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Dragonfly Restaurant and Lounge - American Fusion Cuisine in an Elegant Setting

American Fusion Restaurant Menu in Elegant Earth-Toned Setting

Dallas, Texas (April 3, 2009) - Dragonfly restaurant and lounge at Hotel ZaZa has emerged one of Dallas’ top dining destinations since its 2002 debut. Featuring American Fusion Cuisine, Dragonfly blends American restaurant classics with French, Asian and Mediterranean influences. Following an October 2007 renovation, Dragonfly restaurant offers a rich, earth-toned atmosphere perfect for dining by day or night. Executive Chef Grant Morgan’s menu utilizes the best of local, regional and seasonal ingredients.

American Fusion Cuisine
Bringing to Dragonfly a culinary career that includes experience in AAA four and five- diamond kitchens, Executive Chef Grant Morgan oversees all kitchen operations, menu planning and direction, including seasonal and daily specials, for Dragonfly and Hotel ZaZa.

Guests may begin their meal with one of Chef Morgan’s “Starters”, including Beef Tenderloin Tartar with crispy won ton, sweet soy, shallots and ginger, or the Hamachi Crudo lightly citrus cured with jalapeño and blood orange. The Baby Romaine Caesar Salad features olive oil croutons, and the Heirloom Caprese is finished with mini tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, endive and basil.

Entrees include selections from “Z-Grill,” such as the Whole Mediterranean Branzini, served with black olive tapenade, roasted tomatoes and herb aioli, or the Spiced Pork Tenderloin, accompanied by tabil spices, creamer pea succotash, and corn pudding sauce. Other main dishes featured are the Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, with parsnip puree, braised fennel and apple cider reduction, and the Supreme Pheasant Breast, pan roasted with golden potato hash and gravy. The Forest Mushroom Strudel features Dallas goat cheese, black truffle and green garlic puree.

Visitors to Dragonfly’s bar and lounge may indulge from an array of “Signature Cocktails,” “Zatinis” and a discerning wine list, making both Dragonfly and the outdoor Urban Oasis a popular social scene. The Buddha Call Zatini combines Hangar One “Buddha’s Hand” Vodka with Limoncello, fresh lemon and sugar; the Big Flirt refreshes with Rain vodka, Triple Sec, pineapple and passion fruit combined with champagne. The enhanced bar menu, ideal for happy hour plates or late-night dining, includes bites such as the Pan-Seared Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with fig-balsamic drizzle, the Lump Crab Cakes, served with sweet corn sauce and roasted peppers, and the ZaZa Thin Crust Pizza, topped with tomatoes, mozzarella and a basil puree.

Brunch
Brunch at Dragonfly is served Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and the menu features a sophisticated continental brunch with distinctive ZaZa twists.
Diners may start their meal with a freshly-brewed cup of Illy Brand Coffee, assorted juices, or one of Dragonfly’s signature mimosas.  Bottomless Mimosas, at just $15, are perfect for a weekend kickoff with a table of friends.  Additional eye-openers, including a Bloody Mary, Fountain of Youth and Dragonfly’s Wake Up Call are also available.
Chef Morgan’s “Starters” include Smoked Salmon with toasted plain bagel, chive cream cheese, tomatoes, onions and capers; Summer Berry Crepe, topped with Grand Marnier and Chantilly cream; or the Lobster Sliders, served with lemon aioli and romaine lettuce.  The Crispy Calamari Salad blends Asian greens with sweet chili vinaigrette.
“Z-Griddle” features Dragonfly’s flavorful interpretations of French toast, pancakes and waffles.  Buttermilk Pancakes are topped with blueberries, lemon zest and Vermont maple syrup; the Chicken & Waffle features crispy confit chicken and Vermont maple syrup.   The French Toast combines brown sugar glazed bananas and Vermont maple syrup. “Eggs and More” is a list of heartier, savory items, including the popular ZaZa “Bennies”, topped with choice of smoked salmon, Smithfield Country Ham, sautéed spinach or chipotle BBQ beef.  The Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs is served with home style gravy and breakfast potatoes; the Chilaquiles combines grilled shrimp, chorizo, red chili tomato salsa and breakfast potatoes.   Side items include Chicken-Apple Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes, Assorted Fruit Smoothies and Smithfield Ham.

Restaurant Décor
Dragonfly offers a sophisticated, clean design, which is created by subtle accents and a calm earth-toned palette. The warm glow of copper, bronze and chocolate hues foster a quiet ambience, made classic by notes of dark leather and wood.

Entering Dragonfly restaurant, guests are greeted at the hostess stand, a dark walnut wood base topped with brown marble. An olive green wall, adorned by hanging art in the staging area, coordinates with the neutral theme, acting as a cool counterpart to the warmer copper and brown colors.

The restaurant's bar and lounge area, dressed in chocolate velvet drapes, features a floating granite drink rail, complete with brass foot rail. Or, guests may relax on the banquette, surrounded by individual granite and dark walnut wood tables, coupled with matching armless black leather chairs. A custom-designed, high-backed bench also provides additional seating in the lounge area. Through the pair of glass doors is Dragonfly’s expanded wine room with seating for six. Moving from the bar and lounge, Dragonfly’s main dining room continues the subdued, earth-toned theme. Tea-stained crystal chandeliers hang from a ceiling accentuated by soft sage and copper-hued sheers, the mellow light imbibing a romantic ambience. Windows lining the far side of the main dining room are decked in chocolate velvet treatments. The banquettes are upholstered in rich, chocolate velvet and black leather, a clean contrast to the crisp, white linen tablecloths. Candlelight from the blown-glass candle sconces compliments the chandeliered light.

A dividing wall, inset with panes of seeded glass with tea light candles accents and a pair of entryways draped in coordinating brown fabrics, separates the main dining room from a sequestered dining area, ideal for private parties. The hanging neutral sheer striped fabric acts as a visual textured wall accompaniment to the exotic, leopard-print carpet and chocolate velvet upholstered banquettes.

Dragonfly in Dallas is a dining destination meant to be experienced, enjoyed and savored. In pure ZaZa fashion, Dragonfly has metamorphosed into something unique and very special.

About Hotel ZaZa
Hotel ZaZa’s soul lies in a rich combination of sensual design, an impeccable attention to detail and a “can-do” staff whose mission is to exceed every expectation. Hotel ZaZa is designed to deliver both style and substance for hard-working, fun-loving souls. Each hotel offers unique accommodations, one-of-a-kind themed suites and world-class dining. Hotel ZaZa provides travelers with a welcoming environment that embraces its signature elements of luxury, comfort, style and fun. It is uniquely different and anything but ordinary.

Hotel ZaZa Dallas features a casual yet seductive Mediterranean elegance, and is conveniently located in the chic Uptown neighborhood. The hotel provides 4,500 square feet of meeting space, 153 rooms, 17 concept suites, The Magnificent Seven Suites, award-winning Dragonfly restaurant and the über-Zen ZaSpa. Dallas’ Hotel ZaZa is a feast for the senses, exhibiting a style and substance rarely found in today’s hotels. The hotel is located at 2332 Leonard Street, Dallas, Texas, 75201 and reservations can be made by calling 214-468-8399 or by visiting www.hotelzazadallas.com.

Hotel ZaZa Houston debuted in June 2007 and is located in the heart of the city’s buzzing Museum District. Extravagant and lush while still quietly intimate, the Houston property boasts 17,000 square feet of meeting space, the casual-cool Monarch restaurant, restorative ZaSpa, over 300 rooms including ZaZa Petites, Pool Bungalows, Pool Villas, Concept Suites and The Magnificent Seven Suites. The hotel is located at 5701 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005 and reservations can be made by calling 713-526-1991 or visiting www.hotelzazahouston.com.

Hotel ZaZa was created by Charles S. Givens and Jeff Records and is owned by Givens-Records Developments. Operations management and marketing are provided by Z Resorts, LLC, led by Z Resorts President Benji Homsey.

About Preferred Hotel Group™
Celebrating 40 years of excellence, Preferred Hotel Group is proud to be a global leader in the hospitality industry, delivering high-performance sales, marketing and technology solutions to more than 700 independent hotels and resorts in over 75 countries. Its family of brands represents a collection of the finest hotels in the world and include: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts (www.preferredhotels.com), Preferred Boutique™ (www.preferredboutique.com), Summit Hotels & Resorts™ (www.summithotels.com), Sterling Hotels™ (www.sterlinghotels.com) and Historic Hotels of America® (www.historichotels.org). For more information please visit www.preferredhotelgroup.com.

In Fall 2007, the company entered the luxury real estate market with the launch of Preferred Residences™ – a membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts that provide an exceptional level of service and amenities. Properties are held to exacting standards derived from the same Preferred Global Standards of Excellence™ on which the company has built its 40-year heritage in the hospitality industry. For more information please visit www.preferredresidences.com.