A SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS WEBSITE
by Amy Yeong
Dallas is the latest addition to the Boat Quay stretch. Comprising of a bar on the ground floor and a restaurant serving American fare on the second floor, Dallas also has a 'Den' on its third level which hosts 'Executive Nights' on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 5pm to midnight, when you can enjoy drinks for $7 with free finger food. At the dining level, dark mirrors add a touch of class, while the muted lighting is easy on the eyes after a day of staring at the computer screen. An interesting starter was the California Fish Taco ($14) - an open-faced taco served in a deep bowl, with olives, tomatoes and peppers. This was spicy and herby, and is lighter on the palate than the traditional beef or even chicken tacos. The peppers gave the dish some added zing, and if all you want is a snack or something light, this would be an option worth considering. I loved the Classic New England clam chowder ($9). The soup was very substantial in both taste and texture, and was just what I needed on a rainy evening. The soup, despite being very rich, was not at all cloying, and the bacon bits were a delicious addition. I noted that there was a generous amount of clams in my portion - easily double or triple the amount one usually finds elsewhere. I never thought I would say this, but at last I've found a vegetarian dish that tastes so good, I would gladly order it again. Dallas' Spinach & Parmesan Ravioli ($20) puts many other vegetarian dishes to shame with its rich pesto cream sauce and fragrant pinenuts. If I ever thought that vegetarian fare was boring, this dish has certainly changed my mind. The grilled prawns and lime wedges wrapped in bacon ($17) was a tantalising combination of smoky, savoury bacon, refreshing limes and succulent prawns. This makes great finger food, and the lime wedges cut through the inherent oiliness of the bacon well. If you are going with a large group of friends, do try the Mixed Grill ($78, main picture). It is meant for two, but can easily feed three or more, especially if you have other orders such as soups, sides or dessert. The dish consists of beef kebabs, chicken schnitzel, chilli pork ribs, bacon-wrapped sausages, grilled lamb cutlets, grilled Cuban corn, potato salad, coleslaw and fries. The sausages were extremely juicy, and I liked the added flavour imparted by the bacon. The lamb rack was extremely tender, while the spicy pork ribs provided some degree of contrast to the meaty platter. My favourite item had to be the chicken schnitzel - they were very well-breaded, tender, thin and crisp. They might have been a tad overcooked during my visit, but were delicious, nevertheless. The sides are also worth mentioning - the fries were thin, crispy and juicy, while the coleslaw and potato salad were welcome contrasts to the fried and grilled items. Dessert was a full-flavoured apple pie with ice cream ($12), which was thankfully not too sweet. The cheesecake ($12) was similarly understated, with the right balance of richness and sweetness. Dallas also serves daily set lunches at unbelievably affordable prices - $15 for 2 courses or $20 for 3 courses from a selection of soups, mains and desserts. There are also set dinners - $40 for 2 courses and $45 for 3 courses. Best of all, these prices are nett - GST has already been factored in, and there's no service charge. Dallas may be the new kid on the block, but with its good food, prime location and very decent prices, it looks set to give other eateries along the quay a run for their money. Dallas
31 Boat Quay
Tel: 6532 2131
Opening Hours: Lunch 11.30 am to 2.30 pm (last order) Mon to Sat; Dinner 6.00 pm to 10.30 pm (last order 10.00 pm) Mon to Sat; Closed on Sunday
