Area dining - the Holidays by Darryl Beeson The area's communities offer both great new dining and proven places not to  be forgotten. With all of life's distraction, too often we notice neither. I  built this small list of a few exceptional destinations. The following are  for this New Year's/holiday season and beyond. Coming soon, a column  containing a list of newer restaurant entries and proven stars, such as  Tramontana, Al Biernat's and the return of The Deep Ellum Cafe. Grape Expectations- Celebrate New Year's Eve at Dallas' most celebrated romantic restaurant, The Grape at 2808 Greenville Avenue, with an elegant four-course dinner at $55 per person (tax & gratuity not included). The menu, prepared by Executive Chef Michael Weinstein, includes a complimentary Champagne toast. Reservations are recommended via 214-828-1981. Room with a view-Chef Anthony Bombaci is noted as one of four chefs to  watch by Esquire Magazine. Watch his preparations unfold,as well as the  spectacular view, at The Hilton Anatole's Nana Bar, offering a New Years's  buffet at $120 per person from 9:00pm-11:00pm, reservations are available  for bar table seating (subject to availability). To make hotel reservations,  call 214-761-7500 and request the Nana NYE Rate. For dinner or party  reservations, call 214-761-7470. The Chef also has a more serious, gourmet  course offering in the adjoining five star restaurant, one being a lighter  first seating, followed by a more resounding later seating, priced  accordingly. Complete menus are available at www.nanarestaurant.com. Nana is recognized as one of the nation's Top 50 restaurants by Gourmet  Magazine, awarded Five-Stars in cuisine by The Dallas Morning News, rated  Four-Stars by the Mobil Travel Guide and Four Diamonds by AAA. “007…FOREVER COOL”- Spend New Year’s Eve at Hotel ZaZa and ring in 2007 a la Bond, James Bond. Things start in Dragonfly Restaurant with a creative  dinner developed by Executive Chef Marc Cassel featuring his signature  “collision cuisine.” A four-course menu will be served at two separate  seatings (5-6:30 p.m. $90 per person; 7-11 p.m. $150 per person), including  a special surprise course, Champagne toast and admission into Urban Oasis  “007…Forever Cool” New Year’s Eve celebration Beginning at 9:00 p.m. and continuing into the wee hours of the New Year,  guests enjoy high energy at Urban Oasis and the world of Bond at the  “007…Forever Cool” New Year’s Eve celebration, so dress to impress in black  and white. Indulge in a martini “shaken not stirred” and dance to DJ Eddie  Murphy. Included are party favors, 007 movies, entertainment surprises and a  complimentary Champagne toast in a keepsake ZaZa Champagne glass, all for a  $20 cover charge plus the cash bar. The hotel is located at 2332 Leonard  Street and reservations can be made by calling (214)468-8399, or at www.hotelzaza.com. A. Mora, A. Mora- Consider New Years with Executive Chef Amador Mora at Trece (4513 Travis Street, 214-780-1900 or www.trecerestaurant.com). First  seating reservations are from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and will include a  four-course dinner at $100 per person (tax & gratuity not included). The  Gala New Year's Eve dinner will begin at 9:30 p.m. with a sumptuous  five-course dinner, including a sixth course of homemade Mexican chocolates  at $150 per person (tax & gratuity not included). Trece's inaugural New  Year's Eve party includes a complimentary Champagne toast, party hats,  noisemakers and the music of DJ David Douglas. Cash in on their selection of  over 120 fine tequilas, welcoming 2007 in grand style. Chef Mora, formerly of The Mansion on Turtle Creek, offers an innovative,  modern Mexican interpretation of dishes of his native heritage. Created by  partners Robert Colombo, Billy Solomon and pro golfer Tommy Armour III, the  restaurant is highlighted by a year-round 50-seat glass enclosed patio, and  is an anytime destination. Cards, the dealin's done- This holiday season, The Smith & Wollensky  Restaurants offer a unique angle with gift cards. For every $100 gift card  purchased now through December 31, 2006, receive a $25 bonus card valid from  January 1, 2007 to April 30, 2007. Mention promo code swrgih25 at the Smith  & Wollensky (18438 Dallas Parkway (972)930-9200), or order online at  www.smithandwollensky.com. Smith & Wollensky Gift Cards are valid at all 15  restaurants located around the country. Purchased gift cards are not valid  for same day use. (Editor's note: The Dallas Smith & Wollensky has announced it will be closing after December 31). Eats meets best- Dining Part Two The area's communities offer both great new dining and proven places not to be forgotten. With all of life's distraction, too often we notice neither. I built this small list of a few exceptional destinations. Tramontana, named for the wind that blows over the Pyrenees, is in a familiar Park Cities shopping center (8220 Westchester Dr., 214-368-4188). Chef/owner James Neel is famous for wild mushroom soufflé, caramelized salmon with lemongrass beurre blanc, potato-crusted calamari, lobster-whipped potatoes, risotto, crab cakes and award winning Caesar salad (American Institute of Wine & Food). The intimate establishment offers Neel (formerly of Al Biernat’s) a stage. When pears are in season, order the pear, walnut, bacon and Roquefort salad. Al Biernat's is much more than a great steakhouse (4217 Oaklawn Ave., 214-219-2201). The menu rises well above the traditional grill menu, with popular entrees such as Pan Seared Sea Bass over Lobster Risotto, Australian Cold Water Lobster Tail, Veal Osso Bucco, Colorado Lamb Chops or Elk Filet, as well as hand-selected, aged beef from Allen Brothers of Chicago. The extensive wine list offers over 650 rare selections (10,000 bottle cellar) and Sommelier Todd Lincicome's expertise. Athough the restaurant is near Dallas' Highland Park, home to Hunts and Cheneys, an oil fortune or a White House side-office is not required to secure a steak at Al Biernat's. This is the place for celebrity watching. Sevy’s Grill, since 1997, offers the finest quality with creative American fare. The menu features steaks, seafood, pastas and daily specials. A wood burning grill, using hickory and mesquite woods, adds a special culinary taste. Try the goat cheese crostini, with diced roma tomatoes and fresh shredded basil atop the fresh goat cheese, the spinach and five-grain salad mixed with warm kashi, barley and other nutty morsels with red cabbage, arugula, spinach and buttermilk blue cheese, as well as the citrus chicken. The décor is a contemporary design, by Paul Draper, with influence from Frank Lloyd Wright (i.e., stone walls, wood floor and earth tone color palette). Jim (Sevy) Severson , Executive Chef/Owner along with Michael (Buzzy) Zeve, Chef/Partner and Jimmy Fell, General Manager/Owner are the A-team (8201 Preston Rd., Ste 100, 866-412-3551). Adelmo's, a charmingly romantic two-story restaurant on the edge of the Park Cities (4537 Cole Ave., 214-559-0325) is more Mediterranean than Italian in the the menu. The standout dishes include the cities' best home-styled veal osso buco, ravioli Florentine, steak tartar (or salmon), blue cheese gnocchi and grilled Mediterranean-style salmon. The wine list is well-selected and reasonably priced with a good number of choices available by the glass. At lunch, this is the hang-out of the area's wine industry representatives. Texas Caribbean Foods, the newest restaurant entry on the list is somewhat burried basement level in the fascinating Southside on Lamar building, an artistic, eclectic residential community south of downtown. Jamaican patties (chicken, beef or veggie), true Jamaican wings, spiced up salads and bread pudding, among other treats. Jan Gore, famous from The State Fair of Texas food offerings, is now open year round at South Side on Lamar (1409 South Lamar, Dallas, 75215 214-485-7040). From jerked turkey legs to Jamaican patties, her Texas Caribbean Foods offers a selection of true Jamaican flavors, as well as some deliciously Americanized taste treats for those who aren't quite ready to spice it up. texascaribbeanfoods.com Central 214, is positioned within The Hotel Palomar’s urban resort luxury mixed-use development. This new restaurant, according to plan, has evolved with the seasons to feature the freshest seafood, local produce and a generous selection of steak. Select menu items are slow cooked on an exhibition-styled rotisserie. Chef Thomas Fleming has a history of working closely with regional purveyors across the country to regularly fly in fresh ingredients to heighten the authenticity of this true American menu (5680 North Central Expressway at Mockingbird Lane, southeastern corner of Central Expressway at Mockingbird, 866-610-6221). Deep Ellum Cafe, Elm Street landmark of the '80s and '90s has reopened in its original spot (2706 Elm St., 214-744-2233), which until recently housed Puppet Lounge and Tarantino's Deep Ellum. Many of the original dishes (including Southern-fried steak and chicken with dumplings) join new creations on the menu. New chef Jared Coffey has stints at Oceanaire Seafood Room, French Room, Aurora and Catalina Room. The kitchen will be staying open until 1AM on Friday and Saturday. Whit Meyers holds court and steers the wine list. Craft Dallas, celebrates meat from artisanal ranchers, dayboat fish and freshly picked vegetables. Many favorites from the Craft New York menu are also prepared by Chef de Cuisine Kevin Maxey including Braised Beef Short Ribs, Gnocchi and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms. Chef/owner Tom Colicchio comments, "I've always been attracted to Dallas because it has an amazing food culture." Located near Downtown, Uptown and Turtle Creek, within The W Hotel Dallas in the middle of Victory Park (2440 Victory Park Ln., 214-397-4111). Clay Pit, serving Contemporary Indian Cuisine (4460 Beltline Road, 972-233-0111 or visit www.claypit.com) such as their Tin Baar sampler. Tin Baar translates to "three times," and these entrees feature grilled chicken, lamb or pork marinated in Indian spices, served in a trio of favorite sauces: Tikka Masala, Cream of Garlic and Cream of Spinach. All of these entrees are served with a choice of turmeric and cumin roasted vegetables or red potatoes. Blackfinn Restaurant & Saloon, redefines the Irish/American saloon experience (4440 Beltline Rd., 469-374-7667). Sports bar goes to white tablecloths and mahogany finishes. BlackFinn represents a new standard of chef-inspired fine dining, along with high quality versions of traditional bar food, resulting in food fun with drink in hand. For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright © 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.