Best Pumpkin Dishes In DFW

It's that time of the year again when the jolly orange giants are popping up in one form or another all over town. Once confined to doorsteps or in pies, pumpkin is now being elevated to the heights of stardom on a variety of restaurant menus. Here's a recent round-up of DFW restaurants where everyone's favorite autumn gourd is showing up and here are more places that serve it up throughout the season.

Oak Restaurant
1628 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 110
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 712- 9700
www.oakdallas.com

If you haven't been to Oak recently, you may want to revisit it now — especially since Belly & Trumpet's executive chef Brian Zenner is back in the kitchen. Zenner has revamped the menu, filling it with some exquisite new creations that reflect the season's fresh harvest. For autumn, Zenner is concocting a sumptuous sweet and savory risotto using roasted fairytale pumpkins and tasso ham. Zenner takes the dish one step further by elevating it with a brûléed marshmallow on top.

Victor Tangos
3001 N. Henderson Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 252-8595
www.victortangos.com

Executive chef Kirstyn Brewer continues to wow diners at Victor Tangos with her culinary creations. And she doesn't limit herself to  cooking only the items listed the menu. Last fall, Brewer had a sudden inspiration to devise a panko breaded pumpkin dish. It turned out to be such a huge hit that she is making it again this season. Panko-crusted Japanese pumpkins are intermingled with a cabbage slaw and served with a drizzling of sweet soy sauce and sriracha mayo— creating a fabulous feast of textures and flavors.

Related: Best Pumpkin Treats In DFW

Trio New American Cafe & Catering
8300 Precinct Line Road, Suite 104
Colleyville, TX 76034
(817) 503-8440
www.trionewamerican.com

Trio Cafe's owners and executive chefs Jason and Miriam Harper have turned Colleyville into a dining destination with their seasonal gourmet specialties. The cafe serves up everything from pork belly mac n cheese to lemon sole with carrot foam and Korean-style ribeye sous vide. Throughout the fall season, the Harpers pay homage to the autumnal gourd in a variety of ways. Expect to see it in everything from risotto, lobster bisque and rabbit confit to nestled in a salad with arugula, burrata and chili-spiced pepitas.

Bird Cafe
155 E. 4th St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 332-2473
www.birdinthe.net

Beer connoisseurs around the metroplex rejoiced when Shannon Wynn lit up Cowtown's craft beer scene last December with a sibling to his popular Dallas gastropub, the Meddlesome Moth. But there's certainly more than the world's greatest selection of brews flying out of this cafe. Executive chef David McMillian does a brilliant job of turning out some of the best gourmet and locally sourced pub food in DFW. For the fall, McMillian says he's whipping up several appealing dishes featuring the ubiquitous autumn favorite. One of his creations features roasted Texas quail with pumpkin, rye berries and bourbon figs. Pumpkin is also starring on the dessert menu in the form of a panna cotta with caramelized pepita seeds and candied cranberries.

Village Baking Co.
5331 E. University Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 951-9077
www.villagebakingco.com

This little bakery turns out some of the most authentic French breads and pastries this side of the Atlantic. Here is where you'll find the best baguettes and croissants in town. As well, the bakery also makes traditional caneles de Bordeaux— an addictive little cake with a caramelized exterior and a dense chewy center. Along with the regular lineup of baked goods, Village Baking Co sells heavenly seasonal specialties as well. Its fall-friendly creations can be found in the form of pumpkin cream cheese croissants, pumpkin pecan financiers, pumpkin pies and even pumpkin butter.

Bread Winners Cafe & Bakery
4021 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 312-9300
www.breadwinnerscafe.com

Bread Winners whips up tasty specialties that satisfy hungry appetites at all hours of the day. And when it comes to sweets, this place never disappoints with its massive assortment of scrumptious bakery goods. Come autumn, you'll find a line-up of signature pumpkin specialties—ranging from heavenly pumpkin pies and bars to flavorful pumpkin breads and decadent pumpkin streusel cheesecakes. Even better, you can enjoy these desserts at any of the four Bread Winners DFW locations, or take them with you to serve at home.

Related: Best Autumn Desserts In DFW

Ilene Jacobs is a freelance writer living in Dallas, Texas. Ilene enjoys writing about a variety of topics, ranging from food, fitness and travel, to kids, pets and senior care. You can find some of her work at Examiner.com.