There’s no shortage of steakhouses in our area: Far North Dallas is chock-full of them, and the downtown area has a few stellar ones as well. But that doesn’t mean you have to leave the neighborhood if you’re craving a thick, juicy steak done the way you like it. You can get it right here in the neighborhood at Charolais Steak House.
Charolais – sounds like a French restaurant, oui? Not according to owner and general manager Jean Rubede. Sure, he’s from France, and yes, the name Charolais originates from a region in France. But the restaurant’s name is based on the breed of cattle that provides the steaks, raised here in Texas and the Midwest. And while there are some French touches to the place, including the cozy interior and a few of the menu choices and cooking styles, it’s mostly just a very good steakhouse.
There are some seafood, chicken and veal offerings, but steak clearly dominates the menu. Pictured is the house specialty, Steak Stanley.
Rubede created the dish 30 years ago, topping two filets with mushroom sauce, a horseradish-sour cream mixture, and a banana sautéed in sugar. Sounds strange, maybe, but considering how quickly our staff ate it up after the photo shoot, we think it works.
CHAROLAIS STEAK HOUSE
5950A Royal (at Preston) ~ 214-692-0900
Hours: Mon-Sat 5-10 p.m.
Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
$$$, FB
Steak Stanley (Serves 1-2)
2 filet mignons
1 banana, whole
2 tablespoons creamy horseradish (or combine equal amounts of horseradish and sour cream)
½ cup mushrooms
Brown sauce (such as packaged gravy)
Saute mushrooms in brown sauce, then sauté banana in sugar until brown. Prepare filets to desired doneness. Top steaks with mushroom sauce and banana, and serve with a dollop of horseradish mixture and sliced vegetables.
Arts & Entertainment
Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse April 4, Kate Campbell ($12 advance, $14 at door); April 11, Kate McDonnell/Bill Parsons and Jan Marra; April 18, closed for Good Friday; April 25, Peter Mayer. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are $10-$12 unless noted. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit www.unclecalvins.org.
World Premier Sunday, April 6 at 7 p.m. Come see San Antonio-born composer Robert Avalon debut his new work, including a violin concerto by Sung Ju Lee and a flute concerto featuring the 2003 winner of the Myrna Brown National Flute Competition. Hosted by the Dallas Chamber Orchestra. Ticket prices $7-$20. Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, at Preston and Walnut Hill. Call 213-321-1411 or visit www.dallaschamberorchestra.com.
Community
Primavera Galleria Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 20. Spring festival featuring indoor walk-through gardens, fashion shows, children’s photos and pet adoptions. Dallas Galleria, LBJ Freeway at Dallas Parkway North.
Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.
Lutheran High School Benefit Golf Tournament Monday, April 21, 11 a.m. registration, 11:30 a.m. lunch, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. David Frost, PGA tour member and Lutheran parent, is honorary chair. Proceeds benefit the scholarship and financial aid fund for Lutheran students. Oakridge Country Club, 2800 Diamond Oaks Dr. For more information, call tournament director Mike Zimmerman at 214-349-8912, Ext. 102 or mikezimmerman@lhsdfw.org.
Imagination Celebration 2003 Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Old City Park for the largest free family arts festival in the metroplex. Includes hands-on arts activities, storytelling and live performances. Performances by Eddie Coker and Sara Hickman. Free, including admission to Old City Park, 1717 Gano.
Israel Independence Day Celebration Sunday, May 4, noon-4 p.m. Bring the entire family to this community wide celebration of Israel’s 55th birthday. Take part in the 17th Annual Bagel Run at 8 a.m. (in the JCC parking lot), then join the celebration at noon. Even features a market, live music and lots of activities for the kids, including an inflatable slide, bounce house, pony rides, obstacle course and more. 7900 Northaven. For information contact lbrodsky@jccdallas.org.
Concert on the Lawn Sunday, June 15, gates open at 6 p.m. Signed, Sealed & Delivered begins playing at 7 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner, lawn chairs, blankets, footballs and drinks. Or purchase falafel, soda, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy. On the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center Ballfields, 7900 Northaven. $8/adult, $5 children 6-12, 5 and under get in free. For information contact lbrodsky@jccdallas.org.
Culinary
Cooking Classes and Lectures Saturdays, April 5 & 12, noon-3 p.m., Spring Fling tasting party celebrating the flavors of spring; Tuesday, April 15, 2 p.m., Healthful Cooking with The Natural Palate; Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m.-noon, Simply Italian: Uovo nel Canestro (Eggs in a Basket), a guided tour of Italian cuisine with chef Domenico Biasi; Tuesday, April 24th 6-7 p.m., Ask the Doctor, focusing on using routine nutrition as a means to promote optimal health; Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Tapas Taste Fair and class; Saturday, April 26, 2 p.m., Home-style Spanish Cuisine with “A Tasty Transition,” Francee Griggsby shares delicious vegetarian recipes with a flavor of Spain. All classes and lectures are free and open to the public, although class size is limited. To sign up, call 214-361-8887 or visit the customer service area. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston at Forest.
Savory Gourmet Series The Jewish Community Center and Central Market are co-sponsoring a delectable and savory demonstration of wonderful casual food you can prepare at home. Select all or one of the series to learn how to prepare these scrumptious meals. Sunday, April 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m. – Savory Thai Night; Monday, May 5, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Savory Brunch, Lunch and Anything in Between. Wednesday, June 4, 6:30-9 p.m. – Savory Company is Coming for Dinner. Each session, Central Market chefs will prepare a meal. Wine will be included during the evening events. All demonstrations take place at Central Market, Greenville and Lovers. Each session is priced at $65 or $180 for the series. For information, contact lbrodsky@jccdallas.org.
Education
Free Tax Help Mondays, April 7 & 14, noon-4 p.m. Bring your current tax information and forms, along with your previous year’s tax return. Sponsored by AARP, available to the public; persons 55+ given priority. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Family & Youth
Library Live! Poetry in Motion Tuesday, April 8, 10:30 a.m. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
National TV Turn-off Tuesday, April 22, 3:30 p.m. Turn off the TV and head to the library for fun stories, songs and a craft. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Kids in the Kitchen Children in the first grade and up can learn to prepare delicious treats that don’t require attention from mom and dad. For information, contact hdeitchman@jccdallas.com.
Preston Hollow Early Childhood PTA meets the fourth Thursday of each month, through April, at Highland Baptist Church, 8202 Boedeker. This year’s guest speakers include child psychologist Nell Bush, Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow and neighborhood resident and portrait photographer Stacy Bratton. Breakfast begins at 9 a.m., with the meeting at 9:30 a.m. Babysitting is available for a small fee. Call Shannon Nealon at 214-360-9742 for information.
Literary
Turning Memories into Memoirs Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. Writing coach Janis Simmons will conduct this 2-hour class teaching adults how to write their memoirs. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Barnes & Noble Events – Author Signings & Discussions: Wednesday, April 9, 12:30 p.m., Michael Connelly, Lost Light; Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Frederic Crandall, The Headcount Solution; Tuesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m., John Taliaferro, Great White Fathers: The Story of the Obsessive Quest to Create Mt. Rushmore. 7700 W. Northwest Hwy. 214-739-1124.
Preston Royal Book Discussion Group Wednesday, April 16, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come for a discussion of The Secret Life of Bees by Susan Monk Kidd. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Book Review Thursday, April 17. 11 a.m. Rae Solomon reviews recent books. For information, contact scane@jccdallas.com.
