Where Elevated Dining Meets Whimsical Ambiance, Artistic Flair, and Unforgettable Moments
By Allie Spletter
Sometimes, you need a really good date night, one with that special someone, an evening out with the girls, or even a guys' night. You know the kind – the food is incredible, the ambiance sets the tone, and the company doesn't get any better. What truly makes these sometimes few-and-far-between nights out is an enchanting, lively, yet inviting restaurant. Thankfully, Frisco is home to quite a few such places, yet one truly stands out in the way of experiential dining and top-notch food – The Glen.
The Glen, one of the chic Frisco restaurants owned by restauranteurs Derek and Sheree Simms of Simms Hospitality (they also own J. Theodore, Rare Books Bar, and Eight11), is one of The Star's premier restaurants offering patrons an authentic experience that goes beyond just the tastebuds. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in an immersive and whimsical yet moody atmosphere where the food and drinks are the stars of the show while other facets of space capture the concept's sophistication, modern edge, and creativity.
The one-of-a-kind spot takes its seductive inspiration from The Monarch of the Glen – an oil-on-canvas painting of a red deer stag completed in 1851 that was commissioned as part of a series of three panels to hang in the Palace of Westminster in London. With such storied inspiration, The Glen has redefined the traditional dining experience with trend-worthy brunches, elevated dinners, unforgettable after-hours, and an atmosphere complete with a towering and incredibly enchanting tree, lush florals, and moody lighting.
With an upscale, luxurious feel and mystical and elegant touches throughout, the interior of the restaurant has so much to take in you'll find yourself noticing more and more throughout your time there and find yourself gravitating to the Instagram-worthy photo-op spots, two of which are near the entrance. Just inside the door, a large gold circle swing is suspended by a floral rope in front of a floral wall that begs passersby to take advantage of the photo opportunity, and any given day or night you're at The Glen, many if not all who pass by, take full advantage of this little Insta-worthy spot. Tucked around the corner from the swing stands a pink telephone booth draped and covered in captivating florals – a photo there, too, is hard to pass up, given how gorgeous and charming the spot is.
In addition to these floral-forward photo-op spots, there are two main dining areas in The Glen, each of which features an incredibly imaginative floral display that is further transformed as the lights dim in the evenings, and ambient lighting enhances the beauty of each installation. The dining area to the bar's right boasts a ceiling dripping with florals and dew-drop lights, along with velvet seating options in a flirty yet subtle blush and a deep, sophisticated emerald green. Accompanying the ceiling florals is a vast and vibrant floral mural that runs along the wall of the space. It's all genuinely breathtaking.
To the left of the bar (my favorite part of the whole restaurant) is a mesmerizing tree installation complete with glowing lanterns hanging from the branches. The pink, white, and greens of the tree's leaves, flowers, and buds complement and juxtapose the moody emerald velvets and mahogany and cognac browns of the seating in the space below.
The U-shaped bar in the middle of the space is the perfect place to meet a friend for a drink during happy hour or to try some of The Glen's signature cocktails. A few crowd favorites include the Flirt Bird—a dainty yet flavorful and light cocktail made with Reyka vodka, triple sec, lemon, champagne syrup, and a charged sauvignon blanc foam. This drink is topped with The Glen's signature miniature rubber ducky, which floats on top of a few select cocktails.
Another favorite is the El Diablo, an edgy cocktail served in a skull glass. It features jalapeño-infused Sauza Blue Reposado, mango lime, triple sec, a tajin rim, and a dried lime garnish.
Finally, there’s the ever-popular Old Fashioned, smoked tableside for a dramatic presentation. This classic is crafted with Wild Turkey bourbon, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters.
A few of The Glen's modern classic cocktails include the Espresso Martini, Mexican Martini, Manhattan, and a MaiTai, amongst other classics. Additionally, The Glen has beers on draft, craft cans and bottles, seltzers, and ciders, as well as a vast selection of fine wines, rare bourbon, scotch, tequila & fine spirits.
December 2024 brought a refreshed and reimagined menu for The Glen with even more delectable choices. The menu focuses on elevated seafood dishes with a contemporary American twist. The new menu features more seafood selections that shine amongst other storied menu favorites, including oysters on the half shell, grilled oysters Rockefeller, ahi tuna crudo, and more.
A good friend of mine and I visited recently, and during our visit, we started with the Black Rock Shrimp, which consisted of Pacific blue jumbo shrimp seasoned and grilled over wood and served on a bed of hot rocks. For a dish as simple as grilled, seasoned shrimp, it was one of our absolute favorites (when the dish comes to the table, the presentation comes to life as the server lights a flame under the hot rocks). The Mini Lobster Rolls, a nod to the Northeast, are light and bright with perfectly cooked chilled lobster tucked in a buttered brioche roll, and the Bao Buns are what we can't stop thinking about! The flavor combinations of the tender prime beef, avocado, sweet Korean sauce, and siracha mayo all complement each other perfectly as each bite gets better and better.
The selection of main dishes is extensive, and we needed help deciding what to ultimately try during our visit (our server was wonderfully helpful with suggestions). From Seafood Paella to Chilean Sea Bass and Braised Short Rib, to wood-grilled steaks including a filet and ribeye, to house-made pasta – our waitress said, in all honesty, it's all good, and you can't go wrong no matter your final selection. The steaks, aged and seasoned perfectly, cater to meat lovers seeking that elevated, fine-dining experience.
We went for the 12oz. filet and Lily's Lobster Pasta, and let me tell you…there was zero disappointment as we shared the indulgent dishes. The filet was perfectly cooked with phenomenal flavor from the wood grill, and the lobster pasta was rich and decadent with a little bit of a kick from the spicy white wine cream sauce. We couldn't help but laugh to ourselves during our meal, as every dish that passed by our table was one we wanted to try.
The side dishes are "for the table," and The Glen has no shortage of choices, from lobster mac and cheese to chorizo crème corn brulee, loaded mashed potatoes, or chimichurri brussels sprouts; again, there really is no wrong choice.
At this point, it should come as no surprise that dessert was over-the-top, as we couldn't pass up the chance to experience the Celebration Dessert Tower – a show-stopping presentation of towering cotton candy, red velvet cake (you choose your flavor of cake), and churros all plated on a substantial golden circular dish with plates stair-stepping through the air. It's truly a sight to be seen, and imagine our surprise and delight when our server lit the sparklers that further solidified the presentation as truly extravagant (yes, this is where you need to come for your next celebration – simply for the dessert tower!).
After 10 p.m., The Glen offers a Late Night Bites menu full of options, including a French Dip Sandwich, Wagyu Sliders, Street Tacos, and other lighter menu favorites from The Glen.
Saturdays and Sundays are for brunch-ing, of course. The Glen has a fantastic "Boozy Brunch" on the weekends with a live DJ from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The brunch menu boasts a selection of brunch cocktails and dishes, including lobster avocado toast, a Mexican omelet, smoked salmon benedict, lemon ricotta pancakes, and more, in addition to a red sangria carafe perfect for sharing with the table, The Glen Mimosa Board, The Ultimate Bloody Mary, and a strawberry froze, amongst other creative cocktail options.
The Glen delivers an immersive dining experience that blends elegance with theatrical flair with its upscale seafood, steakhouse offerings, and vibrant atmosphere; The Glen is truly captivating. A striking centerpiece is the aerial artist performances, adding an unexpected layer of entertainment to your evening. The Glen updates their Instagram account (@theglenrestaurant) weekly with their entertainment lineup, which often consists of aerial artists and live DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Throughout the week, The Glen has daily happy hour and specials that include half-priced raw oysters and bubbles and half-priced wine bottles under $150 on Mondays, $10 Martinis all night on Tuesdays, and half-price select whiskey and bourbon on Wednesdays.
The Monarch Stag, The Glen's sister bar next door, offers a speakeasy vibe perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or an after-dinner nightcap. The Monarch Stag is a sultry, sophisticated space with rich hues and a moody atmosphere, complete with a separate ventilated cigar lounge.
The staff at The Glen has left no stone unturned, as their attention to detail enhances the overall dining experience, with servers well-versed in menu offerings and beverage pairings. Dining at The Glen is not just about the food; it's a full-fledged experience. From the artistry of the dishes to the ambiance and live entertainment, The Glen stands out as a destination for special occasions or simply an indulgent night out.
The quality and exclusivity of the offerings and the whole experience make it worth every penny; whether you're celebrating or seeking an elevated dining experience, The Glen combines flavor, entertainment, and luxury in a way that leaves a lasting impression.
Allie Spletter is the Managing Editor of Frisco STYLE Magazine and loves nothing more than a fantastic night out at a gorgeous restaurant.
