Food Halls

Plano's Legacy food hall adds more wine and a new cheap eats spot

High Tap has lots of shareable snacks.

Photo courtesy of Legacy Hall

Plano food hall Legacy Hall has made some changes that include a reconceived wine bar and a new eatery featuring a menu with sliders and burgers.

The wine bar formerly known as Detour is now called Blush Wine Bar. Changes include:

more wines
the addition of a sommelier
a policy of 21 and over only

One might presume that a wine bar would be restricted to 21 and over, but the space has been closed off by a barrier to prevent the tiny rug rats from running in and out of the space.

They've also bolstered the selection of wines to more than 80 options, which a release says have been carefully selected by Brian Newman, their new in-house level-two sommelier, who will provide wine education and recommendations.

The overall mission is to make the space more intimate and take the wine program more seriously.

Their second initiative is High Bar Kitchen & Tap, a full-service kitchen with additional seating on the third floor by the Unlawful Assembly Brewing Co. space. It takes up a spot that was previously occupied by Monkey King Noodle, which seems to have closed quietly at the end of 2018, if you believe Yelp; haven't heard a peep about that.

According to company VP David Daniels, High Bar will bring a comfortable space to relax and watch your favorite game with the ease of full-service dining.

Its menu consists of pub fare developed by Executive Chef John Franke to pair with Unlawful Assembly Brewing Co.’s extensive draft selection.

Dishes include boneless wings tossed in choice of Buffalo hot, lemon pepper, or Thai sweet chili sauce; or nachos in choice of chicken or beef.

Main plates include Kobe sliders with fries, meatball sub with fries, or a chicken chopped salad; everything's under $10.

trends

Stir Fry News

Mom-and-pop Asian chain from Austin makes Dallas debut in McKinney

Fire Bowl

A small Asian chain from Austin has entered the Dallas market: Called Fire Bowl Cafe, it's a small chain that has opened its first DFW location in McKinney, at 4060 W. University Dr. #300, in a new shopping center west of US-75.

Fire Bowl Cafe was founded by husband-and-wife Gigi Lee and Daniel Pao in 1996 with a focus on customizable bowls prepared in sizzling woks. They have four locations in Austin and one in Colorado.

Bringing the concept to McKinney is Dallas-based hospitality group DLC Restaurant Holdings (Firo Pizza, Craft Pies Pizza, Desperados), according to a release.

“We are thrilled to bring Fire Bowl Café to McKinney and introduce our unique dining experience to the wonderful community here,” says CEO Mike Daniel in a statement. “Our mission is to ensure that every customer leaves satisfied and happy, and we can’t wait to share our passion for fresh, customizable Asian cuisine with our new neighbors in North Texas."

To give it local flavor, they've partnered with Julian Rodarte, who co-founded Beto & Son, the Mexican restaurant at Trinity Groves in west Dallas, and also served as Trinity Groves' CEO. He was briefly executive chef at COSM at Grandscape and is currently culinary director for Dee Lincoln Concepts.

The menu has a Pei-Wei vibe, featuring a mashup of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, with favorites like edamame, spring rolls, crab rangoon, pad Thai, pot stickers, and lettuce wraps.

There are noodle and rice bowls, topped with vegetables and choice of protein; and a make-it-your-way stir-fry where you choose from proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu, tossed in a wok with vegetables, then combine it with your choice of "carb" — noodles, brown or white rice — and a wide selection of sauces, from teriyaki to spicy peanut to classic Chinese.

Prices are $12-$14. They do not currently serve alcohol, but have plans for it at a future date.

openings