When you think Southern food, classics such as crispy fried chicken,brshrimp and grits, and buttermilkbrbiscuits probably come to mind. Grayson Social, a farmhouse-chic eatery in down town Dallas, embodies everything you love aboutbrSouthern cooking—and then takes it up a notch.
Executive Chef Rebecca Jolly describes GraysonbrSocial as a place to find comfort and make memories. “It's southern dining with a twist,” she says,br“a social space for food, cocktails and friends.” Inbrcreating the unique menu, Chef Jolly draws herbrculinary inspiration from seeing guests enjoy theirbrmeals, taking photos of their plates and sometimesbrboldly asking for the recipe. “That is a gift in itself,”brshe adds.br
You'll definitely find biscuits on the menu,brbut Grayson Social's version has earned thebrname Killer Biscuits for their heaping helping of butter and Texas boldness. Naturally,brKiller Biscuits pair perfectly with the CountrybrFried Yard Bird, or try the Redfish with SaffronbrJasmine Rice and Crawfish Étouffée. DuckbrWings or Chicken-Fried Quail for starters?brYes, please!br
While some menu staples such as thebrFrisée & Gold Beet Salad and Jumbo Shrimpbr& Grits grace both the lunch and dinnerbrmenus, for Grayson Social, seasonality isbrthe buzzword. Fresh herbs and produce—breven at the bar—find their way into nearlybrevery dish. “Our summer menu features fresh seasonal ingredients,” says Chef Jolly,br“along with our much anticipated Watermelon Mint Martini.”
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Chef Jolly honed her cooking prowessbrat an early age, standing elbow to elbowbrwith her grandmother. “It was like magicbrto watch her,” she recalls. Today, Jolly likesbrto return the tutelage, teaching new cooksbrto hone their skills as she works alongsidebrthem. But her greatest pleasure comesbrfrom making Grayson Social's guests happy, along with developing new and interesting flavor combinations.br
We'd like to think her grandmotherbrwould be proud of Chef Jolly's pairingsbrof tender Root Vegetable Succotash andbrearthy Huitlacoche Purée with the Mushroom Dusted Bay of Fundy Salmon and herbrinventive Sweet Corn Hummus. And whobrwouldn't be delighted to try the WhitebrChocolate Croissant Bread Pudding withbrAncho Chile Caramel and Lavender IcebrCream? We can't think of a better way tobrend a meal ... until we spied the NutellabrMud Pie with Oreo Crust Cookies & Cream.brWho says southern dining is for the faintbrof heart?br
If you have more restraint than we do—bror you are on a special diet—you'll findbra bevy of salads and lighter fare to ticklebryour taste buds in a more responsible fashion. But we don't blame you for planningbryour trip to Grayson Social to fall on yourbrcheat day. Especially when you make a return visit.br
You'll find the cozy, sundrenched dining experience at Grayson Social the perfect excuse to head to Dallas for a weekendbrbrunch or a mid-week lunch date. Or comebrearly for dinner any night of the weekbrand sip a hand-crafted cocktail, such as abrLavender Julep or a Cucumber Gin Fizz,bras the refreshing start to a night out. Ifbryou have friends in town who want to seebrDallas touristy faves—such as The SixthbrFloor Museum at Dealy Plaza, MajesticbrTheatre, the Magnolia Building (with thebrfamous flying red horse) or RenaissancebrTower—Grayson Social, located in thebrnewly renovated historic LTV Tower, isbrjust blocks away.br
Just be sure to call ahead for large groups and wear something loose-fitting.brYou'll want to enjoy every last bite of yourbrexperience at this new Dallas hotspot.