How do I entertain a wealthy client in Dallas?

Ironic that I would ask this here, TCB HQ and all...My biggest account and most favorite customer is coming to town from Los Angeles in a couple of weeks for a convention and I will be there to see them. I'll be meeting up with the owner of the company, in addition to the customer service/purchasing reps that I deal with regularly. I don't know too many places to entertain in Dallas anymore and, quite frankly, am hoping that the owner will have other plans, cause I really don't know what to offer a guy who has his own fleet of helicopters. The other attendees (all women :D) might appreciate something more authentically Texan. Kellers is not an option.

So anybody have any suggestions?

Spearmint Rhino.

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Originally Posted by trickyrix

Spearmint Rhino.

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+1

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Originally Posted by trickyrix

Spearmint Rhino.

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Pretty sure they've already seen that, and Applebees, in LA.

The Lodge.

Spearmint Rhino is pretty nasty actually.

Dinner - http://stephanpyles.com/
Hotel for guest - http://www.thejouledallas.com/#index

What about private tour of Southfork?

Thank you Ken o for the serious answer. I googled both those places, cuz I'm just that ignorant.

What part of the Metroplex are you targeting? I'd highly recommend Roy's if North Dallas is in play (http://www.roysrestaurant.com/)

'Favorite Customer'? How well do you know him/them? Billy Bob's in Ft. worth is entertaining and definitely different than L.A.

I've had rave reviews doing goofy, off-the wall type stuff like rock climbing and even uber-cheesy Dave-and-Busters type places because I was different.​

560 is another excellent restaurant, in Reunion Tower, now that Wolfgang Puck runs it. A little showy, but great asian fusion. http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaura...ne-dining/3917

Old Warsaw if you really want to go for that old school upscale vibe. www.oldwarsaw.com

For something totally unique, the McKinney Ave Trolley offers a private dinner served in a restored streetcar as it cruises Uptown. http://www.mata.org/celebrate.shtml

The trolley can be combined with a private tour of the DMA for someone who likes art. If there is something good at the DSO or the new Windspear Opera House that week, they are also very special for people who are fans of the arts.

When someone comes to Texas, they think BBQ, tex-mex, and steak. If we are talking high end clients, you've got to go with steak in my mind. If it was me, I would take them to Al Biernat's or Pappas. I have actually planned a few corporate dinners in town and actually had the big boss demand I change our reservations to a steak house declaring "I'm in Texas, I want a steak".

As for The Lodge or Spearmint Rhino not being a serious answer, I have had a vendor take me to a high end gentleman's club in an attempt to win a contract. It is not as uncommon as you might think.

Call his secretary and ask her what he likes to do (not like that!) She may have some insight into stuff he'd like to do in Dallas.

Hookers

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Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Call his secretary and ask her what he likes to do (not like that!) She may have some insight into stuff he'd like to do in Dallas.

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This is a good idea. Also ask her/him if they will be coming and what they would like to do/see. Brownie points.

Thanks, some really great and unique suggestions here! Trolley charter requires a two week advance booking so that's a squeaker but I'll check it out. Haven't eaten at Reunion Tower for years and did not know that Wolfgang Puck ran the show now, so that's a good idea. Titus, I'm thinking the same thing about "I'm in Texas and I want a steak" so I may wind up being Hank Hill for this event. Like I said, this is the owner of the company and then four or five of the women I deal with over the phone so it's kind of like trying to entertain Warran Buffett and his secretaries at the same time.

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Originally Posted by cam76034

this is the owner of the company and then four or five of the women I deal with over the phone

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Oh... Definitely the strip club then. Women dig strip clubs. Everytime I go, there's always a bunch of women there and they seem to be having a good time. They're always dancing but must work up a sweat because they don't wear much clothing.

We sometimes take our guests to the gun range if they are up for it. Others want to visit a nudie bar but that is not my cup of tea. As others mentioned, BBQ, TexMex, and a good steak are a must for dinner plans.

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Originally Posted by gptwins

We sometimes take our guests to the gun range if they are up for it. Others want to visit a nudie bar but that is not my cup of tea. As others mentioned, BBQ, TexMex, and a good steak are a must for dinner plans.

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I've never had someone from out of state disappointed with Cattleman's in the stockyards in Ft. Worth. It's just enough different from the run on the mill stuff.

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Originally Posted by Jim m

I've never had someone from out of state disappointed with Cattleman's in the stockyards in Ft. Worth. It's just enough different from the run on the mill stuff.

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Walking into Cattlemans is like stepping back in to the 1947. I don't think they have changed the decor since then. H3 or Lonesome dove are IMHO much superior to Cattlemans. H3, has largish portions, but the menu is typical steak and such. Lonesome Dove, the portions are small and prices high, but the food is second to none and has lots of different kinds of foods from plain ol ribeye to elk and buffalo. Ideal night would be Friday or Saturday, eat then go to rodeo.



http://www.cattlemenssteakhouse.com/
http://www.h3ranch.com/
http://www.lonesomedovebistro.com

Here's my two cents....

The Gaylord Texan? Would qualify as both the nice hotel and the nice restaurants. It's in Grapevine.

It's basically a giant atrium. Beautifully structured, the food is fantastic, they appeal to both fancy types and every day types. I've been to both their magnificent sit down restaurants and their sports bars. It has all sorts of picture-worthy locations complete with a walk around that reminds me of the "Water walk" in austin (I believe it's called the water walk).

If they are coming in from LA check with the secretary that they aren,t free range, gluten free vegan tree huggers before making arrangements to go to a steak house.

Ledbetter pig guts tacos should be pretty entertaining.

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Originally Posted by MiataProtege

Here's my two cents....

The Gaylord Texan? Would qualify as both the nice hotel and the nice restaurants. It's in Grapevine.

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Really? You're going to recommend a giant chain hotel? Did that just happen? STFU...

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Originally Posted by trickyrix

Really? You're going to recommend a giant chain hotel? Did that just happen? STFU...

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You made me spit coffee on my computer..... Darn you trickyrix! ;)

Keep up the good work! :salut:

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Originally Posted by trickyrix

Really? You're going to recommend a giant chain hotel? Did that just happen? STFU...

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Anywhere America in a sea of annoying children with a theme of, "Hey, come lock yourself in this mall-like-dome for three days!!!!"

What were you expecting? Miataportajon IS the target demographic for the Gaylord: families with small children. "Oooh, look at the pretty lights!"

Seriously, this is a big boy conversation, not "what do you like to do in DFW?"

+1 on Stephan Pyles, but it's hard for me to recommend a restaurant where the owner names it after himself...but only the name. If it were "Stephan Pyles' Kitchen" no one would laugh at him.
Javier's is pretty good and classy, Javier always has half the Ferrari club over at all times.
La Duni is decent
It's a shame York Street closed, it was the king of all restaurants.
The French Room is good but "hey everyone, this place is French!!!"
This is all I can think of now.

I'll still take my unfortunate animal tacos and boiled pig noodle soup over the fancy places. I did my time in fine dining. BTW, do not go to Meddlesome Moth, may that place burn in hell for all eternity.

Hey, I take the girls I'm extra interested in there.... and.... it usually ends with me getting laid. Lol.

How about Chuck E Cheese? I especially like it there. That is.... when I get enough quarters.

The Gaylord is a big step up from the trailer park meth lab. Good for you.

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Originally Posted by CarCar

If they are coming in from LA check with the secretary that they aren,t free range, gluten free vegan tree huggers before making arrangements to go to a steak house.

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Heh, true.

Try a meal at Reata's Ft Worth before a trip to Billy Bob's.

Do they like cars? Let the boss run your car in an Autcross event if available?

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Originally Posted by Ataim

Do they like cars? Let the boss run your car in an Autcross event if available?

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That's not exactly a professional suggestion. That's something you do for your buddy coming into town, not an executive you have a business relationship with.

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Originally Posted by black roadster

That's not exactly a professional suggestion. That's something you do for your buddy coming into town, not an executive you have a business relationship with.

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Not sure I agree. Depends a lot on the client.

what part of town are they coming to? i've been dragged all around cities before where someone wanted me to see "everything" and that's a beating as well. you may want to focus on places close to the reason they are coming and work from there. good suggestions so far, but i'd throw Bob's in there as well. always a consistent fav of our clients.