East Dallas can now claim Dallas' hippest dining destination - The LOT. According to their website, The LOT is a locally-influenced restaurant and neighborhood beer garden in the heart of East Dallas. Located off the Santa Fe Trail and a stone’s throw from White Rock Lake and the Arboretum. (They offer) fresh, locally sourced food and a wide selection of wine, cocktails and beers on tap, served in a relaxed casual atmosphere. Come as you are, and bring your friends — dogs and kids included.
Owner John McBride hosted a media luncheon a few weeks ago to show off the place and I was not disappointed. This is a fantastic new destination for families. As anyone with kids knows, It's next to impossible to enjoy a meal when you eat out with children under the age of 8. They whine until the food hits the table that they are starving and it's taking too long. And 2 minutes later, after they've consumed their meal, they are whining again that they are bored and ready to go home. Well, parents, this place is the answer to your prayers. Not only do the kids have a play to run and play so you can enjoy that glass of wine and a real conversation, but the food is GOOD.
Try the Meatloaf Sandwich. It's da bomb diggity!
McBride says of his menu, "The star of the show is “The Chicken”, a whole or half rotisserie chicken marinated in roasted garlic, hot peppers and fresh herbs (which is also available to-go). You'll also enjoy a selection of sandwiches like deviled ham and cheese on sourdough toast, house-ground cashew butter and honey on grain, and Texas Wagyu beef tongue with melted Swiss and sautéed red onion on rye. Other highlights include cayenne fried cauliflower with buttermilk dip, crispy papadum with green chili chutney, buffalo style buffalo rolled in red hot sauce, and green eggs ranchera with two sunny side eggs, queso panela, green sauce and toasted corn tortillas. From the bar, expect a wide selection of wines and bottled beers, plus 16 drafts rotated seasonally. House drinks include Lakewood Lemonade (Maker’s Mark, lemonade, ginger, mint), East Dallas Iced Tea (Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Peach Schnapps, house-brewed iced tea), and White Rock Martini (Pinnacle Berry Vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice). For those counting the calories, fresh-pressed juices can be spiked with Tito’s Vodka, Cruzan Rum, Tanqueray Gin or Jim Beam Bourbon."
Photos: The LOT's Facebook Page
McBride, (whose family previously started, owned and operated El Fenix) hired food consultant Sharon Hage and designer Hatsumi Kuzuu (Tei An, FT33 and Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar) to join forces with him on the exciting new restaurant. The result of their creative efforts is a casual but hip, comfortable but cool, sophisticated but playful establishment that already has Dallas diners flocking to their doors. They have transformed the former Backyard Beach Bar space into an inviting oasis featuring several common areas. You'll find a 180-seat dining room and bar featuring concrete and reclaimed wood accents, an open-air porch with wooden communal picnic tables, and a beer garden surrounded by a vine-covered trellis. For those looking to stay and relax awhile, there is a space dedicated to bar games such as washers, corn hole and foosball. In addition, local artisan John Wolf and Elizabeth Dry (Promise of Peace Garden) collaborated to create a children’s play area furnished with repurposed farm equipment and an herb garden.
The Advocate recently reported that the City of Dallas has granted permission for a bridge to be built that will allow access from the Santa Fe Trail directly to the restaurant. This is great news for families in the neighborhood who would otherwise be walking with strollers on high traffic roads or spending more time wrestling with car seats than they would spend driving to the restaurant. Don't get me wrong, this place is not just for parent's looking for free child care for an hour, you'll find college kids drinking on the patio, grown up's playing corn hole, and kids of all ages enjoying this outdoor space, hip bar and delicious menu.
The LOT is located at 7530 East Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75214. 214-321-1990. http://thelotdallas.com/
Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 11am–Midnight (Kitchen closing at 10pm) Friday–Saturday: 11am–2am (Kitchen closing at 11pm)