Dallas 2001

By Susan L. Fitzgerald , Jennifer J. Salopek

Bill Bates Cowboy Ranch

Just 30 minutes north of Dallas in cattle country, Bill Bates Cowboy Ranch hosts groups of 10 to 3,000 for special events with a change of pace. On its 386 acres of rolling Texas countryside, the ranch provides a wide range of activities including rock climbing, a Dallas Cowboys 50-foot obstacle course, stagecoach and pony rides, a petting zoo, miniature golf, batting cages, and square dance instruction. Catering services include hot and cold hors d'oeuvres; all-you-can-eat buffets of smoked beef brisket, grilled chicken, and savory sausage; steak dinners; and Tex-Mex meals.

Insider's scoop: "Fun enough for all-day family events. There's a playground for the kids and even a pond for fishing. Nice getaway event site." 4934 Farm Market 1461 in McKinney. Call (972) 562-4040 or visit www.billbatescowboyranch.com.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

This premium North Dallas steakhouse strives to create a world-class dining experience with its selection of prime beef, top-notch service, and powerbroker aura. Its five richly appointed dining rooms include the Comanche Room, for groups of up to 70; the Viking Room, ideal for audiovisual presentations with seating for 34; and the Wine Cellar, a stone-walled room 15-feet under the restaurant that brims with old-world charm (as well as the restaurant's 7,000-bottle wine inventory) and provides a special dining experience for 10. Valet parking is available.

Insider's scoop: "Simply the best upscale steakhouse in Dallas. Ideal for special alumni events and dinners." 5251 Spring Valley Road. Call (972) 490-9000.

Infomart

A unique, 1.6 million-square-foot building near downtown Dallas, the INFOMART is modeled after London's Victorian-era Crystal Palace. One of four such telecommunications epicenters in the United States, Dallas' INFOMART opened in 1985 and houses more than 100 telecom and technology companies and their more than 3,000 employees. Suitable for the wired set, the building also rents out more than 15 meeting rooms and an atrium for special events. Seating ranges from 360 in the atrium all the way down to 22 for smaller spaces. Aramark is the exclusive caterer.

Insider's scoop: "The wonderful staff makes the difference. The meeting rooms are similar to those of any hotel-no windows!" 1950 Stemmons Freeway. Call (214) 800-3300 or visit www.infomartusa.com.

Front Row sports Bar and Grill

This popular restaurant operated by the T.G.I. Friday's chain is located above right field in the Ballpark in Arlington. Front Row is open year-round and provides a great view of Texas Rangers baseball action. Filled with sports memorabilia and televisions, the restaurant offers several private rooms for parties of 40 to 100, including the Pennant Room, the Dugout area, and Grand Slam luxury suites. Front Row also has a game room with pool tables and arcade machines. The menu ranges from Dugout Nachos and Front Row Burgers to Jack Daniel's Grilled Salmon. On game days, advance ticket purchase is required.

Insider's scoop: "Fun venue overlooking the field. If the Rangers aren't playing, alumni can still enjoy stadium tours, several museums, a youth ballpark, and recreational areas on the ballpark grounds." 1000 Ballpark Way. Call (817) 265-4165 or visit www.rangers.mlb.com.

Three Forks

You're in for a high-end Texas dining experience at this distinctive steak and seafood house that features a 24-karat gold-leaf dome visible from the North Dallas Tollway. The two-story restaurant - filled with polished wood floors, gleaming chandeliers, fireplaces, stained glass, leather couches, and rich fabrics - is a monument to eating well. Eight of its 11 dining rooms are available for gatherings of eight to 300; private groups receive complimentary use of the glass-enclosed courtyard. Situated on five acres, Three Forks provides free valet parking.

Insider's scoop: "Popular restaurant that's particularly good for a small dinner party of five to 25." 17776 Dallas Parkway. Call (972) 267-1776 or visit www.3forks.com.

The Women's Museum

The Women's Museum, the United States' first comprehensive museum dedicated to women and girls, opened last fall to much local and national fanfare. Constructed in 1910, the historic structure has been used for everything from livestock auctions to opera performances to administrative offices. A $25 million renovation transformed the Art Deco building into the museum, which provides several striking event areas including the Gathering, a three-story space that can host 350 for dinner and 600 for receptions. The entire museum, including its mezzanine and two second-floor balconies with alcoves, can host a reception for 1,000.

Insider's scoop: "One of the hot new venues for dinners and receptions. It's a must for alumnae gatherings." 3800 Parry Ave. in Fair Park. Call (214) 915-0869 or visit www.thewomensmuseum.org.

George Catering

Selected as one of the 10 best new chefs by Food & Wine magazine in 1997, George Brown and George Catering vow to take care of every last event detail. The firm handles private dinners for 12 all the way up to large-scale events for hundreds. George's specialty recipes are available for buffets, lunches, seated dinners, or receptions and may include such items as catfish tacos with tequila cream corn, smoked prime tenderloin, and watermelon lemonade. The firm also can arrange for valet parking, flowers, entertainers, tents, dance floors, stages, and more.

Insider's scoop: "Very professional, responsive, and easy to work with. A lovely presentation of excellent food." 6303 Ellsworth Ave. Call (214) 752-6851 or visit www.georgecatering.com.

Traveling Chefs

What if your event venue is an alumnus' home? Many firms will cater a party, but some specialize in preparing gourmet food in private homes. For nearly 10 years, Traveling Chefs has been serving family meals and catering events in households throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company first assesses kitchens for the proper utensils, appliances, and staples and then handles all the shopping, food preparation, cooking, and clean up. Traveling Chefs excels at making complete low-fat meals that are high on taste. Some of its many entrees are pesto chicken cassoulet, lemon and garlic roast pork, and salmon cakes with tomato cucumber relish.

Insider's scoop: "Traveling Chefs will create an in-home party that your alumni will remember." Call (972) 248-0402 or visit www.travelingchefs.com.