I Love Lunchin’ with Lucy

My friend, Lucy, was visiting and we were in search a of a lunch site. Hmm. . . what should it be: ethnic, a new place, an old favorite, something nearby, a healthy menu, a hole-in-the-wall, or a white table cloth dining room? So much to choose from.

In the end, Mariposa beat out Carl’s Drive-In, though the iconic burger joint was a strong contender and among the finalists. (Carl’s parking lot is a challenge now, because of road construction.)

Culinary Chic

I still refer to the restaurant at Neiman Marcus as the Zodiac Room—a label it wore for many a year. (Now only their Downtown Dallas store carries the original name.)

A Shoe In

To enter the Frontenac restaurant, you go to the second-level of the department store and walk through the shoe boutique. This is hard to do without stopping to see what capricious designers want to put on our feet this spring. These days I just smile and shake my head at foot fashion, but it’s still fun to view their avant-garde collection.

A Perfect Midday Menu

Tuning from the sales floor, we stepped into what felt like a charming tea room. It was noon-ish and the place a-buzz, mainly with women—though a few men were scattered about. Tall ceilings, mirrors, and lighting can cause you to forget the space is windowless. 

Mariposa tantalizes their patrons with a complimentary popover the size of a softball served with a ramekin of Strawberry-Butter. A demitasse of flavorful, hot bouillon comes alongside.

All ingredients are locally sourced when available, using fresh seasonal foods, all-natural chicken, hamburger, and hormone-free milk.

At first, I thought a meteorite had landed on my plate! Happily, it was a popover, that was as light  as a feather. 

It was a difficult choice, but upon chatting with our affable server, both Lucy and I went with their signature lunch entrée: Chicken Salad Soufflé. The assorted fruit, chicken salad, blueberry muffin, and orange soufflé made for a colorful and tasty plate.

By any name, this charming lunch venue is perfect for as favorite aunt’s birthday, a mother-daughter lunch, the visit of an old friend, a business meetup, or a relaxing stop for shoppers. There’s even underground parking for those who want to dodge the weather.

Mariposa. 1701 S. Lindbergh, Neiman-Marcus, 2nd floor, Frontenac Shopping Center. Hours: Tue-Sat 11a-3p. Closed Sunday and Mon.