Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Charlie Palmer in Dallas offering cheap lunches

By Staff of Gay List Daily

While thousands of downtown workers bustle through the underground tunnels feeding on fast food and dreaming of sunshine, those who choose to dine on top of the earth have a new haunt for fine dining in Big D at High Noon.

Sure, Charlie Palmer is a bit more extravagant than the average mid-day nosh, but it actually boasts one of the biggest steals in town based on the sheer quality, complexity and palate-pleasing splendor of every bite. Introducing the $26 Prix Fixe Lunch, where diners indulge in three full courses and a generous side for less than the price of a mani-pedi. (OK, a good mani-pedi).

If you doubt our bargain boast, consider this: Ordering the same items off the menu would cost nearly double (or more) the reasonable mid-twenties tab. Think of it as the Extra Value Meal of haute cuisine.

But don’t let the words “deal” or “steal” distract from what’s on your plate.

On our visit, first course choices were Rico Farm Greens with braised artichokes, red pepper tapenade and basil pesto, or Ricotta Tortellini with sweet peas, mint and aged pecorino. And that’s just for starters.

For the main course, we deliberated for several minutes between the Grilled Hanger Steak with balsamic glaze and bruschetta atop grilled naan, and the Seared Halibut with melted sweet onion and mushroom soy. We confess, we tried it all.

Ditto dessert, which was Milk Chocolate Opera Cake with homemade chocolate ice cream, cocoa nip syrup and chocolate pearls as well as an assortment of Ruben’s Tarts (coconut-pineapple, espresso-chocolate and pecan were the features of this particular day in heaven).

The Prix Fixe selections will change based on the availability of the freshest ingredients and simply the chef’s whims to prepare something different.

Make sure to ask for the electronic wine tablet and take a virtual tour through Charlie Palmer’s amazing wine list, with many great labels available by the glass (it is lunch, after all). But even if you don’t drink, the high-tech wine gadget is fun to play with. Sort by vintage, region, or price and dream of the day that $2,000 bottle of wine won’t make you choke on your cappuccino.

But until then, fine dining doesn’t have to cost an arm and a mortgage.

Pegasus News content partner - Gay List Daily

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