Not-so-lazy Susan
New Asian restaurant on Dallas’ Greenville Avenue reflects chef’s touch
Elias Pope, founder of 8020 Hospitality (HG Sply Co., Standard Service), and executive chef Kirstyn Brewer have teamed up to debutGung Ho, a new concept that opens on February 20 in the former Remedy space at 2010 A Greenville Ave. in Dallas.
The menu is inspired by American-Chinese food and ranges from traditional to creative dishes like pickled veggie egg rolls, Won Ton soup with braised bacon and shrimp dumplings, and Char Siu Pork with steamed buns.
Brewer, who previously worked at Victor Tangos and won CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Rising Star Chef in 2016, says she's always been passionate about this type of cuisine.
"Growing up, eating this food was the only time my family and I had a shared experience of different dishes," she says in a release. "It was great that everyone had chance try a little of everything on the Lazy Susan. The Gung Ho team wanted to create that sort of atmosphere with new dishes but keep the same feel. I’m incredibly excited to continue to build on the menu as the restaurant moves forward; I like to believe a dish is never final but can always evolve.”
Beverage director Matt Ragan has partnered with bar manager Zach Potts to create a menu that is unique and unexpected.
“I wanted to create a drink menu as fun and approachable as the food," Ragan says. "I love Asian flavors and drew a lot of my influence from ingredients in favorite dishes. We focused on enhancing a guest’s entire experience from cheeky glassware and shareable Scorpion Bowls to an uncommon collection of wines that really pair well with the menu.”
On creating the concept, Pope says, “I was fortunate enough to meet both Kirstyn and Matt when I was building HG SPLY CO five-and-a-half years ago. I knew then that we would eventually join forces to create this concept. What this team can do is special, so I wanted to build them a space that complemented their vision and passion. With low ceilings in the bar, killer woodwork throughout, and multiple rooms designed for group dining, I think the team nailed it.”
Gung Ho will be open for dinner and drinks until 2 am seven days a week and expects to add dim sum brunch in the coming weeks.