A Texas-Infused Evening at The Rustic
What makes Texas great? The fusion of flavors, live music, and starry nights. My husband and I recently experienced all three at The Rustic in Dallas during a private event.
The Rustic’s Inviting Interior
The Rustic offers a lively atmosphere with plenty of room to explore. Inside, the large booth seating provides a cozy view of the dining room, just steps away from the bar. Highboy square tables with stools add to the relaxed vibe. The outdoor space features an open backyard, perfect for enjoying local to national acts on the outdoor stage. The live music by Roger Creager filled the air, yet we could easily converse without raising our voices. The brisk evening was warmed by tall outdoor heaters at each table and chimneys near lounge areas. However, the crushed dirt ground calls for practical footwear—cowboy boots might be a better choice for dancing.
The Creative Menu
The waitstaff did an excellent job circulating hors d’oeuvres, with some served in mini tumbler shooters. The Texas Goat Cheese, topped with slow-roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil, paired perfectly with the wood-grilled baguette. The Wild Boar Meatballs over smooth black beans were a crowd favorite. The Salt N’ Pepper Deviled Eggs were visually stunning and even better tasting. Unfortunately, the Cactus Fritters missed the mark, which didn’t leave a lasting impression.
The self-serve catered dinner was set up with two way traffic on the outdoor perimeter of the backyard. Guests were able to serve themselves very easily. To add to the theme of the restaurant the plates were primitive oval shaped that you may see in one of those city slicker western movies. All of the dishes looked enticing so I just tried a little bit of everything.
Hearty Entrées and Satisfying Sides
Dinner was a self-serve affair set up on the outdoor perimeter. Guests easily navigated the line, serving themselves on primitive oval plates that added to the Western theme.
Salad
The Arugula Salad, tossed in a homemade ranch dressing with a hint of lemon juice, was refreshing. I’d love to recreate that dressing at home.
Side Dishes
The New Potato Salad, with squarely diced potatoes, fresh dill, and green onion, was creamy and flavorful. The Jalapeño Spoon Bread, though plain in appearance, surprised me with its delightful texture—cornmeal, pickled jalapeño, sharp white cheddar, and creamed corn combined perfectly. The Corn and Black Bean Salad, with charred corn, red bell peppers, and black beans, was refreshing, while the Clean and Green long green beans added a crisp touch.
Main Dishes
The Drunk Chick, a beer can game hen with signature chile-lime butter, was rich and flavorful. The Big Steak, pre-cut and juicy, paired well with my salad bites and would make a great taco filling. The Wood-Grilled Gulf Shrimp, seasoned to perfection, was a highlight, and I couldn’t resist going back for seconds.
Indulgent Desserts
Desserts were served in miniature tall shooters inside the dining hall, each topped with a small spoon. The selection included Banana Pudding with salted caramel sauce, Peanut Butter Pie with warm bittersweet chocolate sauce, and my personal favorite—Ice Box S’mores, featuring graham cracker, bittersweet chocolate, and charred marshmallow whipped cream.
Texas Flair in the Kitchen
The Rustic’s kitchen is known for its smoker and commitment to locally sourced ingredients, from Gulf seafood to steaks from local ranchers. The meals, with their Texas flair, certainly raised the bar. Guests enjoyed crafted Texas beers and cocktails, most served in mason jars. The venue, conceived by founders Kyle Noonan and Josh Sepkowitz, perfectly blends food, drink, and live performances, making it an ideal spot for private events. I was pleasantly surprised to see that military members, uniformed police officers, firefighters, and paramedics receive a 25% discount on food every day.
A Rooftop Retreat at The Canopy
While an after-party may have followed, we opted to explore The Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown, just a few blocks away. The rooftop lounge offered stunning views of downtown Dallas. Along with craft foods and drinks, it’s a great spot to catch a game, as we did, witnessing another successful Dallas Cowboys win against the New Orleans Saints. The modern space features abstract art on the walls, with seating around an outdoor fireplace, perfect for intimate conversations or toasting with friends.
EDITORS NOTE: The Canopy is now called Upside at 2950 Cityplace West Blvd, Dallas, TX 75204.
The Rustic is located at 3656 Howell St, Dallas, TX 75204.
