In Dallas, just like Houston, you have to know where to go in order to avoid that pretentiousness (is that even a word). The places I go to are just as fun as the places I've been to in Austin or Houston. That, and the mass transit does rock, and the traffic isn't nearly as bad as Houston, from what I can tell. I'd still move to Houston in a minute though.
I can't wait to check out this new aquarium. It looks pretty cool. They have a big shark exhibit where you ride a train through a tunnel with sharks above you and all around. I think it will be an awesome addition to downtown.
I have a professor that's already eaten there, and he says he'd never go back there again for dinner. I think it looks cool myself, and I don't see the ferris wheel taking away from the skyline...the thing barely reaches over 45, so I don't see how it would take away from the skyscrapers. Downtown needs something, the place sucks without some personality...which is what the Aquarium adds...
Landry's food sucks ass - across the board, at all of their horrible "theme" restaurants. They try and keep your mind from wondering why you are paying 20 bucks for bland, poor quality food by throwing gimmicks at you.