18 February 23-March 1, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents and long CVS receipt of minutiae that can beat us into the dirt daily. Ready for a nice relaxing dinner? Here are some places that offer a breath of fresh air, each with its own spirit and flare, while also offering a beautiful backdrop. We’ve updated this list from last year and offer a fresh dozen of the prettiest dining rooms in Dallas. Anise 5630 Village Glen Drive The decades-old Village community added this restaurant just a couple of years ago as part of The Drey Hotel. To go along with the pan-Mediterranean menu at Anise is a Mo- roccan feel, with beautiful views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, all set under a canopy of large trees. Ask for a spot near the fireplace if you’re on a date. Or on the oppo- site side of the dining room, under a flock of wicker light pendants floating above tables, which is a touch more casual. Elephant East 2823 McKinnon St. The many decorative details at Elephant East are captivating, yet somehow not gaudy. Dark wood, red and orange lotus- shaped lights and a large U-shaped marble bar set the tone. Semiprivate booths framed in wood have hanging tapestries and accent pillows and are great for parties of four to six people. Crescent-moon plush booths offer cozy nooks for couples. Or grab a perch at the bar to take it all in, along with a martini expresso. Make reservations for weekend nights and enjoy the escape. Hamilton’s at Lorenzo Hotel 1011 S. Akard St. The Lorenzo Hotel was built in 1971 (a Ra- mada back then), and, the story goes, in 1976 this is where Tina Tuner sought refuge after fleeing another hotel where her abusive husband, Ike, slept. The hotel has under- gone massive renovations and is as much an art gallery as anything else, with an artistic adventure billed as “Alice in Wonderland meets Andy Warhol.” This theme extends to Hamilton’s, a restaurant adorned in black, white and hot pink. Old photos and mirrors on the ceiling add a story to every inch of space here. Kessaku 1401 Elm St., 50th Floor of The National Kessaku is a sushi and sake lounge on the 50th floor of The National downtown. The space is kept dark, with deep chairs and couches around candle-lit bistro tables. Sev- eral tables line the large windows facing south, making for beautiful sunsets and thousands of lights from the busy city after dark. Get small sushi plates or go all in for the new omakase series. Sip on a Kyoto Old Fashioned with Kikiori Japanese whisky; we don’t spend $20 on a cocktail often, but we would for a seat here. Knox Bistro 3220 Knox St. As if the souffle and The French burger weren’t enough at Knox Bistro, the space is breath of fresh French air. The menu is rooted in executive chef Bruno Davaillon’s native Loire Valley in France, and every- thing from the tiles on the floor to the wicker back chairs are too. Get a deep booth in the back or sit on the airy patio. A black and pink floral mural behind the bar is lit with warm globe lights above it. Woo a date by bookending your meal with the cheese souffle and chocolate souffle. Lucia 287 N. Bishop Ave. The thing about Lucia is its casual intimacy. It feels like you’re dining in someone’s home — a chef and his wife who happen to invite any number of strangers to dine with them every evening (that’s David and Jen- nifer Uygur). Warm and relaxed, the space has a bar in the middle and no more than a dozen tables, so at no time is the place busy or hectic. Diners linger, knowing a good thing when they’re in it. In fact, Lucia just got nominated for a James Beard award for outstanding restaurant. The Library Room at The Mansion 3821 Turtle Creek Blvd. The Mansion is a beautiful setting for a din- ner, but call for reservations (214-443-4747) and ask specifically for The Library Room, which is a small off-set dining room with stained glass, intricate woodwork, hard- wood floors, a fireplace and romantic warm tones. It would be an amazing room to snug- gle up with a book, but we’ll have to settle for dinner. Paradiso 308 N. Bishop Ave. This tropical getaway in the middle of the Bishop Arts District is the opposite of its neighbor, the quaint Lucia, which is also on this list. Paradiso offers a variety of vibes and moods all at once in its spacious multi- room restaurant, but it all comes together like a tiny orchestra. Wicker, large leafy plants, velvet and big open airy spaces — it’s a lot but not too much. There’s always a crowd, but it’s never cramped. It’s an es- cape from the mundane. Parigi’s 3311 Oak Lawn Ave. You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled in on a neighborhood secret at this Italian and French bistro. For decades, the effortlessly sophisticated style at Parigi’s has lured pa- trons, who regularly fill the dining room and spill onto the sidewalk for the risotto, sea- food pappardelle and long weekend brunches. Party note: Every meal here should end with one order of chocolate glob to eat there, and another to go. Terilli’s 2815 Greenville Ave. When it comes to rooftop dining, where the service and food are equally gratifying as the view, Terrilli’s is it. The Dallas staple since 1985 feels like the big Italian family you never had. It’s an old-school spot, nothing too flashy, but definitely refined. Live music in the dining room is always lovely, but grab a table on the rooftop when the weather al- lows. Toussaint Brasserie 1907 Elm St. Breakfast at Tiffany’s plays on a loop in the lobby of the Renaissance Saint Elm hotel, just outside the entrance to Toussaint. Brass fixtures, hardwood floors and deep blue ac- cents give the classic French spot a cosmo- politan feel. Large windows and tall ceilings open up this airy space. Get the beef bour- guignon made with wagyu over a potato pu- ree to complete this trip. Uchi 2817 Maple Ave. Sleek wood, impeccable lines, warms tones and not a single detail out of place: If this is your zen then Uchi is your place. Service here keeps the experience grounded (never too stuffy). The fresh fish and elevated Japa- nese cooking take care of everything else. Check Uchi out at happy hour for some great deals; no matter when you go, a meal here is always special. City of Ate from p16 Lauren Drewes Daniels The bar at Anise is bright with a view. 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