Meeting my parents in Dallas in 2 weeks for the weekend and eating out for 2 dinners.

Both my wife's and my birthdays are within a week of the trip so we are looking to do one really nice meal and then a more reasonable meal the next night.

For steak I was considering Al Biernats or Nick & Sams although Kenny's wood fired grill seems to be very highly rated and much less expensive. I'm open to other suggestions also but would prefer to stay away from Perrys, Flemings, Ruth Chris, Mortons, etc. (open to Pappas or Capitol Grille if they're that much better).

For the next night I'm open to anything as long as it's got a good selection of excellent food and nice ambience etc. Just somewhere you might eat for a nice family meal out that's a bit nicer than your average hamburger joint, but by no means a high end steakhouse that's $100+ per person. Italian, French, Chinese, Thai, etc. are all up for consideration.

Never been to Dallas so any advice is appreciated! We'll be looking for lunch and breakfast too but aren't too picky on those.

Thank you.

Nick & Sam's or Pappa's Steak house for the nice meal and then Kenny's Woodfire for the laid back meal. That or Kenny's Italian or Henry's Majestic.

Out of the steak houses you listed Al Biernats would be my choice, but honestly my favorite in Dallas is III Forks.

As for night 2 Smoke has two locations Dallas/Plano for upscale BBQ or Stampede 66 for Texas fare. Honestly in my opinion if you are never in the Dallas/Fort Worth area I would suggest going to Fort Worth for night number 2. My wife and I get over there any chance we get as there are several nice dining options that won't break the bank, plus the atmosphere is just better IMO.

I'm open to heading that way but I have spent an evening in fort worth before (Captitol Grille in Fort Worth probably still my favorite meal I've had since moving to TX).

Feel free to throw out Fort Worth options too.

Thanks!

Pappas for steak, The rustic for the 2nd night..
You're welcome

Cafe pacific
Lonesome dove

Pappas Bros. is still my favorite steakhouse, but Al Biernat's is pretty good too. A good option for night 2 would be Fearings (my favorite restaurant in Dallas) or Lonesome Dove Bistro in Fort Worth.

Ocean Prime is always a winner for me. If you're coming west, Lonesome Dove is a must go.

Lonesome Dove
Don't go to the far east if I can help it so can't be any help there.

PF Changs for chinese. Never eaten at Pappas Steak House know a lot of people that eat out a lot and rate it the best for steak.

Happy Birthday to you and the Mrs.

The steak house inside the Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas. or the Reunion Tower Restaurant

2nd night hit Gemma off of Henderson, if you can get in or Rapscallion, if you can get reservations. You are welcome

Pappas has best service in town

Think we're doing Gemma on Friday. Mom actually found that one so I'll let her know it came recommended!

Parents were interested in YO Steakhouse for Saturday. Was leaning Al Biernats but if you guys say YO is good we'll probably head there.

Thanks!

Got back yesterday.

Ended up YO Ranch on Friday and Al Biernat's on Saturday.

We were going to go to Gemma's Friday but they were booked already.

YO ranch was okay. I had a Buffalo Strip Steak, Wife had a ribeye (beef), and parents had the wild game platter (Buffalo, Venison, and Quail).

Got a few appetizers and a desert as well. Food was good but everything was very salty, I love salt but it was too the point that it overpowered the meat (on all 4 plates). Service was decent but not great. Waiter brought an iPad to the table before we were done eating desert and asked us all to take a survey rating him. I don't mind doing a survey but being interrupted for it was odd. On the plus side I thought the restaurant was really nice and fairly quiet which I enjoyed.

Al Biernets was fantastic. I had the Wagyu Ribeye (special for the night), wife had prime rib, dad had a Wagyu strip steak, and mom had a buffalo filet. No complaints about anything. My ribeye was one of the best steaks I've ever had and everyone else was jealous they didn't order it. Great service and nice place and would highly recommend if it fit's within your budget for a meal.

I'm not a food critic, nor even a yelper or anything like that, and unfortunately only eat at places like that 2-3x a year but just passing on my experiences as many on here made suggestions and often come looking for suggestions themselves.

Thanks everyone who made suggestions!

Ate at the YO twice in 7 years while working in downtown, I agree it was just okay. Al Biernets sounds fantastic What happened to the Chinese food

Can't go wrong with Al Biernats