Photo Credit: Smoke
The fact that Bishop Arts District contains some of the hottest, up-and-coming restaurants in Dallas is not news but if you haven’t been to Smoke yet you’re missing out on some of the most ingenious Southwestern food in the area.
Smoke opened in 2009 with juxtaposition between old-fashioned Texas Barbecue and new-fangled Southwestern plates. Over the years the chef, Tim Byers, has honed his menu until he found his groove in upscale Southwestern cuisine. The menu items are just exactly what you can imagine your Texas grandmother cooking — if she was a gourmet.
Photo Credit: Smoke
For example, one of the menu items is a dinner salad composed of smoked pheasant and Rio Star grapefruit. The smoky richness of the pheasant is perfectly balances by the sweet bite of citrus in the grapefruit. Those with heartier appetites might want to consider the coffee cured beef brisket or the Berkshire pork chop with apricot preserves. Whatever you do order the hominy casserole side dish — even if you are just having a quick beer. Broiled cheddar cheese and bacon cheese grits come together to create a magical dish that you just can’t get enough of. It’s pure cheesy carb-heaven.
Photo Credit: Smoke
House-made sausage, homemade ricotta, and the freshest of vegetables plucked just hours before from the garden behind the restaurant are some of the stars of the menu. Expect the food to be locally sourced, handmade, and fresh. Farm to table philosophy and heirloom meats are a standard here and it shows… or rather, it flavors.
Photo Credit: smoke
Just like your grandmother’s house, meals are served all day long at Smoke. Biscuits and gravy, smoked brisket and cornbread hash, or blueberry pancakes with vanilla soaked apricots are not to be missed, however the menu is full of other possibilities. Lunch offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, and small plates. Desserts and cocktails are also available — definitely try the Key Lime and Mescal pie.
Photo Credit: Smoke
The ambiance is ultra-casual. When you walk in the door you may think that you’ve somehow been whisked back in time to your Great-Aunt’s 1974 family-room with family pictures, books, and knick-knacks lying around. In some ways it is off-putting at first. After all, you are expecting to be served some of the best food in Dallas, but as you settle in you’ll see that the total casual comfort of the decor allows you to wholly focus on the flavors on your plate without worrying about using the right fork or spilling wine on the tablecloth. Smoke is about the food not the fancy decor.
A word of warning — this place is as addictive as crack. If you go once you will be lured back again and again by your restless taste buds. Don’t say we didn’t warn  you.
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