Harwood International — the creative developer behind Dallas’ 19-city-block Harwood District — is proud to announce a landmark achievement: Hôtel Swexan has been awarded the distinguished One Key distinction by the MICHELIN Guide. In tandem, the hotel’s signature restaurant Stillwell’s has earned the Recommended by MICHELIN designation. Together, these honors reinforce Harwood International’s legacy of excellence in design, dining, and hospitality.
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In the Harwood District of Dallas brushing the edge of downtown, Mercat Bistro offers a polished take on the Parisian café, blending European sophistication with Texas charm. From the moment one steps onto the cobblestone-style patio or slips into the intimate, zinc-topped tables indoors, the bistro communicates refinement without pretense. The ambiance is classically continental—elegant chandeliers, art-deco flourishes, and a playlist heavy on Edith Piaf—designed to transport diners far from Uptown and straight to the Left Bank.
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Dallas offers a diverse array of brunch options, each with its own unique flair. Whether you’re in the mood for classic diner fare or inventive new dishes, these five spots—Jonathan’s Diner, Ellie’s Restaurant, Joe Leo, Maple Leaf Diner, and Mercat—are among the best in the city. Here’s a guide to what you should order at each:
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by Steven Doyle
There has been this terrific trend in past years of adding an egg to most anything to make a more supple and delicious. The burger is a prime target for this unabashed egging, and always a welcome garnish on any style of tartare. The egg, if prepared correctly, provides a silky self-saucing thrill that ups the ante to sandwiches, pasta and salads. Eggs are not just for breakfast.
Today we explore a handful of primo examples of how the egg has enhanced many dishes in the Dallas area. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Don’t get too excited, the most romantic meal in Dallas will not be served on Valentine’s Day, but who says there is only one day of the year for romance. For this dish you will need to make a reservation Monday through Wednesday, not especially the most romantic days of the week. But when you are in love, or simply love a beautiful dish prepared table-side, a day never matters. Continue reading
Filed under Crave, Steven Doyle
For Dallas diners looking to feel transported to France, Mercat Bistro, the Parisian-inspired bistro nestled in the Harwood District, is now offering weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The authentically appointed restaurant also features new weekday breakfast and lunch menus all created by Mercat Bistro’s Executive Chef, Taylor Kearney, an award-winning chef who is well-versed in French cuisine.
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Plenty of restaurants are remainig closed, or take-out only at this time. Sadly, some are shuttered for good. We won’t be reporting on all the openings, but want to point out a few beloved ones as they open.
Harwood District is set to begin phase two of their Return to Safely Serve plan with the opening of Mercat Bistro and Magnolias: Sous Le Pont, on Monday, May 18, 2020. This follows their initial phase of successfully hosting a sold-out pop-up Mother’s Day weekend brunch event at Marie Gabrielle Restaurant and Gardens. Continue reading
Filed under Crave, Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Mercat Bistro located in the Saint Ann courtyard in Uptown, opened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner last week and we finally had a chance to stop in to check out the menu recently. The name “Mercat,” the Catalan word for market, gives a slight foreshadowing of what diners might expect in the cozy, if not romantic setting. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
