A few weeks ago I had to drive to Dallas for a meeting at the school where I completed my paramedic certification. The department personnel were reviewing the future of the program and asked me to attend in order to provide perspective from a recent graduate. The college is located close to Ida Claire- a restaurant my wife always wanted to try while I was in class but never got the chance. We decided to make a day of it and the fam tagged along to Dallas with me. She and the kids went shopping while I went to my meeting and then we all met up for lunch together at Ida Claire.
We started with a plate of Ida's Biscuits- served with bacon gravy, house jam, and savory butter. The biscuits were great; thick and fluffy with nooks and crannies to soak up the trio of toppings. I liked them all equally but the savory butter was Emily's favorite.
Emily may have started the meal with biscuits, but I started with a Spiced Old Fashioned. Their version includes bourbon, cynar, brown sugar simple, orange and mole bitters. (Not sure what cynar is? I wasn't either. According to Wikipedia: Cynar is an Italian bitter liqueur made from 13 herbs and plants. Predominant amongst these is the artichoke, from which the drink derives its name. Cynar is dark brown in color, has a bittersweet flavor, and its strength is 16.5% ABV.) The drink was great.
The dining room was spacious with booths, tables, and even some large high-tops or communal tables. There's a large bar area and open kitchen. Eclectic decor filled the walls and the tables were adorned with mismatched patterned dishes.
Emily ordered the classic chicken and waffles plate: bacon-laced Belgian waffle, sunny side up eggs, crispy tenders, coffee maple syrup, and black pepper gravy. She said the chicken was well seasoned, but she could have done without the bacon in the waffle.
Traditionally served with sunny side up eggs, she opted for them on the side to share with Ian. (She also likes to ruin her eggs by getting them over hard.)
I chose the Braised Beef Short Rib: grilled broccolini, tomatoes, oyster mushrooms, cornbread croutons. Emily took one bite of my dish and said that I "out-ordered" her. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Veggies were cooked perfectly. I would definitely order it again.
I'm not one to typically order dessert but Emily was disappointed we were way too full to try the "Vice Cake". A stout cake with tobacco simple syrup, coffee buttercream, smoked-candied bacon, and ganache. It sounds intense.
I would love to come back in the warmer months and sit outside on the patio. Not pictured: the silver airstream to the left that is available as a seating option.
All in all, it was a delicious meal and fun atmosphere. Family-friendly but would also be a cool weekend brunch spot.