I was recently invited to a media dinner at Lambert’s, on Fort Worth’s Westside bordering downtown.  Many Fort Worth and Dallas food and freelance writers attended the event – you are basically given a sampling of the menu and drinks (for free – nice).  This review is a recap of the event.  For the record, I ate at Lambert’s shortly after it opened (on my own dime) and did not review it because I felt there were some jitters that still had to be worked out.  I’ve also been there for cocktails a time or two.  Now before you start shaking your fist at me I must explain my position on freebies – I’ll take them.  Last I checked food blogging in The Fort doesn’t pay too well, so I will shamelessly accept any perks that happen to come my way.

The Vibe
Mid-century modern touches accent the Texan decor at Lambert’s giving it an urban cowboy vibe.  I love the arty and kitschy trio of wild boar heads that dominate the bar.  Saddles hang from the ceilings in the dining room and musical acts grace the stage on the weekends.  Ginny Mac was providing some great entertainment the night of the media dinner – I have to give major props to any girl who can expertly wield an accordion.  Aaron Williams (General Manager) was responsible for the drink pairings.

The Food
To start the event off, we were given strawberry basil martinis and a selection of Charcuterie, Wild Boar Ribs, and Fried Oysters.  The Charcuterie Platter is on the Appetizer menu and had house cured meats, house made lamb sausage, artisinal cheeses and grilled breads.  The lamb sausage was my favorite with a familiar yet unique flavor.  The Wild Boar Ribs were perfectly blackened on the outside and nice and tender on the inside.  Sure I looked unladylike tearing into them but who cares when something is so tasty.  After this light grazing we sat down for the main event – a 6 course tasting dinner.

Lou Lambert is trying to stay “true to Texas roots” with the food at Lambert’s.  This is evident in all the smoked and grilled meats, appealing to our inner cowboy.  However, each dish is given a modern touch that adds a shot of urban flair.  The name says it all and heck if you don’t like steak or seafood there’s always the whiskey.

The first course was a Fried Green Tomato.  I was excited because I’ve never had one.  Now that I have, I must advise you to order this treat anytime you find it on a menu.  The fried outer layer was crispy while the tomato itself stayed firm.  It was topped with soy, alfalfa, and sunflower microgreens and served alongside a rich crab remoulade salad. A bright citrusy ‘07 Trefethen Dry Riesling accompanied.

The second dish of Grilled Bacon Wrapped Quail was a standout.  The delicate quail meat had a deep smoky flavor and the bacon added a sweet carmelization to the dish, wow.  Sweet corn puree was the yin to to the yang of the poblano and cheddar pudding.  A cucumber celery root salad gave a refreshing bite to the dish.  A deep blackberry ‘05 Lapis Luna “Romanza” Zinfandel held it’s own against the smoky flavors.

Oak Smoke Braised Beef Short Ribs with garlic mashed potatoes followed.  The Short Ribs have a mirepoix (onions, carrots, and celery) dry rub along with a hint of French roast coffee.  The deeply smoked ribs were crispy and carmelized to the point of being almost blackened (in a good way!).  The Short Ribs were perfectly tender and practically falling off the bone.  The simply titled garlic mashed potatoes in no way indicate their greatness.  On first bite I found that these were the fluffiest mashed potatoes I’ve ever had, truly.  There’s air in those babies – they are as light as an angel’s pillow.  I could ask for no better pairing for the ribs than a Rahr Winter Warmer.

The fourth course was a Smoked and Grilled Center Cut Pork Chop with Green Chile Grits.  This ain’t your momma’s pork chop.  Lambert’s gives their pork chop a special citrus brine and a “jezebel” sauce which all sounds kind of kinky.  The result is a tender and flavorful pork chop that retains it’s moistness. The apple, blue cheese, and walnut slaw that topped the pork chop added a nice texture and a splash of brightness.  I enjoyed the kick of the The Green Chili Grits, and if that isn’t comfort food I don’t know what is.  An ‘04 Au Bon Climat “Hidegard” White blend of pinot gris/blanc played nicely with the subtle citrus flavors of the Pork Chop.

The last meat course was definitely worth making some room for, Kobe Beef Tenderloin. I learned that Kobe is one pampered piece of beef and it was pampering me.  A little cholula butter expertly finished off the melt-in-your-mouth Kobe beef.  The cholula butter gives a sly wink to the flavors in the red chili cheese enchiladas that accompanied the Kobe (What? Enchiladas too?).  The sauce of the enchiladas reminded me of the enchilada sauce I had growing up, slightly chunky and made with dried ancho chiles (not the watered down tex-mexy style).  You need nothing less than a big red Cabernet for Kobe.  So Lambert’s provided an ‘04 Rodney Strong “Alexander Crown” Cabernet Sauvignon that had the cajones to stand up to the Kobe.

After this point I was pretty much banging on the table begging for mercy.  Then appeared a blackberry FRIED pie – who can say no to that?  Fried pies are as country as it gets but the honey buttermilk ice cream that came with it was something new and something I want more of (like a bathtub full).  The fried pie was everything you could ask for in a desert, so indulgent that you don’t give a worry about your waistline.  A Singleton 12 year chilled Scotch totally took this over the top and I like it there!

Overall
While this is not the typical dining experience this is a slice of what you can expect when eating at Lambert’s (except for the free part – sorry).  As much as I was impressed by the food what impressed me more is the sentiment that Lou Lambert puts behind the food.  His take on slow smoking and grilling meats pays tremendous tribute to his ranching roots and the culinary heritage of Texas cuisine.  If you’re looking for an intimate evening Lambert’s is the spot.  Live music on the weekends adds a nice element.  The lounge area is great  for snacking on ribs and Rahr or class it up with a cocktail and conversation.  I plan on keeping Lambert’s honest by returning soon (on my own dime) just to make sure everything is still memorable and delicious.

Eat This
Yes! I love the slow smoked goodness of all the food.

I Eat This
Oak Smoked Braised Beef Short Ribs, Quail (when available), and Mashed Potatoes

Hours
Cocktails Monday – Saturday 4PM – close
Dinner Monday – Thursday 5PM – 10PM
Dinner Friday – Saturday 5PM – 11PM
Brunch Sunday 11AM- 3PM

Lambert’s Steak, Seafood, and Whiskey
2731 White Settlement Road
Fort Worth 76107

Restaurant Week begins August 11 and continues until August 17th.  This is your chance to get a sampling of Fort Worth’s best restaurants for the low, low price of $35.  For less than the price of a tank of gas you can enjoy multiple courses at fine dining venues, now if that ‘aint a bargain I don’t know what is.

Well since you and I aren’t the only ones in the know, now’s the time to make your reservations before spaces fill up.  When making your reservation specify that you would like Restaurant Week seating.  There’s only a limited amount of seats available.  Open Table has all the participating restaurants listed in one place, so you can make your reservations online easily.

Participating restaurants alter their usual menu selections into a prix fixe style menu.  You’ll have several choices for your first, second, and third courses.  Best of all, participating restaurants will donate $7 to the Lena Pope Home.  To sweeten the deal even further, if you spend $25 or more at Central Market you’ll get a certificate for a fourth course that’s redeemable at some of the participating restaurants.  As we all know sneezing in Central Market can cost us $25 so it’s worth picking up that extra jar of olives and getting the certificate.

The $35 doesn’t cover your beverages or gratuity.  Please act like you’ve done this before and tip generously.  Yes, it’s a $35 meal but it’s not Thelma from Denny’s slappin’ your plate on the table.  Your getting the same high quality service that other diners are getting so you should tip accordingly.

*Bistro Louise (extended through 8/31)
Restaurant Week Menu (offering the Central Market fourth course)
2900 South Hulen St., #40  Fort Worth
817.922.9244

*Bonnell’s                                                                                                                                                                                                Restaurant Week Menu
4259 Bryant Irvin Rd. Fort Worth
817.738.5489

Cacharel  (extended through 8/31)
Restaurant Week Menu
2221 E. Lamar Blvd., 9th Floor Arlington
817.640.9981

Cattlemen’s Fort Worth Steak House
2458 N. Main St. Fort Worth
817.624.3945

Del Frisco Double Eagle Steak House (extended through 8/31)
812 Main St. Fort Worth
817.877.3999

Ferre Ristorante (extended through 8/31)
Restaurant Week Menu  (offering Central Market fourth course)
215 E. 4th St. Fort Worth
817.332.0033

*Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexican
3405 W. 7th St. Fort Worth
817.850.9996
The Menu was not available online this is taken from Amy Culbertson’s column in the Star Telegram:
First course: Quail tamales with mole poblano; heirloom tomato gazpacho.
Optional (Central Market fourth course): seared sea scallops with Israeli couscous and vanilla oil.
Entree: duck breast atop risotto with nopales and chile poblano.
Dessert: Kahlua and espresso cheesecake.
For $25, an optional wine-pairing offers three Spanish wines.

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro                                                   
Restaurant Week Menu
2406 N. Main St.  Fort Worth
817.740.8810

*Mercury Chop House (offering Central Market fourth course and extended through 8/31)
1 Main St. Fort Worth
817.336.4129

Piola (offering Central Market fourth course and extended through 8/24)
3700 Mattison Ave. Fort Worth
817-989-0007

Reata Restaurant
Restaurant Week Menu
310 Houston Street  Fort Worth
817-336-1009

Ruth’s Chris Steak House (extended through 8/24)
813 Main  Fort Worth
817-348-0080

Silver Fox Steakhouse (extended through 8/31)
1651 S. University Drive Fort Worth
817-332-9060

Texas de Brazil (extended through 8/31)
101 N. Houston Street  Fort Worth
817-882-9500

*The Vault
525 Taylor Street  Fort Worth
817-348-9828

Ama Lur – Gaylord Texas
1501 Gaylord Trail  Grapevine
817-778-2215

Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse (extended through 8/24)
3305 E. Hwy 114 Southlake
817-410-2221

Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, and Crab House (extended through 8/31)
1420 Plaza Place  Southlake
817-912-0500

Olenjack’s Grill
770 Road to Six Flags East
Arlington 817.226.2600

Piccolo Mondo
829 E. Lamar Blvd.
Arlington 817.265.9174

* Eat This Picks.

The event is sponsored by KRLD and you can check out the full list on their website, which includes restaurants in Dallas.