor. The white chocolate stick garnishes tasted like solidified hydrogenated soybean oil imposters. When they melted in your mouth, it was just oily and flavorless.

Overall, I’m disappointed. The menu of this restaurant feels like it really wanted to realize the creative vision of Chef Dean Fearing, but got lost along the way due to conflicting direction in execution among unnecessarily complex dishes that try to unsuccessfully combine too many flavors. The menu could be well-served by isolating some of its current working elements and giving them...

We concluded our week in the Dallas area with dinner at Fearing’s in The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. Dean Fearing is known as the “Father of Southwestern Cuisine” and his dishes feature gulf seafood and wild game.

We started with cocktails and I finally found a restaurant in the Dallas area with 1908 Empress gin so I had to have an Empress gin & tonic. This is one of my favorite gins, for its clean taste and unique coloration. I ordered a bottle of 2018 Chateau Gloria, a wine from St. Julien (Bordeaux). Perhaps needing a few more years of maturation, it was silky, with a lot of fruit after opening up in the glass.

We were served an amuse bouche on a spoon; I didn’t hear what it was … a small piece of toast with something piped on … whatever it was, it was delicious.

My co-worker and I split the Southwest Sampler comprised of jumbo lump crab cakes, BBQ short rib enchilada and crispy lobster tacos. Each bite of heaven was accompanied by a sauce or topping (Chipotle Crema, Chorizo Queso and Avocado relish). Wow, if this is the appetizer, what will an entrée taste like?

Two had the “must have” Dean’s Tortilla soup, it looked scrumptious! I’m not certain what the other dish was; it was a salad that could have served as a main dish and looked so appealing.

I had the Achiote Glazed Broken Arrow Ranch Nilgai Antelope, featuring a Mole Rojo and a braised rabbit enchilada. If there is game on the menu; I’m in and this featured two … the antelope was so tender and flavorful and the rabbit was … I wanted more!

Others ordered the Peppercorn Soaked Buffalo Tenderloin, Pan Seared Eastern Shore Sea Scallops, BBQ Spiced Beef Filet and Chicken Fried Maine Lobster, Pan Seared Dry Aged Rohan Duck Breast and the Nova Scotia Halibut. Every dish was a work of art, visually and taste-wise.

A palate cleansing scoop of sorbet followed and some ordered dessert, including an interesting take on bread pudding ... banana pudding with mini Beignets. I opted to finish my meal with a cup of Illy coffee, good but not quite rich enough for me.

What did I / we think? This was the best meal we had in Dallas and topped off our trip in a big way. If you’re in the area, Fearing’s Restaurant is a “must do”. I don’t understand why the Yelp rating is only 4 stars; it’s 5-plus for me. Highly...

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Fearing Restaurant located in uptown Dallas, and I must say that it was an incredible experience. The restaurant delivered on its promise of providing a memorable dining experience, both through its delectable cuisine and top-notch staff. Let's start with the food - it was simply outstanding. Every dish we ordered was crafted with expertise and attention to detail. From the appetizers to the main courses, I was blown away by the flavors and presentation. The menu offered a wide range of options, catering to various culinary preferences. Whether you are a seafood lover or a steak connoisseur, Fearing Restaurant has something for everyone.

The highlight of the meal for me was the perfectly cooked steak. It was cooked to perfection, tender, and bursting with flavor. Accompanied by a creative fusion of side dishes, every bite was a delight to the taste buds. The extensive wine list also impressed me, offering a fantastic selection to pair with the meal.

The staff at Fearing Restaurant truly elevated the dining experience. They were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. From the moment we entered the restaurant, we were greeted with warm smiles and immediately made to feel welcome. The servers were well-informed about the menu, recommending dishes and providing insights into the ingredients and cooking techniques. The attention to detail and the passion they displayed for their work was evident throughout our time there.

However, I must mention that Fearing Restaurant can be quite pricey. It is definitely a special occasion kind of place rather than an everyday dining spot. The quality of the food and service justifies the prices, but it might not be accessible to everyone's budget.

Overall, my experience at Fearing Restaurant was exceptional. The combination of exceptional cuisine and exemplary staff made for a truly memorable dining experience. If you are looking for an upscale dining experience in uptown Dallas and are willing to splurge a bit, I highly recommend giving Fearing...