Restaurant Beatrice serves contemporary Cajun/Creole cuisine in an old house (previously Johnathans Restaurant) in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas.   It was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant in 2022.  They serve dinner and brunch on the weekends with a frequently changing menu, to take advantage of seasonal ingredients.   Chef/Owner Michelle Carpenter opened the place 3 years ago and named the restaurant for her grandmother who was from New Orleans.  It’s a medium sized place with a large patio out front where they sometimes have events.  Inside there is a long  bar with high chairs and bench seating around the room perimeter matched with double cloth covered tables.  Music was in the background and the lighting was fairly bright with New Orleans fleur-de-lis on the wallpaper and a photo of her grandmother on the larger high top table in the center of the room.  The bar area had a television playing without sound.  We were there during Bastille Week, so I don’t know how much that changed the menu, however the happy hour specials were still offered but not verbalized.  Service was friendly and helpful and although some items didn’t sing to me the overall effect is good and I’d recommend the place. Continue reading →