This is a guest post by Alyssa Gardina.

Knox/Henderson are nice, but sometimes you want something a little different. Discover ten places for date nights in Dallas not in Uptown or on Knox/Henderson.

One of the great things about the many restaurants we have in Dallas is finding things that are a bit off the beaten track. And, so, as a follow-up to Josh’s article of the most romantic restaurants in Dallas, I’d like to put forth a list of date night destinations with a different perspective, with some locations that will make your date (him, her, whatever) say “wow.”

1. Lucia
If you’ve got the time to plan ahead, and you’re really looking to impress that certain someone, Lucia is the place to go. A newbie to the growing Bishop Arts District dining scene (no comments about the neighborhood’s safety here, thanks), Lucia’s wine list, authentic Italian menu selections and amazing service have pushed it to the top of the date night list for many Dallas foodies. Caveat: they’re already booked for June, so if you’re looking to head there sometime soon, you’re better off heading to the bar or hoping for a cancellation. The wait, though, is totally worth it.

Learn about nine more Dallas date restaurants.

You only have one chance to make a first impression as my Old Man always used to say. So why, why, why do guys STILL insist on mediocre dinner & a movie dates to take ladies out for the first go-around? Or even worse, the dreaded, “Let’s grab a cup of coffee” dates. Sure, sitting there antsy with a case of the runs & the shakes is EXACTLY how I want my date to go back to her friends and describe me as. No. Here in Dallas, we have more restaurants per person than New York friggin City, so we’ve put together a comprehensive list of some of the most romantic restaurants in the Dallas, TX, that’ll leave her wondering what’s for dessert, instead of where’s the check. Check it out.

Here are nine more romantic restaurants in Dallas, TX.

Experiencing  good Mexican food is like watching a sunset, it’s one of those “you had to be there events.” You’ve seen 1000s of sunsets, but they all start to blend together in your mind after a while. You try and capture that one special sunset you’ve seen many times before in a photo, but it never quite illustrates the mouth dropping, awe-inspiring feeling you got when you saw it live.

This is the same with taste bud memories. Mexican food and Tex-Mex are made from the same ingredients, ground beef, tortillas, flour, corn, and cheese, yet some places mix it better than others.

With Texas being so close to the border, it makes sense that we would have our share of Mexican restaurants. Dallas is home to many popular, and well-known Mexican restaurants as well as ma and pa taquerías.  Food, much like art, is something you can definitely get a lot of opinions on. After surveying 1200 Facebook friends, and 3000 Twitter followers and receiving 27 responses on Facebook and six responses on Twitter, I came up with a list. This list is brought to you by my friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Best Dallas Mexican & Tex-Mex Food Restaurants in 2010

This survey took place previous (March 2010) to all the new taco places which popped up in Dallas: Rockin’ Taco, Rusty Taco, the Urban Taco in Uptown, many of which aren’t full fledged Dallas Mexican food restaurants . Enjoy!

“El Mercado and Cocina Mexicana. The restaurant is located in downtown Dallas, in the heart of the Farmer’s Market on S. Pearl, between Marilla and Taylor Streets and convenient to Central Expy. Concina Mexicana  is the sister restaurant of Dos Panchas,” mentioned Gregg Hollis.

“For a basic chain I like El Fenix. They have good cheese and onion enchiladas, and their Tres Leches is pretty authentic actually. I do like some local stuff but not in Dallas proper,” said Janice A. Sloan Moran

“Luna de Noche…makes my mouth water just thinking of it ,” commented Kristen Ogle Krager

“My top picks are javier’s, matittos or uncle julios,” says Brian Biggie Small.

“Ojedas on Maple. Killer margaritas,” stated Rafael De La Cruz

“Urban Taco at Mockingbird Station is really good. More authentic Mexican cuisine as opposed to the Tex-Mex,”commented Maria Hernandez

“There is a whole in the wall place called Mexicali’s at the corner of Jupiter and NW HWY. They have the best table salsa and great fajitas,” exclaimed Rachel Hall

“Cantina Laredo is delish! (Located at Preston and Royal),” according to Dallas Socialites

“Mias off lemmon Ave. Next to bobs chop house. Looks like an old house. Been around forever. Really strong margaritas. Great food fast service,” commented Levi Hilton.

“I would strongly say Mia’s, Desperados, and Matt’s Rancho Martinez. Mia’s: straight awesome food and a great family/chill vibe. Matt’s: cool vibe and also good fam/laid back vibe. AWESOME patio in the summer/spring! Desperados: the Desperados Tacos………..best thing ever! You can split them with a friend for like $8 with a delish cerveza or rita. So awesome,”explained Lindsey Paine-Mcgehee

“CHUYS Rocks! They have both a fresh as well as a warm roasted salsa, home made tortillas, the Chica Chica Boom Boom Enchiladas and I’m pretty sure Elvis would approve of the DEEP FRIED AVACADO!!! YUMMMMMM,” according to Pegasus Dallas

“Chuy’s and Nacho Bar are Totally awesome because they have a fun and colorful atmosphere, Good drink specials, and Nacho bar was free during certain hours and loaded with anything you could imagine,” says Melissa Matheson. She also loves the taquitos & rice.

Best Dallas Mexican & Tex-Mex Food: Editor’s Picks

Below is a list with a quick review of each of the best Dallas Mexican & Tex-Mex restaurants and what makes them special. I’ve sampled and frequented these places often since moving to Dallas five years ago, each for different reasons, so I feel they are consistent with what they offer.  There is something special about the way these particular places mix these. Each have their own special dish I’ve tried to highlight below.

Pepe’s & Mito’s Mexican Cafe – Their Wine Chipotle Enchiladas make cheese taste like a delicacy fit for a king. (no website) Yelp

Manny’s Tex-Mex Restaurante – Great tortilla chips, cool patio, and cheese tacos to dye for. website.

Mattio’s Cafe Mexicano – Amazing all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet and bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch. Inexpensive beef fajitas for lunch. website

Desperados Mexican Restaurant- This place has the best value for beef fajitas in town. They don’t charge extra for cheese, guacamole, or extra corn tortillas.  website

El Fenix – The fastest and best service when you’re in a rush.  El Fenix is also very inexpensive.  website

Photo Credit: CookingwithKimberly.com

In honor of Fat Tuesday last week which marks the end of the week-long celebration of Mardi Gras, I thought I would put together a list of some of my favorite restaurants and bars in Dallas seasonally serving fresh steamed crawfish. Anyone who knows me, knows I could eat seafood seven days a week, but not just any seafood. I have a particular fondness for Cajun-style crawfish.   In 2001, I was walking the streets of New Orleans around Bourbon Street, and my friends decided to get our palms read. In a past life I was a fisherman, according to the street palmist who was an ex-professor and PHD academic. This may have something to do with wanting to work with my hands for my food. After five years of living in Dallas proper and five years of living near Dallas (Denton), I feel I’ve eaten my share of mud bugs to have an educated opinion. This list is a mixed bag, yes there are some chain restaurants and bars listed as well as one which may not be considered a “cajun restaurant.” When crawfish are in season and a restaurant or bar offer them, I don’t care what they are listed under in the Yellowpages.

• Nate’s Seafood and Steakhouse - This place is known for their crawfish. Located north of Dallas in Addison, every weekend people of all cultures, colors, and creeds pack their doors and get on their waiting list for some of the most authentic mud bugs. You have to pay extra for the turbo spice, but it’s worth it with all the extra add-ons which come complementary (hush puppies and well-oiled crispy bread loaves). If anyone asks me where to get the best crawfish in town when in season, I tell him/her Nate’s. It’s a well-rounded place with something on the menu anyone can enjoy.
• Al’s Hideaway (**Edit: Location Closed**) - For a bar, this place has hands-down the best crawfish. They get major points mostly because every order does not only come with corn and potatoes, but comes with garlic cloves which really add to the experience. They have managed to cook the bugs in a way which doesn’t disintegrate the meat while spicing it just enough (Pappadeaux’s over-spices their crawfish to a point of awkward annoyance). Like Nate’s Al’s Hideaway is also located in Addison.
• Dodie’s- Excellent etouffee any time of the year, Dodie’s is a Dallas, Greenville Avenue fixture I read about for years on the Internet before giving it a try. After discovering their wide selection, friendly staff, and of course, excellent crawfish, I’ve been back many times since .
• Razzoo’s – This chain restaurant may have a Richardson address, but it’s classic and has all the fixins’ of a mom and pop restaurant. For years I would drive with friends to the Razzoo’s in Lewisville every other weekend while crawfish were in season when I lived in Denton.
• Hooter’s – Not necessary known for their seafood or crawfish, this wing-centric restaurant and bar may not have crawfish for very long, but Hooter’s does a great job of cooking clean, fresh mud bugs with little regard for cheesy alligator toys.

***2/25 Update: I won’t erase my error and act like it never happened. I apologize for steering anyone the wrong way with my Al’s Hideaway recommendation. They truly were one of the best, but the place is closed. I need some input with this. Shuck N’ Jive does not have crawfish currently. What other places are actually serving good crawfish besides Pappadeaux? I had them on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday and although I can recommend them for other cajun delicacies, I cannot for fresh crawfish. It could just be the season, but then it could be the way they were cooked. These other four are solid choices for crawfish in Dallas in 2010. ***