There are jokes made about how some women claim, “shopping is my cardio”. All jokes aside, shopping can take its toll on you, especially if you start off on an empty stomach.
Some angry shopper somewhere was tired of dealing with dropping blood sugar levels in the dressing room and decided to put a restaurant in her favorite shopping destination. This trend started catching on and now some of the best shops boast some of the best restaurants.
Dallas, the city that has everything, is no exception. More and more boutique and eatery pairs are popping up. Here is a run down of the best shop-and-eat excursions the city has to offer.
T Room at Forty Five Ten
Since it opened its doors in 2000, Forty Five Ten has earned a reputation as Dallas’ premiere boutique location. The shop has become such a Dallas staple that it is soon to relocate from its modest McKinney Avenue location to a spot five times larger on the newly-revived Main Street in downtown Dallas. New door to the boutique’s top-notch offerings lays the T Room restaurant. The eatery features a fabulous selection of sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as seasonal offerings. The tuna melt is famous and the tortilla soup is a personal favorite of mine. Whatever you choose, this is the perfect spot to pick up a delectable lunch and a killer pair of shoes.
Nordstrom Bistro at Nordstrom North Park Center
Nordstrom is known for it renowned customer service and wide selection of items for every price range. While this may seem like an average place to grab lunch, don’t judge to quickly. Each Nordstrom restaurant is different, but the one down the street at North Park Center caters more to the sit-down crowd looking to kick their feet up after tackling the three floors the store boasts. The warm Asian glazed chicken salad is to die for. Seriously, it is the best Asian salad I have found in Dallas thus far. Their pizzas are also greatly revered and their sautéed chicken and angle hair pasta dish is another personal favorite. At the Nordstrom Bistro you can have your cake, plus a side of everyday buys.
The Mermaid Bar at Neiman Marcus North Park Center
Some can take the burden of a long shopping trip, others cannot. For those that need a breath of fresh air mid way, there is The Mermaid Bar. The triple grilled cheese is unlike anything else I’ve ever had. The salmon dish is the perfect thing to recharge you for the stores ahead. The Mermaid Bar boasts more then just great food. The Neiman Marcus pit stop is even more renown for the refreshments the Dallas famous bartender, Jose Mejia, can whip up. Almost everything that goes into your glass is handmade, including the orange juice you would find in a mimosa or the freshly grated horseradish in your Bloody Mary. No matter your poison of choice, The Mermaid Bar is the perfect place to rewind and reboot before you face the rest of your shopping ventures.
