Chef Dat Underground Dinners

I first read about Chef Dat several years ago in the Dallas Observer. I emailed a request to be added to the email list and quickly received a response back directly from the chef. He was super friendly and down to earth and we chatted briefly about being from Louisiana. I knew then that I wanted to check out his Underground Dinner but never made a reservation. When I received an email notice that he would be retiring the dinners I signed up immediately.
The dinner is truly underground and in my case was held at an unmarked building in Deep Ellum. We drove back and forth for several minutes before noticing it. Upon arrival we were greeted by a host who sat us at a communal table and opened our bottle to start the evening. It’s a BYOB affair so the chef provides recommendations for drinks prior. We were celebrating a birthday so we chose to bring champagne. As others started to arrive we slowly introduced ourselves and listened to music. The dinner was delayed longer than expected but once things were ready to go, Chef Dat came out, introduced himself and gave some background. Between each course there was a wait (at least 30 minutes) which allowed for more drinks and more conversation. Overall the experience was unique (compared to the hustle and bustle of a restaurant) and the food was good. The reason for the four stars instead of five is that the arrival time was 7:30 pm. By the time we received the last course it was approaching 11 pm. The breaks between each course were long and by the end I was sleepy and just ready to go home.
With that said, I’m happy that I was able to experience the underground dinner before it is retired. Chef Dat will be opening a restaurant in the same location in the near future and I’m looking forward to seeing what he has up his sleeve.

So everything I ate was 100% the best thing I have ever eaten. For real. This food is BALLER! I sorta wished I could of eaten like 2 stuffed peppers instead of one lonely one. I looooved the concept of sitting with strangers while getting drank and meeting new people.
I woulda given this 5 stars, but I was freaking starving when dinner was over. For reference, I had only eaten around 400 calories before dinner that day, so that might be why. I left and went straight to Velvet Taco. I would definitely do another Underground dinner as long as I pre-​eat.
Oh, and the dinner took waaaaaay longer to start than advertised.

I had high hopes for this dinner. The food was fine but doesn’t live up to the hype. Save your money and go to FT33 for better food, a nicer setting, and basically the same cost. DAT Dinner is totally not worth it.

We selected the seafood only option and were served only vegetables for our entrée. My friend and I don’t eat red meat or chicken and were happy the option was offered. $ 75 + tip for sautéed eggplant with a side of baby carrots is silly. Also the advertised pre dinner cocktail wasn’t given.

These underground dinners are worth every single pretty penny. Why? For starters, it’s one of the most exclusive and unique dining experiences in the DFW. They are private, invite-​only, 6-​course meals prepared in an intimate rotating secret location nearly every week. Chef Dat (David Anthony Temple) is one of the most well-​known, award-​winning, talented and charismatic chefs in Dallas, and he did not disappoint.
Upon arrival, we were welcomed into a lovely, cozy, intimate dining space with tons of character and charm. While mingling with a few other guests (hilarious and interesting group we had that evening) we were offered complimentary cocktails courtesy of Texas’ own Treaty Oak Distilling (also dear friends of Unilocal Dallas). Our menu for the evening: Petite Roast Beef Po’boy (R&O style, Swiss cheese, ham); Cochon de lait Gumbo (Boudin, mussels, trinity); Tortellini a la pancetta (Absinthe candied orange, red handed bourbon flambé); Jamaican Jerk Dove Pearl (cous cous, carrot paint, haricot vert, smoked peaches). I appreciated how Chef Dat channeled his Cajun roots with the heartiness to the po’boy and the spicy twist to the gumbo. The Tortellini was presented impressively, with Absinthe candied orange flambed personally on each plate. But the star of the dinner show for me was the Jamaican Jerk. It was perfectly tangy, spicy and sweetly blended into one lovely course. The carrot paste, fluffy cous cous and the haricot vert united the flavors so well together.
The dessert consisted of Vermont maple cake and pumpkin ice cream honey almond crunch. It was a delightful nod to the Autumn season and a perfect sweet treat to end our delicious dinner on. Thanks to Chef Dat for a memorable evening in a lovely atmosphere.

Drinks, company, humor, personal touch. Sharing wine and stories with the chef and neighbors. Just go already.

I’m not sure where to start. I wish I had taken photos of each dish as it came out because they were all so beautiful. Like Lauren said, this sort of situation is not for picky eaters or those who can’t do suprises in their food because the menu is pre-​set by the Chef according to what is available that day. However, if you are into a surprise in your mouth and like talking to people you’ve never met, then this is for you.
The dinner I attended was $ 85 a head plus gratuity and BYOB. Also Waterloo Gin rep stirring up some concoctions. Each dinner seems to be different from the last. Most prepared with local or semi-​local ingredients. Mine included: Duck Confit, Lobster Phở, Summer Salad, «Ahi Tuna Menage a Trois,» Braised Short Ribs, and Impossible Cake.
My favorites BY FAR were the Lobster Phở and the Impossible Cake. The Phở was richer, more hearty and substantial than your average asian market phở. Chunks of Lobster and some spices I have yet to figure out. Swirl-​around-​in-​your-​mouth-​an-​inapropriate-​number-​of-​times delicious.
That cake. Maria’s Chocolate Flan Cake. Y’all. I didn’t even know this was possible. The richest, creamiest chocolate cake that would have been amazing by itself was topped with flan. Literally Harry Potter magic must have been used to get those two to cook, one on top of the other, at the same time. And come out so perfect. MARIA! Come over and teach me. You’re amazing.
Honestly, the other courses were good but not great. I would have given the food alone four stars. (I always cringe when I type that.) BUT. Meeting all of the interesting people and talking with them about their lives, interests, and all the awesome restos in Dallas bumped it up to five stars for sure.
Definitely a socialite-foodie’s dream.

Underground dinner? Secret location? 6 course dinner prepared by an award winning chef? Heck yes, sign me up! I was beyond stoked when my email arrived that I was invited to this dinner. 75 $ a head plus gratuity and it was BYOB. A little bonus was Adam, the rep from Waterloo Gin, there serving drinks. Love that gin! We had just been introduced to it a week previous at a Unilocal event.
If you can’t handle not knowing what you are going to be served OR if you are a picky eater– this is not for you. I was able to request gluten free and they did have a vegetarian option as well. You reserve a spot at dinner by replying to the email invite with a credit card number and your fingers crossed that you get in. Spot are very limited and they sell out fast. You don’t know the location until the day of the event– only the general area. We knew we would be in the Lakewood area of Dallas but didn’t get the address until the afternoon of the event.
We arrived at 7 for cocktails and convo– met some interesting people and indulged in a few tasty libations. Dinner service started around 8 and lasted till around 10:30. 6 courses– mine varied from the boyfriends just a bit because I requested gluten free.
Some of my favorite things we ate — a black bean soup with bits of cilantro that was very flavorful. I never been a big fan of black bean soups, probably because they aren’t made the way this one was! Another surprise for me was loving the smoked salmon. I have never met a salmon I liked. The flavor just isn’t for me. I am a firm believer in trying something and then if I don’t like it I won’t finish it– I cleaned this plate. It was from TJ’s. I will have to pop over there and pick some up because I am amazed. The boar ragu over rice pasta was excellent. Lots of basil. The last course was a black garlic ice cream with pistachio crisp. Best ice cream I have ever had. Sounds awful but tastes amazing. The story of how the chef came up with the ice cream is hilarious too.
I would jump at the chance to experience this again. Chef Dat came out before every course and told the group what we were about to eat, where it came from and how he conceptualized the dish. He focuses on farm to fork. The food was great as well as the company. Meeting a bunch of new people, drinking lots of wine and eating very well-What’s not to like? I’ll be anxiously awaiting my next email invite.