Culpepper's has been a staple in Rockwall for many years, but it has not been until recently that they have been taking the new fine dining popularity that has boomed in the DFW area seriously. They re-vamped their whole thought process, and instead of just being another steak house in a cool building, they have really set themselves apart. As far as Rockwall goes, there is nothing else like it, and there is no other dining that can even come close to Culpeppers. As far as the DFW area goes, I would place Culpeppers in my top 10 restaurants in the DFW, and it is in my top 5 Steakhouses for sure. \r
The executive chef, Chad Bowden, has really taken Culpeppers to new levels. I have come to know him over the years, without any connections or previous relationship, because that is what kind of chef he is. He cares! He has passion for his craft, and takes a lot of pride in making sure he is doing the best for his customers. There is only one other restaurant and executive chef in the DFW area that shares the same passion and relationship with the customers, and that is Richard Chamberlain at Chamberlain's Steakhouse. I am not crazy and I do not gain any benefits from touting Culpeper’s, but I did just put Chef Chad Bowden and Chef Richard Chamberlain in the same category. (If you don't know who Richard Chamberlain is, you need to go educate yourself, before you review anything) These two chefs exemplify the time, and effort and passion not only they have for food, but for the customer service and being the actual face of the restaurant, and being there in person to make sure everybody is having an excellent dining experience, and that is what separates them from everybody else. The extra step they take to ensure you are experiencing something different.\r
At Culpeper’s Chef Chad, not only will prepare special off the menu creations just for you, but he will come out and check on your dinner every single time we are there. If it is not perfect to his standards, he will not send it out.\r
What can you say about the food other than, very well versed, and very quality controlled. The quality of ingredients is superb, and the skill and craftsmanship in the preparation is expert. The menu is routinely changing to keep pace with new ideas, and seasonal ingredients. There are few steakhouses around where you can have a choice between a wonderful steak, luscious fresh seafood, and ingeniously prepared wild game all on one menu. Not to mention the sides and the sauces are a work of culinary art for your taste buds that accompany the entrees as perfect as a symphony. \r
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If you have not tried Culpeppers you should!, If it has been a while since you have been there, go back now!, if you are in Dallas, and want something different, but not sacrificing quality and atmosphere, take the 20 minute drive east and make it a night. Go eat at Culpeppers, have some drinks next door lakeside at the Harbor, and go catch a movie right next door at a beautiful theater. If you really want to take it up a level, just stay at the Harbor Hilton Lakeside for a nice little local vacation, and a warranted change from the boring Dallas same old same old.\r
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All I can say is it has more tradition and legacy than most places, and the menu and service absolutely live up to both in a very (modern bridge to traditional) way. \r
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There are a lot of great chefs in the DFW area, and there are a lot of very notable chefs right now in the DFW area, who have made a ""celebrity"" name for themselves. But a chef like chef Chad (and Chamberlain) are a rare breed. A rare breed that actually is there day in and day out, and takes the time to interact with their customers. There are a lot of people that can cook great food and come up with creative menus, but very few of those can say that they take an active role in providing each customer with a complete dining experience.\r
Pros: Steaks, Wine List, Service/Waitstaff, Sides, Atmosphere
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