Dramatic changes are happening on the dining front at the Statler Hotel in downtown Dallas, including a brand new restaurant and a second location of an iconic Mexican restaurant from Uptown.

The newbie is an Italian-American restaurant called Sfereco and it will open in the former Ramen & Bao space adjacent to the Statler. This is a brand new entity from Refined Hospitality Concepts (RHC), a subsidiary of Centurion American, the company belonging to developer Mehrdad Moayedi, who also owns the Statler. RHC operates Primo's MX Kitchen & Lounge, Dallas Proper, Bourbon & Banter, Scout, Over Easy, Fine China, Waterproof, and Nosh Bistro.

Also opening at the Statler: Primo’s MX Kitchen & Lounge. It will go into the spot at the Statler currently occupied by Fine China, which will shutter on March 9, IE today, though it will live on via catering events, Fooda events, and occasional pop-ups.

A release says that reconcepting Fine China had already been in the works, and Primo’s was deemed the perfect fit "for the festive atmosphere at the Statler." The two new restaurants will open summer 2020.

Primo's MX Kitchen & Lounge recently re-opened its Uptown location — successfully, says Refined Hospitality Concepts COO Robert Hall.

"Primo's opening has been such a success in Uptown so we're excited to bring that energy and excitement to downtown Dallas,” Hall says. "Extending the Primo's brand to this space at the Statler allows us to meet the growing need for private dining space with the food and cocktails for which Primo's is known and loved."

Hall says he drew inspiration from New York City, "where it becomes clear that American Italian is its own cuisine," he says.

For corporate chef Ryan Carbery, it's an homage to his childhood days working in his family's restaurants. "I can remember so vividly the sights and smells of my dad's pizza and pasta restaurant, and how it really brought people together," he says.

Sfereco will follow a quick-service model, where you order food at a counter and eat at communal tables. A full-service bar will include beer, wine, and craft cocktails, including some Italian-inspired drinks.

Sfereco's signature dish will be the meatball, in beef, pork, chicken, and even vegetarian options. They can be ordered solo, or in bowls, or on pizza, or in pasta.

Chef's favorites include

• Sfereco Meatball with house-made pork-beef-veal grind, spaghetti, pomodoro, parmiggiano-reggiano, and basil
• Pesto Pasta with basil pesto, parmiggiano-reggiano, and pine nuts
• Short Rib with polenta, tomato sauce, and parmiggiano-reggiano
• Jimmy’s Italian Flatbread with Jimmy's Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, and basil

They'll also do an American Italian theme on that most important meal of the week, brunch.

Sfereco and Primo'x MX will join the hotel's other three dining spots: Overeasy, the casual all-day restaurant; Scout, the fun-and-games bar on the hotel's ground floor; and Waterproof, the glamorous bar on the 19th floor of the hotel.