The sleek clean lines of The Zodiac Room

For over 50 years The Zodiac Room has provided a respite for busy shoppers. Housed on the 6th Floor of Downtown Dallas’ iconic flagship store, The Zodiac is much more than a “lunch spot”: It is a destination for the curious out-of-towner, a safe haven for Dallas society, a world created by Stanley Marcus where the concept of service is defined.

Celebrities and Dignitaries have been known to frequent Zodiac

This photo, circa 1957 features Her Highness Maharani of Baroda and hosts Stanley Marcus (left) and Dudley Ramsden. Good girls and bad girls have “supped” with Dallas society for years.Princess Grace did her bridal dress shopping at Neiman’s and then retired to The Zodiac for lunch. Marilyn Monroe would come to Dallas specifically to shop at Neiman’s and dine at Zodiac.

Once seated, a sense of the rich history surrounds you. You are greeted by someone who seems to be more of a trusted friend rather than a server. In his starched whites he welcomes you with a soothing demitasse of rich chicken broth and an airy cheese puff. This is when you settle in and know that the frustrations of the day are to be put aside for a bit.

ahhhhhh

Even mid day shoppers need a little pick-me-up. Zodiac has just the prescription.

Now we can really settle in……..

We had our dear Friend Mary Lynn Cisco in town visiting from New Orleans. Being the foodie that I am I wanted to take her to Dallas’ finest. But WHERE do you take someone who comes from a place with such a rich culinary history and an opportunity around every corner to have your pallate blown away? Where could you go that would be memorable? Where could you go where the experience is unique to Dallas? Upon first consideration I thought….BBQ! Then I thought, no that’s so expected. Then I considered something hip, something tauted, something trendy. Of course Dallas’ famous chef’s and their establishments came to mind. Would she enjoy Fearing’s at The Ritz? After all, we would be able to share with her that he cooked for our wedding 27 years ago when our reception was held at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. NO. Should we expose her to the Texas chic of Stampede 66 by Stephen Pyles? NO. Also being a foodie, should we take her to Sissy’s Southern Kitchen, the restaurant home of once Next Food Network Star competitor Lisa Garza? NO. Surely the southern styling can not compare to those found in New Orleans. How about a casual lunch at a specialty food store like Eatzi’s, Central Market, or Whole Foods? New Orleans, for all it’s mouth watering glory, has nothing to compete with these ringleaders of righteous rarities. NO. Who wants to take a visitor to eat lunch in a grocery store?
So Janee, Allie, and I started thinking…..we can’t compete with the New Orleans food scene. We should take our guest somewhere that is truly “Dallas”. We should focus on the experience rather than the food. It became a no brainer……………..

The Inviting Entrance

Of course after the demitasse of chicken broth, the much anticipated famous Neiman’s popover arrives at your table and you know all is good with the world. The caloric treat is crunchy on the outside and light and flaky on the inside. It arrives with creamy strawberry butter for patrons to lather on.

that’s what I’m talking about!

For our main course we chose the Crabcake Sliders, the Vietnamese Salad with Grilled Scallops, The Cobb Style Club Sandwich, and The Turkey Pesto Sandwich.



No Neiman’s experience would be complete without a jewelry box full of their famous chocolate chip cookies. Just in case you want to make the cookies at home a printed card with the recipe comes in the box.
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So next time you entertain an out-of-town guest consider an experience they can only get in Dallas! Thank you Stanley Marcus for your vision. We enjoyed every minute.
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