In 2004 Knox-Henderson off North Central in Dallas was not jammed with day shoppers or night life. Knox was popular with the young apartment dwellers in the area, but nothing like the bumper-to-bumper bedlam of today. Back then there were still lots of promising locales for bistros and boutiques, especially on Henderson,
It was across from the iconic Old Monk tavern in the 28 hundred block of North Henderson where a quaint cottage was converted into the Fireside Pie restaurant. When you enter (there’s valet parking in the back) you’re drawn into what feels like a neighborhood gathering place with a cozy, air-conditioned interior, huge wood burning pizza oven and bustling open kitchen.
But most visitors choose to dine on the covered patio with a massive fireplace for cold nights and mist spraying fans for the hot Dallas days. Winter or summer the patio is always comfortable.
Somehow we were in the area the day Fireside Pies opened 14 years ago and enjoyed our meal so much we have been regulars ever since. Even though it is considered one of the best pizzerias in North Texas, it was the salads which consistently drew us back.
In years past they grew many of their vegetables and herbs on the establishment’s rooftop. The manager would stop by the table and chat about the best vendors at the Farmers’ Market to seek out for specific ingredients for salads. Cheese was purchased from a master fromager in Deep Elum. Every ingredient is always farm fresh, picked and plated seemingly within a short span of time.
At the Henderson location there are five different salads, all with extras you can add including an array of vegetables, meats, anchovies and eight different cheeses.
We love the cheese platter salad. It’s piled high with multiple cheeses blended with a red pepper ranch dressing over mixed greens and chopped tomatoes. We also relish the Bruschetta appetizer with goat cheese in a warm olive oil dip filled with olives, diced tomatoes and herbs. The salad and appetizer are so filling we have no room for any of the 13 different pizzas on the menu.
It’s not often diners will go back to a restaurant just for a salad without an entrée. Fireside Pies is the exception for us. We have had plenty of salads at numerous eateries over the past 14 years since first tasting Fireside Pies’ showcase salads. None have been better, anywhere, anytime.
Share with our readers where you enjoyed a noteworthy salad in the Metroplex. We would love to know another salad to savor.
