From an A-List spa to world-class shopping, this Texas city is full of star power.
With the awe of the Academy Awards on everyone's radar, some cinephiles are captivated by the power of the nominated films, while others are giddy over the glitz, glam, and gorgeous people. As it turns out, the city of Dallas is full of its own star power. Here's where local celebrities of all kinds eat, drink, play, and stay.
The first step to living in luxury? A little posh pampering, of course. After spoiling Manhattan with her magical massages and sumptuous spa treatments for years, Joanna Czech opened her 2,000 square foot Victory Park spa in October to the delight of all Dallasites in need of a skin savior. Celebrity clients like Kate Winslet, Christy Turlington, Anna Wintour, and Uma Thurman rave about services, including her signature LED facial (starting at $300). Run, don't walk, to check her out while she is still accepting new clients.
Now that you're glowing and free of stress, it's time to shop. Dallas is home to some of the nation's best, and it all starts at the Neiman Marcus flagship located in the heart of downtown. The red carpet (literally) is rolled out for local fashionistas as they work with personal shoppers to create their signature seasonal looks. It's nothing out of the ordinary to spot Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing or the latest and greatest designer popping in to attend an event.
Just down the street in the hip Knox Henderson neighborhood, you'll find fashion house Forty Five Ten which supplies stand out pieces to VIP shoppers including Dallas dwellers Erykah Badu and Linda Gray. Other celebrities spotted in the store, owned by Brian Bolke, include Oprah, Anne Hathaway, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Highland Park Village is also a see-and-be-seen shopping center frequented by high dollar droppers.
When it comes to dining, well-known Dallasites are creatures of habit. Grange Hall, the uber-chic lunch-only eatery, is all about appreciating aesthetics. For a treat that excites all senses, try the open-faced Snob Sandwich ($25). On one side you'll find egg whites complete with Petrossian smoked salmon and English cucumber relish seasoned with lemon zest, lemon juice, and dill. The yolk side features crème fraîche and caviar pilled high atop brioche from Empire Baking Company.
Located just across the street, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was recently spotted enjoying dinner at Le Bilboquet, a candlelit French bistro owned by Stephan Courseau. This personable restaurateur makes it his mission to deliver fresh fare and creative cocktails to his exclusive list of regulars. The crab and avocado salad ($17) is the perfect starter followed by one of the stupendous seafood specials.
After dinner, try your luck finding a table at the cozy bar at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. While you are bound to spot a familiar famous face cuddled up in a corner listening to live music and drinking a signature gin and tonic ($16), the regal rapport is such that you dare not approach them asking for a selfie. Who can forget the bustling bar at Al Biernat's, which hosted Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez, and Mario Lopez when celebrities flocked to Texas for the Superbowl in 2011. On any given Saturday night, this is the place to be for prominent Highland Park residents who consider this their neighborhood networking nirvana. It would be doing the potential Dallas diner a disservice to not mention that in addition to a buzzy bar, this is one of the best steak and seafood options in the city.
If you are trying to live large in Dallas, it is important to know that this is a place that mixes business with pleasure. On any given day or night, there are a whole host of events to attend for causes ranging from curing cancer to fighting hunger and homelessness, and everything in between. The list of glamorous galas is endless; however, the Dallas Museum of Art's Art Ball is one that philanthropists and celebrities alike try their best not to miss (John Legend performed an intimate concert in 2014). Impeccably dressed art patrons also look forward to MTV:REDEFINE that invades Dallas' Design District each year for an art and music showcase benefiting the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and the Dallas Contemporary.
Eating, drinking, and partying like a celebrity can be exhausting. This begs the question: where do they sleep? For the ultimate star treatment head to The Joule, where for $10,000 the Penthouse East can be yours. This 2,312-square-foot multi-level Adam Tihany designed suite features a floating glass staircase, two bedrooms, two and a half baths, full kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, dining and living rooms, and a 600-square-foot private roof terrace overlooking the Dallas skyline.
Who can forget when Kim Kardashian West stayed at the Ritz Carlton Dallas during a crazy ice storm in 2013 to be by Kanye's side for his show at American Airlines Center? A plethora of celebrities have also been spotted at the Four Seasons Resort and Club for various events, weddings, and relaxing retreats. If these options are neither new or exciting to you, consider the ultimate Dallas millionare move—jet setting to Aspen or St. Bart's. Companies like Rise and Million Air Dallas offer you the opportunity to get up and go without the hassle of public airports.
