Banh Mi FTW

Mot Hai Ba crowned best new restaurant in Dallas

It was an exciting finish, but, in the end, Mot Hai Ba heroically seized the title of best new restaurant in Dallas 2013, according to our discriminating CultureMap readers.

This critically acclaimed East Dallas Vietnamese restaurant from chefs Jeana Johnson and Colleen O'Hare raked in 35 percent of the votes. Savor came in second, capturing 21 percent. Plucky pizzeria Zoli's NY Tavern rounded out the top three, earning 10 percent of the votes.

The news broke in March that Johnson and O'Hare would take over the old York Street space to bring Dallas diners authentic dishes from North Vietnam as well as trendy banh mi and pho. Said our dining editor Teresa Gubbins back in May:

Foodies are flocking to this new Vietnamese restaurant in East Dallas. The banh mi sandwich, with choice of omelet, paté, grilled pork, grilled beef or tofu, is as good as it gets. Banana flower salad is spicy and complex. Pork belly and meatball with vermicelli — aw, you know what? Everything's good.

National praise followed, including a nod as one of Zagat's 25 most important restaurants of 2013. Gubbins named the restaurant Dallas' "most exciting newcomer of 2013."

No. 2 Savor, the showpiece restaurant in Klyde Warren Park, has also received scads of attention. Said Gubbins in her roundup of where to entertain holiday guests in Dallas:

Savor is Dallas' mini-version of Tavern on the Green. The food's good, but even if it weren't, the atmosphere is magical, with its glitzy chrome columns, white vinyl banquettes and walls of glass that overlook the park. The menu is broad yet light, with sandwiches, salads and shareable appetizers such as the flatbread topped with duck, butternut squash, walnuts and Brussels sprouts leaves. Desserts come in mini-sizes for $3 each. At that price you can afford to try them all.

Other new restaurants in the running were Belly & Trumpet, CBD Provisions, Lark on the Park, Little Red Wasp, Pacific Table, Pakpao (which recently parted ways with its opening chef), Peak & Elm, Pepe's Ranch and Slow Bone.

Banh mi — with choice of omelet, paté, grilled pork, grilled beef or tofu — is one of Mot Hai Ba's top items.

Photo by Marc Lee

Banh mi — with choice of omelet, paté, grilled pork, grilled beef or tofu — is one of Mot Hai Ba's top items.

chefs

School Cafeteria News

Unusual new restaurant in Lewisville summons Korean school cafeteria

Andrea Young/AsianGrub in DFDUB

F&F on the Go

An adorable restaurant that serves up a Korean school lunch has opened in Lewisville: Called F&F On The Go, it's at 2405 S. Stemmons Fwy. #201, on the second floor of Korean specialty Zion Market, where it specializes in Geupshik — a Korean custom that refers to the homestyle lunch meals provided by schools or companies.

At F&F, you get a pre-set meal, served in a stainless steel tray with compartments for the different courses. You make two choices: black or white rice and your protein, from choices such as Beef Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Spicy Squid, and Salmon Steak.

Everey meal comes with the banchan, or Korean side dishes, which the restaurant rotates daily — there's usually a salad and kim chi — plus a classic Japanese yogurt drink called “Yakult."

For $14.99, you get an authentic, yet approachable taste of Korean comfort food, says co-founder Eric Song.

“It’s a unique concept in DFW that blends Korean and Japanese flavors with a nostalgic touch,” Song says.

F&F On The Go is part of the growing Fast and Furious brand, which launched in Irving in 2013, where Song is head of operations and brand development. Their first concept was F&F Japanese Grill, a fast-casual hibachi restaurant featuring Korean and Japanese fusion cuisine which now has locations in Addison, Plano, Frisco, and Greenville Avenue.

In 2016, they expanded with a food truck, F&F Express, which makes K-style bowls.

With F&F On The Go, Song wanted to create a casual, but high-quality dining experience inspired by the nostalgic Korean school lunch style.

The presentation was designed to bring a touch of nostalgia, yet be appealing to diners unfamiliar with the style or dishes. The counter and seating area have a clean finish while capturing the essence of a Korean school cafeteria. The word “Geupshik” (급식) in Korean literally means "school meal" or "lunch service."

The restaurant is in a multicultural area north of the Sam Rayburn Tollway in Lewisville — surrounded by sushi restaurants and Korean street food stores.

“We chose the location based on strong community presence and growing demand for Asian comfort food in the area,” Song says.

openings