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Plucked then Pucked: My Duck at Five Sixty!

By
Industry Observer

 

Five Sixty Martini

As many know, I am a frustrated restaurant critic.  I write restaurant reviews for my blog posts at least once a week, but usually they are mid-priced restaurants… good food/reasonable prices.  Well, this week I got to experience something special.

This week I had dinner at Five Sixty.  For those unfamiliar with this restaurant, it is Wolfgang Puck’s new restaurant at the top of Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas.  (And for those unfamiliar with Reunion Tower, it is the tall tower with the “ball” at the top that you see in almost every picture of the Dallas skyline.)  The entire experience was exceptional!

To start with, the atmosphere was great.  Five Sixty is a revolving restaurant.  The stylish and contemporary seating area rotates completely around the “ball” part of Reunion Tower giving patrons some of the most wonderful views of Dallas.  And in case you were wondering, the restaurant was named for the height of Reunion Tower… 560 Feet.

Even better than the view, was the food.  This was simply an exceptional meal.  The menu is very broad with many Asian infused elements (including a sushi menu).  I started out with the Crab Cakes.  Having lived in Washington, D.C., I have spent time in eastern Maryland and I know good crab cakes.  These were incredible Crab Cakes!  More crab than filler and served with a thai spiced sauce and topped with micro greens.  These crab cakes were moist, flavorful and perfectly seasoned.

As a main course I had the Lacquered Chinese Duckling, served with Star Anise, Lo-Mein Noodles, Blood Orange.  It was simply incredible.  The best duck I have ever tasted.  The skin was very crispy while the meat was moist and flavorful.  Very well seasoned with strong natural flavors.  Not at all gamey or oily like duck can sometimes be.  It was prepared perfectly and the presentation was beautiful.

Finally for dessert I had the apple pie with vanilla ice cream.  This was a crustless pie prepared in a skillet and dished out at the table.  The sweet apple flavor was bold, strong and were well balanced by the rich smoothness of the ice cream.

The service was exceptional (ask for Jessica) and the prices, while expensive, were well worth it.  The food and service quality justified every penny.  Our meals with a glass of wine each ran roughly $100 per person.  I highly recommend Five Sixty.  It’s a special restaurant and an incredible dining experience.

 

Comments (12)

Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

I had no idea that Reunion Tower turned Chinese food when it reopened.  I'm dating myself, but we had some reception up there in high school, and I still have the salt and pepper shakers that I "borrowed" as a souvenir.

It sounds like it was a nice evening.

May 08, 2009 01:21 PM
Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Sounds like a great restaurant.  I love revolving restaurants.  We have the CN Tower restaurant in Toronto and the Skyline Tower in Niagara Falls.  It's been quite a while since I have visited them but thanks for giving me the idea.

I'd have to pass on the crabs though as I'm allergic to shell fish.  Too bad as I love it.

Seems pretty quiet on the Rain today.  I've only had one comment on my post also.  Maybe everyone is out doing deals????

May 08, 2009 02:48 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Steve:  This sounds like a wonderful restaurant... although I fear it is way above my price range.  The inimitable Mr Puck has taken over the "revolving speckled ball" of the Reunion Tower... and I am sure has turned it into a veritable showcase of fine food.  I am glad you enjoyed your visit there.  Yum !

May 08, 2009 03:59 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Steve your restaurant reviews always make me hungry way to late at night. :)

May 08, 2009 04:53 PM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Steve - this sounds like a real treat.  Your description had my mind wandering back to Boston to The Top of the Hub restaurant at the top of the Prudential Tower.  The Hub had the revolving feature too, and if you were drinking a lot ... well, let's say that when you look up and see the city in one view, then chat and have a few more drinks only to look up and see the harbor ... it was kind of disconcerting at first.  LOL  Not that I ever did that.  ;)

May 08, 2009 09:38 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Steve,

I did not know Wolfgang Puck had opened a restaurant in Dallas.  Next thing you will be trying to tell me that Dean Ferring  has a new place also.

 

 

May 09, 2009 02:10 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

I remember seeing the Reunion Tower and wondered if there was a restaurant up top.  so often revolving restaurants 'revolve' around the view and fall short of epicurean delight  - but glad to hear you had a fab dinner! :-)

May 09, 2009 02:50 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Donna... Not so much Chinese as "Asian" fusion.  I love the salt and pepper shaker story!

Hi Jenny... I am a huge fan of the revolving restaurant concept.  I have been to several and just love how the view becomes a changing part of the meal!

Hi Karen Anne... It's out of my price range too!  Fortunately, I have friends for whom it is not and treat me to dinner every so often!

Hi Jennifer... They make me hungry when I am writing them too!  :)

Hi Carol... It really was a nice treat!  The thought of drinking in a revolving restaurant gets my imagination going!  :)

Hi Richard... Yes, I thought I had told you that Wolfgang had a restaurant in Dallas now!  Does Dean have one too? :)

Hi Liz... This one was definitely the PERFECT mix of outstanding food and views!

May 10, 2009 04:45 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Sounds like a great experience.  I love those kinds of meals, ones you remember.  Good job on the review!

May 10, 2009 06:24 AM
Kim Dean
www.GoSimplyTexas.com - McKinney, TX
Simply Texas Real Estate - Broker/Owner

Steve - great review. My husband and I like to venture out and try the more expensive fare for our "special" dates and we may have to add this one to the list! My only question is, how fast does the ball turn? One revolution per hour? Was it distracting? I feel like it might be like dining on a cruise ship.

May 11, 2009 08:24 AM
Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

Steve, Sounds like a fabulous restaurant. Great review. I'm dating myself but I lived in LA when he opened Spago. The food was incredible as was seeing the many movie stars dining.

May 17, 2009 03:23 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Ricki... This one was definitely memorable! :)

Hi Kim... Add this one to your list... the view definitely was not distracting.  I think it enhanced the meal.

Hi Mitchell...  Movie Start spotting would have been fun.  In Dallas we have to settle for a skyline view!  :)

May 26, 2009 08:08 AM