Dinner at Abacus, Dallas
Posted on Jan 31, 2012 under Archives | No Comment
Abacus main dining room
I recently visited the Lone Star State and had to sample one of Dallas’ most famous restaurants, Kent Rathbun’s Abacus. Rathbun’s flagship restaurant opened in 1999 and has been a local favorite for years, earning many awards. The eclectic menu is a mix of dishes with American, Southwestern and Pacific Rim influences. Once you enter, to the right is the upscale bar with rectangular leather chairs perfect for lounging and enjoying one of the restaurants many specialty cocktails.
Abacus Bar
We sat in the modern main dining room in a luxurious high booth in full view of the expansive open kitchen. The adjoining back jagged wall next to our booth was made from Texas limestone and colorful artwork from the staff adorned the interior area.
The menu offers a wide variety of sushi, steak, and seafood dishes. We opted for the six course tasting menu – but if you are really hungry Abacus also offers a larger nine course tasting option (adding a cheese, sushi and foie gras course).
yummy bread
A huge basket of homemade bread was brought to our table. We loved the assortment of onion, olive, flatbread and biscuits.
hamachi sashimi
Our first course was a refreshing hamachi sashimi, served with mango and jicama with a grapefruit granita topping.
Hawaiian walu
Next came a lovely seared Hawaiian Walu with sugar snap peas and a Wagyu beef dumpling over a spicy white soy lemongrass broth. We loved this dish.
seared scallops
Our third course was buttery seared scallops over a salsify tagliatelle with guanciale carbonara. This was a very rich dish and my fave of the night.
In between the fish courses (above) and the meat courses (below) came a nice surprise, a mini-course of a raspberry sorbet, ginger and blueberry plate.
sorbet
Our fourth course was a perfectly cooked filet of buffalo with spoon bread over a turnip brulee with a cherry syrup. Matt’s fave of the night.
Buffalo over turnip puree
Our final meat course was also perfectly cooked – a medium rare piece of lamb over brussel sprouts, bacon and pears.
lamb
Our last course was the chocolate indulgence, a chocoholic dessert with a chocolate almond financier, gianduja mousse and cocoa macaroons.
chocolate indulgence
I highly recommend stopping in at Abacus for a leisurely high end meal in a relaxed upscale atmosphere the next time you find yourself in the Dallas area. Just make sure to make a reservation beforehand – located at 4511 McKinney Avenue, reservations at 214/559-3111.