Emilia's Fort Worth — Restaurant in Fort Worth

Had an amazing dinner at Emilia’s in the Crescent Hotel (Fort Worth) and tried several things off their summer menu!! Everything was so well thought out and delicious. After chatting with the staff, you can really tell how intentional and passionate they are about the dishes and the ingredients that go into them.

Our server, Kevin, was kind and knowledgeable. We even got the chance to chat with Chef Preston, which made the experience even more special. He shared that the meatballs are made with a special blend of six different proteins (wowww!!) and finished with this creamy house-made parmesan cheese foam. The grilled bread that comes with it is perfect for layering with the meatballs, sauce, and cheese for a complete bite!

Arancini has always been a favorite of mine, so we naturally had to order it. I really enjoyed the hint of creamy eggplant inside that perfectly compliments the cheesy risotto ball. The broccolini was simple but so flavorful, and the pistachio pesto paired with was a standout— I need a jar of it asap!!

The potato gnocchi was rich, with a bold romesco sauce balanced by creaminess. The whole bronzino was light, flaky, and not fishy at all. The skin was perfectly crispy and paired well with the mild, buttery fish inside. I’m not even usually into cooked fish, but I’d 100% order this again. The creamy leeks underneath made a really nice savory sauce to scoop up with the fish and veggies (plus shishitos yummm!!)

The braised beef rib was super tender, and the buckwheat polenta cake was a unique and nice pairing for the dish. It reminded me of a savory cornbread with a crispy exterior and soft center.

For dessert, we had the tiramisu and white chocolate cheesecake. Both were great, but I had to try the tiramisu since it’s one of my all-time favorites! Made the traditional way, with thick layers of mascarpone cream, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and a lush layer of cocoa powder on top — it was a fantastic closer to the evening.

Wine-wise, I absolutely loved the Auntsfield Sauvignon Blanc — juicy, crisp, and without being too sweet. A great summer wine, I loved it so much I even asked our server, Kevin if I could take a pic of the bottle haha!

Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted and full of heart. Highly recommend Emilia’s for a special night out or if you’re looking for a meal that’s both elevated and approachable in an elegant yet...

Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because I just experienced peak Fort Worth fancy at Emilia's, nestled all elegant-like inside the Hotel Crescent. This place is so beautiful, it's like they raided a Renaissance painting and said, "Let's make it a restaurant!" Seriously, the inside is stunning. And the patio? Honey, that patio could host anything from a quiet contemplation of your life choices to a full-blown, "I just won the lottery" dance party. It's that versatile. Now, let's talk service. Unbelievable doesn't even begin to cover it. I'm pretty sure they have mind-reading waiters. Okay, maybe not actual mind-reading, but when my drink was, gasp, a whole minute late (the audacity!), and when my pasta decided to channel its inner jerky and arrive a tad...al dente's grumpy older brother, they didn't just apologize. Oh no. They whisked those minor offenses away and banished them from my bill faster than you can say "complimentary." I felt like royalty, albeit royalty with slightly chewy noodles. Their wine and drinks menu? Oh là là! It's thicker than a Tolstoy novel and just as intriguing. You could spend a good hour just deciding what liquid masterpiece to grace your palate with. Definitely worth a peek. The soup of the day? Now that was a revelation. It was like a warm hug in a bowl, a symphony of flavors that made my taste buds sing opera. Then came the pasta...bless its heart. Let's just say it had a certain texture that suggested it had lived a full and possibly overextended life in the boiling water. But hey, they comped it, so who am I to complain too loudly? However, let me tell you about the tiramisu. Oh. My. Goodness. It was like angels dancing on my tongue, a fluffy, coffee-soaked dream that single-handedly redeemed the entire pasta situation. I'd go back just for that cloud of deliciousness. So, the verdict? You absolutely must visit Emilia's. Go for the breathtaking ambiance that makes you feel like you're in a movie, go for the service that treats you like a long-lost friend (a very important friend with a slightly delayed beverage), and definitely go for that patio, whatever your occasion. Just maybe...stick to the soup and the tiramisu. Think of the rest of the menu as a beautiful backdrop to a truly delightful experience. You'll leave feeling pampered and sophisticated, even if your main course had a bit of...

Let me start by that this is still a work in progress. First the good. Everyone one of the staff from the valet to the bus people were amazing. Friendly, attentive and obviously very well trained. The restaurant itself is small, but very nicely decorated. We were there on a Tuesday evening and it was less than half full.

On to the food. Let's say that it was uneven at best, although everything was well presented and plated nicely. We shared everything. The octopus was really quite amazing. As tender as you will get anywhere. Tended more towards smoked than seared but amazing. The rigatoni was rich as any I have ever had. Hints of nutmeg or cinnamon? Could not quite tell. Quite filling and a taste treat. Apple cake was unique and an interesting blend of flavors.

So the not so interesting. The beet carpacio was a clever twist and the beets were perfect. Problem is it was almost tasteless. Feta was good, but not enough. Lemon aioli was good, but you would have thought made of gold how little they used. It was just bland. I would have preferred goat cheese, but that's me. Adding lemon and pepper helped. Artic char was a disappointment. Barely cooked and virtually unseasoned. Served on a bed of Israeli cous-cous which was fine. But then they poured a "seafood" bisque around it. Bisque was too sweet and detracted from the fish. I took leftovers home and will try to resurrect it into something edible.

Wine list is extensive, especially by the glass. Very nice selection and reasonably priced as were cocktails. Bottled wine highly priced, topping out at about $1700. I'd stick to getting it by the glass.

All and all, not a bad experience. We will wait until they get the menu better sorted before...