Scene and Be Seen – The Porch
Knox-Henderson has always been known as a cozy, friendly neighborhood of Dallas with a food scene that rivals anywhere else in the metroplex in terms of taste, service and freshness. The Porch is a prime example of why Dallas’ food scene is on the rise.
The Porch opened as a local neighborhood spot in March of 2007 with a simple concept: farm to table, chef driven southern cuisine. They wanted to deliver comfort classics in an elevated style that people will appreciate. When you think of down-home food with upscale cocktails, the restaurant that instantly comes to mind is The Porch.
As soon as you enter inside The Porch, there is a down home atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable in your dining experience. The first thing that draws your eye as you walk in is the bar that runs along the entire left side of the restaurant featuring a wide array of fine spirits, as well as an impeccable wine and beer menu. There is a rotating draught beer menu that features local Texas breweries as well as some traditional beers such as Stella Artois. There is also “The Big Board” adjacent to the bar that features the rotating taps and wine selections and lists the chefs special menu items of the day giving you an opportunity to venture off the menu and try one of the chef’s unique dishes.
The cocktail menu features a wide variety of handmade cocktails made up of originals, or classic cocktails with a unique twist from the bartender. The two cocktails I had were the Strawberry Crush and the Mean Green.
The Strawberry Crush is a fruity and refreshing cocktail that is comprised of Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Lemon Juice, Hand Pressed Strawberries & Mint. This cocktail is one that can be enjoyed anytime of the year and is a crisp refreshing option that is a favorite of customers that dine at the porch.
The Mean Green is a cocktail that packs a kick for those who like a little spice in their life. Comprised of Chile Infused Tequila, Poblano Liqueur, Lime Juice, Agave, Hand Pressed Bell Peppers & Basil, this drink gives you just the right amount of spice without being overdone with too much kick. This cocktail is truly fantastic and even the mildest tongued person will enjoy sipping on a few of these over dinner.
As far as appetizers go at The Porch you can’t go wrong with any of your options, but the one that sticks out the most to me is the Pimento Cheese Dip. Personally, as a southerner pimento cheese is a staple of our kitchens, throw it on bread for a simple sandwich or use it as a dip it’s a very versatile food that everyone can enjoy. The Porch has put their own fancy twist on the classic Pimento cheese. Served on a wooden board, this appetizer plates very well with the wood grilled baguette, country ham, and arugula. The pimento cheese pairs extremely well with the smokiness of the wood grilled baguette that makes it unique and delicious. Mix in the arugula with the country ham and it makes for a phenomenal appetizer to share with the table.
For the main course I chose to try the Stodg Burger, one of the most popular items on the menu with onion rings as the side. The Stodg burger is a salivating dish that includes Dry Aged Beef, Fried Farm Egg, Bacon, Cheddar, Foie Butter, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and Mayo. The beef, comes from the Commissary in downtown Dallas where they also receive the desserts, baking breads and pasta that they use in the restaurant. This is another ode to their philosophy of farm fresh products sourced from local farmers and companies in the area.
The burger is a mouthful but is worth every bite. Paired with the onion rings on the side this plate will leave you completely satisfied. I always love when there is a fried egg on a burger, so anytime I see a burger with an egg over easy on top I am game for it. The Stodg is definitely one of the best burgers I have ever had and is worth ordering for any burger lover or individual with a big appetite. The onion rings are fried to perfection, giving the outside a crisp bite while keeping the integrity of the onion on the inside by not over or under-cooking them.
The final entrée I was served is a new menu item that is being introduced at the beginning of this month. As one of the first people to try this item, I can guarantee that this is going to be a smash hit that foodies will love.
The Wood Grilled Adobo Texas Quail is a game lovers delight. This dish features Texas Quail marinated in an Adobo marinade wood grilled with Gristmill yellow corn grits, butternut squash, poblano sausage, pepitas, cilantro crema and cojita cheese. As soon as this dish is placed in front of you there is an explosion of aromatic scents that scream deliciousness. The quail paired with the marinade and the smokiness of the wood grill leaves you wanting more after each bite. The grits along with the butternut squash and cilantro crema come together to give the dish a fall/winter feel to it. Add the poblano sausage to the quail and it gives you the perfect amount of meat to leave you satisfied and feeling full for the rest of your evening.
Overall, The Porch is a community restaurant that people of all ages can visit and find something to enjoy. The cozy atmosphere inside makes it great for an evening with friends, a date night, or a night out for the entire family. The outdoor seating fittingly known as the porch is a great place to enjoy the neighborhood sights of the eclectic Knox-Henderson area. When you dine at The Porch you know exactly what you are getting; quality, locally sourced food that will not kill your wallet. So next time you are looking for a local hot spot to dine in for brunch, lunch, dinner or happy hour head over to the Porch, it promises to deliver.