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| City Hall Bistro inside the storied Adolphus Hotel (photo c/o Steven Visneau) |
Last week, The Adolphus hotel quietly opened City Hall Bistro, overseen by Director of Culinary Chef Darren Anklam. Opening on the site of Dallas’s original City Hall, the Southern European-inspired bistro features shareable fare, an approachable wine list, and craft cocktails housed in a bright space ideal for a stylish power lunch, dinner with friends, or a satisfying solo meal. Open for all-day dining, including daily breakfast, weekend brunch and happy hour Monday through Friday, the restaurant showcases menu selections meant to be shared and intended to create a layered meal, offering guests the freedom to sample many small plates or order in a more traditional, coursed fashion. A new entrance on Main Street allows both interior and street-level access to the restaurant. “In creating a collection of experiences with broad appeal across The Adolphus we are focused on transcending the traditional hotel restaurant scene, with a goal to make City Hall a destination for both hotel guests and locals alike,” said Anthony Cournia, The Adolphus’s General Manager of Food & Beverage Operations.
Signature small-plate dishes from Chef Flores’s menu include Grilled Baby Leeks with creamy Romesco and hazelnut crumble, as well as Squid Ink Pasta served with smoked paprika-marinated squid and garlic aioli. Other highlights include large-format dishes and recipes inspired by traditional Spanish techniques such as Whole Branzino (my personal favorite) served semi deboned and butterflied with shaved fennel and arugula in a sumac vinaigrette, and Paella Valenciana with housemade chorizo, organic local chicken, seasonal vegetables, and Gulf Coast shellfish. An approachable wine list, local brews on tap, and full bar round out the experience, with signature cocktails standout such as Lilly’s Tonic, comprised of London Dry Gin and housemade tonic; A Bitter Night, incorporating rye whiskey, vermouth, coffee-steeped Campari; and Much Like Provence, mixing genever, fresh lemon, and lavender sugar.
Designed by local Dallas-based SWOON, the studio, City Hall Bistro delivers a well-appointed space meticulously restored and thoughtfully designed to recapture the timeless elegance of The Adolphus. Clad in glossy white subway tile and Carrara marble, City Hall Bistro is accented by warm wood tones and brass lighting fixtures, creating a chic environment that gives a nod to the classic while still feeling fresh and modern. The Adolphus continues to bring timeless culture to the Dallas area as it has for over 100 years. The ambitious and authentic transformation across the culinary offerings at the hotel ushers in a new era, ensuring this unique urban destination continues to be a compelling part of the Dallas community and offers the warm and gracious atmosphere and thoughtful curation that today’s discerning traveler desires.
For more information on The Adolphus, please visit www.adolphus.com.
