This rendition of restaurant news is heavy on the closures, with a few old-timers on their way out. But we have openings to lighten the burden. And a Starbucks revival, which always lifts one's spirits. Let's do the bad news first:
The Dallas World of Beer on SMU Boulevard has closed. When it opened in 2012, it was the second WoB in the area, following Arlington. There are also branches in Fort Worth and Plano. The company's VP of marketing, Terry Haley, told the Dallas Morning News that the concept was evolving and that the SMU's capacity of 78 patrons wasn't big enough. They're looking for another location in Dallas.
The Black-eyed Pea in Preston Center has closed. It opened three years ago, to very little notice. The bartender told SideDish that there wasn't enough parking.
Very old-timer Vincent's Seafood will close on August 1. Owner Angelo Stergios opened the location on Preston Road in Plano 22 years ago, but Vincent's goes back 117 years to the original location in downtown Dallas. At one time, there were four locations around Dallas.
While most of the news in Deep Ellum is about opening, this one's a closure: Under-noticed barbecue restaurant Mama Faye's closed, with a note on their door, thanking customers for "all the great years," and an announcement that they'd be moving to Sulphur Springs. The restaurant opened at 2933 Commerce St. in 2010.
In Arlington, Olenjacks, one of the only "fancy" restaurants in town, closed. Namesake chef Brian Olenjack left in January after parting ways with his investors.
Now for the happy news:
Local taco chain Tacos Y Mas is opening a new location at 4123 Cedar Springs Rd. in mid August. It'll be the fifth, following branches on Greenville Avenue, Ross Avenue, Forest Lane, and Plano Road.
A branch of brunch-ariffic Dream Cafe will open in the Fuzzy's Tacos space at Abrams Road and Mockingbird Lane. It's a franchised location, owned by Lakewood resident Christine Lott. This makes the third location; there's also the one at Belt Line Road and the Tollway. Fuzzy's has closed and is seeking other quarters.
A second branch of Pizza Snob, the fast-casual Neapolitan-ish pizza concept that debuted near TCU in Fort Worth, has opened a second location in Denton, at 321 W. Hickory St., at a new mixed-use complex called H Squared.
Del Frisco's Grille has partnered with Four Corners Brewing Company for its own signature DFG Pale Ale. This brand-new, limited-edition beer is an American Pale Ale that's light-bodied with a crisp, hoppy finish.
Starbucks has brought back the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino, consisting of coffee, mocha sauce, coconut syrup, milk, ice, whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes. The release says that it's available "while supplies last." Very vague, Starbucks. How about just making sure you have more supplies?
There is also a new bottled Frappuccino Mocha Coconut, with flavors of coconut, chocolate, milk and coffee, available year-round where groceries are sold.
Hard Rock Cafes are serving a Hard Rock Energy Drink, in three flavors: citrus, punch, and sugar free. That doesn't sound like a flavor. It has 100 mg of caffeine, vitamin B6 and B12. Hard Rock Energy Drink first launched as a limited release offering in December 2013. In addition to Hard Rock Cafés, it's also sold online and at Albertson’s stores.
Dream Cafe will open a third branch in East Dallas.
