Falafel Forever

Vegetarian-friendly falafel shop readies first Texas post in Deep Ellum

Amsterdam Falafel is opening in Dallas exactly where it belongs.

More than a year in the works, the ultra-hot Amsterdam Falafelshop is ready for its grand opening in Dallas.

Amsterdam Falafelshop is the fast-casual restaurant from Washington, D.C. whose menu centers on falafel, the Middle Eastern favorite. The chain is in early expansion mode; that includes Dallas with a branch at 2651 Commerce St. in Deep Ellum.

Chris Kline, who's ushering the Dallas entry, says he's optimistic they'll be open by the beginning of May. He became more familiar with Middle-Eastern food after serving eight years in the Army, including two tours in Iraq.

"I think we're on forefront of an expansion of falafel," he says. "You're already seeing it with the popularity of hummus. People are so global, they want to try everything from all over the world."

Made from ground chickpeas which are rolled into balls or patties and deep-fried, falafel is most commonly stuffed into pita bread, along with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and other fresh things, then drizzled with sauce. A falafel sandwich is a satisfying study in contrasts, between the crunch of the fried falafel, the freshness of the vegetables, and the richness of the sauce.

Deep Ellum's Amsterdam Falafelshop will also serve shawarma, made of halal lamb and marinated for 24 hours in Middle Eastern spices, roasted, and carved onsite. The shawarma will be presented just as the falafel is, in a warm pita or bowl. Diners can then add toppings from a garnish bar with more than two dozen options.

The Deep Ellum shop will also serve beer, permit pending. It'll be the first shop in the chain to offer Heineken, Stella Artois, and Hoegaarden on tap. There will also be a unique caffeinated beverage called Cannabis Energy Drink, containing hemp seed oil, in a variety of flavors including original and mango.

The other exotic dish: Dutch-style French fries, also called frieten, served with a dollop of mayonnaise. There, we said dollop. There'll be an outdoor patio and late-night hours, extending from 11 am to midnight Sunday-Wednesday, and until 3 am on weekend nights. And prices will be low, providing the opportunity for a good, quick, cheap lunch.

Kline says that the other appeal of this particular concept is its unique atmosphere.

"It has to do with what Amsterdam represents, as this liberal, vibrant concept where everyone's free to do as they please," he says. "When you go to the shop in Washington, D.C., you see rabbis, Palestinians, Rastafarians, vegans, all coming together in the same place, it is powerful, and that's what I want to tap into, that there is no judgment."

That's part of why they felt it was important to be in Deep Ellum. "We started looking all over the Metroplex, and spent a lot of time cautiously thinking about where we really wanted to be," he says. "And then we realized, of course Deep Ellum has the right spirit, it's the right place for us to be."

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Deep Ellum News

Ex-Deep Ellum speakeasy paves way for spiffy new Dallas restaurant-bar

Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen

In sad news, a Dallas speakeasy has closed. In happy news, there's a swanky new restaurant and bar in its place: Called Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen, it recently opened at 2618 Elm St., in the Deep Ellum space that was home for more than a decade to Truth & Alibi, which closed in August after 11 years.

Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen is from Victor García, who is very familiar with the location: He built a career at Truth & Alibi, starting as a dishwasher 10 years ago, and climbing the ranks to become bartender at the pioneering bar that helped usher in Dallas' great speakeasy era of 2021-2022.

Garcia had already been looking for a location to open his own restaurant and lounge, when he learned that Truth & Alibi owners Chris and Mark Beardon were going to close their Deep Ellum concept.

“I took care of the place as if it were mine," Garcia says. "It is home to me, so this was the perfect opportunity for me to bring my dream to life. Every time I come here, it reminds me of the first day I stepped into this place. It changed my life."

A native of Michoacán, Mexico, who moved to Dallas when he nine years old, Garcia also previously worked at the now-closed Avenu Lounge.

At Scarlet Lounge & Kitchen, he's kept some of the key elements of the former space, such as the layout and chandeliers. But he's also added brighter elements that help transition the space from sophisticated and welcoming restaurant into a lounge and nightclub after 10 pm, with thematic events, DJs on weekends, burlesque on Wednesdays, and Sunday socials.

For food, he partnered with chef Mike Church to build a menu that provides a highly creative fusion of Spanish and American cuisine with Latin elements. There are "diablo" deviled eggs, Spanish risotto, ceviche, and an elote "dip" with all the good parts of the Mexican corn dish fashioned into a dip.

Entrees include flank steak with chimichurri sauce and Latin-braised chicken with olives, peppers, onions, and tomatoes with penne pasta. There are tapas-style dishes such as papas fritas, and intriguing vegetarian items such as a portobello steak, or beet tostadas layered with goat cheese, apple, and pistachio. Dessert includes a clever tres leches carrot cake.

Prices are reasonable, ranging from $8-$16 for appetizers and $18-$24 for entrees.

Scarlet Garden cocktail Spanish Garden cocktail served in a "bird cage".Scarlet Lounge

The creativity also shows in the cocktails, where bartender Hector Santana (Tipsy Alchemist, Snowbird) serves innovative drinks with theatrical Instagram-friendly presentations. These include a tequila Reposado and pineapple Piña para la Niña cocktail and a drink called Spanish Garden, containing rum, passion fruit, and strawberry, served with frozen fruits in a lighted bird cage, with nitrogen that creates a wall of smoke.

They've also kept some Truth & Alibi favorites such as the 12am Alibi, Fushia Fusion, Lies and Secrets and Black Bourbon Smash.

They've kept the late-night hours on weekends, open Friday-Sunday from 5 pm to 2 am, and Tuesday-Thursday 5 pm-10 pm. They host a generous happy hour from 5-7 pm with 20% off food and drink specials, and unlike most places in the area, they offer complimentary valet during restaurant hours.

Beyond the creative food, drink, and atmosphere, Garcia is laser-focused on customer service — on good hospitality.

"People walk by and come check us out," Garcia says. "Once there are here, we do our best as an entire team to offer the best service. We are very happy that customers that try us all leave with a positive experience. That is our main focus."

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