The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro

Went to celebrate a birthday here. Service was amazing. Each course offers 8 – 10 options all of which sound killer. Place was packed, but oddly quiet and intimate… just great.
Its definitely pricey. Dinner for 2 with a great cab was 250. But damn, a place with awesome ambience, spectacular food and legendary service is rare.
Missing out if you don’t give this place a chance.

First off: the service is amazing. We had 2 waiters for our party… not once did I need to ask for more water.
Secondly: the food. Delicious. They made great suggestions and we went with all of them.
Third: I shoulda gotten the dessert. Lll

EXCELLENT!!! Went for the first time last night for our anniversary dinner and the lonesome dove did not disappoint. The elk sliders were probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten! Will definitely return asap

I was so excited about taking my parents to this place. My dad loves meat of every variety. We went on a Friday night, and we were literally the only people in the restaurant. Even by the time we left, there still wasn’t a single soul in there. So it was a weird, surreal experience. Truly a lonesome experience.
I’m a food lover, and I’m open to anything. I’m not picky in the least. I’m all about new & adventurous things. We ordered the rattlesnake sausage, elk sliders, lamb lollipops, kangaroo nachos, lobster hushpuppies and the butter lettuce salad.
The elk sliders were the only edible thing we ordered. The salad was bitter. The lamb was pure fat. We couldn’t eat any of it! And our server was nice until he realized we weren’t ordering any alcohol.
It was just a bad experience all around :(

Simply awesome! The menu is very different and enjoyable. For starters we tried the rattlesnake/​rabbit sausage, kangaroo nachos, wild boar ribs and elk sliders. Everything was off the hook! The meats were tender, the sauces were perfectly matched and all the items were just plain tasty. Our waiter suggested that we try multiple starters and offered per piece pricing which we really appreciated. The main entrees were just as great as the starters. I tried the wagyu skirt steak and really liked it. Our server was Carter and he was exceptional. Would definitely come here again!

Two friends and I visited on Saturday, March 19 for dinner. We had a reservation and were asked to wait in the bar area, which was cozy, for a short time. While waiting we reviewed the wine list, which we found to be very good. We were shown to our table shortly after our wine was opened and served.
Our server Ketih made his way over to the table and greeted us and asked if we were interested in any appetizers. He told us that if we liked, he could make any combination of appetizers into a «mix and match» so that all 3 of us could share. We thought that sounded good so we ordered the shrimp, the lamb lollipops and the elk sliders. All three were excellent, especially the elk, it was so well prepared and very flavorful. What was not excellent was the bill when we got it. The waiter really misrepresented the «mix and match» concept. What he really meant was he would double any appetizer amount that the initial serving was more than 2 pieces. We ended up being charged for multiple appetizers. They were good and all, but had we known that was how it worked, we would have just ordered one appetizer each and shared bites with each other.
On to the entrees. Two of us ordered the Garlic Stuffed Tenderloin and 1 ordered the Rocky Mountain Elk Loin. We asked to substitute potatoes for the bed of slaw served with the tenderloin. We also ordered 2 sides, the White Truffle Mac ‘n Chz and the Brussell Sprouts. All 3 of the entrees were delicious. Cooked exactly to order, well seasoned. The 2 tenderloins were delivered to us on beds of slaw, not potatoes as we requested. Waiter Keith took them back and fixed that, but when he brought them back he gave us each others steaks (one was rare and one was medium rare) and we had to switch them back around ourselves.
The side dishes were very disappointing according to my dinner companions (I did not care to try either one). Be advised that the mac in the mac ‘n chz is not macaroni pasta. It seemed to be rice a rice-​like pasta. And the flavor was underwhelming. The brussell sprouts were awful, very acidic. We actually shared this information with waiter Keith and his reaction was «oh». I would have expected the item to be taken off our bill as it was obvious we didn’t care for it at all, That said, we did not ask for it to be removed either.
Overall, I can only give 2 stars and I am not normally stingy with the stars. I just feel like a restaurant at this price point should come with excellent service and we didn’t get that at all.

Absolutely awesome! They nailed it on every front for me: service was excellent, atmosphere and buildout was classy but quaint southern, menu is unique, and the food was pretty damn good! If definitely come back for more when I visit ft worth!

The venue is very nice and the service is wonderful. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. The food is fantastic and absolutely worth it! They were accommodating when we told them that we wanted to switch tables because we were too near to the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.
We started with the rabbit-​rattlesnake sausage, with spicy manchego Tostitos and crème fraîche. this dish was an absolute hit! Such a rich taste with a slight gamey taste. Strongly recommend. All appetizers were were a home run with our group.
The elk sausage sliders with food gras and blueberry jam were the best dish of the night! Everyone had their head bowed in silence as we ate these.
Seared lamb lollipops with Yusuf aioli were our second favorite dish of the nigh! The cream sauce was a fantastic complement. It was cooked perfectly.
Kangaroo carpaccio nachos with avocado salsa and habanero fig Demi glacé was very good. The kangaroo was incredible and the avocado was some of the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted. The guacamole can overpower the meat so try your best to balance it appropriately.
Roasted garlic stuffed beef tenderloin with western plaid hash and Syrah Demi-​glacé is incredible. It was cooked medium rare and done perfectly. Strongly recommend the dish. The plaid hash complemented the tenderloin very well and gave you a better appreciation for the meat. Cudos to the chef for the arrangement.
Rocky Mountain elk loin, salsify, hen of the woods and Swiss chard and candied grapes was a good dish. It has more of a gamey taste but it is balanced very nicely with the candied grapes. The mushrooms were fantastic with this dish as well. This dish was ordered medium and still came to the table with a bright red center.
Beet home fries with goat cheese and chiles are alright. I love beets but it was nothing mind blowing.
The Mac and cheese with trifle oil was good. We were surprised it was more of a risotto than a macaroni which made it original but also threw off our expectations slightly.
The churros were incredible! They come with three different sauces including the raspberry, chocolate, and caramel. The raspberry was THE JAM.
Definitely would come back!

This is a great Tim Love restaurant to try if you’re in Fort Worth and your pocket book is full! Great selection of game meat to try. The Eli sausage sliders are a MUST. I had the garlic stuffed tenderloin and it was as smooth as butter. Truffle Mac and cheese with artichokes were also hit! So go getcha some buffalo, rabbit, or rattlesnake! Texas forever!

My wife and I visited for Valentine’s Day to try their special menu. We used to live in Dallas but we have since moved to Fort Worth, which overall is a culinary disaster (we still regularly go to Dallas to eat out).
In any case, people had hyped about the Lonesome Dove for a while, and so I decided to book here for the special occasion.
The only thing that saved the place and gave it two instead of one stars was the décor — think classy Cowboys. That aspect I really enjoyed, but everything else was way below par and way overpriced.
Let me explain.
We arrived early so to have a pre-​dinner drink at the bar. My wife had the jalapeño margarita while I had the old fashioned. Both, while strong, were watery. I know it’s an oxymoron, but it was exactly like that, mostly because the bartender used way too much ice. The tab for two cocktails was $ 27, just like at the Ritz-​Carlton in Dallas, but the quality was not even close.
We were then sat down by a somewhat rude waitress who just picked us up without even asking genuinely whether we wanted to sit down or whether we wanted some more time (the place was not full in the least). We sat down in the main dining room, and we were handed menus and wine list.
Our waitress came by, she was very nice and attentive. She gave me some suggestions for a Pinot noir, although she went for something different than I had asked for (which tells me her knowledge of the wine list was limited). I opted for La Crema, which retails for ~$ 22 and was here marked up to $ 85. But it was a special night, so why not? It was good, but not great and surely not worth the price tag.
Then the food started coming. The appetizer (compose by tuna, hamachi, and salmon) was good. The salads were good as well. Then there was an odd squash raviolo with butter sage which was ok. Then the main dishes: my lamb was just alright (unflavorful) and my wife’s steak hard and not well marinated. Then — highlight of the night — they brought has the check skipping dessert. Don’t ask me why, because I do not know. We found it boxed after we settled the check. Odd, right?!
Overall price tag? $ 352, including $ 55 tip I did not want to include (and that I will dispute) as halfway through dinner a waitress came by asking my wife, who got emotional talking about some family issues, started asking her if everything was ok under the assumption I was the cause of the problem, only to later apologized. Needless to say it was awkward and embarrassing.
Overall, the food was worth probably $ 40 per person, because portions were small and quality was very average.
We left the restaurant with a bad feeling, like we had somewhat been ripped off. Granted, it’s not the restaurant fault, but its patron’s, as I feel that many folks that come here really think this place be excellent, simply because, well, there isn’t much else around (and people do not usually venture to Dallas for dinner).
I am rarely this disappointed by a restaurant. I believe that a hefty price tag should be synonym of quality (I paid less for a 4 course dinner at Michelin starred restaurants for goodness sake!), but clearly that was not the case here.
I will surely not be back.

This place was nothing short of amazing. I had the else sliders, rattlesnake and rabbit lobster hushpuppies. Our waiter, Wilson was also amazing! He was on top of everything!
For the main course I had the garlic stuffed beef tenderloin, which was cooked to perfection. It was 9 ounces, which I said I couldn’t wait after all the appetizers. .I managed to clean my plate. Oh a d did I mention the white truffle Mac and cheese? Out of this world… I would recommend in a hear best and will be back. Ask for Wilson. …he was awesome!

I love this restaurant. Every time I come to Fort Worth I make sure to go here. The exotic meats and friendly staff make the higher prices worth it.
I recommend this place to all friends going to Fort Worth. Let the waiter help pick the best things, but the Bison Short Rib is a must.

I was second guessing my advanced decision to eat here after seeing some of the other steakhouses nearby. It all worked out well as my wife and I enjoyed an excellent meal. We showed up on a quiet Thursday evening and were seated after a brief wait. Not sure how big this place is as we were seated in the first dining room and later learned their were two more and a patio.
Our server went over the menu with us and shared his favorites. To start, we each got a lamb lollipop (chop) and a lobster hush puppy. The lamb chop was delicious with a lovely sauce on it. The hush puppy was warm and light but lacked a little something for us.
Next we split a butter lettuce salad that we both really enjoyed with goat cheese and big chucks of bacon. There was also a pickled jalepeno in there that was sneaky hot along with pepitas giving it a little crunch.
For our main course, my wife selected the recommended garlic stuffed tenderloin with asparagus. Her steak was very tender and flavorful and served sitting on a bird’s nest of hash. I went with a hand cut NY strip cooked medium rare. It was very well prepared and much to my liking. As a side we ordered a white truffle Mac and cheese made with orzo for a different twist on a common dish.
To wrap up the meal, we split the ancho chile chocolate cake with ice cream. The cake was served warm and had a little kick to it. We loved it.
Not a cheap night out for sure but well worth the price.

The thing that really stood out here was the service. Stellar; simply stellar. My server recommended a perfect beer based on the info I gave him, gave me some mexican wedding cookies to finish off my meal and was attentive without being intrusive.
As for the food, it was delicious. I have to say texas, you guys do beef right. I got the shaved tenderloin sandwich and omg, to die for. this place isn’t your typical mom & pop restaurant; it’s a place i would not be surprised to find in nyc.
Seriously, if you’re in Ft. Worth and want to try something a little more upscale; definitely come here. I ever make it back, this place is on the list to try again.

Okay, I died and gone to heaven y’all. Why have I just discovered this place? Granted I probably won’t be going every week because I’m poor, but still, I wouldn’t mind spending what money I have here. We came here for dinner as a big group last week, and we got the Wine Room in the basement all to ourselves. Fantastic! It was the perfect atmosphere to get a drink at our personal bar, and walk around and talk to people. During that time, they were walking around with hors d’oeuvres, and all of them were scrumptious!
The food, the food, the food. It was all heavenly and so flavorful. Wicked good! We had the Heirloom Tomatoes and Goat Cheese Tarts, Australian Lobster Wontons, and Rabbit & Rattlesnake Sausage as appetizers. My favorite was definitely the wonton, but they were all so yummy. The rabbit and rattlesnake sausage was definitely a treat. Next course, I had the Yellow Squash Soup. It was so creamy and sweet with a hint of spice. Perfect way to follow the appetizers. Needless to say, I finished that very quickly!
On to the main part of the meal, the entrée, the greatest meat I’ve ever had, the Rocky Mountain Elk Loin. Tender, juicy, flavorful. It was such a treat for the mouth. I wanted more and more and more. It came with Hen of the Woods mushrooms, and those were equally great. Crispy and mildly salty, the perfect combination with the tenderness of the elk.
The dessert was just magnificent! We had the Ancho Chile Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (the dish that brought Tim Love his Iron Chef victory). The bitterness of the cake was a great contrast to the sweetness of the ice cream. Definitely a winner.
Safe to say, I love this place! Haha. Definitely come here for any special occasion. And then explore the Stockyards after you’re done eating. Don’t expect to come here without spending a lot of money though, that’s for sure.

This was our pick for Restaurant Week 2015. I’m so glad we went here.
The restaurant is much smaller than I thought it would be, and even though Unilocal said the attire was dressy, it didn’t have a stuffy, uptight feel. Very Texan, but also chic. It’s an interesting place.
We started with a couple of signature cocktails at the bar — their take on a mint julep and greyhound — both were really nice.
They had a set menu to choose from for restaurant week, but we also got shrimp and boar ribs as appetizers. Small serving sizes but that’s good because we were about to order a bunch of food!
I got their signature tenderloin and my boyfriend got the elk loin — both medium rare. It was completely delicious. I can’t even describe it well enough. Juicy, tender, all the things you want in a good steak.
We also got sides — golden mashed potatoes and truffle mac n cheese. Ridiculous. There was no food left on our table at all. And don’t forget dessert — their specialty that night was amaretto cheesecake. I added a cappuccino to my dessert.
This place is wonderful. Yes, it’s very expensive so I won’t go all the time, but for a special occasion or during restaurant week, it’s definitely worth it!

Parking sucks so it’s faster to find street parking than valet. Small place. Ok steak. Dallas steakhouses are better. Nice patio for meetings. Décor is rustic & not high end. Ok for a dinner with a «western» theme. Probably would not go back unless someone made me try the exotic menu items like rattlesnake.

I am a huge fan of Lonesome Dove, and it has become our go-​to place for a special night out.
The appetizers are all very good. We usually get the Kangaroo Nachos and the Rabbit Rattlesnake sausage, but we got the Elk Sliders this time and they were outstanding.
I usually get the trout (fabulous!), but ordered the Waygu Skirt Steak this time. It was good, but I probably would not order it again. The fingerling potatoes that accompanied the dish were outstanding. My husband ordered the Elk entrée, but said that he had liked the Elk Sliders better. Our friend got the chicken fried steak, and said that it was the best he’d ever had.
Service is always good, and I truly enjoy the atmosphere at Lonesome Dove. We get back there as often as we can!

I’ve been to Lonesome Dove twice now and both times it has been amazing and my favorite Fort Worth restaurant to date. The service has been great both times (First time at a table; second at the bar). I love the plethora of different game meats that Tim Love offers at this restaurant. Lets get to the items tried:
Hand Cut Beef Tenderloin– Was one of the best steaks I’ve had period, but definitely in my 6 months in Texas.
Yukon Gold Mash– Too be honest a lot of fine dining restaurants miss the mark across the country when it comes to mashed potatoes, but i feel like Tim Love does a pretty decent job with his here at Lonesome Dove.
White Truffle Mac $ Cheese– They use either Orzo pasta or something similar. It’s definitely different. It was good, but not the best I’ve had.
Elk Carpaccio Nachos– They were made in the same style as the Kangaroo Carpaccio Nachos. Very delicious. It was my first time exploring with elk, but i really enjoyed it.
Seared Foie Gras, Cinco Cebollos, and Grilled Toast– First and foremost i am a Foie Gras fiend. I haven’t met any Foie Gras I haven’t loved. Tim Love’s interpretation here is delicious as can be; a must try.
Seared Lamb Lollipops with Yuzu Aoili– I am a huge lamb fan and especially chops. I love the pairing of the Yuzu Aoili here; very unique, but in a positive way. Perfectly cooked. My wife stated they’re the best lamb she’s had anywhere and i make her get it just about everywhere we go.
Blue Corn Lobster Hushpuppies with Watercress Butter– I thought these were very good; like an even better version of a crab-​cake.
Seared Diver Scallop, Duck Confit and Salsify Purée– Really enjoyed the inclusion of the duck confit here. Very tender. The scallops were cooked perfectly.
Kangaroo Carpaccio Nachos, Avocado Salsa, Habanero-​Fig Demi Glacé– First time trying kangaroo and i loved it. Tasted like a better version of carnitas and was amazing!
Hamachi Tostadas, Ponzu, Cilantro, Toasted Garlic, Bacon and Serrano– This were quite amazing. Yellowtail with jalapeño or serrano and ponzu is just a lovely pairing to me always.
Authentic Mexican Churros with Chocolate, Caramel and Raspberry Dipping Sauces– I ma not going to lie, I could live without the chocolate and raspberry sauces, but the churros themselves paired with the caramel was divine.
In closing i may find a better Fort Worth restaurant one day, but Lonesome Dove will forever remain a favorite of mine and is my favorite presently in Fort Worth. I definitely would recommend coming here.

What’s not to LOVE about Tim Love’s Lonesome Dove? Located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cowtown, you step into an intimately lit long bar area, with dining seating to the left, and another entire adjacent room to the right. Decorated to the max with Western wares, not overly done, super low key vibe for such upscale dining.
Have been here a few times during the many years the Dove has been open. The menu changes often; however, one of the mainstays and one of my personal favorites is Chef Love’s signature Roasted Garlic Stuffed Tenderloin with the most wonderful syrah demi glaze. If in doubt of what entrée to order, this dish is always spot on.
Onto my latest visit. As my husband and I sat at a different bar a few miles away an hour or so earlier, he noshed away at a really good burger (the man gets hungry; what can I say?) I discovered he had never been to the Lonesome Dove. «What?! How?! Never?! Are you sure? Not even with me? Put down those fries!»
The short of it, we live in Austin now (transplanted from Dallas last year), so being in such close to TLD does not present itself frequently. Me, «We must go, we must!» Husband, «Okay, but I’m not going to eat anything because I just did.» Don’t you hate it when your spouse tells you a fib? In his defense, once we sat at TLD and the plates arrived how could he possible resist? Really.
We were lucky to grab the last two seats at the bar. Were greeted by two very friendly male barkeeps. Since my husband «wasn’t hungry» «we» decided to order a few apps that would be my dinner and he would just «take a small bite to taste.» Another fib. We’re on the edge of divorce at this point. I’m hungry, I’m ecstatic about being at LD, and I’m well aware of my husband’s lack of restraint when it comes to really good food. Again, in his defense, he had absolutely no idea of what to expect.
The low down:
Lamb Lollipops: Perfectly seared and cooked mid-​rare with amazing aioli!
Rabbit & Rattlesnake Sausage: I’m not typically a fan of sausage in general; however, had to try this interesting combo. Interesting, in a good way, and the Manchego rosti elevated the flavors. Not gamey at all.
Wild Boar Ribs: OMGoodness! By far my favorite «first course» item currently featured. The perfect little racks served with LD’s signature BBQ sauce.
Foie Gras: Cleaned perfectly, seared perfectly. Need I say more?
Wash it all down with a couple of local craft brews and I’m in heaven.
So, be it for happy hour and some apps, or a full sit down dinner, you simply can’t pass on a chance to eat SOMETHING/​anything/​everything at Lonesome Dove. Sure, it will set you back quite a few greenbacks either way, but it is soooooo worth it! A true foodie experience that you really don’t want to miss out on. Cheers!
NOTE: A little birdie (thanks AmyD!) Informed me Love is planning on opening a LD in DT ATX. Verified! Reportedly in the space that previously housed Kinichi on Colorado. Date TBD. Although, if given the opportunity to dine at the original, I wouldn’t pass it up:! :-)
TIP: They allow you so «split» apps — that is, they break up the prices and you can order 2 lamb chops in lieu of 3. This is great if you want to try many different apps if don’t want to get overly full.
TIP #2: If you actually are hungry hungry, DO NOT «split» the apps with your lying, greedy, food snatching while your back is turned husband, because you never get overly full! [Ya’ know I love ya’ babe! But… really? ;)]

Cinq sur cinq. Un magnifique bistro où vous serez épatés par la palette culinaire: carpaccio de kangourou, du hominy (nixtamal), une forme de maïs traditionnel de la culture amérindienne, un filet de caribou au salsifis … que dire de plus que c’est parfaitement exquis et un pur délice.
Situé à deux pas du fameux Stockyard de Fort Worth, ce restaurant sera votre arrêt bien mérité après une journée de promenades et d’exploration de ce quartier historique du ‘Far West’.