2900 By Jim White When Dallas dining gets compared to Houston, many people bemoan the lack of really good independent neighborhood restaurants here.  There may be a lot of flash and cash corporate dining in Big D and far too many chain restaurants for my taste, but I’m happy to report another gem in the Uptown area of Dallas. 2900 in the State-Thomas neighborhood is a welcome addition to the urban landscape and adds another unique, independent restaurant to the Dallas dining scene. 2900 is a funky, industrial chic, upscale casual dining establishment serving tasty and creative New American cuisine.  Live jazz on the weekend makes it even cooler.  If you’ve had a chance to cruise the neighborhood you may be familiar with 2900’s sibling restaurant across the street, Thomas Avenue Beverage Company:  TABC.   Put that one in the plus category for unique dining in Dallas, too, come to think of it. TABC is bar and grill.  2900 is fine dining, with good, friendly service and a very serviceable wine list.  It’s an eclectic crowd, too.  On our visits we’ve seen everyone from the tragically hip, singles, young marrieds, middle aged dining denizens and adventurous older diners enjoying themselves in the slick uptown setting. Executive Chef Mike Smith and crew are on display behind a big picture window to the kitchen as nightly specials and tantalizing features from an ambitious and well-executed menu fly out to satisfied diners. We almost ordered seconds on the grilled artichoke hearts appetizer both times we had it.  Artichokes remain one of the most sensual dining pleasures.  These are served in a lemon pepper beurre blanc with bits of Parmesan.  Regardless of what your mother said, DO dip your bread into that heavenly sauce.  Other fairly standard choices include crab cakes and fried calamari.  Another offering not seen on the starters “list of usual suspects”, though, is 2900’s sausages with roasted peppers, Kalamata olives, black pepper rustico and cherry mozzarella.  Fun and approachable main courses include “Lazy Ravioli”—the pasta hasn’t been formed into the little ravioli purses—with lobster, corn, red bell peppers, scallions and a saffron cream sauce.  It was sweet, tactile and nearly sensational with a Caymus Conundrum.  The Terriyaki marinated chicken breast with snow peas, carrots, Napa cabbage and bean sprouts in a wasabi dressing literally sang-out with crunch and tangy flavors. On a red wine evening, the Manchego stuffed beef tenderloin with scrumptious chorizo cheese grits and a bone-in NY strip with heavenly blackberry and mission fig demi glace were exceptional with a Schlumberger Merlot. More hearty choices include the grilled bone-in ribeye and the smoked cheddar, poblano and mushroom stuffed pork loin.  Interesting sides and sauces highlight all the dishes. Seafood selections included grilled tuna with warm two cabbage and jicama slaw with habanero vinaigrette in a citrus beurre blanc, and what I call the “Caribbean tour”, sixteen spiced halibut with black beans and rice in a mango and roasted onion sauce with fried plantains. A major criticism has nothing to do with food or service.  It is the proximity of the smoking section to diners in this 15 table restaurant.  How about in your face?  Dining starts right at the edge of the bar and smoke wafts all the way to the back, so there really isn’t a non-smoking section in the restaurant.  The food is serious enough.  It should be given the consideration of not having to fight second hand smoke—not to mention the poor diners! Don’t expect the broad parking lots of the “corporate” restaurants.  2900 and TABC share a tiny parking lot, so street parking is the rule rather than the exception.  I didn’t observe any valet parking offered on either visit.  2900 is named for its street address, 2900 Thomas Avenue at Allen in State-Thomas.  It’s open for dinner only Tuesday through Saturday nights.  Phone 214-303-0400 for reservations.  The place bustles when it’s busy, and it’s almost too loud to hear yourself think on a Saturday night before the joint starts jumping with the Jazz Doctors. On the KRLD Restaurant Show Review Scale of One to Five Forks, 2900 Rates 4 Forks. Food is 4 Forks Service is 3 and a half Forks Atmosphere is 3 and a half Forks Price is expensive with entrées ranging from $13 to $28. Send me an Email: jwdineline@aol.com