Out of Office: Tips for Work Trips in Dallas

Ready for a business trip in D-Town? A sports industry VP shares how to experience the city’s food, culture and, of course, sports

After meetings are done, get to cheering at an FC Dallas game. Credit: FC Dallas

Dallas—home to six professional athletic organizations—is one of the country’s greatest sports towns. It may be known for football, but futbol and FC Dallas, the city’s pro soccer team, also have a growing army of fans here. Gina Miller is VP of Media and Communications for FC Dallas and has spent much of her career working within the Dallas sports industry, as a sportscaster and as a media strategist for the National Soccer Hall of Fame and Toyota Stadium. So, when she agreed to be our guide for business travelers in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, we just had to shout, “Goooooooooooooal!”

Get a taste of the Mediterranean at Sachet, where they offer a regular and family-style menu. Credit: Brad Murano

You want to impress a new client, boss or colleague. Where do you meet him or her?

We’re going to dinner at Sachet, a new Mediterranean restaurant. It’s blowing everyone away with its fresh, innovative dishes and extensive wine list.

“My favorite thing to do is pop in for a lunchtime Pilates class. It keeps me going for the rest of the day.”

- Gina Miller

You have three meals—and only three—to get a taste of Dallas. Where do you go for breakfast, a quick lunch and dinner?

Man! That’s like asking to pick between your favorite kids! Breakfast: I would do Kuby’s in University Park. It’s an old-school German joint that offers great omelets, authentic potato pancakes and more. It’s also a good place to take the temperature of what’s going on in the world. Lunch: I’m doing a Dallas taco joint, Fuel City. This is no hole-in-the-wall; it’s a popular gas station just south of downtown that serves amazing tacos. I’m a simple girl—chicken fajita taco with a Topo Chico. Dinner: I love what’s going on in the Design District, and I’m heading to Sassetta. I’ll start with their yellowfin tuna crudo and have one of their fantastic salads for dinner.

Where’s the best place to re-energize your mind during your lunch break?

I work in Frisco at Toyota Stadium. Fortunately, the Frisco YMCA is just down the street. My favorite thing to do is pop in for a lunchtime Pilates class. It keeps me going for the rest of the day.

You’re only working a half day today. How do you spend the rest of it?

I’m definitely getting in an afternoon workout on the Katy Trail. Following that, I’ll have an early dinner, probably a salad at Toulouse. The people-watching there is fabulous!

You have a free evening and an expense account! Where do you and your team or client go for fun—whether you’re in the mood for sports, music, film or something completely unique to Dallas?

I would bring them to an FC Dallas game at Toyota Stadium! We’d hit tailgating in the parking lot, then stand for a full 90 to cheer on Oscar Pareja’s team. FC Dallas matches offer an atmosphere like no other, with the Supporters’ Groups chanting and the unparalleled access to the players.

Business is going great. Where do you and your colleagues meet for happy hour to celebrate, and what do you order?

I’m taking my team to Legacy Food Hall in Plano. It offers that modern food hall experience with a slew of food and beverage options. While it’s hard to settle on one dish, I’m probably doing the rotisserie chicken from Bravazo Rotisserie.

You have a free hour or two and a camera. Where do you go to capture the best side of Dallas?

I head to White Rock Lake in East Dallas. I grew up in Lakewood, so that part of town with its wide boulevards and historic architecture is special. The lake landscapes are stunning, while the Hutsell-designed Spanish Colonial homes along Lakewood Boulevard inspire me.

Legacy Food Hall is a three-story foodie dream where more than 30 stalls serve up something for everyone. Credit: Legacy Food Hall

You’ve been wearing the same cardigan once a week every week, and you know it. Where do you go to revive and reboot your business casual wardrobe?

I adore Elements on Lovers Lane. They offer everything from athleisure to modern looks for work and cocktail that you won’t see everyone else wearing. I also have to say that I’m a bit of a scavenger hunter when it comes to fashion. I love shopping at all of Dallas’ fabulous consignment shops, like Clothes Circuit, Vintage Martini and Clotheshorse Anonymous. You can score remarkable designer clothing for a fraction of the price.

What’s the coolest thing you can see or do within an hour or two of town?

We have amazing lakes in DFW. Possum Kingdom Lake is located to the west of DFW and offers some of the most magnificent cliffs and walking paths.

Make sure to check out the Dallas Museum of Art—it’s one of the 10 largest museums in the country. Credit: VisitDallas.com

What’s the one attraction in Dallas you take all of your out-of-town visitors to see?

People visiting DFW still enjoying seeing the Sixth Floor Museum and walking the grassy knoll. I’d really use that as an opportunity to showcase the Dallas Arts District, as well. The Nasher Museum and Dallas Museum of Art are must-visit experiences that are the perfect complement to the grassy knoll.