MERCURIAL MOMENT

THE MERCURY is our neighborhood’s second home. Much of the staff has worked here 15 years or more. Regulars come two to four times a week and are like family. They don’t make reservations. They just show up and get squeezed in, even if it’s busy. Those who like to sit at the bar are treated like a guest in the house of Chef Chris Ward. Diners can expect a strong pour and bartenders will bring a fresh, icy glass to keep the drink chilled if a guest has been sipping on it for a while.

The Mercury is no place for fuss. You might consider its unofficial motto to be: “Why mess with a good thing?” The restaurant doesn’t

The Mercury 11909 Preston Road, Suite 1418

Hours: 11 a.m-10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 5–10 p.m. Saturdays themercurydallas.com seem to worry about keeping up with food trends or paying off concierges to keep an everchanging rotation of tourists coming through the doors. It has a consistent menu perfected over 21 years.

“If I weren’t here, you wouldn’t know the difference,” Ward says. His staff runs like a well-oiled machine and has mastered his elevated style.

The menu hasn’t changed much over the years, but that doesn’t stop people from ordering off the menu. Ward is happy to oblige. From years of trial and error, he’s learned that his taste isn’t always what other people want.

He just wants his customers to be happy, which is why he converted a small section of his restaurant into a sushi lounge.

“It’s like Nobu without the price tag,” Ward says.

The main menu is caviar and foie gras. The sushi menu is tempura and sashimi. It satisfies a hip, younger crowd that prefers Kampachi over sous vide-style short ribs. Although the sushi lounge satisfies a different palate, the food is still made with the same quality and mastery that has become synonymous with The Mercury.

Chef Ward isn’t what you might expect. He is humble and doesn’t like the spotlight; he prefers to stay behind-the-scenes in the kitchen. His technical skills weren’t learned at some fancy culinary school but during a summer job while he was a student at Southern Methodist University. He mastered his skills over 40 years of working at some of the biggest restaurants in the country.

Chef Ward may be one of the most celebrated chefs in Dallas, but The Mercury doesn’t draw much of a crowd from outside the neighborhood. It’s a hidden gem in plain sight, and it’s just for us.

Cindi’s New York Deli and Bakery, now with five locations, is a favorite among Dallasites looking for the authentic flavors of New York. Our menu boasts an array of delicious selections and a great selection of comfort foods

MEET

The People

WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

HOW SHOULD I PRICE A PRESTON HOLLOW PROPERTY?

AACCORDING TO CHAD:

The pricing strategy in Preston Hollow right now is being priced to sell. While the market is strong, there is more competition and more new construction than we have had in the past years. As a result, you have to give a buyer a sense of urgency, and that is instilled when you price a property to move.

AACCORDING TO JULI:

The Preston Hollow estate market is much stronger than it was a few years ago. In the past year there were many sales between $4.5M and $18.5M. We are optimistic that this trend in Preston Hollow will keep its momentum.

AACCORDING TO CHRISTINE:

Some agents and firms encourage sellers to list their property as “Coming Soon” before going into Multiple Listings Service (MLS), which reaches over 30,000 agents. This severely limits the exposure it will receive. Only a small number of agents will know the property is for sale, and it will not be featured on sites like Zillow.com

AACCORDING TO SUSAN:

Today you need to be everywhere to attract the right buyer. It is essential you are on MLS and advertise the property through all channels. Connections are also very important. Your agent needs to be a respected networker who tells other agents about the listing and hosts luxury-driven events. You do not keep your home a secret.

AACCORDING TO TERRI:

Prepare to meet the market. “Styled to Sell” pays off in every market. There are many stately homes in Preston Hollow with dark finishes. I recommend a more transitional, contemporary feel. It’s all about the math - broaden your market by stylizing and sell your home faster for the highest price. Stylizing pays dividends.

ACCORDING TO GRACIELA:

The reality is that Preston Hollow inventory is a bit higher this year. Many people took their homes off the market over the holidays and re-listed them; there is a fair amount of new construction as well. Sellers need to price aggressively and do any needed repairs or minor cosmetic updates. If it is priced right and shows well it will sell.

ACCORDING

The predominate style of new construction in Preston Hollow is contemporary to soft contemporary with open floor plans, clean lines and windows that allow a large amount of light in. This part of Dallas is heavily treed and people love having unobstructed views of trees from their living area or den.

ACCORDING TO JILL:

Private school acceptance letters come out on the Friday that Spring Break begins. Since many of the schools are located in one general area south of LBJ down to Walnut Hill, there is always a rush of people from out of town or the suburbs who want to be in the nearby neighborhoods.