BBQ News

New barbecue-plus-patio restaurant will grace Dallas' Greenville Avenue

Check out them pickles.

Photo courtesy of Oak'd

There's a fancy new barbecue restaurant with an emphasis on craft, coming to Dallas' Greenville Avenue. Called Oak'd BBQ, it's opening in the Old Town Shopping Center, at 5500 Greenville Ave. #1300. This is the space once occupied by Bonchon, the Korean chicken restaurant, but more recently a location of Mediterranean buffet chain DiMassi's, which is sad, since DiMassi's is really good.

A representative from the restaurant said that more information would be forthcoming, but that the location is currently under construction, and is slated to open in the spring. A Facebook page has been created to chart its progress.

Oak'd BBQ describes itself as a chef-driven, hand-crafted barbecue restaurant featuring locally sourced meats and sides. The owners include a small group, and the chef is a Culinary Institute of America grad with 30-plus years of experience.

They'll specialize in brisket, "infused with the vanilla-tinged flavor of Texas Post oak smoke and cradled in a peppery bark." They'll also offer a variety of Central-Texas-style smoked meats, plus gourmet sides, desserts made in house.

There'll be an in-house pastry chef, an unusual extravagance for a barbecue joint, who will bake items daily including pies, seasonal cobblers, bread pudding, ice cream, and artisan breads.

There'll be oak-smoked Waygu and prime briskets; pastrami, and salads.

In addition to some classic sides, they'll do seasonal items as well, such as balsamic-roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked almonds, caramelized shallots, and dried cherries.

They've also consulted with radio power couple Allen and Kellie Rasberry-Evans to create a signature menu item: It's a pulled pork sandwich with sausage, bacon, coleslaw, and a slightly spicy Carolina sauce, since Kellie is from South Carolina. It'll be served on a white-and-black seeded bun and topped with pickles. Great-looking pickles, if you judge by the photo.

The couple will also host a podcast at the restaurant called "240 Degrees in the Pit."

The restaurant promises to be an oasis in a fairly urban area, thanks to a full bar and a tree-covered patio featuring two mighty oaks, where they'll also host live music. The patio will also be home to outdoor smokers - each of which has its own name. Aww.

greenville-avenue barbecue

Wine News

New Vinifera Wine Lounge and Bistro debuts on Flower Mound’s Riverwalk

Vinifera

Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro

A new wine bar and bistro has opened in Flower Mound. Called Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro, it's at 4120 River Walk Dr., in a space formerly occupied by a short-lived pizzeria, joining a string of bars overlooking the Riverwalk.

Vinifera is from Jamie Creevy, a British native who moved to Dallas in 2007, and who has worked at concepts such as Henderson Tap House and Peppersmash Concepts. At Vinifera, he's partnered with Chris Kummer, a former US Marine with experience in nightclubs and restaurants, including Chill in Grapevine.

Running the kitchen is executive chef Justin Samsill, who has worked at a wide range of high-end places including Knife, Town Hearth, The Mitchell, Smoke, and Hide. The menu has a big selection of seafood such as mussels, shrimp cocktail, squid pasta, and scallops, as well as steak au poivre, pasta bolognese, and trendy items such as steak frites and a smash burger, with entrees ranging from $19 to $35.

Vegetarian options include an unusual rendition of ratatouille, in which vegetables such as eggplant and tomato are cut into slices and arranged like a pinwheel. There are also salads and harissa carrots with Greek yogurt.

They describe the wine list as being "from all over the world", with 38 offerings by the glass. There are also cocktails.

Between the indoor dining room and outdoor space, the restaurant seats about 130 people. It shares a private event room with next door neighbor Whiskey & Smoke.

Riverwalk is the 158-acre mixed used development developed in 2017 and designed as a destination resembling the Riverwalk in San Antonio, with live music, events, and a range of eatery options including Whiskey & Smoke, Pennywise Pub, and Underdogs Burgers & Brews.

“We are looking to be creative and pivot to keep the area fresh," Creevy says. “People are looking for live music, value, free events, we want to entertain the residents and the community at an inexpensive rate."

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