Tramontana

Tucked away on one of the side streets in Preston Center, chef and owner James Neel admits Tramontana is easy to miss. “It’s unassuming from the outside,” he says. But once you’ve been introduced to the quaint French restaurant, you’ll take note. In fact, that’s how Neel built his business, he says. “We’d get employees of surrounding office buildings in at lunch, and then they’d start coming back at night with their wives.” The hook? “It’s like being in Europe or New York. It’s comfortable and cozy and cool – you can really escape Dallas for a night,” Neel says. The menu helps carry that feeling, with staples such as the signature red wine-braised Veal Osso Bucco with wild mushroom risotto (pictured) and pan-roasted sea bass. Customers also enjoy Neel’s selection of dessert soufflés. And if you can’t find anything on the menu to suit your fancy, just let Neel know – he likes catering to his customers’ needs. “If somebody wants something special, I’ll cook it,” he says. “I just love to cook.”

TRAMONTANA