Legendary Downtown Hotel Restaurant Makes a Dramatic Return

A Fitting French Makeover

By Natalie Gempel // Oct 5, 2017

Photography Steven Visneau

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The Adolphus' legendary restaurant, The French Room. (Photo by Steven Visneau)

The French Room Salon is filled with the work of Texas artists, curated by the Nasher's Lucia Simek.

The dining room's twin Italian Murano Glass chandeliers were restored and lowered to a more prominent place.

The French Room brings quite a setting.

The walls, previously colorful and cherub-covered, have been given a fresh coat of white plaster.

The 16-month renovation was led by SWOON The Studio.

Legendary Downtown Dallas restaurant The French Room finally made its grand return yesterday, with a chic new look and a revamped menu. The storied fine dining spot inside of The Adolphus hotel has been transformed after an extensive 16-month renovation, aimed at putting it back at the top of Dallas diners’ lists.

The opulent dining room has been modernized by Dallas interiors and branding firm, SWOON, the Studio – the pastel, cherub-covered ceiling whitewashed with fresh plaster, the twin Italian Murano Glass chandeliers lowered to be more prominent, and gilded Louis XVI style chairs put in place.

There are also two brand-new, more “accessible” spaces to accompany it. Adjacent to the restaurant is The French Room Bar, a sultry cocktail den which offers menu of sharable plates from the restaurant. Just outside of the dining room, The French Room Salon is a posh lounge for socializing, decked out in art curated by the Nasher Sculpture Center’s Lucia Simek.

The restaurant’s famous cuisine has gotten a modern makeover as well. The menu is an updated take on classic French cuisine from Chef Michael Elhert, and while it may be more approachable, it’s certainly not lacking in grandeur. Diners have the choice between an evolving, seasonal three-course menu, a seven-course tasting menu and a 15-course experiential menu, which takes them on a tour through all three venues of The French Room. The dining experience gets a theatrical flair with interactive, table-side finished dishes like the Lamb Saddle for Two and the Wild Bass in Salt Crust.

Of course, there will be tableside wine services as well. Sommelier Jeff Gregory has put together a list of thoughtfully selected wines from across the globe. A variety of fancy craft cocktails served in the restaurant and at the French Room Bar will be executed by beverage manager Anna Pereda.

It still figures to be the extravagant dining experience that Dallasites have loved for decades – it’s just a little more stylish now.