Fedora Northern Italian Dining

Location, Hours, Parking

Fedora is a family-owned restaurant featuring authentic Northern Italian cuisine. It's located at 1722 Routh Street, One Arts Plaza, Dallas, TX 75201. 214-999-0009. Reservations are recommended.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner. Friday open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner. Open Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Self parking is available for $5. Valet is $8 or $5 before 3 p.m.

The ambience at Fedora should be the first indicator that you're in for something special. What you may not realize is that Fedora prides itself on serving dishes that are made-to-order the moment you order them. Chef Jordan customizes each creation to your exact specifications. On a low-sodium diet? No problem. They can leave out the salt because they make the sauce just for you.

If walk into the kitchen, you won't see a 5-gallon pot of pasta sauce simmering on a burner all afternoon. Each dish is prepared from the freshest ingredients when you order it.

When In Rome

Because each dish is prepared especially for you, it would be a good idea to allow additional time for your fine dining experience. Unlike many chain restaurants, it's not a quick in-and-out. Live like the Italians live. Enjoy the atmosphere, some conversation, the antipasti, a glass of wine and then enjoy the meal. When I traveled to Italy, I felt like I was in such a hurry -- and always waiting on my food to arrive. Then I realized that I was being too American. When in Rome, enjoy a relaxing meal. If you plan to dine at Fedora and then take in a performance or show nearby, be sure to allow plenty of time (more than an hour) for a leisurely culinary experience.

I went to Fedora to enjoy a special tasting menu. For antipasti, I sampled the Fedora Insalata Caprese (delicious Heirloom tomatoes topped with buffalo mozzarella and pesto), Caesar Insalata (with crispy pancetta) and Bruschetta (toasted bread with tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and vinegar). Each dish was a mini work of art. It tasted even better than it looked -- and the presentation was gorgeous.

I love meatballs and Fedora's meaty little delicacies did not disappoint. The lamb and veal combination meatballs rested in a very light tomato basil sauce with parmesan. I'm not a huge fan of lamb but I'm learning to embrace it. These meatballs were delicious. I wouldn't have even known that lamb was in the recipe if Chef Jordan hadn't shared that tip with me. I would definitely order the Signature Fedora Pasta Meatball again.

The highlight of my afternoon was sampling the Pici Alla Bolognese. Pici is a thick, hand-rolled pasta -- famous in Northern Italy where Chef Jordan studied -- but it's not widely made in Texas. It's served with a wild boar Bolognese sauce and shredded parmesan and it was amazing. I savored every bite.

I'm still thinking about that sauce. It was sheer perfection in my book. It was delicious, light but still rich in flavor, and best of all -- it was not super salty. I had a discussion with Chef Jordan and he agreed that salt should be an ingredient which brings out the flavor instead of being the flavor. With the freshest ingredients, you don't need to over season to get results. I will definitely order the Pici the next time I visit the restaurant.

I gave Fedora a rare 5-star rating for three reasons:

1. They used the highest quality ingredients.
2. The food was flavorful but not too salty (which is a huge problem in many DFW restaurants).
3. I couldn't see any room for improvement.

Happy Hour is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Select red and white wines are $7. Signature drinks and classic martinis are $7. Happy Hour prices available at the bar and on the patio.

I didn't sample anything but the incredible dessert menu included:

Crème Brûlée - A Grand Marnier rich custard, caramelized sugar and fresh berries.

Tiramisu - A traditional hazelnut whipped mascarpone, Kahlua espresso-soaked lady fingers with a rich chocolate sauce.

Banana Guarnita - Chocolate hazelnut & vanilla gelato with a caramelized banana, topped with chocolate, strawberry, caramel sauces, whipped cream, and a chocolate chip cookie.

Café e Frittella - Dusted chocolate powdered Italian donuts with warm ganache chocolate inside.

Overall Impression

Fedora specializes in very authentic Northern Italian cuisine with homemade everything including the pasta. The decor is beautiful and warm. It's an excellent spot for a romantic dinner/date. It's not the place to go if you want a quick bite because all dishes are made the minute you order them. Sauces are not sitting around in pots on the stove ready to be dished out. Guests are served in a true Italian manner. You will feel welcomed and not rushed -- like family. The food will be worth the wait. Make a reservation and allow an hour or more for the best dining experience. It's very important to know this if you're seeing a show in the Dallas Arts District. Prices are quite reasonable considering that everything is made in-house from the freshest ingredients.