Ensalada de fajitas en canasta with a sangria swirl margarita: Photo by Mark Davis
Drawing on his fine-dining background, Fernando Padilla created a casual Tex-Mex restaurant with a dash of upscale cuisine. “It’s the best of both worlds,” he says. The combination has made Fernando’s a neighborhood standby. This time of year, many patrons opt for a seat on the breezy patio, with abundant shade and a water feature, to enjoy traditional Tex-Mex fare such as enchiladas and fajitas. Padilla’s background is evident in the “Mexico City specials” portion of the menu, which features more cosmopolitan entrées such as beef tenderloin filets and grilled shrimp stuffed with crabmeat. He recommends sharing a bottle of wine, most of which come from South American and Spanish wineries. To create a warm atmosphere, staff members learn guests’ names and remember their preferences. “I wanted to stand out,” Padilla says, “so I make sure that there’s a personal touch.” Learning names is easy when the guests are local celebrities. Dallas Cowboy legends Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach are a couple of the big names who frequent the restaurant. “We have a lot of stately clientele that come here on a regular basis,” Padilla says. “There are a lot of Tex-Mex restaurants in Dallas, so I am flattered that they would choose me.”
Fernando’s ceviche: Photo by Mark Davis
Fernando’s Mexican Cuisine
4347 W. Northwest Highway, Suite 100
214.351.9010
fernandosmexicancuisine.com
Price: $10-$25 per entrée
Hours:
11a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Tip: If you order the new catering option, three cooks from Fernando’s will grill and prepare fajitas on-site for your own private fiesta.
Did you know? Fernando’s celebrated nine years in the neighborhood May 5.
Three more great patios in Preston Hollow:
R&D Kitchen
Enjoy light entrées such as sushi, salads and sandwiches on this patio next to a handsome infinity-style water feature.
8300 Preston Center Plaza
214.890.7900
hillstone.com
Bread Winners Café
Remodeled last October, this updated patio boasts comfy couches perfect for sitting back and enjoying the greenery of CenterPark garden at NorthPark Center.
8687 N. Central, Suite 1608
469.232.9798
breadwinnerscafe.com
Mattito’s Tex-Mex
Colorful strings of lights and a fireplace make this patio a lively yet intimate spot to sip a summer margarita.
7778 Forest
214.377.9576
mattitos.com
