REVIEW: Pyramid, Dallas, Texas
As the doors swing open under a porte-cochère fit for kings and queens, a gentle hand ushers you into the lobby. Welcome to Fairmont Dallas.
Located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, this beautiful hotel is known for wowing guests with great service within its luxurious surroundings, yet slightly unknown for their exceptional cuisine. Until now.
My latest dining endeavor brought me to the Pyramid Restaurant and Bar in hopes of finding out more about the restaurant that was known for bringing in some of the biggest names in the Lone Star State.
Texas cuisine prides itself on local produce, but never before have I seen an herb and vegetable garden that sits atop the hotel to exclusively used by its signature restaurant.
With 3,000 square feet of lush greenery, the chefs can pick and choose the freshest ingredients day in and day out—it shows in the freshly prepared dishes coming out of the kitchen.
We started the evening off with cocktails that impressed upon sight. The highlight being a drink housed in a metallic pineapple—perfectly blending citrus, blackberry, pineapple with vodka and earl grey tea.
The sweet, yet subtly strong drink was one that could be enjoyed throughout the evening or all day long. Check out the pool at the Fairmont Dallas. Hint, hint.
As an appetizer, steamed clams proved light and refreshing, as they sat above cous cous and grilled sweet onions—while the toasted bruschetta enhanced the flavor of the buttery base.
Then came the Pyramid salad.
The smoked onion vinaigrette paired perfectly with pickled shallots and shaved radishes creating a combination of smoky and salty undertones that provided a unique flavor pairing unbeknownst to my palate.
Next, we had to try some of the new menu items that will be gracing Pyramid Restaurant. I'm so glad you will all have the opportunity to try this on a full plate.
A homemade corn tortellini sat aside bay scallop, bacon, and a pickled sun chip. Although small (everything's bigger in Texas, right?), the ratatouille sauce spread beneath the ingredients packed a strong flavor profile and forced you to ask if there was more. A beautiful dish with deep coloration and one that could be eaten over and over.
Out came the roasted Lamb Loin—resting atop apple compote, braised red cabbage and grilled mushrooms.
The highlight of the evening and easily capturing the essence of the exquisite cuisine that Pyramid offers. The cabbage provided a subtle briny flavor that worked in unison with apples, mushrooms and lamb. A surprising aspect of the dish was the inclusion of a dried pear chip that was brittle to the touch, but juicy and flavorful upon eating.
We also decided to order a duck breast that sat aside Texas peaches with a beautiful remoulade that was similar to the lamb au jus. Stellar.
In addition, the pairing of bread pudding and chimichurri, made it easy to see why the dish not only looked good, but was even better upon taste. Both of these entrees are immediate recommendations and dishes I would travel exclusively for.
To end the evening with dessert, we obviously had to go with deconstructed s’mores. All that was missing in the description was "essence of campfire."
Beautifully plated, the dessert was composed of dark chocolate, graham cracker soil, smoked caramel, (guess this'll do for "campfire essence") topped off with melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow gelato. The dessert's main component was a fire tuile that gave an elegant flair and incomparable crunch to its soft and chewy counterparts. If you're a chocolate lover or even a marshmallow fan, this is a dish you must get. Simply amazing one more pic is in order.
Attentive, friendly service paired with exquisite cuisine is always reason for an unforgettable evening. The Pyramid has perfected both and is a secret spot in Dallas that you must try out. But hurry before reservations are hard to come by!
Always available by foot and Uber, but should you take the Bentley, complimentary valet parking is available.