Bijoux

Scott and Gina Gottlich made the surprise announcement in late February that they were closing Bijoux, one of Dallas’ most formal and elegant restaurants, and reopening it as a bistro. They’d give their jewel box of a dining room a “modern makeover,” they said — including retiring its “famously fancy” chandelier. (Full review)

It used to be that if you wanted to dine at Bijoux, Scott and Gina Gottlich's formal, elegant Inwood Village restaurant, you had no choice but to order a multicourse fixed-price menu. Now you can order a la carte, and that offers a good opportunity to check out Scott's sophisticated cooking. His technique is sure and his sauces superb, as in the demi that dots the plate under a dusky wild mushroom duxelle wrapped in savoy cabbage paired with perfectly seared, succulent prawns. Or the beignet of velvety brandade you might find tucked under a fillet of Chatham Bay cod. (Full review)

The guests at Bijoux often wear "special occasion" on their well-tailored sleeves. Chef-owner Scott Gottlich matches the formal atmosphere in this jewel box of a restaurant with seasonally revolving multicourse menus. Two knockout dishes from a late spring meal: Long Island duck breast garnished with foie gras fried rice and a fried quail egg, and halibut made luxurious with a surprisingly elegant eggplant purée and fresh baby artichokes. (Full review)

You can't get a Ricard (France's favorite aperitif) at Bijoux, but chef-owner Scott Gottlich's cooking hits enough high notes to make up for it. (Full review)