I'm chalking Wednesday (my S&W, my colleague's Abacus) up to an oddity. I've been dining at Abacus almost since it opened and have NEVER had a lackluster meal there. S&W, on the other hand, has been rumored to be on a downslide since arriving in Dallas. From what I've heard, my great experience there last year is the exception rather than the rule. (And it might have also been helped that our waiter last year was a transplant from NYC's Cite, one of my regular spots there.)

Jaspers last night was spectacular. Service was a 10 (very nonrushed, nonintrusive... our waiter sinced that my friend and I were going to talk for a good while and watched carefully for interludes where he could drop in). The food was wonderful as well. I will state that I still prefer Abacus... Asian/seafood is more my deal than American/meat. For those who don't like to branch out quite as far as Abacus forces, however, Jaspers is a gem. While it is not likely to be the first place I seek out if I want a meat and potatoes fix (Dallas has far too many good steakhouses including Bob's right down the block), that strip has great shopping and I could easily see myself popping in for soup and salad and a nibble of dessert (much like I treat The Mansion).

Won't be able to try any additional restaurants before this closes out on Sunday... but rumor has it that many (Jaspers, Abacus, S&W all among them) are extending through next weekend. If that is the case, I may try more next week when I get home from traveling.