Downtown Dining News
Discovery District in downtown Dallas is on tap for restaurant beer garden
UPDATE 2-27-2020: Jaxon will open on March 2.
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Downtown Dallas is on tap to get a new restaurant and beer garden, just in time for spring.
Called Jaxon Texas Kitchen & Beer Garden, it's a new concept featuring modern Texas fare and 34 beers on tap, and will open in the developing AT&T Discovery District at 311 S. Akard St. in March, according to a release.
Executive chef is David Gilbert. The menu touches on classic Texas fare inspired by surrounding geographic neighbors, including Mexico, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Sample menu items will include:
- Tamarindo Pork Ribs– fried shallot, cilantro
- Green Chili-Brisket Mac & Cheese Balls
- Smoked Chicken “Pot Pie” Pozole– hominy, salsa Verde, flaky pie crust
- Whole Fried Snapper– Tamarindo sauce
- Jaxon Burger– Texas Wagyu, smoked mortadella, cheddar, candied jalapeno, served with fries
- Impossible Burger– vegan-friendly alternative
- B.L.T. Torta– smoked mortadella, bibb, slaw, sundried tomato mayo on Torta bread
- Cast Iron Chocolate Chip Cookie– vanilla ice cream
- Truck Stop Banana Pudding– vanilla wafers and toasted coconut
Additionally, a section devoted to Texas BBQ will play an important role on the menu.
Gilbert began his career working at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Vermeer in Amsterdam. He also served as executive chef of The Beverly Hilton's landmark restaurant, where he was the lead chef for the International Golden Globe Awards.
He came to Texas in 2011 to head the kitchen at Stephan Pyles' Sustenio at Elian Hotel Resort & Spa in San Antonio, earning him a 2013 nomination by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef Southwest.
The beverage program will be led by Alex Fletcher, beverage director of Hospitality Alliance (and a CultureMap Tastemakers nominee), with Texas beers and cocktails influenced by Texas and the South, including cocktails on tap, craft cocktails, and frozen cocktails. Jaxon will also serve wines on tap.
Design elements include a mixed media collage of movie stars and Texas celebs; antlers at the beer taps; cactus terrariums; and artwork created from locally sourced vintage bricks.
The restaurant will feature 4,400 square feet of interior dining space with seating for 165 guests, and a 10,000 square-foot patio with seating for over 300 that boasts views of AT&T Discovery District's 104-foot-tall, 6K-resolution media wall, which will show movies, sports, and digital art.
Hospitality Alliance – a nationally-acclaimed hospitality management, development and consulting firm headquartered in Dallas – is working with AT&T on this project, as well as an anticipated food hall.
"Our goal at Jaxon is to combine the best elements of a traditional Texas beer garden with exceptional food, service, and above all, hospitality," says Hospitality Alliance CEO Kevin Lillis. "The Discovery District is a dynamic project representing a real evolution and transformation for downtown Dallas.We're thrilled to be working with AT&T and look forward to providing our guests with an extraordinary experience this spring."
Hospitality Alliance is a national hospitality management, development & consulting firm providing comprehensive services for hotels, restaurants, bars and developers.
