Most restaurants strive to offer delicious food, but creating an ambiance where guests can tune out the outside world and truly connect with each other takes the dining experience to a whole new level. Since 1971, Celebration Restaurant, Catering & Market has remained dedicated to not only serving farm to table food sourced via partnerships with ethical farmers and growers, but also promoting family-style dining experiences for guests to promote togetherness.

Celebration was founded by the late Ed Lowe, a restauranteur, ecologist and river advocate who rejected quick, processed food and opted for fresh, locally sourced ingredients for his menu—a concept considered fringe for the early 1970s. Lowe’s dedication to sustainable, socially just food systems lives on at Celebration.

“Because of the nature of our business and how close we all are as a team, we’re like a family; we want to take care of our guests in the same manner,” says president Shannon Galvan. “We want customers to feel like they’re coming into our houses. We want them to feel comfortable, like we’re serving them dinner at their table.

Family-style dining entails vegetables served in bowls meant for sharing. Diners are served their entrée and then serve themselves veggies as in a family dining room. “A large part of our customers come in for the family-style service,” Galvan emphasizes. “It’s what Ed started this restaurant to be: a feeling of eating at mom’s dinner table, with meals being served and everyone breaking bread and enjoying each other’s company.”

Celebration has nine dining rooms among three houses. A few of them can be partitioned with sliding wood doors. A couple of private rooms have large, round tables that are great for a more intimate gathering, and one large dining area that can accommodate parties of up to 76 people.

Celebration has hosted the gamut of milestone events—birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, anniversaries, baby showers, baptisms, retirement parties and weddings. Rooms can be customized to the type of event. “We work with guests and ask questions about what they are celebrating and if they need special accommodations,” Galvan says. “We also offer the ability to rent a projector and screen if they want to display a video or pictures.”

All of Celebration’s servers are trained to handle large parties. Guests have the option to create a personalized menu that includes entrées off the regular menu and a special header specific to the event. Menus are placed at each seat so guests have a memento of the occasion. “That adds a nice touch to whatever they are celebrating,” Galvan notes.

Galvan adds that Celebration’s staff is detail-oriented and trained to offer special touches. “A small detail here or there really makes an impression on the customer. We try not to overserve or underserve. Timing is everything, such as promptly clearing plates and refilling drinks.”

Celebration’s outdoor dining includes a west patio with 15 tables, a fireplace, a pergola and wisteria growing throughout. The patio can accommodate private parties for 40 or more. There’s also a dog-friendly bar patio with four tables. Both patios have heaters.

Shannon says Lowe’s family still frequents the restaurant. One of his brothers lives nearby and often comes in, along with other siblings, nieces, nephews and Ed’s daughters. “Not only are they supporting us, but I’m sure they can’t miss out on family food favorites,” Galvan enthuses.

Celebration Restaurant, Catering and Market supports many local organizations, schools and nonprofits. “We are really fortunate to have the customers we have. A lot of our business is word-of-mouth, which we like to hear. We also realize social media plays a big part, too,” Galvan says. “We’re very grateful for people that want to be part of our family.”

Celebration is located at 4503 W. Lovers Ln., in Dallas. For more information, call 214-351-5681 or visit CelebrationRestaurant.com.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.