The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, which opened in August 1980, offers Dallas diners a taste of how high society lived.
Celebrated chef Dean Fearing, credited with developing Southwestern cuisine, led the kitchen for 20 years (1987-2007) before departing to open his own. A succession of talented chefs followed.
Texas-born executive chef Sebastien Archambault, who previously worked at the Park Hyatt New York City, now leads the restaurant. The restaurant offers New American cuisine with French influences.
The Mansion Restaurant and Rosewood Mansion Hotel are on the former estate of Sheppard W. King, a wealthy cotton magnate. During the Roaring Twenties, King traveled Western Europe with his wife and architect, collecting antiques and inspiration for their 10,000-square-foot Italian Renaissance-inspired home.
The palatial King estate opened in 1925. It features a marble staircase in the foyer, stained glass windows, hand-carved fireplaces, a silver vault in the basement, and the first private elevator in Dallas.
Ten years later, the King family lost their fortune and sold the estate to Freeman Burford, who made his wealth in the oil business.
The following year, Mr. Buford hosted President Franklin D. Roosevelt and later famed playwright Tennessee Williams. From the late '40s to the late '70s, several corporations used the estate before the Dallas-based Rosewood Corporation rescued it, investing $21 million to restore the home and add a luxury hotel.
In 2020, Rosewood Mansion was voted the best hotel in Texas in the Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards. The Mansion Restaurant remains one of the best restaurants in Dallas.
First Impressions
I pulled into The Mansion Restaurant's tree-covered driveway a few minutes before 11 a.m. on a Saturday in midsummer. A friendly valet greeted me and took care of the car.
Entering The Mansion Restaurant felt like entering an Italian villa. Marble floors shone beneath my feet, and a cantilevered staircase hung from the wall above.
Two ornately carved 16th-century Rosa Verona marble columns procured from Italy form a striking entrance to the main dining room (originally the home's living room and library).
I arrived a little early, and no one was at the host stand to greet me, so I looked into the Mansion Bar to the right.
The foyer's elegance extended into the dimly lit two-room bar, originally the estate's kitchen and dining room. In one nook sat a grand piano.
I made a mental note to return for drinks on a future trip to Dallas, so I could soak up the sexy setting and try the much-talked-about Mansion gin and tonic. Happy hour at the Mansion Bar runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and live music is available on weekends.
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Brunch
Back in the foyer, a host greeted me and offered me a choice of seating in the dining room or on the veranda. Once I saw the sunlight pouring into the latter, I knew that's where I wanted to enjoy my first brunch at The Mansion Restaurant.
Light jazz played, and diners chatted at a few tables as they finished breakfast (hotel guests, perhaps?). When they left, I was thankful to have such a stunning space to myself.
Curious, I asked my waiter if it was always this quiet for Saturday brunch, and he explained that many locals were out of town on summer vacation.
The Mansion's one-page brunch menu offers a wide variety of options. There are the standard mimosas, margaritas, and Bloody Marys, as well as an award-winning wine list. But as my day in Dallas was only getting started, I got a less intoxicating cappuccino.
You can order à la carte or save a few bucks with the prix-fixe tasting menu, which includes a starter, entree, and dessert for $52. I took the deal and overindulged.
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Tortilla Soup
My first course, The Mansion Restaurant's signature tortilla soup, wasn't on the brunch menu; I learned about it from the waiter.
The smoky, moderately spicy soup, thick with chicken, aged cheddar, avocado, and tortilla strips, was poured into my bowl at the table.
Other appealing starters on the brunch menu include:
- Vanilla yogurt parfait with granola, wildflower honey, and fresh berries
- Apple bacon cakes with bourbon whipped cream
- White gazpacho with blue crab and avocado mousse
- Raisin pecan French toast with orange mascarpone cream and spiced pecan
Brisket Benedict
My entree was a Texas take on eggs Benedict: smoked brisket Benedict with a biscuit, sweet piquillo peppers, and bearnaise sauce. It was served with colorful tomatoes and fried potatoes.
If you're trying to avoid a food coma after brunch, one of their other main courses may suit you better:
- Omelet with fresh goat cheese, smokehouse bacon, spinach, and asparagus
- Texas Breakfast with biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, and potatoes
- Prime burger with a sunny-side-up egg, white cheddar, and truffle fries
- Huevos rancheros
Related: Where To Get Brunch in Austin
Bread Pudding
I also took my waiter's recommendation for dessert and ordered the croissant bread pudding with pecans, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and caramel sauce.
The bread pudding arrived fresh from the oven, begging to be savored spoonful by spoonful. I made it halfway through before I had to tap out, too full to continue.
Additional desserts include cinnamon churros with dulce de leche, honey creme brulee with a lavender cookie, and a trio of seasonal ice creams and sorbets.
Overall, I had a fantastic brunch at The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. I lucked out on timing and had the sunny veranda to myself. The contemporary American cuisine was terrific, and the prix-fixe menu is an excellent value.
When the Michelin Guide begins awarding stars in Texas, The Mansion Restaurant deserves one. The atmosphere reminded me a little of dining at La Leggenda dei Frati in Florence.
I look forward to more experiences at The Mansion in the future. There's a happy hour G&T at the bar and perhaps the chef's seasonal tasting menu with wine pairing for dinner in the dining room.
Visit The Mansion Restaurant
- Address: 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
- Dress Code: Smart casual
- Reservations: Highly recommended via OpenTable.
- Website: rosewoodhotels.com
