After a lull in early February, the world of restaurants has rebounded, becoming exciting, eventful and energetic once again. Restaurants are opening. Chefs are on the move. Most excellent of all, there is a new tiki-themed brunch.
Plano is hot-hot-hot. The second branch of Lockhart Smokehouse is now open in old downtown Plano, soon to be joined by a second branch of Dalat. In West Plano, a second branch of Smoke will open in Plano in late 2014, in the old Snuffer's spot at Preston and Park. Chef Tim Byres will overhaul his original menu in time to debut it at both Plano and the original at the Belmont Hotel. Design is by Coeval Studio, led by John Paul Valverde and Miguel Vicens, who did Belly & Trumpet.
Snuffer's on Greenville Avenue will open March 10.
Moe’s Southwest Grill announced its plans to grow big in Texas, with 17 locations eyed for Dallas and Fort Worth, including one in Dallas opening on March 6. Moe’s first two locations are at Love Field Airport and Baylor University.
Stephan Pyles' Samar restaurant is going away, to be replaced by a modern Latin concept called San Salvaje. According to a release, it will incorporate Latin American, Caribbean and Cuban cuisine and will open in late April. Menu items will include tacos, empanadas and ceviches, inspired by his travels to South America.
Cupcake chain Smallcakes will open a branch in Mockingbird Station on March 3, its third in the area following Frisco and Southlake with plans for more shops in other suburbs. Theyll have 12 varieties every day from a selection that includes hot fudge sundae, peanut butter and jelly, and strawberry and crème.
The Establishment let it be known via a Craigslist help-wanted ad that it will open in early March. Part of the Cedars Social Group, The Establishment describes itself as an oyster bar with dried, cured and aged meats and craft cocktails.
NYLO Dallas South Side Hotel is enjoying new menu activity at its Terrace Bistro and rooftop Soda Bar. Additions include a grilled portabella sandwich on sourdough with red bell pepper, onion, spinach, buffalo mozzarella, and basil pesto; fried devil eggs with bacon, truffle oil and chives; shrimp nachos with queso al fresca, black beans, and guacamole; thin-crust pizza topped with sausage, sweet peppers, arugula, and goat cheese; pork chop with pomegranate glaze, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables; sea bass with Swiss chard; tahini salad wiath butter lettuce, sprouts, sunflower seeds, and tahini dressing; and molten chocolate cake.
Brunch
Queenie's Steakhouse in Denton has launched Sunday brunch for a flat $19.50. You get choice of options such as chicken-fried quail and waffles, pheasant confit hash with sunny-side eggs, and eggs Benedict with jamón ibérico and red pepper hollandaise atop a Thomas' English muffin. It's cool they call out Thomas' -- it is the best English muffin, right? Brunch includes complimentary mimosas, breakfast breads and pastries, and salmon with caviar.
Kitchen LTO, the restaurant pop-up in Trinity Groves, is now serving weekend brunch, on Saturdays and Sundays. Chef Eric Shelton's menu includes bacon and eggs, Belgian waffles, breakfast casserole with eggs, chorizo, peppers, onion and hash browns, and carbonara orzo with bacon, smoked gouda and an over easy egg.
But on the brunch front, Barter wins with its Tiki-inspired Sunday brunch featuring a playful menu devised by chef Andrew Dilda. Options include soy ginger wings with pancakes, a riff on chicken & waffles topped with rum-maple syrup; Hawaiian hash, combining corn beef and ham with barbecue sauce and fried eggs; and flaming shrimp in a spicy coconut sauce atop sticky rice and finished with rum, flambéed tableside. Rocco Milano's offers Tiki cocktails loaded iwth rum, heavy cream, pineapple and crème de Cacao.
Chef action
- Joel Harloff has left Battuto Italian Kitchen in North Dallas.
- Vijay Sadhu left Pepper Smash, the upscale Indian restaurant at the Shops at Legacy.
- Kelly Hightower left Wild Salsa.
Smallcakes proves that the cupcake trend has not yet died.
