Awards Time

16 new restaurants in Dallas compete for Tastemaker top honors

One restaurant on this list will win.

Photo courtesy of Ferris Wheelers

In the 2018 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, our annual event honoring the best in local food and drink, we spotlight categories such as best bars, best neighborhood restaurants, and rising star chefs.

In those categories, the winners are decided by a panel of former winners and restaurant industry insiders.

But for the category of Best New Restaurant, you get to decide, via our Tastemaker tournament, a bracket-style competition powered by Whole Foods Market.

In the tournament, 16 new restaurants go head to head. You can vote once a day for your favorite. It will go four rounds, at which time two finalists emerge.

We'll announce the winner at our party on April 19 at Sixty Five Hundred, with tastings of food and drink. Tickets are on sale for $55, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Bonton Farms.

To vote, click here. Don't delay: The first bracket ends on April 2.

Here are the nominees:

Bullion
Michelin-starred Chef Bruno Davaillon (Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek) returns with an opus that serves a range of classic and contemporary French dishes. Open for lunch and dinner, it's an odd though beautifully designed space in downtown Dallas. Dining here is an elegant experience, with pristine presentations of seafood and vegetables on the finest of fine china.

Commissary
Another concept in downtown Dallas from the Headington companies (Joule Dallas, CBD Provisions, Sassetta, Wheelhouse), Commissary is a bakery, butcher shop, gelateria, espresso bar, and market. There are egg dishes at breakfast and sandwiches on crusty bread at lunch. It's on the ground floor of a six-story building that was renovated, with an eye-catching blue-and-white tile.

El Vecino Tex-Mex
Mexican restaurant in Old Lake Highlands comes from a well-versed vet: John McBride, great-grandson of Mike Martinez, who co-founded the El Fenix chain. It's a neighborhood spot whose menu is mostly Tex-Mex, with margaritas and a full bar; but a special section on the menu was inspired by Rosa Mexicano, the famed upscale Mexican restaurant in New York.

Ferris Wheelers
Over-the-top restaurant in Dallas' Design District from This & That Concepts (Parlay, High Fives, Tiny Victories) features barbecue from credentialed chef Doug Pickering, along with craft beer, live music, and a 50-foot running Ferris wheel. The brisket queso served with chips is divine. Myriad games include Jenga, bags, washers, hook & ring, oversized Kerplunk, checkers, and chess.

Gung Ho
Chinese-American restaurant on Lower Greenville, in the former Remedy space, is part of the 80/20 Hospitality Group (HG Sply Co.) The restaurant is dinner only with a late-night bar scene. The menu by chef Kirstyn Brewer includes such dishes as pickled veggie egg rolls, won ton soup with braised bacon and shrimp dumplings, and char siu pork with steamed buns.

Jalisco Norte
Authentic Mexican restaurant at Turtle Creek Village is from restaurateur Tim McEneny and his NL Group (Dakota's, Front Room Tavern), and chef Jose Meza Arroyave, whose resume includes the famed NOMA in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dishes like salmon with roasted tomato marmalade and corn sauce sound deceptively simple, but the flavors and sauces are complex.

José
Park Cities hotspot from Brady Wood (Green Room) serves contemporary Mexican-inspired cuisine with a Guadalajaran focus and a mixology program, with artisanal spirits, highlighted by an extensive collection of tequilas and mezcals. Nestled in the entryway is a small market, with goods from Cerámica Suro, aboutique ceramics factory in Guadalajara, and Tlaquepaque-area artists.

Mirador
Downtown Dallas restaurant located on the top floor of Forty Five Ten and across from The Joule Dallas hotel boasts 11-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and a wrap-around terrace over looking Tony Tasset’s outdoor sculpture Eye. Cuisine is American, and executed by chef Josh Sutcliff, in collaboration with Junior Borges, executive chef of The Joule.

Mockingbird Diner
Cool, classic Southern home-cooking diner located across from Dallas Love Field is from restaurateur Jack Perkins (Maple & Motor) and chef Jeana Johnson (Mot Hai Ba, Good2Go Taco). The duo come together to create the quintessential Texan spot with perfectly executed dishes such as chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, Frito pie, pork chops, and ham steak with the bone in.

Musume
Dallas' Arts District scores a new restaurant specializing in contemporary Asian fusion cuisine. The menu includes sushi, Asian entrees made with French techniques, and a big selection of sake. Named for the Japanese word for "daughter," Musumé comes from Josh Babb, previously GM and co-owner at Kenichi Dallas, the Japanese restaurant that resided at Victory Park for 10 years.

Overeasy
One of the restaurants at The Statler, the downtown Dallas hotel, Overeasy is an upscale diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Highlights of the menu from noted chef Graham Dodds include signature biscuits, deviled eggs, steak and eggs, and banana cream pie. It has a coffee bar, counter seating, and a patio overlooking Main Street Gardens. Cocktails, too.

Sachet
French for "a small bag of herbs and spices," this Oak Lawn Restaurant is from chef Stephen Rogers and his wife Allison Yoder, owners of the acclaimed Gemma. The menu has dozens of mezze offerings, many veggie-centric, that draw from a broad array of countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Sassetta
Casual Italian restaurant from the Headington companies (Joule Dallas, CBD Provisions, Commissary) does pasta and excellent pizza in an ultra-chic complex in the Design District, where it shares a patio with Wheelhouse, its gastropub sibling. Wine program is strong, and so is the pretty people watching.

Up on Knox
American brasserie from Stephan Courseau, located in the former Chili's space, boasts a wood-fired grill and oyster bar and the cooking chops of husband-and-wife duo Kelly and Melody Bishop. Restaurant keeps long, customer-friendly hours with a menu of seasonal dishes with a California flair, plus pastries and coffee.

Zaytinya
Restaurant featuring authentic Eastern Mediterranean small plates from celebrated chef José Andrés is in an impeccable space at The Star in Frisco. Menu is overseen by chef Jonathan Thompson (Sugarbacon, Samar, Stampede 66), and inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines. Grilled haloumi cheese is a customer favorite; house-made yogurt is a creamy delight.

Zoli's NY Pizza
Italian-American cousin of the Cane Rosso Neapolitan pizza chain, Zoli's serves New York-style pizzas, salads, pasta, and sandwiches. Pizza dough and house-made bread is masterful thanks to the chops of chef and New York native Lee Hunzinger. Fun environment with in-jokes and pop culture references reflects the sly wit of owner Jay Jerrier.

tastemakers awards bests

Restaurant News Roundup Time

Exclusive Prime rib and fancy lunches lead this Dallas restaurant news

Mirador

Time for another roundup of restaurant news around Dallas, and there's plenty to chew on: From new lunch and dinner menus to holiday-flavored beers. Even bigger news— the McRib is back, for those who have been anxiously awaiting its return.

Here's what's happening in Dallas restaurant news:

Insomnia Cookies, known for serving warm cookies all day and night, has opened its first store in Grand Prairie, at 2810 S. SH-161, with in-store, pickup, and delivery. From the Classic Chocolate Chunk cookie to favorites like Snickerdoodle and Confetti Deluxe, Cookies & Ice Cream flavors, brookies, brownies, and blondies, a full slate of vegan options, and a rotating limited-edition menu, the brand’s offerings satisfy every sweet tooth. This is their 26th store in Texas and 308th location nationwide.

HoneyBaked Ham has a new Prime Rib item exclusive to Dallas. The Prime Rib averages $26 per pound, with sizes ranging from 3-8 pounds. It serves 6-16 people, depending on the size. There are limited quantities available at each store. It's available at all 10 Dallas locations.

Greenville Avenue Pizza Company is introducing the zesty chicken bacon ranch pizza, the latest from their seasonal pizza lineup. The pizza features a creamy ranch base, grilled chicken, bacon, tender artichokes, fresh spinach, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and topped with a sprinkle of lemon pepper seasoning. The pizza is available for $8.50 a slice, $21-$23 for a 12-inch pizza, and $26 for a 16-inch pizza. It’s available through February 2 at both Greenville Avenue and Peavy Road locations.

Mirador has launched a weekday three-course prix-fixe lunch menu for $30. It starts with a choice of two deviled eggs with caviar and chives, whipped ricotta toast, cup of tomato soup, or salad; second course includes choice of dishes like chicken paillard with Swiss chard, preserved orange sofrito, and aged parmesan; and a farro bowl with cauliflower green goddess, cherries, Marcona almonds. For the third course, there’s a to-go cookie. Available Tuesday through Friday from 11 am - 3 pm.

Broken Yolk Cafe in McKinney has two limited-time items: carrot cake waffle, a cinnamon spice cake batter waffle with shredded carrots and raisins, finished with candied pecans, powdered sugar and cream cheese icing starting at $9; and snickerdoodle latte, combining espresso, cinnamon bun and cookie butter syrup, vanilla cream, milk, and cinnamon sugar, available hot or iced for $6. Available through January 6.

Truluck’s has three new holiday items featuring cake and cocktails. For dessert, there’s chocolate peppermint cake made with layers of chocolate cake, frosted with peppermint cream cheese icing, topped with crushed candy and Godiva chocolate sauce; $14 per slice, $10 per petite slice, and $70 whole cake. Cocktails are $17.50 and feature Holiday Nog, a spiced cocktail with Bourbon and Bourbon cream; and Nutcracker Rum Punch, a rum ball balanced with honey and fruit. Available at Dallas, Plano, and Southlake locations until the end of December.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Plano has launched new holiday items, including a Japanese A5 Wagyu experience served rare with a sizzling hot stone tableside accompanied by miso glaze, grated horseradish and black lava salt. There’s a new $140 Season of Opulence filet and lobster four-course menu; and holiday weekend lunch starting at $28, featuring choice of steak frites, cabernet filet, or barbecue salmon fillet. Also, there's a new $94 caviar service featuring Hackleback caviar served with blinis, capers, chives, sour cream, egg, and shallots. Available through January 6.

Jinya Ramen Bar has brought back The Red Garnet and curry rice croquettes for a limited time. The Red Garnet is a red vegetable broth featuring pork chashu, spinach, green onion, kikurage, white onion and topped with chili garlic sauce, served with thick noodles for $18. The croquettes are lightly fried, seasoned rice balls stuffed with white cheddar cheese that start at $8. Available until February 28 at all Dallas locations.

Fish City Grill and Half Shells are both offering three chalkboard specials throughout the month. Dishes feature $15 FishWich, with beer-battered haddock fish; $17 chimichurri shrimp tacos; and$24 horseradish Arctic char, served with a Creole mustard cream, buttermilk mashed potatoes and sugar snap peas. The specials are available at all 12 DFW locations and run through December 31.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is bringing back its Fire & Spice seasonal menu. New winter dishes include the pepperoni diavolo pizza; the bridge board, an assortment of Italian meats and cheeses, with walnuts, dried cranberries, and oven-roasted Brussels sprouts drizzled with hot honey, served with sliced bread; and white chocolate cheesecake. Cocktails feature the desert pear margarita and Vino’rita, a classic margarita topped with a festive pour of Mille Gradi Sangiovese. Prices range from $7 for the white chocolate cheesecake to $32 for an 18-inch pepperoni diavolo. Available through March 3.

Carrabba's Italian Grill has launched two new full-sized cakes: cannoli cream cake, a vanilla cake with layers of cannoli filling, pistachios, and chocolate sauce with a chocolate chip crust for $64; and strawberry cheesecake, a New York-style cheesecake topped with strawberry puree for $51. Place orders 48 hours prior to pick up or delivery. Available through January 13.

Moxies, the Canadian pub in Uptown, is rolling out limited-time festive cocktails. There are three new drinks, including the Old Fashion Christmas Cocktail with High West Bourbon, cranberry simple syrup, and orange bitters; Peppermint Mocha Martini with a combination of Cafe Borghetti, Ketel One vodka, and peppermint syrup; and Winter Aperol Spritz, with Aperol, Ruffino Prosecco, and Moxies' cranberry syrup. Cocktails are available through January 1.

Dairy Queen has brought back their chicken and dumplings, featuring chicken, gravy, and fluffy dumplings. It comes in three sizes: 12-ounce, 16-ounce, and 32-ounce, available for dine-in, drive thru, and takeout. Chicken and dumplings are available at locations across Dallas-Fort Worth through the end of February.

Rita’s Frozen Custard has two limited-time frozen treats: Peppermint Cold Brew Frozen Coffee with vanilla Italian Ice, frozen custard, cold brew coffee, and a hint of peppermint, topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint topping; and Peppermint Milkshake with a blend of Vanilla Frozen Custard and crushed peppermint, topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint topping.

McDonald's brought back its famous McRib on December 3. To celebrate the return, they even launched half-gallon jugs of McRib sauce for those who can't get enough, which is already sold out. The McRib is available through the McDonald's app, in-restaurant and through the drive-thru.

Red Lobster has launched a new menu featuring seven new dishes including Lobster Pappardelle Pasta, Lemon Basil Mahi, bacon Wrapped Scallops, lobster bisque, Parmesan-Crusted Chicken, and Roasted Asparagus, plus the return of fan favorites Popcorn Shrimp and Hush Puppies.

Cinnaholic has launched two holiday rolls flavors and menu items. Holiday rolls feature Nutcracker Sweet, topped with crème brulee frosting, a trio of Bavarian candied almonds, walnuts, and pecans, and dusted with powdered sugar for $6;and Oh Fudge, topped with chocolate frosting, fudgy cookie dough, chocolate bark, homemade chocolate sauce, and holiday sprinkles for $7. Other items include $5 CinnaBites, $4 hot cocoa, and $33 wreath cake, with cinnamon rolls shaped into a wreath. Available through January 6.

Shiner, the Texas-based beer, has a festive brew called Shiner Holiday Cheer with flavor from Texas peaches and pecans for $11 for a six-bottle pack and $19 for a 12-bottle pack. Plus, the 12-pack Home for the Holidays collection goes for $15 and features two new flavors: FM 966, a sweet and spicy ale; and s’more, a dark ale brewed with chocolate & marshmallow with hints of graham cracker and vanilla. Both are available through the end of December.

Yelp featured two Dallas restaurants on this year's 25 Best New Restaurants of 2024 list. Wicked Butcher, the downtown steakhouse, and Casa Pollastro, the Brazilian restaurant in Far North Dallas, both made the cut at no. 6 and 20 respectively. They were two of only four Texas restaurants on the list.