Crown Block — Restaurant Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"What were your first impressions when you arrived? Situated atop Dallas ' iconic Reunion Tower, Crown Block boasts the best views in town—and also some of the best food. A rare steak and fine seafood restaurant, it's swiftly become a place for the big movers and shakers of the Big D to see and be seen since its opening in April 2023. As the elevator opens onto the 18th floor restaurant, it's hard not to be blown away by the sight of downtown Dallas in all its glory, unfurling beyond the floor to ceiling windows. What’s the crowd like? There's a strict dress code here—including no t-shirts, casual shorts, ripped jeans or ball caps—and the diners have obviously gotten the memo: dress up to travel up to the top of Reunion Tower. Many are couples out to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, dressed to the nines. There are also a few small family or business groups, equally well dressed. The general atmosphere is refined and almost serene, as servers glide about effortlessly and a show-stopping sunset is served up as the ultimate side dish. What should we be drinking? There's a very strong cocktail game here, which starts at street level with a complimentary beverage as you wait for your glass fronted elevator to whisk you up to the heavens. Once up at restaurant level, you need to check out The Lady Blau (a spicy, skinny margarita) or the Wild Honey—a naughty mezcal, lemon and honey ginger blend, with chili tincture. You could happily come up here just for the drinks and the view, and have a brilliant time: the cocktail bar is sleek and spectacular and the bar snacks (especially the wagyu croquetas) are superb. Obviously, befitting a restaurant of this quality and price point, the wine list is also full-bodied, and the knowledgeable staff will happily pair your meal with something deliciously pertinent. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. The menu has two main focal points: steak and sushi. Both are done to mouthwatering perfection. In terms of the latter, the avocado crunch roll is an unexpected vegetarian delight, while the truffle tuna cones are truly melt-in-the-mouth. When it comes to steaks, you have to be seriously good to make a name for yourself in a cow town like Dallas, and Crown Block does not disappoint, featuring everything from a well-marbled local Black Angus Flat Iron all the way up to a prime, 48oz bone-in Tomahawk, via everything in between. They are masters of their craft when it comes to the cooking side of the equation too, while the sides are equally excellent—don't miss the triple-cooked fries with black truffle mayonnaise in particular. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? The service at Crown Block is exceptional. All of the staff are knowledgable, attentive and friendly. Everything here is seamlessly choreographed, from the matching tweed waistcoats to the magically refilling glasses, and finally the freshly baked cookies pressed into your hand as you begin your elevator ride back to reality at the end of the evening. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here? There's an undeniable sense of romance about this place, from its clean, classy aesthetic to its undeniably sexy views. This is the perfect place for an important date, for a big birthday, or anniversary—or even to pop an all-important question. It's a restaurant which warrants booking weeks in advance as a big deal to look forward to—and where you can and should bust out your finest outfit." - Jonathan Thompson
