We here at From Texas to Beyond love food. Rachel and I particularly love all types of food and trying new things. We used to spend many hours watching food shows like Top Chef, Next Iron Chef, Chopped, MasterChef and on down the list. Living in Fort Worth, it just so happens that one of the most well know and respected chefs in Texas and the US, Tim Love, has several restaurants here. David has previously talked of The Woodshed and I have mentioned the burger from Love Shack, but the restaurant that started it all is Lonesome Dove Western Bistro. This restaurant has been featured in many shows and articles about Tim Love and the DFW area and created a stir inside Rachel and I to try this place out.
Beet Home-Fries, Goat Cheese, Chilies
In need of a date night and having saved up for a nice meal, we decided to take the plunge and mark off Lonesome Dove Western Bistro on our list of places that we needed to try. Situated in the Fort Worth Stockyards (an Austin location has opened recently), Lonesome Dove Bistro hearkens the diner back to the days of the Old West but with modern and upscale food. The restaurant itself seems fairly small upon entering with a dining room and a bar, but there is a room in the back that allows for parties. The setting has a dark and romantic atmosphere while celebrating Texas and the western motif, including a Texas flag behind the viewable kitchen.
One of the best things about Lonesome Dove Western Bistro is the menu that ranges from typical items like steak and seafood to items that can rarely be found like Wagyu Tomahawk Ribeye, kangaroo carpaccio, Rocky Mountain Elk Ribeye, wild boar, and the popular rabbit and rattlesnake sausage. Lonesome Dove features an extensive alcohol list with a number of handcrafted cocktails, wines and craft beers.
Elk Sausage Sliders
Rachel and I asked the wonderfully helpful waitress about recommendations so we started our meal with the rabbit-rattlesnake sausage that is accompanied with a spicy Manchego rosti and crème fraiche. I had no idea what to expect but this was fantastic. The Manchego was wonderful and gave the dish a touch of spice while the crème fraiche brought a nice smoothness to the sausage. The sausage was moist and tender and a powerful bite of the rabbit and snake. It wasn’t gamey or tough but so tender and well seasoned. We also tried the elk sausage sliders which are served with seared foie gras and blueberry jam and this was amazing! The jam brought a wonderful sweetness to the elk that was so succulent. We started off with a bang and could not wait to see where to go from there. Other appetizers of note are the seared lamb lollipops, the lobster hushpuppies and the aforementioned kangaroo carpaccio.
Colorado Trout, Chorizo & Sweet Potato Stuffing, Cilantro-Orange Butter
If you are in the mood for a second course, give the pozole stew or the green chili a try. Even if it is hot outside, these items are worth raising your temperature.
For the main course, Rachel went with the Colorado trout with a chorizo and sweet potato stuffing, served with a cilantro-orange butter. The fish was tender and the stuffing took this amazing fish to another dimension. The subtle spiciness of the chorizo mixed with the sweetness of the sweet potato made for a dynamite bite. I went with the Rocky Mountain Elk Loin that included salsify, hen of the woods, Swiss chard and candied grapes. Let me just say this was wonderful. The elk was tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare. I felt it could have used a bit more seasoning as it was a bit bland on its own, but with the salsify, the hen of the woods, Swiss chard, and grapes, it combined to bring together a great bite. The plating of the dishes was absolutely beautiful; you could see how attention was put into every detail. We ordered the beet home fries in addition to our entrees. These came with goat cheese and chiles and was possibly the star of the show. The beets were cooked and seasoned so well and adding the chiles and goat cheese to it made for a fantastic bite. I wish there was a bit more goat cheese but I also love goat cheese and not everyone does.
Rocky Mountain Elk Loin, Salsify, Hen-of-the-Woods, Swiss Chard, Candied Grapes
The service was great from start to finish. The hostess was attentive and helpful. The waitstaff was wonderful with taking care of our drinks, refills, and food suggestions.
Reservations are highly recommended as Lonesome Dove gets busy quick. You may be able to get by without a reservation during the week, but probably best to go ahead and make one. Upon entering, the host stand is right next to the door so if there is a group there, it can be a bit confusing.
If you are in the Fort Worth area and love food, have money to spare, or just a big spender, a trip to Lonesome Dove Western Bistro is a must. The food will leave you satisfied and the ability to try something different is always a plus.
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