Petra and the Beast

Petra and the Beast is an understated top restaurant in Dallas. If you're a foodie, here's why you must go:

1) Food: Using seasonal ingredients from local farmers, the chef writes with chalk on a board the menu of the day. Since the chef is a master, anything you order will change you, but I recommend the mushroom trumpets and the egg noods. Both were divine, but the latter is the best pasta I've ever had.

2) Space: It's in an old filling station in East Dallas, an area lacking other sit down restaurants. You seat yourself, order at the front, and can bring your own beer/wine. It's very casual for being an innovation lab in crafting some of Dallas' best dishes.

If you love good food in a casual environment, go here. It's one of two spots I'll return to every time I visit Dallas.

The food was fantastic and very specific. We brought some amazing wines and they complemented the food perfectly. The service was so good without being off putting. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Petra and the Beast is a very cozy and unconventional restaurant, especially those who love delicate and beautifully presented food will spend an authentic meal. Although it is not over-commercialized (e.g. you can bring your own drinks), the price level is rather high. However the chic interior and the free and easy atmosphere reward every visitor.

I went with my friend who is super into the restaurant world and food scene. Wouldn't have been my first choice, but I actually enjoyed the food. The fried pig tails were especially delicious. I was hungry pretty soon after, the food here won't exactly fill you up, but I don't think that is what they are going for. Give it a try and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised like I was.