Âme Restaurant Dallas: French “Soul” Meets Chic Indian Cuisine

FACT: I had THE best Indian food and meal of my life at a small, family-owned restaurant in London, England in 2004.

FACT: part of that meal included a ceramic pot of tandoori fish curry that was so incredible that my brother and I STILL wax poetically about it to this day.

FACT: I think I may have just found an equally swoon-worthy fish dish in Dallas, TX, circa 2021.

At the gracious invitation of Kachet Jackson-Henderson of The Kachet Life, I had the opportunity a couple of days ago to attend the private media soft opening dinner service for a new restaurant in Dallas called Âme {www.instagram.com/amedallas}, where I pleasantly had my socks knocked right. Off. My. Feet.

From the décor to the ambiance to the service to the cocktails to the absolutely exquisite cuisine, Âme {pronounced /Ah-mmh/ and translating to “soul” in French} enchants you from the very moment your foot steps across the threshold.

First, let’s talk design: upon entering on 7th Street you’re delighted with design details that include a gorgeous white marble bar with “Ghost” bar stools, and colorful, floral stained glass-esque panels, with lush greenery hanging from above. Framed by lush pink velvet drapes, the dining room is just to the right, up a short flight of steps. The space dazzles with colorful green walls, antique mirrors, whimsical artwork, and gorgeous antique playing cards themed wallpaper from legendary French designer Christian LaCroix.

So now let’s get to the food: the restaurant describes their fare as “French-Indian” cuisine, which is essentially Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Afifa Nayeb’s take on classic Indian dishes using French cooking techniques. Think lush sauces with Indian spices, spicy lamb vindaloo with French-style potatoes, and other inventive fusion pairings of ingredients and creative embellishments.

What we tried:

• Chaat {fried crisps, falafel, chickpeas, onions, yogurt, pomegranate seeds}
• Calamari Pakora {golden, crunchy rings with cumin in the batter}
• Saffron Rice {perfectly cooked and super flavorful, topped with saffron butter }
• Cashew Chicken Tikka {chunks of chicken in a deliciously creamy sauce}
• naan puffs {trust me when I tell you to dip the puffs in the Chicken Tikka’s cashew cream sauce–it’s addictive}
• Tandoori Fish Curry (tender, juicy and flavored through-and-through—s-w-o-o-n worthy!}
• Lavender Malai for dessert {light & airy, with balanced sweetness}

Every dish was better than the last. The only dishes I didn’t get to try were the lams chops and the shrimp curry, and you better believe I’ll be rectifying that soon.

Wait, there’s more: THEY HAVE A CHAMPAGNE BAR! Looking like a gorgeous jewel-box enclave plucked right from Paris, “The Elephant Bar” at the rear of the restaurant {separate and apart from the bar at the entrance} promises to have a beautifully curated champagne and wine list, along with some French-Indian inspired cocktails. It’s adored with a huge crystal chandelier, paneled ceilings, floral pattered wallpaper, green velvet stools, and a mirrored backdrop.

Knowing the Bubbleista as you do, by now you should already know that I plan to do a separate post just on the drinking experience in that space alone. Stay tuned for that! I’m also thinking that it’d be fun if I did a post with suggested pairings/what wines from the bar’s wine list to match up with the fantastic dishes here, too…

In the meantime, do yourself a favor and make reservations ASAP through Resy, posthaste. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 to 10:00 pm, and for brunch {yes, they have a brunch menu!} on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, you can bet that the restaurant’s’ 62 seats will fill up FAST.

Chances are you just may see me sitting at a table nearby. Keep scrolling for more photos.