Nick Badovinus

Brass Ram (update), Dallas, 1/13/24

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
entrance – 2130 Commerce St 2nd Floor, Dallas, TX 75201

We visited Brass Ram in Dec. 2022 after they’d just opened.  Since then they’ve resolved many of the issues I had with the place.  First and foremost the noise level was much better and the valet parkers knew the way into the building.  Small things, but it sets a tone.  There were several specials off the menu and I appreciate the way the servers tell you the prices after they describe the dish (this is a habit in all the Nick Badovinus restaurants we’ve been to).  Service is first class here – they are attentive but not intrusive and make you feel welcome.  Know that it’s a meat-heavy menu, but they do offer seafood, for those not wanting beef.  We were back to try their prime rib again, as it’s become a quest in our search of supper clubs in northern Wisc.  They serve it every night and offer a Wagyu reserve on Fri and Sat.  It is a place I’ll look forward to going back to. Continue reading →

Brass Ram, Dallas, 12/23/22

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
entrance – 2130 Commerce St., 2nd floor, Dallas, TX, 75201

Brass Ram is Chef Nick Badovinus’ ninth and newest restaurant which opened in early November 2022 on the second floor above National Anthem on the edge of downtown.  This place is all about prime rib and old-school steakhouse dining.  There’s leather, dim lighting, brass, exposed brick walls, cozy spacious booths, a large bar, vintage music in the background, and a private dining room decorated with photos of Marilyn Monroe.  Parking is mostly valet but be forewarned – they sent us to the end of the building to climb the open staircase and surprised the hell out of the staff leaning on the door.  There is a proper door on the downtown side of the building where you enter and have an elevator or enclosed stairs to take you up to the place.  Either way gets you in but the hostess stand is by the preferred door.  Staffing has been an issue with the parkers so these people probably really didn’t know how to enter.  The service is friendly, relaxed, and excellent in the restaurant but the food did not overwhelm me.  I love the look of the place, but as with many of Bodovinus’ places, I wish it were less noisy, and even though he was in the house he did not make it around to many of the tables. Continue reading →

National Anthem, Dallas, 11/4/21

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
entrance

National Anthem, Nick Badovinus’ (Town Hearth, Neighborhood Services) latest restaurant, opened Oct.6.  It’s in the 100 year old triangular shaped building on the east side of downtown, almost to Deep Ellum.  There is street parking and valet and it’s a lot like Badovinus’ other places – noisy, heavily decorated and serving good food.  His concept is to further develop the floor above and the rooftop into other restaurants.  Here you enter into the bar area with a few high top tables and stools around the u-shaped bar.  Then you pass into the main dining room which has a combination of booths and tables and a long open window into the kitchen.  There are tons of people working – providing good service, but between the TVs, windows to the street and various decorations there’s a lot of eye distractions.  The large menu includes everything from raw oysters to prime steak and there are a few daily specials.  It’s worth going to. Continue reading →

Desert Racer, Dallas, 5/31/20

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
IMG_5445
exterior

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Nick Badovinus opened Desert Racer in 2019.   The Covid 19 outbreak temporarily closed the place and when it recently re-opened several major changes happened.  A concrete wall surrounds the small restaurant and large 8,000 sq. ft. patio.  Wall signs point to the original entrance but now the exit and entrance are through the same break in the wall, under the motorcycle.  Inside is a long bar and tables with garage door type windows that roll up to let the outside in.  The menu is currently called Vantina and based on a pop-up food truck, which is now parked in the patio but the food comes from the kitchen.  That means the menu is much smaller than when the place first opened but fits the setting. (The only dessert offered  was soft serve ice cream).   Currently they have just 4 “indoor” tables and two groupings of 2 seats at the bar were open.  The large patio had various means of shade and fans but some did receive full sun.  Lots of plants are inside and out and outside the polished wood tables are mostly on artificial grass.  Inside the same tables are on rugs on a concrete floor.  There is lots of parking in a dedicated lot and the patio is smoke free.  Servers were friendly, efficient and wore masks. Continue reading →