Restaurant review features Dahlia Kitchen + Bar
Situated within the remerging and recently renovated Steel District of downtown Sioux Falls lies a brand-new venue: Dahlia Kitchen + Bar. The restaurant, which opened on Oct. 15, sits alongside the Big Sioux River and is surrounded by other recently constructed upscale apartment buildings, shops and eateries.
The interior features a dark, moody ambiance, adorned with brick and wood. Contrastingly, vibrant and colorful dahlia flowers are pictured on walls throughout the restaurant, paying tribute to the restaurant’s name and Mexico’s national flower. Seemingly hand-crafted wooden light fixtures hang around the restaurant offering dim, romantic lighting.
The restaurant operates daily, opening at 11 a.m. From Sunday to Thursday, the space closes at 10:00 p.m., but on Friday and Saturday, it remains open until midnight.
Dahlia offers many traditional Mexican restaurant items but also features some unexpected combinations. For example, one can order “Gringo Taco Supreme” ($11) from the handheld menu, which consists of two traditionally seasoned ground-beef tacos with tomato, lettuce, shredded cheese and crema; however, there are also more unique options such as “Holy Moly Wings” ($16) from the appetizer menu, which features crispy chicken wings glazed with a house-made mole sauce. The entrée menu also provides some intriguing but pricier options, such as “Tequila-Glazed Salmon” ($31), “Short Rib Birria” ($34) and “Chimichurri Bison Steak” ($32).
To begin our meal, my table ordered house guacamole ($10) to share. Warm, gratis and lightly salted chips paired with mild and fresh salsa were prompt to meet us when we sat down at our booth. The house-made and deliciously seasoned guacamole topped with queso fresco followed shortly.
For my main dish, I ordered “Tequila Shrimp Tacos” ($14). My two tacos came on a hard, fried, blue-maize shell. The shrimp was flavorful but perhaps needed to be toned down by a more traditional shell. Additionally, if I wasn’t as full of chips, salsa and guacamole, I may have needed to order a larger meal option. Nevertheless, I was fond of my meal and already had other items in mind to try next.
Across from me, my acquaintance enjoyed a “Fried Chile Relleno” which features a poblano pepper stuffed with beef, rice and Oaxaca in a tequila-infused tomato sauce served over a bed of refried beans. Another individual at my table ordered “Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos,” which came with blue and white soft-shell tortillas set aside on tin foil, slaw, lime and coleslaw. These handheld tacos had the perfect amount of flavor.
Dahlia’s bar serves a variety of cocktails, beers and “buzz-free” beverages, highlighting smoky mezcal and smooth tequilas. Non-alcoholic beverages range from $3-5, while most alcoholic beverages range from $12-16. “Buzz-Free” cocktails are priced around $12.
Dahlia Kitchen + Bar offers a fun new spot for those of all ages to hang out, grab some drinks or get a bite to eat. Because of its versatility in what it has to offer, I can only imagine that the restaurant will continue to be a popular spot for people to enjoy. Furthermore, due to its kind and accommodating staff, it’s a dining option that is sure to be recommended to others.
