I have three nights in Irving coming up. I am looking for recommendations for fine dining in or a breif drive from Irving. Any cuisine is welcome, I am just looking to avoid anything chain-like. Any tips you can provide are appreciated.

Via Real across from the Four Seasons is excellent - southwestern food and very good margaritas. (There are also all the various things at the Four Seasons like Cafe on the Green.)

Cool River is a steakhouse concept also on MacArthur (between the Four Seasons and 114) and they have fairly good food (the menu keeps changing but the game dishes used to be excellent when I lived by there and dined there two or three times a week) - the bar scene there can sometimes overwhelm the restaurant but that may be your scene! As a solo diner, I often ate in the cigar bar).

A couple of other choices that are a bit further afield - Pappas Bros Steakhouse on Northwest Highway is one of the best in Dallas. (At that same juncture there are a half-dozen other psuedo-chains like Humperdinks, Pappadeaux, Pappasitos, etc.)

If you like good sushi, Jinbeh on Las Colinas Blvd is good... and I also love Thai Chili a few doors down.

Depending on where you are staying in Irving, I'd recommend possibly getting a bit out of the Irving city limits. I live immediately north of there so if you'd like other suggestions, feel free to PM me today and I'll be glad to send you a few more (let me know what you like and what your scene is!).

I'd also like some help as I'm thinking of a stay at Four Seasons - Dallas.

I'm from Toronto Canada and we have alot of great restaurants here. However, we are seriously lacking in mexican, southern/soul food, and BBQ!

How about some suggestions for those cuisine types in the Irving area?

I'm thinking about staying a few nights in a busier area (Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria).

Do we really need a car rental for Irving or this Marriott by the Galleria? The Four Seasons is already pushing our budget.

Thanks so much for the help.

If you drive to the Grapevine/Southlake area (10-15 min drive), there's Kirby's Steakhouse which is an excellent steakhouse.

If you like Wine, there's in Historical Grapevine a small place called "Into the Glass" which sells wine by the glass and has excellent food. It's casual chic but it's great if you're looking for a relaxed atmoshpere. In addition, happy hour is 30% off all wine and appetizers (5-7pm, except weekends).

Even though a chain, there is a PF Changs in Grapevine also.

Pah, skip the Papas Brothers and go you straight to Papa Deaux!

Get you some etouffe, cold bud, and dirty rice.

Then go back to 1st and, well, spread the love, if you know what we mean!

I second that recommendation. I went there with a friend/associate on a business trip a couple years ago and really liked it.

I forget the name but there is a Brazilian restaurant that is great. Part of a chain. Not cheap and you must live beef! All hotels should know of the place.