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BRINGS OUT THE CHILD IN YOU

MADELYN MILLER

Your mama probably taught you to use the correct silverware and not to raise your voice at meals.  She'd be appalled at first by the procedures at Medieval Times -- but I'm sure that after a few minutes she'd join right in the revelry and merriment.

The four-course banquet is served in true medieval pre-silverware fashion.  From the moment you cross the moat and drawbridge to enter an 11th century European-style castle, you feel like you've stepped back in time 1,000 years.  The whole experience is a cross between restaurant, dinner theatre, sporting event, and pep rally.

Your own friendly wench or serf serves you a fruity wine cocktail and an appetizer of fresh vegetables for dipping.  They scurry about busily filling glasses and attending to the needs of the guests and occasionally teasing or challenging them.

Drinking the hearty fresh vegetable soup is a bit challenging -- but worth the effort.  I noticed the young birthday party boys sitting next to us eagerly slurping their soup.  For them, having "permission" to be messy made it fun to even eat vegetables.

Dinner, a juicy whole roasted chicken, a slab of spare ribs and herb-roasted potato is served as the arena fills with the thunder of hooves as the master of ceremonies leads the cast through a spectacular display of equestrian skills and medieval pageantry.  Medieval Times features one of the rarest breeds of horses in the world, the Spanish Andalusian.  My favorite performance was the Master Falconer who leads the birds of prey in an exhibition of hunting and flying skills.

As dessert (a fruit pastry) was served, the pace quickened as the Tournament of Games began.  The valiant knights on colorfully-attired horses faced their competitors in breathtaking tournament games, such as the ring pierce, the flag toss and the javelin throw.

The experience culminated when guests cheered their own color-coded knight to victory in jousting matches and sword fights "to the death."

A Knight to Remember

Following the tournament, there was an opportunity to mingle with the knights and other cast members in the "Knights Club."  This entertainment and dining concept was created by a noble Spanish family whose ancestry dates back to the 11th century.

The admission price includes dinner, beverage and show and is a good value for a meal and entertainment.  But bring extra for drinks before and after the show, admission to the torture chamber, when you enter, souvenir books, of you dining, colorful banners to wave, souvenirs from the gift shop,
and tips.

General Admission prices for 2005 are $46.95 for adults and $32.95 for children 12 & under.  The admission price includes a hearty chicken, spare rib, herb-basted potato, pastry of the castle and Saturday at 5:30 and 8:00 pm and Sunday at 5:00 pm.  Show times are subject to change.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is located at 2021 N. Stemmons Freeway (I-35) at the Market Center Boulevard exit. For reservations please call 1-888-WE-JOUST or 214-761-1800 or www.medievaltimes.com

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