Upscale dining is more than just food. It’s an experience, an atmosphere that sets the tone for your entire meal. Perhaps you’re more comfortable eating at an Applebee’s, but with one taste of freshly prepared cuisine in a fancy five-star restaurant, you might just find you like some of the finer things in life. Whether you’re rekindling the flame, going on a first date, or celebrating a special occasion, here are some of the top upscale dining restaurants in El Paso.
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Anson Eleven
Nestled in the heart of downtown El Paso, Anson Eleven is two restaurants in one. The first is a bistro that serves up a delicious power lunch. The other is a fine-dining component that will blow your taste buds away.
To start your culinary expedition, try some interesting fusion foods such as octopus confit tacos or artichoke tortellini. Move on to a main such as New Zealand lamb, barbacoa raviolini, or Alaskan sea cod. Pair each dish with one of more than 250 wines from across the world for an appetizing global food tour.
Located at 303 N. Oregon Street, Anson Eleven is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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Cafe Central
With an innovative menu steeped in 100-year-old recipes and traditions, Cafe Central offers an atmosphere and dining experience you won’t find anywhere else. Pulling influences from food around the globe, Cafe Central begins with appetizers like baked escargot in herb butter, Dungeness crab cakes, and beef carpaccio.
Once your palate has awoken, choose a main from the three sections of the menu appropriately titled Sea, Land, and Air. Pancetta-wrapped scallops, grilled Angus tenderloin, and roasted half chicken are all meticulously prepared and crafted. For something foreign and exciting, go with the quail pibil. This quail comes stuffed with black beans and mofongo — Puerto Rico’s national dish — for a taste of the Caribbean you’ll love.
Cafe Central is located at 109 N. Oregon Street. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
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Mesa Street Grill
Strip-mall dining is often a flip of the coin, but once you’ve eaten at Mesa Street Grille, you’ll wonder why you ever doubted. The dominating menu selection here is steak. Each USDA prime steak is hand-cut and aged for 28 days to seal in the flavor. Try the amazingly tender 8-ounce prime filet, the expertly seared 14-ounce Delmonico rib-eye, or delicious steak tartare.
You can find Mesa Street Grill at 3800 N. Mesa St. Ste. D1. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
You might not know which fork is for oysters or why you need a chilled salad fork, but chances are these utensils will make your upscale dining experience all the more enjoyable. For one day, you can live like royalty.
Image via wuestenigel | Licensed under CC BY 2.0
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