The Landmark Restaurant By Jim White Quite a bit of the proverbial water has flowed under the bridge since last we reported on The Landmark Restaurant in the Melrose Hotel. Ownership, management and chef changes have occurred at the venerable Oak Lawn location. I’m pleased to tell you that everything from soup to nuts has improved (although you’d need to ask for the salty snack next door at the popular Library Bar). The interior of the charming dining room is brighter and fresher. Food and service are of the highest caliber. The ambiance is pleasant as it gets. This is a first-rate setting for an important lunch date. Executive Chef Wiley E. Bates III has created a menu long on easy to like choices. So many tasty soups, salads and starters, though, you may have trouble deciding. Charred tomato bisque with herb cornbread is smoky and wonderful ($5.50). The lobster martini with vermouth-poached rock lobster, Yukon whipped potato, sweet cream and truffle oil is divine ($8.95). Spicy pork dumplings are a treat ($6.25). Other highlights include grilled chicken Caesar ($9.95) and warm spinach salad with goat cheese ($6.50). Main dishes are voluminous. In addition, daily specials are offered. We zeroed right in on a mainstay: Texas BBQ Rubbed Sirloin grilled with summer vegetable hash, horseradish jus and fried Texas “1015” onions ($19). I made the mistake of sharing with my lunch associates and lost most of the sweet, succulent onions because of my generosity. I’ll know better next time. We also enjoyed the smoked salmon wrapped salmon steak with basil pesto whipped potatoes, pink peppercorns and corn coulis ($17). Not tried, but sounding wonderful, is the “Monte Cristo” of salmon gravlax, with Gruyere cheese, spinach and oven dried tomatoes on Texas toast served with sweet potato pommes frites ($11). You can’t have everything! Printed on the menu is a request from management to refrain from smoking and cell phone use. This Landmark, besides being at the corner of Oak Lawn and Cedar Springs, is also on the corner of classy and professional. The Landmark Restaurant 3015 Oak Lawn (214) 522-1453 Send me an Email: jwdineline@aol.com