by Steven Doyle
Last week I had a chance to stop into Nana at the Hilton Anatole to take advantage of the new Friday Night Flights, a unique beer pairing they put on the first Friday of every month. This past week I enjoyed samplings of San Diego’s Stone Brewing Company along with a few choice items from the bar menu created by one of Dallas’ top toques, Anthony Bombaci.
Before I describe what we sampled, I might first inform the initiated about Nana. First it is helmed by chef Bombaci who was classically trained at Hyde park’s CIA and served some of the best restaurants in the country including the acclaimed Chez Philippe at the Peabody in Memphis and top restaurants in Barcelona where he further developed his style of Creative American cuisine with Modern European influences.
Besides hosting one of the city’s more creative chefs, Nana also sports an incredible view. From the bar at night you can see the low-lying path of lights spread across North Dallas, and from the dining room you see the classic Dallas skyline from a proper angle.
The beer paring for the evening was quite nice as we were served by one of Stone’s reps that had been in Dallas for the Southwest restaurant show. I had chatted with him at the show a few days before and had already sampled much of their offerings, and was excited to try them again. I particularly enjoyed the Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, but missed one of my favorite Stone brews, Arrogant Bastard.
After the beer flights we caught up with a few friends in the lounge and enjoyed the smooth tones of W.T. Greer who performs at Nana Thursday through Saturday. Greer and his band play romantic danceable tunes as well as jumping hot numbers.
Still a bit peckish we ordered the tasting menu which gives you a selection of several items from the bar menu, a fantastic choice that is easy on the wallet but still gives the diner a perfect look at Bombaci’s fare.
Here are a few items we sampled:
Wild Baby Arugula Salad
Pan Rosted Duck Breast
Vahlrona Jivara Ganache, Sesame Salt, Bread Tuile
I took a cooking class from Bombaci. Very interesting and fun to listen to. His food is amazing.
BTW – the Friday Night Flight is only $20 pp, available the first Friday of each month. Chef Tony’s Summer Savings Menu is three-courses for $45 and available nightly. Great write-up and thanks so much! Cheers – Susan (publicist)
yum your pic’s made my mouth water. Thanks for sharing it is on my to do list, for places to visit
I have to say, I had a completely different experience last week. We were not given any information on any of the beers we sampled (perhaps because they stuck us in a far corner). We were served cold food that tasted like it had been sitting out for a hour. The “Kobe slider” was HALF a slider. We were not even served the whole thing! Definitely not worth the $20. Nana is wonderful but I doubt I will be back for these Friday night events.