As part of my Magnolia Avenue Restaurant Series, I thought I’d start with the newest restaurant to grace Magnolia Avenue in Fort Worth – Ellerbe Fine Foods.
Ellerbe Fine Foods
The Vibe
This former filling station on Magnolia Avenue has been transformed into an airy, casually urban space with rustic touches. The patio feels like a relaxing front porch that invites you to stay with colorful chairs and large fans to keep you cool on warm evenings. The interior dining space evokes simple sophistication with white tablecloths and clean lines.
The Food
Seasonal ingredients from local and regional producers find their place on the menu at Ellerbe Fine Foods. Ellerbe’s fills the Fine Dining niche on Magnolia so the prices are higher compared to the other restaurants on this street but completely worth it. With write-ups in Gourmet, high praise from the Fort Worth Star Telegram, and 4 1/2 stars from the Dallas Morning News – Ellerbe’s deserves a visit.
The thoughtfully planned out menu highlights the best qualities of these ingredients. Deborah’s Farmstead Chevre, produced in Fort Worth, is a delicious standout in a number of into menu. The Summer Melon and Deborah’s Farmstead Chevre featured this beautiful artisanal cheese. The constantly changing menu accommodates available produce and ingredients.
The Service
The staff will knowledgeably explain all the ingredients and their origins. Even in the midst of a busy dinner service the waiters maintain their composure and ensure that you are well taken care of. You will appreciate thoughtful attention to small details such as a black napkin for patrons wearing dark colors to avoid leaving lint.
Eat This
The Homegrown Tomato Salad lives up to the name with luscious Carter Farm’s tomato wedges drizzled in rich buttermilk dressing and accompanied by a creamy Brazos Valley Blue Cheese and crunchy Hush Puppy croutons.
Brie Crostini and Bella Vista Truffle Oil make the Roasted Cauliflower Soup positively luxurious.
The Curried Lamb Chops were given just a tease of curry, which keeps the rich lamb flavor dominant.
Seasonal ingredients shine in deserts such as a Texas Peach and Prosecco Semifreddo.
If you’re looking for a down home, sticky sweet desert the Maw Maw Bread pudding is the way to go.
Desert paired with a pot of French Press coffee completes the upscale, Southern dining experience.
Ellerbe Fine Foods
1501 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
817.926.3663
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Went to El’s for lunch and was not impressed. It’s another one of those small-portions-for-a-big-price place that reviewers are afraid to be honest about and that is populated by people who don’t really care about food, just the fact that it’s expensive and they can afford it. We had the deer burger and the pulled pork sandwich and both were absolutely tiny and overpriced. Fries were hard and cold and unimaginative. The dessert – Scholinag pot de Creme – was so small, you’d think it came from a kid’s menu. I always give places a second chance, so we’ll go back and maybe get the eggs benedict. The guy next to me did, and he scraped his plate. A rather large plate, too, I might add.
hellofromfw – try going back for dinner. My first time, I was disappointed about the lunch portions, but was very pleased for dinner. And our food was AMAZING! We shared the cheese platter, my husband had the steak special and I had the special of the day which was pork stomach and was hands down the best pork I’ve ever had.