October brings shorter days, cooler weather, and a change in the Earth’s directional tilt that shifts the light from summer’s overexposed full sun to autumn’s gently filtered glow. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Each moment of the year has its own beauty, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.”
Fall’s temperate moments are the rewards for summer’s brutal ones.
I just returned from a glorious four weeks in France, where gardens are among the most celebrated in the world, whether they are the royally cultivated and manicured gardens of Jardin du Luxembourg or peek-a-boo floral free-for-alls in small hamlets across the country. I’m now deeply inspired by gardens and, more so, garden dining.
Though Dallas has an abundance of dramatically wall-papered, chandelier-draped restaurants which are mechanically climatized for our comfort, we lack dining options that are surrounded by gardens, floral, herbal, or even well-trimmed boxwoods. Patio dining is great, but garden dining is even better.
Offering outdoor dining in Dallas is challenging. It’s either stiflingly hot or bone-chillingly cold, or there’s pounding rain with straight-line winds interrupting our plans. But when the weather is just right, plan to enjoy a meal at one of these garden restaurants.
Garden Café
Highland Park native Mark Wooten owns and operates Garden Café in east Dallas. Wooten’s father opened the restaurant in 2002, and the 2006 Highland Park High School graduate took over in 2010.
“We always had a garden growing up,” Wooten said. “Instead of a lemonade stand, I had an okra stand outside of Highland Park Middle School. One year we had a huge tomato crop, and I sold them right outside of Highland Park Methodist Church.”
That’s serious cred.
Wooten’s Garden Café is a classic diner with indoor seating and a vegetable and herb garden outside which seats 50 people. Garden Café serves brunch Thursday to Sunday and dinner Thursday to Saturday. 5310 Junius St., Dallas.
Ralph & Rose at North Haven Gardens
Tucked back in the covered portion of the gardens’ nursery, Ralph & Rose sits in a smartly decorated manufactured building that’s light, bright, and climatized for comfort. It’s a gift shop and meeting place that offers a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks as well as ice cream and pastries. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 7700 Northaven Road, Bldg. 3, Dallas.
Dallas Arboretum
The most expansive garden in Dallas is, of course, the Dallas Arboretum. There’s not a better place to have a picnic. The 66-acre garden allows picnicking anywhere on the grounds and is fairly permissive with what you can bring in. Coolers and adult beverages, yes. A Weber grill, no.
If you’re not a DIYer, the Arboretum also has six venues at which to enjoy afternoon tea, bistro fare, a food cart, or a nice sit-down indoor meal at Restaurant DeGolyer. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
The theme of this year’s Pumpkin Village, which opened Sept. 19, is Autumn Hues. The village features six pumpkin houses inspired by modern and contemporary artists. 8525 Garland Road, Dallas.
Kersten Rettig, a freelance writer with leadership experience in the food and travel industries, resides in the Park Cities, where she is known as “the restaurant sherpa” for her expert recommendations. Follow her on Instagram @KerstenEats.
Author
