We're seeing an unusually large glut of new restaurant openings around Dallas, so you'd best get eating. On the table, we have bread, barbecue, brunch, and burgers. Here are the top stories in Dallas dining.
The Theodore, the NorthPark restaurant from the owners of Bolsa and Smoke, has opened, giving us all another reason (besides Neiman Marcus) to go to the mall. Oh joyous day, it's the most remarkable restaurant to open in Dallas this week, and we can say that without having even visited it first-hand. Sometimes you just know.
According to a release, the restaurant is filled with hidden rooms, vintage furniture, hand-painted murals, and whimsical curiosities from fashion photographer Maxine Helfman's personal collection. These all speak to lovers of a time when things were handmade with integrity, rather than, say, assembled for a restaurant at a mall.
The menu is classic American, and there is an open-air bakery baking artisanal breads around the clock.
Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen, the Asian-inspired quick-serve restaurant from Canada, has opened in Plano, at 1855 Dallas Pkwy. It's the second Wok Box, following the initial one in Las Colinas, which opened in 2013. The company is plotting more branches for Arlington, Frisco, Keller, Flower Mound, and Richardson.
Moe's Southwest Grill has a new location in Farmers Branch at 13701 Midway Rd. Its most popular menu item is a burrito called the "homewrecker," but Moe's is also known for its queso.
Rockfish Seafood & Grill is opening a new branch in Frisco on November 20. The branch follows a prototype that was introduced at the Lewisville location, where the theme is coastal décor, with hues of blue and a relaxed seaside ambience.
"Table," the fine-dining part of FW Market + Table, is now open. This is the novel restaurant-market concept that replaced the Tillman's in Fort Worth. The menu at Table will change regularly and feature market-fresh ingredients, "with a dash of whimsy." Hours are dinner only, Wednesday-Saturday.
Top Pot Doughnuts has opened its third Texas location in Richardson, at the CityLine development. The cafe does doughnuts, its own fresh roasted coffee, and soft-serve ice cream. Top Pot Doughnuts is headquartered in Seattle, where it operates 20 cafes. It's open 6 am-6 pm daily.
Lakewood Smokehouse will open in Lakewood in December, at 1901 Abrams Rd., in the space previously occupied by Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill. Owners include Jason Hall, who also owns 3 Stacks in Frisco. The menu will include brisket, smoked turkey, and sausages, with sides such as macaroni and cheese, fried okra, green beans, and potato salad.
Piada Italian Street Food in Frisco has an opening date: November 20. This is the Italian snack food chain whose menu includes salads; pasta bowls; and the namesake piada, a thin-crust dough baked on a stone grill, filled with ingredients and rolled as guests watch.
The Lion & Crown Pub, an English-style pub that debuted in Addison in 2010, now has a second branch in Allen at Watters Creek. The pub has a big menu, fine wines, and 38 beers on tap. It has big-screen TVs and a patio. A grand opening party takes place on November 20 from 9 pm-2 am at 932 Garden Park Dr. in Allen.
Restaurateur Lisa Garza has withdrawn from Shelby Hall, her previously announced restaurant in downtown Dallas. She parted ways with the building's developer and will open the concept in a different location, still TBD, in 2016. "I'm passionate about bringing Mississippi Delta cuisine to Dallas and have poured my heart and soul into creating an authentic experience," she says in a statement.
Modmarket is changing its name to Modern Market. The Colorado healthy-restaurant chain, which has four branches around Dallas, is changing the name after a trademark dispute settlement with another fast-casual restaurant concept. A branch is scheduled to open in Austin.
Dugg Burger has a week-long Thanksgiving burger special from November 23-29, with a different topping every day, such as corn casserole, cranberry wasabi, and turkey gravy.
Hopdoddy has a Thanksgiving burger featuring a turkey patty with sage pesto, jalapeño cornbread stuffing, ginger cranberry chutney, and Gouda cheese, available through November 29.
Hard Rock Cafe Dallas has a burger with a beer theme. The Modelo Especial bacon cheeseburger is drizzled with Modelo Especial-infused beer cheese and topped with bacon and grilled poblanos. The burger is served with seasoned fries and a side of Modelo Especial-infused beer cheese and is available through January 3.
Madrina is doing brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 am-3 pm. Dishes include tarte flambée with fromage blanc, caramelized onions, lardons and poblano rajas; crème brûlée French toast with Mexican chocolate and jalapeño-smoked maple syrup; and a French-Mex version of chilaquiles, with huitlacoche tortilla chips, duck confit, poblano cream sauce, and queso fresco.
Sweet Arleen's bakery has three new personal-sized seasonal fall desserts: apple-blackberry cobbler, pecan pie bar, and pumpkin cheesecake.
Pizza Hut has a new brownie dessert that's all Hershey's, all the time. The brownie is packed with three types of genuine Hershey’s products: Hershey's Cocoa, Hershey’s semi-sweet chocolate chips, and Hershey’s special dark chocolate chips, then topped with Hershey's chocolate syrup and mini marshmallows. The brownie is a limited-edition item, available "while supplies last," and is $6.99.
Pizza Hut offers all the data you want when you're contemplating a dessert: The Hershey's Hot Chocolate Brownie is eight inches long, has approximately 120 mini marshmallows, more than 100 chocolate chips on top and baked inside, and is part of a partnership with Hershey.
Rahr & Sons' has released its seasonal Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer. The brewing team made some changes to make this year's version more flavorful than ever, and the label features a cool metallic-holographic design.
Texas Ale Project is offering two of its craft beers in cans: Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale and 50 FT Jackrabbit IPA. They're available retail at various liquor stores and grocery stores. To celebrate the cans, Texas Ale Project will host a party at the brewery on November 21 from 1-5 pm. Buy tickets here.
Pizzeria chain Olivella's is opening a location in Las Colinas, part of the new Gables Water Street development.
Wok Box heads north to Plano.
