Italian Food
New restaurant at The Star in Frisco renews hope for Dallas Italian fans
Opening day has arrived for a new restaurant bringing a promising new rendition of authentic Italian cuisine. Called Da Mario, it will open at The Star in Frisco on February 28 at 5:30 pm.
In other words, in mere hours, Dallas diners may finally get access to a level of authenticity in Italian food they've heretofore been denied.
Da Mario is conceived by Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management — aka d.ream, aka sorry guys, we're just going to call you Dream — an international hospitality group, so optimism prevails that they can bring it on the authenticity game.
Da Mario strives for a true and authentic Italian feel through exquisite food prepared with locally-sourced ingredients, imported Italian specialties, and high quality meats. High-quality meats is an Italian thing?
The menu by Dream corporate executive chef Mert Seran and executive chef Luigi Iannuario includes tableside fettuccine alla fiamma with hand-crafted pasta garnished with black truffles; Prince Edward Island mussels nestled in a red-pepper-and-white-wine sauce; focacci recco, inspired by the northwest coast of Italy; and Fiorentina di Black Angus, which is dry-aged for 30 days and wet-aged for another 30 days. Wet or dry, this black Angus gotchya covered.
Da Mario's cellar master is Tahn Eisemann, who has created an Italian-focused wine list sourced from all regions of Italy, from crisp white wines to super Tuscans with a youthful body.
A cocktail program created by Dream's beverage manager Juan Carlos Santana incorporates fresh juices and house-made syrups, in drinks that pay homage to Italian flavors.
"This restaurant achieves the excellence we are known for internationally," says Seran in a release. "As a whole, we strive to create experiences that embody our passions and spread the acknowledgement of a culture and cuisine. Da Mario will bring Italy to the front steps of Frisco and beyond."
The design by Rockwell Group uses dark wood, warm golden hues, and hints of deep green to transmit a mid-century feel with a modern twist. Glass displays around the restaurant showcase meat, cheese, pasta, and wines. The restaurant also has an exposed wood-fired oven.
Dream is also the team behind Zaytinya, the acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant from Washington, D.C. by celebrity chef Jose Andres. Ferit Sahenk, founder of Dream and chairman of Doğuş Group, says that the two restaurants create a synergy.
"The Star in Frisco is America's premier new entertainment destination and Da Mario and Zaytinya, our first two restaurants in Texas, combine that entertainment with exemplary food and service, creating what we like to call 'eatertainment,'" he says.
Da Mario will be open for dinner daily at 5:30 pm; lunch will begin at 11 am on March 10. Da Mario will open featuring their winter menu, and will change offerings seasonally.
Dream was founded in 2012 in Turkey where it has become the market leader as well as an international player by introducing innovative concepts and a wide variety of dining experiences worldwide.
Doğuş Group was founded in 1951 and is active in seven core industries including automotive, construction, media, tourism and services, real estate, energy, and food and beverage. It has more than 300 companies in 25 countries in 4 continents and more than 35,000 employees.
The large wraparound bar at Hudson House Southlake.Photo courtesy of Hudson House
East Coast oysters and shrimp cocktail at Hudson House. Photo courtesy of Hudson House 