Deep Ellum News

Deep Ellum Hostel reboots in-house restaurant with nod to NOLA

Hey, whaddya say we pop by Booty's?

Photo courtesy of Booty's

The restaurant at the Deep Ellum Hostel formerly known as Izkina has become a more casual concept called Booty's, which will serve cocktails and international street food.

According to a release, this Booty's was once a gastropub in New Orleans, until it closed in 2016. The release states that "it has found new life in Dallas," where it will feature an eclectic menu of global street eats.

Kent Roth, co-founder of the Deep Ellum Hostel and owner of Booty's, has known the owners of the original Booty's for many years.

"It was time to reinvent the venue as a bar that better reflects its connection to the hostel, which welcomes travelers from all over the world, while offering something exciting and different," Roth says in a statement. "We’re looking forward to providing a fun new option for food and drinks in Deep Ellum and a unique alternative in the nightlife scene."

Changes include:

a secluded speakeasy-style entrance
a hidden door made of vintage suitcases located in the hostel lobby
a facade obscured by planters and hanging plants creating a more intimate setting
a dynamic calendar of events highlighting destinations and cultures from around the world

Basically, it's being positioned as a new concept, "while keeping with the ambiance and laid-back environment with a late-night scene in Deep Ellum."

One thing that's not changing is the chef: Joel Orsini is staying on board and will expand his offerings.

Menu items will continue to focus on a no-waste kitchen with farm-to-table and local produce, open daily until midnight.

Cocktails will remain sophisticated and globally inspired, with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients at an approachable price.

Izkina perhaps did not roll off the tongue, but is Booty's a better name? Would you, for instance, anticipate the sophisticated cocktails mentioned above at a place called ... Booty's? Would you ever want to call your friends and say, "Hey, let's pop in to Booty's"?

The changeover took place on August 16.

deep-ellum

Supermarket News

Italian gourmet grocery gets ready for business in downtown Dallas

Ari's

Ari's Pantry

A buzzy grocery store is opening in downtown Dallas: Ari’s Pantry, the local destination for authentic Italian groceries and warm hospitality, will open a location at 1800 Main St.#124, in the former Berkley's Market, with a grand opening on May 14.

This is the third location for the small mom-and-pop market, which debuted in Winnetka Heights in December 2023 to fulfill Ari's passion for all things Italy. They opened a second location in Trinity Groves in 2024.

Following the success of those first two shops, owners Amy and Ari Lowenstein are continuing their expansion by bringing Ari's Pantry’s to the heart of downtown — a joint venture between Lowenstein and Alan Kearney, owner of downtown businesses such as The Crafty Irishman and Patrick Kennedy's Irish Pub, as well as Cannon's Corner Irish Pub in Oak Cliff, as well as Dino Santonicola, owner of Partenope Ristorante, and Nick Roditis, owner of Yolk at One Arts Plaza — all of whom share a commitment to strengthening retail in downtown.

As as the other two locations, the Ari's on Main Street will feature authentic Italian ingredients and high-quality staple groceries. They'll also do:

breakfast frittatas starting at 7 am
porchetta sandwiches on house made-ciabatta for lunch
barista-crafted coffee
grab-and-go meals
gelato
recipe cards to help guests cook traditional Italian food at home.

More than a market, Ari’s Pantry is an Italian-leaning food space offering everything Chef Ari keeps in his own pantry. Visitors will discover handmade sauces, fresh baked goods, luxurious pastas, sumptuous cheeses, design-forward housewares, useful kitchen gadgets, exciting cookbooks, imported delicacies, and specialty flours, sugars, and salts — all thoughtfully chosen to elevate everyday cooking.

“Don’t know what to make for dinner? Come in and ask one of our culinary ambassadors” says Ari. “We’ll help you put all the ingredients together… and include the recipe!”

They also do ready to go meals, sides, desserts, and imported delicacies as well as gift boxes filled with high-quality ingredients and culinary treasures perfect for your favorite foodie.

Catering services range from dropped off lunch service of house made focaccia sliders to bespoke 10 course dinners with wine pairings for each course. Although Ari’s specializes in Italian cuisine, they are flexible in their fare and encourage clients to share specific and niche catering requests.

They bring back a valuable grocery component to the Central Business District, absent since the 2024 closure of Berkley's. Prior to Berkley's, it was a location of Austin-based Royal Blue Market, so there is definitely grocery history in the space.

"Amy and I are grateful for the opportunity for Ari’s Pantry to be part of this historic district," Ari says in a statement. "The vibrancy and diversity of clientele that downtown Dallas brings to Ari’s Pantry has our whole team buzzing. For the past two months we’ve been working to quickly open this dynamic location with a knowledgeable staff, hundreds of new products and a remarkable menu. We welcome everyone to come and check us out!."

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