Reata (Fort Worth) Review: Upscale Southwestern Cuisine

I had high expectations on my first visit to Reata in Fort Worth, widely recognized as one of the best restaurants in the city. I was not disappointed. It was a great dining experience, and I would recommend it to any local or visitor from out of town.

The decor had a Texan/cowboy feel, though it was upscale enough for a formal dinner. Reata is always fairly busy, so there is a good buzz in the room, whether you are downstairs in the main dining room or upstairs at the open air rooftop bar.

Let's get right to the food. I was immediately glad to see that the Reata menu had a lot of unique Southwestern and Texas-style cuisine. Nothing is more disappointing than trying a new restaurant and finding nothing especially interesting on the menu. You will not have this problem at Reata.

I decided to order the Starter Sampler to try a variety of items for my meal. The Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Onion Jam and Cornmeal Star was the only ordinary item in the Sampler. The Tenderloin Tamales with Pecan Mash were flavorful and also quite filling, though the strong seasoning of the ground meat tended to overwhelm the mild pecan flavor. (These tamales are large enough that you cannot eat more than one per person.)

I was also a fan of the Smoked Quail with Jalapeno Cheddar Grits with Molasses BBQ glaze. The sweet glaze paired nicely with the quail, which was spicy, smoky, and cooked just right.

Adventurous eaters could try Reata's popular Calf Fries with Cream Gravy, which are fried cow testicles. (You also have the option of substituting another item on the menu.)

At the recommendation of a friend, I also ordered the Jalapeno and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese, which was one of the best spins on mac and cheese I have tasted. The jalapeno flavor permeates the cream-based cheese sauce, adding a little spice and tanginess to the saltier bacon and cheese flavors.

For dessert, I went with Reata's popular Dessert Tacos with Caramelized Bananas and Chocolate Gravy. The "taco shells" are made of chocolate and served with the bananas, ice cream, and chocolate sauce. They were tasty, but I would probably try something more unusual next time like the Chocolate Bread Pudding Tamale with Dulce De Leche.

I had a good experience with the service at Reata, but I would mainly recommend the restaurant for the unique food. There are quite a few items that you won't find at other places around town, and the menu is interesting enough that it's a great place to go with local friends or to take guests from out of town who want to try something different.

Appetizers are about $10, main entrees range from $20-30, and desserts are about $7.