The Best Special Occasion Restaurants In Dallas - Dallas - The Infatuation

"El Carlos Elegante is where you go when you want to celebrate something big but feel cool as hell while you’re doing it. There’s a fireplace in the courtyard and a main room that looks a little bit like a nightclub—it’s cozy enough to be romantic and lively enough for a celebration, even on a random Tuesday night. Make sure you get El Machete, the restaurant’s showpiece dish: a big, honking tortilla stuffed with meats like lengua or short rib, folded in half, and cut into shareable sections like gigantic hors d'oeuvres. Move onto the whole turbot, deboned, flattened, and fried until crisp, then piled with radishes and sharp arugula. Whatever you get, make sure you’re pairing it with plenty of tequila or mezcal from their extensive agave list, served simply with an orange. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - nick rallo