Thursday, May 26, 2011

South Dallas - The Belmont Hotel

What:  The Belmont Hotel
Where: Dallas, Texas
Driving time from my house:  20 min




Today my "back yard vacation" series continues with a Southern style, down-home getaway in Dallas, Texas.  From our home, we'll drive 20 minutes south for a two-night stay at the Belmont Hotel, a super cute refurbished 1940's motor inn near the up-and-coming Bishop Arts District.

Belmont Hotel




After checking in, we'll visit their cozy cocktail lounge, The Bar Belmont, and enjoy our drinks on the patio, which has possibly the best view of the Dallas skyline. 


After our celebratory sans-children drink at the Bar Belmont, the hubs and I will take a short drive to Tillman's Roadhouse for some real Southern cooking.  When I tell people from Dallas that I've lived here for over three years and never been, they roll their eyes.  After looking at the menu online, I can already tell you what we'll order:  Salmon Ceviche to start and then an order of the Crispy Cornmeal Dusted Housemade Pickles for novelty.  I'll order the Grilled Pork Chop, which is served with coffee-goat cheese grits, shiner bock beer-battered green beans and lemon thyme cream.  Knowing my husband, he'll have a hard time passing up their famous Venison Chili Frito Pie.  Tillman's is also reported to serve the best mac 'n cheese in Dallas, so I may order that for dessert.  It's off the hook, ya'll.

Tillman's Roadhouse

After we've stuffed ourselves to the gills, we'll head to The Brooklyn Jazz Cafe on South Lamar in the Deep Ellum neighborhood for some cool cocktails and hot music. My husband and I love live jazz!


The Brooklyn Jazz Cafe

Back at our hotel for the night!



In the morning, we'll wake up with some coffee and a dip in the pool!  Dallas mornings are warm from April to October and a refreshing dip in the morning is sometimes the only way to cool off. 


After our swim, we'll need food.  Smoke restaurant, which is literally ten paces from the Belmont Hotel's front door, serves a kickin' breakfast.  Coffee and blueberry ricotta cheese pancakes for two please.  After our third cup of coffee, we'll drive to Riverfront Blvd. for some shopping at Lula B's, my favorite vintage consignment store.  Then, because we're history-loving-museum-happy-dorks, we'll spend our afternoon visiting the JFK 6th Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza. We've never been ... and frankly, how can we say that we live in Dallas if we've never been to the famous Book Depository?

The Book Depository above Dealy Plaza
Dinner?  Hattie's in the Bishop Arts District - yet another highly recommended Dallas eatery that I've never been to.  I've been told to order the fried green tomatoes.

Hattie's Restaurant

We'll finish our final night at the Belmont Hotel with a nightcap at Bar Belmont on that magical patio.  And if we plan it right, we might be able to attend Barefoot at the Belmont, an outdoor concert series that runs all summer.  Goodnight Dallas!


Tomorrow, my "back yard vacation" series continues 
as we head uptown for an entirely different look at Dallas, Texas. 

10 comments:

Claudia Fabiana said...

Good Morning, Sarah. The Belmont looks quite interesting. I love the outside architecture, and the indoor spaces are so cool! Have fun!

ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

how cool - thanks for sharing - gonna bookmark this if i ever go!

Suze said...

We almost stayed at the Belmont, once.

JeniferR said...

Very awesome! Thanks for this post!!! This is actually in Oak Cliff...not South Dallas...but no biggie. LOL.

I live in Oak Cliff and have never been to either of these eatiers or to the Belmont. I remember when the Belmont was a nasty old Motel...can't remember the original name. It is truly gorgeous!!

Sarah Greenman said...

Jennifer - I used the "south Dallas" phrase to generally describe the are we want to visit. But yes - the Belmont and Hattie's are both in Oak Cliff. If you try out these restaurants, you'll have to check back and let me know how they are!

XO
Sarah

Sarah Greenman said...

...Ha - that's "area we want to visit"... not "are we want to visit". I'm a lazy typist.

Connie said...

I love the bar at the Belmont. My darling daughter took me there once. Sweet!

Amy - Pride of Place said...

That bathroom is lovely - a luxurious bathroom always makes for a wonderful weekend away :)

Callie Grayson said...

The interior of the Tillman Roadhouse is awesome! that art wall brilliantly done.
xx
callie

JeniferR said...

I will try these out and get back to you! I was also just looking at Smoke and it looks yummy!