Flora Street Cafe

Trying to get a table at this sleek Dallas Arts District restaurant (especially at dinnertime) can be tricky. Which is no surprise, as this is the new flagship restaurant from James Beard Award winning chef Stephan Pyles. And though it may be one of the most beautiful restaurants in the area (think: walls of glass with dazzling views of the Meyerson Symphony Center) you'll probably be too distracted by the Instagram-worthy dishes to notice. But the pretty presentation is only part of the story: Good flavor combinations and cutting-edge cooking techniques are also in play here. Showcasing elevated Texas cuisine, the menu offers up everything from pork barbacoa tacos and lobster tamales to coffee-and-brown sugar marinated Wagyu rib-eye steaks. The wine list is of a caliber to match the food as are the inventive cocktails. Don't skip dessert, not-to-be-missed is the chocolate sponge cake with hazelnut cream.