Grand Lux Cafe - Dallas, Texas

When the founder of The Cheesecake Factory went on a culinary tour through Europe, focused on food, architecture, décor and design, it provided the inspiration for what Grand Lux Cafe was destined to become…a unique, casual global cuisine in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere.



Jennifer's Rating: 4.4 total chews out of a possible 7 chews


Atmosphere (people & decor): 6 chews
Host Service: 2 chews
Wait Service: 4 chews
Menu (selection & design): 5 chews
Food's Appearance: 6 chews
Food's Taste: 5.5 chews
Authenticity (true to marketing):3.5 chews
Price: 4 chews
Location (curb appeal & parking): 6 chews
Special Notes: I suggest ordering the fresh-baked cookies. You'll thank me.
What to Wear: Casual.
Overheard: "Look at the size of that guy's pot pie!"
Post Chew:Comfy and ready to shop.


Jennifer Says:
Usually, when I hear the words “grand” and “lux”, “café” doesn’t really come to mind. But somehow they all come together at this “upscale”, “casual” restaurant…two other words that I wouldn’t think of together. That is, until I visited Grand Lux Café.


As soon as I walked in the front door and down the long dimly-lit corridor I felt like I was in an over-the-top Vegas restaurant — elaborate design, regal-looking fabrics and textures, marble floors and tabletops, hand-blown glass lighting and custom artisan-created details were every which way I looked. So, the “upscale” part was there in full-force….but where and when was the “causal” going to come into play?


The menu took about an hour to go through. It’s a good thing they bring you a bread basket full of yummy, super-soft bread to munch on while you decide. The menu has a little bit of everything…interesting dinner salads, pages full of appetizers, pastas, steaks and even comfort foods like chicken pot pie and hearty soups.


When our waitress was asked how she would describe Grand Lux Café, she looked a little confused and then responded with “a global café…I think.” And I’d agree with her. They have styles of food from all over the world...and the best part is they all come in huge portions and aren’t as expensive as you would think from the “upscale” decor.


After the difficult task of deciding what to order, I settled on a grilled chicken, mozzarella and basil pasta dish. It was delicious just as I expected it would be. And combined with the cozy feeling this place gave me, it made me love this place even more.


I can’t say it enough…the atmosphere is amazing. Not only because of the décor, but the dimly lit dining room, white tablecloths, friendly staff and extra-comfy seating…so I guess that’s where the “casual” popped up. Upscale, casual…it does exist!


I seriously don’t have anything bad to say about Grand Lux Café, and that’s a big deal if you know me!


So if you’re in Dallas and want to feel fancy….without fancy prices…you need to try Grand Lux Café. It’s perfect for a nice lunch or dinner with friends. Plus, it’s attached to the Galleria Mall….which makes it perfect for pre or post shopping fuel.




Matt's Review: 4.3 total chews out of a possible 7 chews



Atmosphere (people & decor): 6 chews
Host Service: 2 chews
Wait Service: 5 chews
Menu (selection & design): 5 chews
Food's Appearance: 5 chews
Food's Taste: 5.5 chews
Authenticity (true to marketing): 3 chews
Price: 4 chews
Location (curb appeal & parking): 3 chews
Special Notes: Everyone was staring at my chicken pot pie...made me a little nervous.
What to Wear: Casual, or prom.
Overheard: "What is that?!?" (referring to my meal)
Post Chew: Nice, light and satisfied.


Matt Says:
When entering Grand Lux I felt as if I was walking into one of those never ending mirrors. The impossibly long entrance hallway then opens to a dessert display counter and host station. I never really felt a host presence but we managed to be seated in the spacious, luxurious dining room without much wait.


There’s plenty of atmosphere in Grand Lux and I like the café style seating. It seems like you can chat up your neighbor who you may not even know, which I did. Only because they were so intrigued by my massive chicken pot pie. I swear, every table within 100 feet could see this gigantic thing. At first I was shocked and confused. I thought, “did the waiter misunderstand my order because this is the family size portion?” No, this is the normal size of this thing…DAMN! It seemed intimidating at first but once I cracked the golden brown crust on top and mixed it in the dish, it was manageable. While still being a pretty large amount of food, it was piping hot and had plenty of flavor. The tender chunks of chicken and carrots played perfectly against the crunchy pop of the pearl onions and peas.


I would definitely go back but it is a little over priced in my opinion. Maybe I’ll order from the kids menu next time.

Anamia's - Coppell, Texas

A combination of the owner’s wife and daughter’s names, Anamia’s is a hidden local treasure offering Tex-Mex favorites and interesting culinary adventures. Dine in, take-out or have an event catered…Anamia’s offers it all.


Introducing the Guac-o-meter:



Jennifer's Rating: 4.3 total chews out of a possible 7 chews


Atmosphere (people & decor): 5 chews
Host Service: 5 chews
Wait Service: 4 chews
Menu (selection & design): 3.5 chews
Food's Appearance: 3 chews
Food's Taste: 5.5 chews
Authenticity (true to marketing):5 chews
Price: 4.5 chews
Location (curb appeal & parking): 5 chews
Special Notes: Guacano overflowed with flavor!!
What to Wear: Casual & comfy
Overheard: Myself chowing down on quac.
Post Chew:Really full and a little tipsy.


Jennifer Says:
I’ve driven past Anamia’s for years….but never went in because of my fear of strip-mall restaurants. So I was nervous when my co-workers took me here for lunch. But after that first trip, I’ve been going back ever since.


When you first walk in, the dimly-lit entry room is always full...which is usually a good sign. You’re immediately pulled into the cozy bar where you can get a delicious margarita and wait for your table to be ready. Sometimes I wish we could just stay in the bar area and eat, the atmosphere is just so amazing and comfy I never want to leave.


The menu has all of the usual Tex-Mex suspects. But if you’re not super hungry, I suggest getting a bowl of the chicken tortilla soup and some tableside guacamole.


Now, I consider myself to be a fresh guacamole connoisseur…and Anamia’s tableside guac is some of the best I’ve ever had. Big plus in my book! And on this particular night the quac came in a HUGE bowl…which Matt and I dubbed the Guacano. It was overflowing in deliciousness. So for the first time in my life, I was unable to finish the quac. Matt was shocked.


The waiters are sometimes a little over-the-top cheesy, but it just adds to the loud, fast-paced Spanish villa atmosphere. The place is always packed with lively staff, tons of families, groups of women out for a ladies-night dinner, little league teams after their games…it’s a true cross-section of the all-American local residents of Coppell.


So don’t let the local strip mall location fool you. This isn’t your usual Tex-Mex place...there’s an extra flair here in the food and atmosphere. Anamia’s truly does it right. And a place that makes guacamole like they do is alright in my book….my quac book that is.



Matt's Review: 4.2 total chews out of a possible 7 chews



Atmosphere (people & decor): 5 chews
Host Service: 2 chews
Wait Service: 4 chews
Menu (selection & design): 4 chews
Food's Appearance: 4 chews
Food's Taste: 5 chews
Authenticity (true to marketing): 4 chews
Price: 4 chews
Location (curb appeal & parking): 4 chews
Special Notes: Drinks at the bar were really nice and the bar atmosphere is great. The bar has a cool buzz when busy. My only concern is why they would hire a high school kid with no personality to host this great "family" Mexican restaurant...doesn't fit with the rest of the staff.
What to Wear: Casual.
Overheard: "...and that Lockheed Martin thing...I could've done that in twenty minutes."
Post Chew: Satisfied and full.


Matt Says:
Anamia’s boasts a no “turn and burn” atmosphere, which is strange considering the server barely had enough time to give us the guacamole before our entrée’s were served. I’m not complaining by any means, because the service was great (except for when I ordered my meal and the server laughed at me and called me a “cowboy, huh?”) as well as the food.


Jennifer and I couldn’t believe how quickly our meals came and we were amazed to the point of hilarity at the size of our guacamole bowl (which we dubbed the GUACANO). I ordered the Cowboy (One brisket taco, one shredded beef enchilada, one pork tamale, beans and rice) and ate every bit of it. The highlight was definitely the brisket taco, which I saved for last. The other items were delicious as well, including the rich and creamy guacamole.


I would definitely recommend Anamia’s to all Mexican food lovers…one of the best tasting and reasonably priced in the area. Jennifer and I are regulars at the Cristina’s in Lewisville, but from now on…I’d rather go to Anamia’s.