If you’ve been to Deep Ellum lately, you’ve probably noticed this area as a thriving arts community. Local music and artists have a name here. And recently, food has be added to Deep Ellum’s culture. Towards this East Dallas establishment, you will find Peak & Elm, a new restaurant focused on authentic Mexican food. This isn’t Tex-Mex…it’s real Mexican food. Local foodie bloggers and reporters were invited to Peak & Elm for a complimentary dinner before this restaurant opens to the public.

The Moreno family, who also operates La Popular Tamale House in this area of Dallas, hosted a delicious dinner for us. As members of the media popped in, we were greeted to wine and beer- all local drinks may I add. The Morenos support local wineries (Times Ten Winery), breweries (Lakewood Brewery) and farmers markets, and this is evident everywhere in their new restaurant. The cuisine comes from fresh and local produce, and I definitely felt guilt-free when sampling the meals that night!

Instead of traditional chips and salsa, we were invited to try a bowl of colorful veggies. This healthy start was a little spicy but tasted incredibly fresh.

More items from the menu we tried included:

The Tacos Tapatio- prime beef wrapped in a crispy gluten-free corn tortilla

The Ceviche- shrimp and sea bass tossed in a juicy citrus sauce

Chicken and Steak Fajitas- the meat was rolled up in a homemade flour tortillas served with grilled veggies, fresh rice pico de gallo, and lots of guacamole

And for dessert, we tasted the peach empanadas and some peach cobbler. This light dessert paired well with a cup of coffee.

Peak & Elm does not use any lard in their meals. The owners do not even have a microwave or freezer in the kitchen! As the seasons change throughout the year, so will the menu. The Moreno family is committed to cooking tasty and fresh Mexican meals for Dallasites to experience.

Peak & Elm opens its doors on February 8, 2013. If you’re in the downtown area, we recommend you to check out this place. Let us know what you think!

Located at 132 North Peak Street, Dallas, TX.