Charlie Tkacik, a native of Rhode Island, now leads the kitchen in this swanky Uptown Dallas restaurant. Time spent cooking throughout New England and along the East Coast proves a valuable asset here, where briny oysters, whole Maine lobsters and a shellfish Cobb salad are showcased on a menu that also includes Texas redfish, double- cut lamb chops served with roasted garlic, and hefty grilled steaks. Show enough restraint for dessert though; the 10-layer carrot cake and the chocolate peanut butter pie are showstoppers.

Rosewood Court, 2101 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, ocean-prime.com