Local Restaurant Reviews

Tucked away on Elm street is this neon sign LOCAL. Very old Dallas hotel now whose lobby is a 5 star fine dining establishment. Wasn't even sure where the front door was but inside we were treated like royalty. Quiet, romantic, just a perfect place for he dinner we were looking for. Great food. Had crusted sea bass with creamy risotto. Lobster cake appetizer and they brought us each a complimentary champagne to celebrate their 15th year anniversary. Who would have ever know of this gem. Staff was perfect. Loved the entire experience. I can't wait to go back. So glad we found this place.

We ate the heirloom tomato salad, followed by scallops with a potato risotto (well, not really risotto), then the molten chocolate dessert. All was nicely done (except the scallops were a bit over salted), but the price does not create any incentive to go again. Small portions. Wine is high, again, no value here. Pity. Spare design aesthetic with empty, blank walls. Cool space, but could be more. The end test is, would we come back. The answer, no.

We were trying to find a place for dinner before a concert at Fair Park. As you can imagine, the selections are very SLIM. However, we found Local and were pleasantly surprised. This is a hip little gem with just the right serving sizes. I saw some of the previous reviews and would suggest that the menu lists the (smaller plates) and (larger plates) depending on one's appetite. We chose the fried green beans and a small salad to begin. Admittedly, it's difficult to get "taste" from a green bean to begin with . . . however, the fried version was pretty good with the sauce provided. The scallops were prepared perfectly and the sea bass was panfried with a great texture. I do agree with the other reviews that the wine list prices are a bit crazy, but you should expect those to always be HIGH because it provides a huge profit margin for restaurants in America. (sad, but true) In all, I would recommend this place to anyone with a nearby concert, but would not make a special trip specifically for this restaurant. I would rate them as "GOOD." (which isn't an option)

We celebrated my birthday at Local Restaurant. Really enjoyed the laid back but hip atmosphere. We dined on the Chef's Tasting Menu which consists of 7 courses. Presentation was excellent, the food was delicious and perfect sized portions. Our waitress was attentive and friendly. We will definitely go again and will recommend it to friends and family.

My wife and I dined at Local on a Thursday night in early July. We ordered two appetizers, two mains, two desserts, and five glasses of wine – totaling $198, not including the tip. The positives are the emphasis on locally-sourced, fresh ingredients, as well as the laid-back vibe and trendy 70s décor. Our meal, unfortunately, was pretty average in terms of taste. The tomato soup we both had for the appetizer was OK, but not outstanding. My wife’s sea bass was accompanied by a too-cheesy risotto. My scallops were cooked properly, but were almost tasteless - even a little salt would have been a welcome addition. My cherry semifreddo dessert (think port-soaked cherries, cherry ice cream, whipped cream) was good – probably the best dish of the evening. My wife’s dessert cheese plate was odd. Brie and pepper-crusted goat cheese with berry chutney and toast just wasn’t right for a dessert cheese offering. The service was a little hurried and I’m not really sure why. There were only about 4 tables with people seated. Our server tried to remove plates or glasses of wine we were still working on at least twice during the meal. Overall, the food was pretty average and we probably won’t be back. There are a lot of other restaurants with superior quality at this price point (or lower).

I tried out Local based on local reviews as one of the best places in town. It did not disappoint - lots of fresh ingredients, creative combinations, and I left feeling full but not drowned in oils or such. The summer salad and cheese plate were delicious, along with the strawberry shortcake for dessert (perfectly sized). Great service as well. Its in a funky little building that apparently used to be a hotel where Bonnie and Clyde stayed at ...

Loved our meal at this restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. We each had the chef's tasting menu paired with wine and were initially disappointed since the set menu in the restaurant was different to the one on their website. It turns out the menu is seasonal and they had not yet updated their website. Food was excellent and well presented, wine was equally excellent and service was on point. We didn't have to wait long between courses and our server was friendly and helpful about each dish/wine that came out. Thoroughly recommend to anyone interested in trying some modern American cuisine

We love this off the beaten path restaurant that took up residence in the old Boyd Hotel where Bonnie & Clide once stayed. You walk in and are instantly transported to a boutique restaurant in SoHo. Everything from the decor, ambiance and impeccable service is absolutely top notch. The signature drinks and delectible food will keep you coming back for more. It's a wonderful place to take out of town guests as it's truly different from the standard large brand name Dallas restaurants. It's a place the focuses on the customer and the food first! As it should be! Be sure to leave room for their homemade ice creams, sorbets and donut holes for dessert! Yum!

I can not begin to say enough good things about this place! My wife and visited Local with another couple after hearing great reviews from friends. The place is small and easy to miss, but once inside you feel like you are in another world. The ambiance and food were fantastic. Excellent wait staff and very nice wine selection. We spent two hours at Local and loved every minute of it.

We picked Local because it was close to the Music Hall for a showing of Hamilton. We loved Hamilton, but Local was the big surprise and added pleasure of the the evening. Great service, great food and great ambiance. We love a restaurant where the servers are excited about the food and Local is that kind of restaurant. My husband had the fried green beans as an appetizer. Our server warned him that it was a large order and usually shared, but really awesome. So glad - since I shared it along with my own baby beet appetizer. I will go back to Local just for those fried green beans and while there have something else marvelous from the menu. BTW our entrees were equally great. Our regret - we had to leave for the show and didn't have time to taste their delicious sounding desserts.

Very unique, fancy food, unfancy prices, get a reservation first.

We went to Local for a celebratory dinner two days ago and had an amazing time. The food was wonderful from the amuse bouche broccolini soup ( my boyfriend wanted a bowl of it) to the decadent chocolate soufflé. We had dinner in the dining room and moved into the small bar for dessert and more wine and both sides of the restaurant were equally impressive.

Local is delicious, but Tracy Miller takes herself a little too seriously, and the service is rarely any good. The food is unique and tasty in similar ways to Stephan Pyles' work, and the place is nothing but cool as all hell inside. Cut down on some pretension and train better servers and this little place off the beaten path will be building a highway to handle the traffic.

I love small restaurants with chef's that are passionate about their food. Our server was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. She recommended their specialty appetizer -- fried green beans. They were amazing! The flavor and texture was like nothing I've had before. We all got the entree special and shared several sides. Everything was delicious! Definitely worth a visit if you appreciate quality food.

This was a quiet, sparsely decorated little cafe in the east side of Dallas, in Deep Ellum. The owner waited on us, and we were the only diners for the first half-hour, so we chatted with her. She clarified that the name did not mean that they particularly used any local produce, and that the name was chosen just because they needed a name. The prices were pricey, the portions were small, the food was good, and the service was just fine. Not a great experience either time we went, but I might go back someday... or not.

We went for a parents date night out and were disappointed in the food and beverages based on our expectations. The cocktails we ordered (bloody mary and michelada) are normally served in larger glasses, but ours were in little 6 ounce glasses full of ice so they were literally done in 5 sips. The michelada actually came with a half bottle of beer on the side because that is all they used in making the original beverage. For $12 a drink I thought that was a little ridiculous. The soup of the day was excellent (turnip) as well as the beet salad. However, I could not even tell that the lobster cake was made with lobster. It was tasteless. We did enjoy the blue cheese waldorf salad and thought the spice cake for dessert was decent. The osso buco was average, not bad but not exceptional either. I agree with previous reviewers that the food is not worth the price unless the flavors improve. The atmosphere was nice- intimate and not noisy.

As a self appointed food snob--I loved this place! The food was interesting and well balanced but not kitsch. The service and atmosphere complimented the culinary experience perfectly. This is one of the best places to eat and fall in love in Dallas.

The foodwas small portioned and $$$$ . However the quality of the food was excellent. i recommend the Sea Bass or the Salmon. Melts in your mouth. More garnish would have made it better as the Rizotto was excellent. Carefule trying to find the place as the streets are under construction and the sign is miniscule. Would definitely return.

Tried this for the first time tonight at the suggestion of a friend. The place has a lot of character and a lot of potential, but was very quiet for a Thursday night. Food was good, but some of it was quite overpriced (cheese plate dessert a good example). I'll probably give it another shot, as Dallas needs more places like this.

I gave this restaurant a very good review because I really enjoyed the food. I had the candied beet salad, the lamb loin, and the dessert with the soda shop miniatures. Delicious. We sat in a very dark area of the restaurant--like overly dark, a bit odd. Also, when I got there (with a reservation--early at 6 pm) and my date wasn't there, they were getting ready to sit me at the bar even though there was NO ONE there. The service was fine, but I have to say that it's been a really long time since I went to a restaurant that was out of Coke. Given that I cannot drink alcohol, my options were limited to Sprite. I was confused by the fact that they didn't seem to have tonic water. Maybe the waitress mis-understood me. Okay...I have worked in this area, and there's a 7-11 right down the street. Maybe they needed to send someone to stock up. Mystifying. I would go back, but I might bring a Slurpee with me next time.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas, The food is always outstanding and consistent, We decided to go there for New Year's Eve and the service was abysmal. At one point, my husband got up and went to the bar to try to get the drink he had already ordered from the waitress. The Manager took our order and someone other than our waitress delivered our meals. We had to ask for drink multiple times as well. The worst part was that we were sitting at the end of a long banquet so I watched all the tables from the wall to the window being served. A table of two were seated after us and they received their entrees before we did. The table next to us was wobbly so the bartender came over to fix it and placed all of their dirty dishes on our table. Twice we sat there for 15 to 20 minutes with dirty plates on our table - no one bothered to clear our table. I finally got up and went to the hostess stand. I'm sure the look on my face was not good. I told the Manager that I was very disappointed and that we needed a to go container and our check. When I am paying over $200 for dinner, I expect excellent service. It was New Year's Eve and I would have expected them to have plenty of staff to handle a full restaurant. They did not.

liked it ... didn't love it

This is a great, small, intimate casual bistro. Our six-some found the food to be terrific but service very slow due to what seemed to be under-staffed or just poorly trained and coordinated. The place was not full on a Saturday evening at least in our dining room. The chef's tasting menu looked terrific but we wanted full entrees. Nevertheless we loved the space and style and super polite staff and delicious food. Fried green beans, well seasoned brussell sprouts, tenderloin and halibut were the stars while the scallops were overcooked. Full bar options were not available but prossecco margaritas were very nice as were the wines. Hopefully next visit they have full and trained staffing up and running.

We were taken by our son who lives in Dallas and he had explained that this was not a place you would notice from casually walking down the street. You enter an anonymous looking door into the restaurant. There is a nice bar area and several booths tucked away but we ate in the main area. The tables are not set with nice tablecloths but the napkins are of good quality. The atmosphere is casual and the service attentive and friendly. The menu has a great selection of dishes made with interesting ingredients and both the beef short-ribs and salmon were excellent. We had salads to start and they were all very good as well. Prices were reasonable but not cheap and overall i would say it was value for a very good meal. Have to give a little plug for Uber who got us there and back!

We went to Local for Mother's Day this year. The food was amazing! Portions are good but not huge. Steak was very tender and the tater tots were awesome. Everything is home made even the steak sauce and ketchup!!! The mini soufflé was excellent and just the right size. Homemade ice cream was kid tested and approved. Would definitely go back for special occasions since it is a little pricey but the entrees are served with sides so prices are in line with this type of restaurant. Only change I would like to see would be expanding of wine list and sell liquor.

We actually thought the food here was good. The service is the reason for the review. Our server was so cold, she was borderline rude. She brought 4 wine glasses to our table, 3 of them were totally cloudy with dust. She shrugged and said, "I didn't look at them, before strolling off to get us new ones without an apology. She came to the table infrequently, and always with an uncaring attitude and body language. There are many great restaurants in Dallas, and we'll be going to them in the future.

Fun trendy restaurant. Have had more good experiences there than bad. Not a place to take an older stuffy crowd.

A friend told us to try Local as we would really like the food and atmosphere. It didn't disappoint - we ordered the chef tasting menu and was extremely satisfied with every course. We also paid extra and got the wine tasting per course (perfectly pared with each course). The food was delicious, the waitstaff was friendly, knowledgeable and very attentive. The Chef/owner was very hands on and actually delivered some of the food to the table. Truly inspirational to hear her talk about her vision many years ago for this great place. We will definitely be back!

Right in the heart of Deep Ellum and adjacent to downtown Dallas, this former small hotel lobby has been transformed into a must visit restaurant on Elm Street. The chef/owner, Traci, is hands on in the kitchen each day and comes out to visit with her guests to ensure a pleasurable meal. Always conscious of buying the best, freshest and organic ingredients for her menu of food, Traci puts the well being of her guests forefront in her presentation of her yummy food!

I've been to Local several times and have never been disappointed. The food is fresh, well seasoned, and always interesting. On my last trip, I did the tasting menu. Every course was a hit and the wine pairings were very thoughtfully selected. The service is always great - we walked in with no reservation at 9pm on a saturday night with 6 people once and they took care of us without hesitation making us feel welcome. Chef Tracy Miller is always around, which I think accounts for the consistently great food. Her style is casual, but elegant, and she manages to create great complexity in flavors without overcomplicating her dishes with gimmicks or trendy ingredients.

For my Bon Voyage dinner in Dallas, I chose one of my favourite restaurants, that happen to be a hidden gem right around the corner from our apartment. It’s the brainchild of Chef Tracy Miller and it’s called Local, this used to be a hotel back in the day and has been transformed into a modern fine dining restaurant. We often pop in there for dessert after dinner and they have a beautiful, sexy bar where we also did my Bon Voyage drinks. Their food is top notch, the complimentary warm spiced nuts and amuse at the start of your meal is a real delight and whatever starter you order will be amazing – I recommend their famous fried green beans! For mains we all ate a variety of meats and fish and they were very tasty, we skipped dessert this time, but please try their chocolate composed! They are only open for dinner, so if you feel like breakfast or lunch, check out her other restaurant, Rosemont. After dinner we moved to the bar where they serve only wine, beer and champagne – have the champagne cocktail, heavenly!

Love this cool, small place in a historic building in Deep Ellum. They only serve beer and wine, but the bartender, Will,(where there’s a Will there’s a way), made me a margarita with Prosecco, lime syrup and lime sorbet that was quite nice. The menu is varied and changes often.

If you don’t have a reason to be in Dallas find one, if only to make it to this wonderful restaurant. Housed in a former hotel, apparently Bonnie and Clyde stayed here (and if it was restaurant at the time they wouldn’t have left and got into all that trouble) LOCAL is second to none on décor and food. Alice commands the front, with knowledgeable and friendly wait staff (were their belts really Prada?). The service is personal and attentive, without being pushy. The décor is understated and chic, without being stuffy. The kitchen is Tracy’s realm and the food – organic and magnificently prepared – was sublime, and easily some of the best food I have eaten on any continent. Book, go there, and enjoy.

We tried this place on a Saturday night at 8pm and it wasn't very crowded (and its a small place). The vibe is very cool, like dining in London, the food was very well prepared (attention to details), and the service was excellent. Details: Vibe: Its a small place in Deep Elum that has two rooms. The first room was the typical brick wall with the original paint on it, so it had a historical feel to it. Its intimate with a casual style. The staff is friendly and greets you promptly. My only concern was they have roughly 15 tables and maybe 5 had people at them. It was very quiet. Food: I've read the reviews about the portions and frankly think that these people are either a) eating way too much or b) used to the Texas Style of giant portions. Its more like a European restaurant where the portions are reasonable. We were by no means hungry when we left. Everything we had was really tasty and well prepared. Split the seasonal greens, which was good, but was strong with gorgonzola cheese. The mains were great, my wife had the Sea Bass (amazing) and I had the Short Rib, which was also excellent. We got the lemon risotto and it was well-prepared. Didn't get dessert as we were full. Service: Attentive and personalized. He was an effective waiter, knowing when to be around and when to be scarce. Wine: Small, but reasonable. Found an obscure Australian Cab (Yalumba Signature), which was quite good for the price and has some age (2010).

This restaurant is in Deep Ellum, more known for burgers and bikers than fine dining. But this little gem is with the trip. We started with a trio of appetizers - we shared their cheese plate, I had the lobster cake, my husband the steak & eggs. For main course,I hit the salmon which was nice and light. My desert was their mini souffle - more like a lava cake, but still incredibly rich, especialky paired with the little shot of ovaltine spiked chocolate shake. Service was great, helpful with recommendations, and the meal progressed at pace that allowed for digestion and conversation

There were four in our party, so we had a variety of food. We started with the fried green beans and lobster cake to share. These are my favorite menu items. The salad was very tasty and presented well. The chef shared a spoon of her favorite soup for the evening, celery root, incredible flavor. The hamburger and salmon entrees were big hits also. It's located in Deep Ellum, this restaurant is a wonderful reason to venture that way and see all the action going on.

I took my daughter and her friend to Local for a dinner., I laid my sport coat on top of the booth next to me and it caught fire from very hot lights immediately under the booth. My new sport coat was ruined. The owner came to our table to examine the fire damage. I told her the hot lamps under the booth was a dangerous fire hazard and showed her the holes burned in my jacket; she said she would take care of it. She told me to buy a duplicate and to send her the invoice. I bought a duplicate and sent her the invoice. Now she refuses to pay. Her patrons were lucky the restaurant did not burst into flames. What other unethical behavior does this restaurant practice.

I had dinner as a guest of others in May. As I was a guest, I did not share my view of the meal with my gracious hosts, nor did they share theirs. This review is the opinion of one. I began with a prosecco mojito, which was OK. The table also ordered tater tots and the fried green beans. The later were very good and addictive. I had the house burger, which was among the worst I’ve had anywhere. It tasted like something my grandmother might have fried in a cast iron frying pan. It was tasteless, without seasoning, thin, overcooked, and served with some equally tasteless toppings that overwhelmed the patty and not in a good way. I abandoned this messy excuse for good dining after only a few bites. For dessert, I had the house sorbets. I was desperate to wash the taste of the burger out of my mouth. My choices were all flavourful, but the textures were not consistent. Some were smooth and others contained ice crystals. Service was too casual, bordering on flippant.

Had New Years Eve dinner here. Fish and Chips were great. Perfect portion. My husband had the filet which was cooked to perfection at medium rare! A bit sweet for me though, but he loved it. Dessert we had the spice cake with ice cream. Great dinner overall without being over stuffed!

Great meal with the 7 course meal and they were flexible with the salad selection. Meats are more cooked than I would expect..e.g. salmon was medium well but great toppings and sauces. Great sorbet. The drinks are very pricey for the portion size..err strength.

I was impressed with the flavor profiles and plating. The sea bass and scallops were cooked to perfection. The restaurant itself is a gem. I went with my adult daughter and would say that her and her husband were more at home in this neighborhood than my husband and I. It is hip and rough around the edges. We had a great time but I question if I would venture into the area without a younger adult. That said, I am glad we did.

Nice atmosphere. Good food. Very good service. The Kobe burger was very tasty and cook very well. Hard to find. Very small street sign. Pay careful attention to the address.

Quietly tucked away in busy Deep Ellum, Local is a brilliant dining experience with all the bells and whistles. Initially, we were concerned about the relative absence of other diners. But our hesitancy soon gave way to intrigue. Local's staff is young but expertly trained, their menu offerings are creative and varied, and the restaurant's ambiance is elevated and intimate. We shared three short orders (fried green beans - addicting! tuna tartare - delectable! lobster cakes - delicious!), but were especially blown away by the complementary starter: a roasted parsnip chowder served in a dainty saki glass. The complimentary dessert - a tiny sugar cookie topped with (i think) raspberry moose - was delightful.

We did the tasting menu with wine at $100 per/p. Servers were wonderful, but courses VERY,VERY, VERY slow. We were there over 3 hours. The courses just ok…quite/very! salty and overdone on all accounts. Our thimble full of "amuse" asparagus soup was the best course. We should have left after that. On my first bathroom break I had to replace both the toilet paper and the hand towels. And I must add this was at the beginning of our time there at @7:30.There seemed to be little soap in the dispenser, but only on my second bathroom visit did I realize that it was filled only with water. Glad to have been only to never go again…and will be sure to pass along that opinion.

If I had the money, I would fly from MN to TX for dinner here once a month. It's that simple. The food, the atmosphere, the service...everything is impeccable and I recommend it to everyone I know that's visiting Dallas.

Local is so obscure. If you blink you'll pass it! It's small, intimate and fabulous. The servers are so efficient and friendly. I was set to order when the server mentioned the specials and that changed everything! Homemade tortilla soup with mini black bean and goat cheese quesadillas was delicious. My husband had the roasted tomato soup with mini grilled cheese sandwiches and it was equally as scrumptious. I was going to order the halibut until I heard about the filet of beef with blue cheese sauce on top of fingerling mashed potatoes. Every bite was delightful especially followed by a sip of a Russian Valley red zin. Coffee and donuts for dessert with the usual Local spin was SOOOOO good. Can't wait to go back!

This was my second time to eat at Local. I had memorable meals both times. The thing that stands out for me is the skill this chef exhibits in cooking each dish to perfection, selecting delicious flavor combinations, and knowing how to edit. Most recently I had a melt-in-your-mouth beef filet over a creamy, perfect risotto with mushrooms and a rich jus. My warm brussel sprout salad with frisee and lemon vinaigrette was delicious, as was the delicate, honey cake for dessert. The portion sizes are refreshingly appropriate. My only complaint is the minimalist setting. I have only eaten in the front room, so I don't know the "feel" of the added space, but I'd like to see a little more art on the walls and more inviting lighting. Service is excellent - polite and unrushed.

The potato and leek soup appetizer was phenomenal. The main couse was their version of fish and chips. A red snapper wth a corn meal coating and toasted gnocci as the chips. The fish was perfectly prepared, which is rare in an inland city. The chef must have lived on a coast at sometime in her life. The walnut tart with pear icecream was also amazing. The meal was perfectly proportioned so that I did not feel bloated and ill when I left. The only downside was with the tiny hush puppies that came with the fish. Salty....really really salty. And the server that felt obligated to fill the waterglasses every 30 seconds.

We visited Local during restaurant week on the recommendation of a friend. We had a reservation for 6 adults but were not seated for 30 mins after our reservation even though we had all arrived on time. Our server was not helpful with menu items nor flexible with food allergies, it really felt like she was annoyed that we were there. The food was okay but pricey and service was slow. The drinks were over-the-top expensive. The minimum priced beverage was $13 on top of $45 3-course meal and 18% gratuity meant a $70 per person bill; we would have been okay with the price if we were blown away but they just came up short. Restaurant week is the time for a restaurant to shine and unfortunately they did not. Overall our experience was just disappointing and we would not go again.

We were in the area and our friends suggested Local, which we had never heard of. From the outside of the building, you would never expect what the inside interior looks like...it is just beautiful inside and very welcoming and relaxing. They have their own parking lot next to the building which in Deep Ellum is a gem to have. The owner/chef come to our table to welcome us and spent quite a bit of time with us asking questions about the history of the hotel and building. It was so interesting and we appreciated her spending the time with us. The food was so amazing and the service was not rushed, just perfect. My only concern for them is that we tried to make a reservation on line for 5:45 and it said that only 7:00 was available. We called and got our 5:45 reservation and the entire time we were there, the place was empty. Call for your reservation and don't rely doing it on line. We will be back!

Everything that we ordered was delicious. The champagne with the homemade grapefruit sorbet was outstanding. The serving size was unusually small. The glass was about half full. I ordered a glass of wine with the same half serviing size. We said something to the waiter, and he said that was the normal serving. The people next to us commented to us about their wine serving size, as well. The food is supposed to be grown locally, but their was Maine lobster on the menu. I am not sure what exactly was grown locally. We did really enjoy the meal, we just felt that it was overpriced - $350 for four people.

Outstanding food and a marvelous value for a 7 course tasting menu at $70 and accompanying wines for only $30. All three in my group were thoroughly impressed with the food, ambiance and service. Hihgly recommended if you are in Dallas.

Okay, we loved this experience! We did the $85 chef tasting menu. It was so good. My favorite was the peach and arugula salad. So so good! The chef herself delivered a couple of her plates. The staff was friendly. Service was prompt. We had reservations for 1800 on a Friday night and they weren’t busy during that time.the private parking lot helps tremendously from having to find parking. We really loved this place.

Dinner for 4. Restaurant very hot. We complained , did not get better. Other rooms had seating and they should have moved us to a cooler spot but never offered. Food very average, expensive and small portions. Outrageously costly wine list for inexpensive wines. Could not wait to finish our meal and leave!

Located in Deep Ellum in an old hotel that dates back to 1908, Local has a very unusual layout with several small areas accommodating a few tables in each. We were part of a group of 14 and we sat at one long table which was in a sort of corridor area. The décor was contemporary but all the seating was comfortable. The bar area was a great place to have drinks before eating. The food was excellent - there was a complementary amuse bouche of asparagus and leek soup which was superb. I think we covered most of the menu between the 14 of us - the highlights were the fried green beans, the sea bass on parmesan risotto and the beef tenderloin. The salad appetizers were all fabulous. Portions are very small so if you like a big plate of food this is not the place for you. I thought the food was well priced for the quality. The staff handled our party extremely well - they served the food at a pace that was just right and were always on hand if we needed them. The only complaint I have about this restaurant is the price of the drinks. They do not serve liquor so all their cocktails are made with champagne or wine (and to be fair they were all excellent). However, their bottles of wine are extremely overpriced. A bottle of prosecco was $60.00 which is about $20.00 more than any other restaurant in Dallas. The cheapest bottle of white wine was $56.00 and although we ordered the bottle of Pinot Noir that we had been drinking by the glass at the bar which was $50.00, we ended up with the $90.00 bottle which of course nobody picked up on until we got the bill at the end of the night. Our bill came to $200.00 a head which is so much more than we have paid at other top restaurants in Dallas. For that reason, I would not be rushing back here as we can find the same qualify of food elsewhere but would not have to spend as much on the drinks bill.

You can never go wrong with Local. It’s a former hotel turned restaurant. They start you off with warm seasoned nuts. The food is always wonderful. The wait staff is consistent and pleasant and the ambiance is chill-sexy. You can do 5 or 7 course meals with each course paired with a white or red wine. I’ve done the 7 course and because I don’t do red meat or pork, they accommodated me with seafood substitutes. It was awesome but I was so stuffed! I LOVE the panko cornflake crusted bass with risotto. The chef sends out yummy bites and they are always fun to try.

I've been eating at Local for 10 years. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas- dependably good food in an intriguing atmosphere without the usual Dallas pretentiousness. I've eaten there solo, on dates and with other couples. Try the fired green bean appetizer. Beware: if it's your first visit, it is difficult to find. My only complaint- bring back the tempura lettuce salad.

Went to Local on a fluke and it was quite a find. Food, atmosphere , service was top notch. We had the the 7 course wine pairing dish for 100 and felt it was a bargain. One of the best in Dallas and a foodie favorite

Local is definitely a Dallas Top Five restaurant for us. By chance, we've been twice in the past two weeks and love it each time for new reasons. The restaurant is the perfect size, with lots of seating areas that are intimate, yet offer a shared experience. We had an terrific time joking with the only other couple in our area (there are only 2 tables in that room). The staff is well-trained, particularly one waiter whose name escapes me. . .tall, thin and reminds me of Phil Dunphy of "Modern Family." Makes you feel like his whole night revolves around you. And I'm saving the best to last -- Tracy Miller's incredible food! I'm working my way through the menu and have loved absolutely everything! What a great & talented chef.

great staff

Local is a small, high end restaurant in Deep Ellum which is generally a neighborhood of bars, clubs and lower cost restaurants. The place has limited seating and you should have a reservation before trying to eat here. One big benefit is that there is a parking lot for patrons on the west side of their building - which is very unusual in Deep Ellum where you can walk for blocks after finding a parking lot with a free space. The people that run Local really care. The owner was manning the hostess station on a Saturday night when we were there, the wait staff can describe any dish and will recommend their favorites. The menu is short and it appears that it changes frequently so that they are using fresh seasonal produce. While the 3 of us all had a fish item (scallops and sea bass) and they were excellent, I would recommend that you try their beef or pork chops as well. All of those dishes that passed the table looked tremendous as well. Local is cozy and food is served at a leisurely pace. It's a great place to get to know a serious date or to catch up with old friends without feeling rushed.

Small, but stylish. Outstanding service and terrific food - all nestled quietly in the heart of Deep Ellum! Good luck finding it :)

I have the good fortune to eat in great restaurants everywhere -- New York, San Francisco, Chicago, etc. And Local has always stood out as one of the few places I could rely on in Dallas to deliver a sophisticated evening without the silly little small-town nuances that so many other Dallas restaurants present. No longer. First off, the cuisine was as good as ever. The osso bucco, the panko-crusted tater tots, the pear-arugula salad were simply first class. Good for that. AND the Manhattanesque ambience of the restaurant is fairly intact (although we did eventually get assaulted by a large table of shrill, squealing patrons that seem to be everywhere these days). Sadly, the sophisticated service touch that Local used to have seems to have evaporated. I have never been in a restaurant anywhere with this price point where I had to pour my own wine through the entire meal. I mean the server never showed up to do that once in two hours. We had to get up FIVE TIMES during our meal to shut the front door, left open by clueless patrons departing on a brisk winter evening. I ordered one bottle of wine, got a similar-named wine instead costing $22 DOLLARS more than what I ordered. Had to remind the woman in charge I had a coat rather than her remembering that herself. Crash of broken glasses near us during the middle of our meal. I mean, SERIOUSLY?!! But worst of all, when I nicely pointed out the rough spots of the evening, I got the "Dallas attitude" response that diners worldwide will recognize. The, "we don't have two bottles of wine on the menu with similar names" attitude. The "oh you had a coat?" attitude. The 'lack of attention to detail and the utter lack of concern or any apology when you point out the many mistakes that occurred' attitude. Which will make it very clear to people who dine outside of Dallas, that this is very definitely a Dallas restaurant, rather than one in a bigger city where such an attitude doesn't keep one in business for very long. So I am of two minds. Food was really really good. Attitude and service slips were really really not good especially for the prices here. You decide. But this is definitely not the sharp, sophisticated Local I grew to love eight years ago. Alas.

the fried green beans are killer!

Local is a great, cool vibe. Good food. Different than most of the Dallas places that you'll find. The bar is decent. They don't serve hard liquor...just wine and beer. The food has always been great and the staff is very hospitable. Have the donut holes for desert but be sure to get them with a scoop or vanilla ice cream for the real knock out punch.

My wife, especially, raved about how much she enjoyed her dinner the next day. We had tickets to a concert in the Arts District, which was a quick 5 minute drive down the road and so very convenient. The menu had a lot of enticing options and so making a decision was extremely difficult. The food we had was excellent. Service was pleasant. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant was great.

A group of 8 of us went to the Local, to celebrate a friends birthday. The service isn't nearly good enough, but the food more than made up for it. The toasted nuts, the flavorful crisp green beans, the incredibly tender and juicy tenderloin - ah, heaven!!

After a hiatus of a few years, returned to Local for dinner with a medium size group. Alas, the experience was extremely negative. Our prior ones had put it on the short list of favorites. One of the appetizers we looked forward to having was the fried green beans. This time, if you were into eating a salt mine, the dish was for you. It was not for us. The bottle of red wine was brought to the table un-chilled, surely a no-no for a restaurant that is supposed to be at the top of the heap or close to the top. The main course took forever and more before being brought to the table. No, the restaurant was not busy. There was not readily perceivable reason for the unacceptable delay. No explanation was provided. Two of the mains were not at all good. The pork tenderloin was grilled to perfection. However, it was tasteless. And the salmon was so heavily salted that that was it's only taste. Our hope that Local just had an off night because for the nonce, it is off the short go-to list of good restaurants.

Great lil place outside of the big crowd to have a nice dinner.

Great food - well overpriced for the portion sizes. Fabulous wines.

What a great LOCAL restaurant, Took 5 business associates and we almost all had different dishes. The plates were licked clean. Awesomeness. No liquor just beer and great priced vino

Great menu selection and delicious, well presented food and in a nice ambiance. However, waiting 30 minutes after our reservation to be seated and then having long periods waiting between courses ruined it. Our waitress never asked how our food was, if we wanted additional drinks and waited until after we were done with our meal to refill empty water glasses.

We made it to Local and it was overall an average experience. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant, but it was nice to be in a quiet place. The service was fantastic. No complaints there. We did the chef's tasting menu paired with wine. The first few courses were really great. The celery root soup was delicious, as was the crab cake. The salmon and the tenderloin were way overcooked. Glad we went, but for $100 a person, we'd probably go somewhere else next time.

Delightful appetizers (fried green beans!), delicious entrees (crispy sea bass!), and delectable desserts (coffee and donuts! it's not really what you think it is)- everything was superb. Attentive service and intimate dining rooms make Local a must on your next night out in Dallas. Parking was plentiful. Beer and wine only though- no mixed drinks. They do offer a sake mojito and a sake martini.

When the Owner of the restaurant tells you that in a place that charges $40.00 for an entree you really should leave. But it was my friends birthday and she was a friend of the Owner so I didnt want to make a scene. In fairness, I have eaten here several times and never had a bad meal until tonight and they always had good wines in the past. Their signature dish,the fried green beans tasted like they were fried in plaster of Paris,the Steak was overdone and not being able to get a better bottle of wine than Liberty School ,which you can buy at the grocery store for $10 just doesnt work. When you add the attitude of the owner to the women next to us that breast fed her baby without covering herself throughout our meal, we couldnt get out fast enough.

So good!!

always worth diverging from the beaten path

First time here and one of our best dining experiences in our 3.5 years in Dallas. Have a private parking lot which is nice, and several small rooms that can only seat maybe 16 ppl each. Quiet "house" music set a bit of a vibe and muffled talking from other rooms. We did the $85, 7 course tasting menu and added the $35 wine pairings; the dishes were all excellent, though at times certain components were over-salted to our taste (and I like salt) which we shared with the kitchen. Wine wasn't over-poured as is sometimes done in tastings; this was the right amount, especially given that you were served 7 different wines. Soups were stand-out items; both the Celery root amuse and Roasted tomato/basil were fresh and pure, and you could clearly taste the ingredients. The accompanying mini grilled cheese was unique and fun. The sautee'd brussel sprouts were outstanding, and the scallop was also well-prepared. For us the highlight was probably the short-rib with sweet potato puree; just really well-prepared and flavorful, maybe the best short rib we've ever had. The filet was also well-executed and flavorful, though particularly over-salted. This was the only protein we felt was over-salted. Shouldn't forget the intermezzo which was a cocnut sorbet last night; this might have been the first intermezzo sorbet I've had with texture (coconut flakes) which was an enjoyable and flavorful surprise. The apple spice cake dessert was also great. We'll definitely return here again. The chef/restauranteur is coming up with unique and creative dishes, and we learned has been slowly expanding in this location for 15+ years. She's doing a great job!

The place is in one of Dallas landmarks. Beautiful rooms and friendly attendance. The food was great and most of all not only creatively speaking but regarding it's provenance. Organic, local and truthful. Nice and diverse wine list. Great food. Great night.

My husband, mother, and I enjoyed the chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings ($100/person). The presentation of the food was as impressive as the taste. The friendly service (waiters and owner/chef) made for a relaxing evening. They happily answered all our questions about the dishes and the wines. This was the perfect place to celebrate my husband’s 59th birthday. Our daughter, in her 20’s, recommended the restaurant. We’re so glad she did!

Don't be deterred by the vacant buildings and signs of transition surrounding this restaurant. Staff welcomed us, made us feel at home, and treated us to a delightful evening. Rooms are small and intimate, with several tables in each; diners can enjoy their meals without feeling crowded. The signage on the original walls (formerly a small hotel) is left intact and adds to the historical character and charm of the setting. Presentation of items must be a hallmark of this establishment. Every item of food was distinctive and inviting. The lamb and the steak were excellent. Wine list has unique selections, though is perhaps a bit pricy.

One of the best dinners iI have had in a long time

The chef taught a cooking class at the farmers market and the food was excellent..

We went to Local for Valentine's day - not usually a day I like to go out. Many restaurants offer rushed service, perfunctory holiday touches, and irritable waiters. Not so at Local. We ordered the chef's tasting menu and were delighted with the entire experience. The food was excellent. It was a generous sampling across the entire spectrum of dishes they offer - ravioli, scallops, lamb, beef. All dishes were seasoned and cooked to perfection. I was a little worried that we might leave hungry after the first couple of dishes were presented - they were on the "dainty" side. But, after 7 or 8 courses, the amounts turned out to be exactly right. The service was friendly, relaxed, timed perfectly. The music was excellent - perfect background music that we didn't have to yell at each other over or wonder "what were they thinking?" The only slight negative I have about the evening was the room we were in. We were in a back room with two long booths along a wall, opposite a wall of framed articles about the restaurant. It didn't have a view into any of the other dining rooms and felt oddly detached from the rest of the place. I suppose it would work for a larger crowd that might be a little noisier or want to be set off from the rest of the restaurant, but it was a strange choice for just two people. Otherwise, superb food and experience all around.

Original menu items, well executed. Nice ambiance. Steak was excellent, so was the tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich.

My second visit to Local, now among my favorite restaurants in the USA. We were greeted by the Chef, a treat, and enjoyed the quiet and serene ambiance of this well designed restaurant. The ambiance is exceeded only by the food and professional staff. Local offers ala-carte and a seven course option. We combined these at our table of four and enjoyed a culinary feast.

We found this place on open table and were pleasantly suprised by the quality of food and overall experience. All four of us enjoyed our dishes as well as the personal touch. the restaurant is in an old hotel that gives it some real personality.

On May 13 we had 8:30 table reservations and were seated at 9pm. There were tables we could see and others were sat who came in after us. At 9:17pm we still had no water, no cutlery, no menus. At 9:25 pm we left the restaurant after a conversation with the owner. At first she failed to understand the issue but then tried to persuade me to come back inside to let them make it up to us. We like to sit, enjoy our meal, and not be rushed; but this was beyond rude. It's appalling. The owner who called my husband the following week to apologize again claimed this was a waiter issue. This was more than that as she first dismissed our concerns when we brought them to her. Completely ignoring patrons doesn't make you want to spend your money there. When we were waiting in the bar, the bar tender served us the one drink and never checked on us again the whole time we were waiting. He only had one other person in the bar who he talked with quite a bit but he wasn't busy. We have opportunities to choose where we spend our money. This is not a wise one.

The four of us enjoyed one of the finest meals we had in Dallas in a very long time. The two different fish dishes and the lamb were cooked to perfection. The portion were just the right size. The presentation was artistically achieved, The menu has seasonal changes. We will definitely return.

We had the tasting menu. Dishes were good ranging from salmon to beef prime rib. All were well prepared and presented. Salmon is easily an abused menu item, but they did it well with a pea and Fava bean puree. I was very satisfied. The soft shell crab was good. The wine pairings were good. We stayed in the bar area for a drink afterwards. The pear martini and Margarita were excellent. A great place for couples but at a cost.

A hidden gem in Deep Ellum. But even Rachel Ray found it.

My husband & I had dinner Saturday night. We started with a glass of champagne along with the warm delicious nuts provided. The waiter was very well informed of the menu and obviously had tasted all the dishes. We both had fish entrees. Hubby had the beet salad while I chose fried yellow tomatoes. We were delighted with our choices. Parking was free and next to the restaurant. It is considered Deep Ellum, but it is a block off the "main" street. All diners were in business casual dress which helped provide a nice upscale atmosphere. Local is not a place I would recommend for children.

We love going to Local when we are in Deep Ellum. It’s so perfectly romantic. Cool music and vibe but not loud like the rest of Deep Ellum. The butternut squash soup is lovely. The charcuterie, filet and sea bass were so delicious. The chef and the staff are passionate about your food and the experience, 💕

Adventurous Menu, Well Prepared, Small Portions

Very enjoyable dinner. Good lighting so I could see the menu! We started with a shared frissee salad. This was preceded with a tomato soup amuse bouche. Between the 4 of us we had 2 sea bass entrees (texture was wonderfully light and buttery), the pork ossobucco, and the steak special. Every morsel polished off. Grapefruit sorbet was so tasty, husband had the coffee one which was equally good and friends shared the Ovaltine drink with accompanying chocolate steamed pudding. Little shortbread mini cookies presented as the finale. Well-paced dinner, never rushed. Fyi, no hard liquor served here.