By Bella Stryker
As the football season kicks off— and the school year with it—everyone is holding onto their seats. The campus is alive again, and everywhere you turn, all of your fellow Mustangs seem to be sprinting from one event to the next. From Fondren Library to the social event of the evening, to 6 a.m. Pilates at Tight, there is never a moment to breathe. Or to answer your mom’s most recent follow-up text about SMU Parents Weekend—oops.
While you’ve been stressing about classes beginning to get difficult, your mom’s been fretting about what to wear to the boulevard and what “stripe out” even means. Parents Weekend is her Roman Empire, and naturally, she put you in charge of reservations; which of course, you haven’t even looked at. Not to mention checking the football schedule or even remembering when parent’s weekend is (September 27-28).
But worry not, allow LOOK to break this down for you. Because Dallas dining truly has something for everyone.
Start off Friday night with a family dinner and a nightcap nearby. Enjoy a relaxed evening after your parents’ long travel day. Or for the freshmen, skip the nightcap and roll Theory instead.
For the classic Highland Park Village experience, keep it simple: dine at Mi Cocina before ending the night upstairs at Monkey Bar. For the Knox lovers try Georgie. It has a refreshingly interesting menu and according to Kai Olliges “the agnolotti and potato churros are both 10/10.” Afterward, stroll over to RH Rooftop to end the night with champagne. And finally for city skyline enthusiasts: Perry’s Steakhouse before ending the night at Monarch.
Saturday is the hardest day to plan— especially with a later game time. This is also the day when it is easiest to have your parents meet all of your friends’s parents. The best way to break it down is as follows.
Start the day with a late lunch before the boulevard. R+D Kitchen is always a solid choice for casual sushi lovers. For a more upscale experience, Namo recently started offering a lunchtime omakase. Hudson House is a classic, and their Bellini’s will definitely help you jumpstart the day. From lunch, head over to a pregame— either at a friend’s or a bar. Truckyard, Chelsea’s Corner, and Kady Trail Ice House are all spacious enough to accommodate a big group and are great spots to gather with your friends and their parents. From here, you hit the boulevard, go to the game, and then either call it a night or take an Uber to a late dinner reservation.
And last but not least— Sunday is for the farewell brunch. Make it late (around 11 or 12) as everyone will want to sleep in and check out of the hotel. A Sadelle’s reservation is always a safe bet, or try the Mansion Restaurant. For those with almond moms: a walk along the Kady Trail to either Berkley’s or Village Baking & Co might be the way to go.
Parents Weekend is a busy season, but it doesn’t need to be stressful. Enjoy some family time and enjoy the game! Pony Up!
