Wine 101

One of Dallas’ top sommeliers reveals the best wines to pair with steak

When it comes to wine, it doesn't matter if you're a vino beginner or a grape enthusiast; everyone should know how to order the best wine for their meal. There are certain wines that pair best with certain foods, and you can't just rely on the commonly held belief that "red goes with beef and white goes with fish."

At Bob's Steak & Chop House, you're already investing in an excellent steak (or lobster tail, fresh fish filet, roasted duck, or pork chop). Once you've decided exactly what you're craving and precisely how you want it cooked (need a primer? This will help.), you should order a drink that brings out the full flavor potential of your meal.

Bob's sommelier Curtis Dyer, CSW (that stands for Certified Specialist of Wine) shares his wisdom about which wines you should order and why.

Consider the cut
Filet is a leaner and more tender cut of meat — flavor usually comes from fat — so choose a wine that will balance that.

"Most importantly, you don't want to overwhelm the steak," says Dyer. "An aged Bordeaux from early 1990s, a Burgundy, or an Oregon Pinot — coming from a cooler climate, it's earthier, with more minerality, and not too sweet or jammy — all play well with the filets."

The most flavorful steak cut is the ribeye, so Dyer says "the sky's the limit" with that order.

"Big, bold, fruit-driven Cabernets, especially American Cabs, are perfect," he says. "They have a good tannic structure (that dryness you can feel in your mouth) that will cut through the fat. Cabernets are higher in acid and plays off protein well."

Which cut presents the biggest challenge? Porterhouse, which is essentially two cuts of beef (a filet and a New York strip) in one order. Shoot for a wine that won't overpower the steak yet isn't too weak. A Claret is the ideal choice, since it has the power of a Cabernet but is blended with other grapes to soften and balance its overall delivery.

Don't forget about sauces and toppings
Did you opt for a rich, cream-based sauce? Were peppercorns a prominent ingredient? Did you order your steak "a la Oscar," with crab, asparagus, and hollandaise sauce? These are all common additions to a filet, but each will radically change its flavor profile, so adjust accordingly.

"If you have a creamy sauce, you can go with a much bigger wine," says Dyer.

What's one to avoid in this situation? Chardonnay. Yes, you can order white wine with steak — Dyer recommends dry Riesling for its acidic structure and lower alcohol content, as well as Champagne and sparkling wine at the start of the meal — but Chardonnay's creaminess can become overwhelming and ultimately get lost with the texture of the steak.

Young wines vs. older wines
There's always a temptation to order an older wine, the assumption being that age automatically equals quality. While Bob's does indeed stock an impressive variety of wines, spanning ages, locations, and styles, you'll want to remember that the glass you're sipping should complement, not compete with, your meal.

"The majority of wine drinkers drink younger wines," explains Dyer. "California wines are designed to be consumed almost immediately, but can also benefit from decanting if there's a desire. Bordeaux wines need to age and then decant for 8-10 hours to bring out the different aromatic qualities and flavors. The major difference in Old World and new wines is the fruit structure — Old World wines tend to be more complex, and you need to make sure your steak can handle that."

Ultimately, Dyer subscribes to the notion that everyone should order what they like most.

"It is okay to drink what you like and eat what you like," he says. "There just might be better pairings you aren't aware of yet."

And if you prefer beer to wine? There's a method to pairing suds with steak as well.

"Stick with light, crisp, clean beers," advises Dyer. "IPAs, with their hoppiness and pine undertones but slightly higher alcohol content, and lagers or pilsners are best. We feature lots of local breweries at Bob's."

Complement that steak with a great glass of wine.

Photo courtesy of Bob's Steak & Chop House

Complement that steak with a great glass of wine.

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Father's Day dining

All the best Dallas restaurants to treat Dad for Father's Day 2026

Photo courtesy of Knife

Knife Italian Steak has meaty Father's Day plans.

Father's Day 2026 arrives Sunday, June 21, and Dallas-area restaurants are heating grills and chilling bottles for families to treat their dads, grandpas, favorite uncles, or father figures to a special meal.

Some restaurants are making it a full weekend affair, while others are reserving special dishes and experiences just for Sunday. There are brunches, buffets, dinner specials, signature cocktails, spreads made for sharing, a few freebies ... and steak. So much steak.

Here's a meaty list of the best Dallas restaurants to celebrate Father's Day:

Al Biernat’s: Longtime steakhouse in Oak Lawn and North Dallas will celebrate Father's Day with brunch, lunch, and dinner service, plus complimentary Al Biernat’s hats for dads while supplies last. Brunch and lunch, served from 10 am-2 pm, feature dishes like carne asada with eggs and smoked salmon breakfast nest. Dinner, available from 4:30-11:30 pm, includes favorites such as filet mignon, cowboy cut ribeye, Chilean sea bass, and Parmesan-panko crusted red snapper, along with Al’s Famous Coconut Cream Pie and Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake. Spring cocktails, zero-proof drinks, and curbside pickup are available, and the Oak Lawn location will offer World Cup viewing. June 21.

Batbox Dallas: Addison baseball entertainment venue will honor dads on Father’s Day with a free entrée and side for pops all day on June 21. The venue combines food, drinks, and interactive batting-style games, offering families an alternative to a traditional restaurant meal.

Blue Mesa Grill: The Southwestern favorite's Addison, Fort Worth, and Plano locations will serve an expansive Father's Day brunch buffet from 9 am-4 pm on June 21. Highlights include carving stations with smoked brisket, red chile salmon, ginger-chipotle glazed ham, and chicken fajitas, plus a build-your-own street taco bar. Brunch dishes range from huevos rancheros and eggs Benedict to shrimp and grits, made-to-order omelets, waffles, and brioche French toast. Desserts include churros, sopapilla cheesecake, mini flans, and more. The buffet is $35 per person, including mimosas, coffee, tea, juice, and soft drinks; $15 for children ages 6-11, while kids 5 and younger eat free.

Catch Dallas: Dallas restaurant will mark Father's Day on June 21 with special brunch and dinner offerings. Brunch, served from 10:30 am-4 pm, features chef-created dishes like wagyu crispy rice nigiri with black truffle and wagyu filet skewers with misoyaki glaze, alongside sushi, raw bar selections, desserts, and specialty cocktails. Dinner includes an exclusive bone-in ribeye with bone marrow truffle butter and duck fat potatoes for $130. Dinner service runs from 5-10 pm.

Dee’s Table: Frisco restaurant will mark Father’s Day with a take-home Grill Package. Available for pickup on June 21, the package feeds four to eight people and includes four filet mignons, four Wagyu burger patties with brioche buns and cheese, plus sides of corn, roasted potatoes and pasta salad. Dee’s Sassy Seasoning and an insulated tote are also included, offering a ready-to-grill experience at home for $179.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse: Upscale steakhouse will celebrate Father's Day all weekend with an indulgent Westholme Wagyu New York strip topped with foie gras and black truffle Bordelaise for $129. The featured cocktail is Dad’s Nightcap, a bourbon-based drink with fig, lemon, hickory smoke syrup, and bitters. Available June 19-21 at all DFW locations.

Del Frisco’s Grille: All locations of the steakhouse will mark Father's Day weekend with a special 14-ounce, 45-day dry-aged New York strip topped with bourbon bacon butter and served with a choice of hand-mashed gold potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, or roasted asparagus. Pair it with the Grille Master Mule, made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, blood orange, lemon, hickory smoke syrup, and ginger beer. Available June 19-21.

Delilah Dallas: Flashy Design District supper club/night club will celebrate Father's Day all weekend, June 19-21, with three nights of supper club glamour, live entertainment, and special menu offerings from executive chef Scott Ruwart. Featured dishes include smoked salmon rillette with caviar, a 30-ounce bone-in ribeye, and maple bourbon sticky toffee pudding, alongside signature cocktails like The Lone Star and the Spicy Siena. Dinner service begins nightly at 5 pm. 1616 Hi Line Dr.

Evelyn: Design District restaurant will mark Father’s Day with a special brunch inside its old-Hollywood-inspired dining room. Brunch, available 12-2 pm on June 21, includes glazed cinnamon rolls, housemade croissants, steak and omelet, French toast and chicken and waffles, along with a Duo Steak Board paired with a dark chocolate bitters bourbon old-fashioned. Pricing varies.

Farena at Loews Arlington Hotel: Arlington hotel restaurant will celebrate Father's Day weekend June 19-21 with an Italian dining experience featuring Executive Chef Tony France’s special Bistecca Florentina served with roasted asparagus, olive oil crushed potatoes, and signature steak sauce. Guests can also add whiskey tasting flights, including bourbon ($55), rye whiskey ($75), or premium peated Scotch ($145), alongside Farena’s regular menu of Italian favorites. Dinner service runs from 4-11 pm.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria: Coal-fired pizza chain will offer a Father’s Day Bundle available all Father's Day weekend. The family-friendly meal includes an 18-inch traditional pizza, large House Caesar salad, and a bottle of Tribute wine for $56 (price may vary by location). Available June 19-21 at multiple DFW locations.

Knife Italian Steak at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas: Irving luxury hotel restaurant will host a Father's Day brunch buffet focused on premium dry-aged meats and Italian flavors. The spread includes a chef-attended carving station, raw bar, fresh pasta finished in a Parmesan wheel, wood-fired pizzas, brunch favorites, and decadent desserts. Brunch is served from 11 am-3 pm June 21 and is $135 for adults and $55 for children ages 4-12.

Luna Roja: New downtown Dallas Mexican restaurant will celebrate Father’s Day with a “Padres & Patrón” event featuring tequila-forward specials and family-style plates. Dads are welcomed with a complimentary tableside tequila sample, along with limited-time dishes like the El Jefe Taco with ribeye and bone marrow ($8), the El Padre Platter ($19), and an añejo tequila Old Fashioned ($12). Guests can also enjoy 25 percent off tasting flights as part of the “Padres y Familia Flights” special. Available June 21, 10 am-10 pm.

The Mexican: Fine Mexican restaurant will celebrate Father's Day on June 21 with an a la carte menu focused on premium grilled meats, handcrafted cocktails, and bold flavors. Featured offerings include the Trilogía del Asador, a presentation of premium American Wagyu cuts served with traditional accompaniments, along with specialty cocktails like El Rey and Estilo Viejo. Service begins at 11 am.

Miriam Cocina Latina: Latin restaurant with locations in Dallas and Coppell will celebrate Father's Day all weekend, June 19-21, with special menu offerings alongside its regular menus and weekend brunch served from 10 am-3 pm. Featured dishes include Tropical Mango Ceviche with shrimp and baby octopus; Pollo a la Crema Clásico with mushroom sauce and poblano mashed potatoes; Padre’s Reserve Ribeye with red wine reduction; and Fresa Dulce Mousse Pie. The featured Father's Day cocktail is the El Padre Tamarindo, made with tequila and tamarind liqueur. A la carte pricing.

Nobu Dallas: Uptown Japanese restaurant will offer both brunch and dinner experiences for Father’s Day on June 21. Brunch features an expanded selection of Japanese and Western dishes, including prime ribeye carving stations and matcha waffles with berries, plus a live DJ and cocktail specials starting at $14. Brunch is $95 per person and $45 for children. For dinner, Nobu will serve a special tasting menu with dishes like toro tartare with caviar, crispy soft-shell crab tempura, and premium cuts cooked on a hot stone. Dinner tasting menu is $135 per person.

Nuri Steakhouse: Dallas steakhouse will mark Father’s Day weekend with limited-availability center-of-the-table offerings designed for sharing. From June 19-21, guests can enjoy Tomahawks, Porterhouses and Korean lobster, with pre-ordering encouraged to secure availability for the celebratory cuts.

Ocean Prime: Uptown steakhouse will celebrate Father’s Day with a premium steak-and-wine pairing designed for dads. The featured special includes a 12-ounce Imperial American Wagyu Strip paired with PlumpJack Merlot for a classic steakhouse experience. The wagyu strip is $98, while the Merlot is available by the glass or bottle.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: Dallas-area steakhouses will mark Father’s Day with an all-day celebration featuring early opening at 11 am on Sunday, June 21 and the full dinner menu available for dine-in guests. The highlight is a limited-time, 22-oz. bone-in Caramelized Prime Rib ($69), pecan-wood-fired and served with Perry’s Steak Butter, truffle merlot demi-glace and horseradish cream, available dine-in or to-go. Guests can also opt for the 3-course Pork Chop Sunday Supper ($49) and brunch-inspired cocktails ($14) from 11 am-4 pm, including Bloody Marys, rosé sangria and mimosas.

Revel Patio Grill: Frisco restaurant will mark Father's Day with indulgent brunch, lunch, and dinner specials featuring fried ravioli, fried lobster ravioli, surf and turf with filet mignon and grilled shrimp, and lobster ravioli in a garlic tarragon cream sauce. The restaurant will also offer Father's Day crawfish specials at 3 pounds for $21 or 5 pounds for $35, offering a communal option for family gatherings.

SĒR Steak + Spirits: The Hilton Anatole steakhouse on the 27th floor will celebrate Father’s Day weekend with specialty food and drink offerings. Highlights include the Father Thyme cocktail, made with blackberry and thyme-infused Buffalo Trace bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters, orange zest, and black cherry, along with the Whiskey & Cigar dessert featuring coffee panna cotta, whiskey ice cream, a hazelnut cigar, and bananas foster sauce. Available Father’s Day weekend.

Shell Shack: All locations of the seafood favorite will offer dads 25 percent off the restaurant's Crab Daddy Boil, available all day on Fahter's Day, June 21. The feast includes two king crab legs, a half-pound each of snow crab and Bairdi crab, plus corn, potatoes, and sausage.

The Sicilian Butcher: Italian restaurant will mark Father’s Day weekend with a Sicilian-inspired menu available June 19-21, featuring coastal flavors and grilled specialties. Dishes include PEI mussels with ’nduja and white wine, swordfish palermitana with salmoriglio sauce, fire-grilled pork chop with gigante bean ragu, and cioppino with clams, mussels and Calabrian chili. Guests can also enjoy a tableside Sicilian Manhattan cart experience with rotating seasonal pours.

Top Brass: Addison restaurant inside new Hotel Dax will offer a Father's Day jazz brunch featuring live music, drink specials, and a one-day-only prime rib special. Served from 11 am-2 pm, the $55 prime rib plate comes with Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. Guests can also enjoy $2 mimosas, $10 Bloody Marys, and selections from the regular brunch menu, including French toast, fluffy pancakes, an All-American breakfast, and a brunch burger. Live jazz by Abram Olivas will serenade diners.

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