Where to Eat

Where to eat in Dallas right now: 7 restaurants newly opened in April

Bao buns from Anju.

Photo courtesy of Anju

The April edition of CultureMap's monthly Where to Eat in Dallas comes a little late in the month — but it's jam-packed with just-opened newcomers, from a taqueria on Greenville Avenue to an Asian spot in Uptown to a wine bar in Deep Ellum.

Here's where to eat in April:

Âme
Pronounced Ah-mmh, this French-Indian concept from mother-daughter duo Afifa and Sabrina Nayeb (Laili, 8 Cloves, and JuiceBabe in the Dallas Farmers Market) just opened in the former Hattie's space at 418 N. Bishop Ave. The menu of upscale Indian food with French techniques features sharables, grains, lentils, vegetables and vegan items, seafood, meat, breads made in-house, and dessert, including Aloo Tikki with purple potato, goat cheese, and pepita seeds; Beet Samosa with walnuts, ginger, serrano, potato, yellow beet and peas; and Masala Baked Eggplant with pine nuts and turmeric bechamel. A companion cocktail lounge called Elephant Bar boasts a big selection of champagne.

Anju
Newly revamped concept in the former City Council Bar space at 2901 Thomas Ave. in Uptown offers elevated Asian street food highlighting flavors from China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand such as Karaage Chicken, Drunken Noodles, Angus Dumplings, Pork Belly Bao Buns, and Wasabi Fried Rice. An intriguing brunch does an Asian spin on classic items like Chicken & Waffles and Anju Benedict. The bar offers Asian beverages like Soju and Somaek, in addition to classic American cocktails. On Friday, April 23, from 9 pm-12 am, thre'll be an opening with complimentary appetizers, drink specials, a live DJ, and a photo op setup with a polaroid camera.

Ella B's
New Southern-Cajun restaurant in Arlington is from mom-and-pop Patricia and Patrick Whitfield, a former Dallas Cowboys chef. Occupying a space at 1004 N. Collins St. that's kitty-corner to the stadium, it serves a menu that includes includes honey fried chicken, fried catfish, lamb chops, oxtails, and blackened catfish topped with shrimp.

Postino Wine Cafe
Funky concept from Phoenix just opened their first location in Dallas at 2647 Main St. in Deep Ellum. The menu is built around shareables, panini, salads, soups, and boards. The favorite: bruschetta, in 12 varieties including Brie, Apple & Fig Spread; Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil; Warm Artichoke Spread; Smoked Salmon & Pesto; Piquillo Pepper & Goat Cheese; and Burrata, Bacon, Arugula & Tomato. They also have charcuterie boards, panini, and a robust brunch. The bar features 30 wines by the glass and 40 wines by the bottle.

Saint Taco
New taqueria at 5323 Greenville Ave., IE the former BBBop Seoul Kitchen space, is serving breakfast tacos, street tacos, Tex-Mex staples, and wings, plus fries, queso fries, and loaded fries. Veggies and guacamole are made fresh daily, meats are trimmed by hand, salsa is house-made, and the refried beans are made straight from the pinto. BBBop hasn't disappeared: You can order their menu on a takeout basis from a ghost kitchen at that location, or else visit the BBB Bop location in Oak Cliff.

The Sporting Club and Blüm
Two-in-one venue just opened at 2516 Florence St. near Deep Ellum where it features two settings: Blüm is a Vegas-style day and night club serving Italian-Southern fusion, bottle service, and DJ with high-energy atmosphere; The Sporting Club focuses on sporting events and outdoor fun games. At dinner, there's burrata bruschetta, caramelized onion dip, a fry flight, pizza, cheeseburger, spicy chicken sandwich, filet mignon, and sea bass. Brunch includes omelets, eggs benedict, blueberry almond buttermilk pancakes, and Italian French toast. An extensive signature cocktail program features separate menus for the two venues.

where-to-eat lists

Gearing up

Upscale sports bar Moxies will touch down at The Star in Frisco

Moxie's

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Moxies, the upscale-casual concept founded in Canada and co-owned by Dallas Stars proprietor Tom Gaglardi, is joining the restaurant lineup at The Star in Frisco.

According to a release, a new location of Moxies will open in The Star District, at 3680 The Star Blvd. #1300, in an old City Works space, in 2027.

The sporty restaurant at the home of the Cowboys will be designed for everything from lunch and happy hour to dinner and late-night gatherings, offering chef-driven dishes with a lively bar experience in a polished, social setting, the owners say. The new location will include the restaurant's signature statement bar, elevated dining experience and high-energy hospitality.

“Being part of The Star in Frisco is a perfect fit for Moxies,” says Joanne Forrester, president and COO of Moxies, in the release. “The entire district is built around elevated experiences and connection — training, work, entertainment and hospitality all in one place. That’s where we thrive. Our chef-driven dishes, signature cocktails and statement bar are designed for exactly this kind of social, high-energy setting anchored by the Dallas Cowboys.”

Frisco will be the fourth DFW location for Moxies. The first one debuted at The Crescent in Uptown Dallas in 2016, and got a major renovation in 2024. The chain also has locations in Plano and Southlake.

Moxies is owned by Gaglardi, proprietor of the Dallas Stars, and brought to the U.S. by franchise group Eatz Hospitality.

While few details of the Frisco location have been revealed, the other locations serve lunch, brunch, dinner, and happy hour specials, with a menu of elevated American classics overseen by executive chef Brandon Thordarson. A typical Moxies menu includes:

Sushi Cones, made of tempura shrimp with avocado, pea shoots, nori crisps and drizzled with sesame chili ponzu
Poutine, the Canadian staple with French fries, hot beef gravy, and cheese curds
Kale and Quinoa Salad
Vegetarian Power Bowl with marinated tofu, shiitake mushrooms, soft boiled egg, vegetables, and greens

Brunch options include:

Vegetarian Huevos Rancheros
Smoke Salmon Goat Cheese & Egg White Omelet
Sicilian Sausage Hash

The traditional Moxies bar features craft cocktails such as Strawberry Ghost Pepper Margarita and a Hard Lemonade made with Tito’s Vodka.

The spaces typically feature an extended bar, a large covered patio, TVs inside and outside, and flex walls that can be converted for private dining experience and party spaces.

Other openings at The Star in Frisco

Moxies will join previously announced bar The Imperial Room, which will open at at 3685 The Star Blvd. in early September (aka "next week," a spokesperson clarifies).

The new bar will open next door to the Frisco location of Cane Rosso, and is from PILF Restaurant Group (Cane Rosso, Zoli's Pizza, and Thunderbird Pies), which also owned Cow Tipping Creamery, which closed in July.

With seating for 25 to 30 guests, The Imperial Room will offer an intimate setting for pre-event cocktails, date nights, celebrations and late-night gatherings, the release says. Guests can expect a sophisticated cocktail program featuring expertly executed classics and original creations, complemented by elevated shareable plates and select entrées.

PILF Restaurant Group has drafted acclaimed Dallas bartender Gabe Sanchez, whose work has helped shape cocktail programs at some of the city's most respected bars.

Longtime Star Tex-Mex restaurant Mi Cocina has expanded its outdoor dining experience with a renovation of its main patio, at 6740 Winning Dr. Ste. 1010. The enhanced space features additional seating, permanent heaters, larger fans, and drop-down shades, creating a more comfortable three-season patio for guests to enjoy throughout the year, the release says.

On the non-restaurant front, Élan Sculpt Club, a new luxury boutique fitness concept combining infrared-heated sculpt classes with Pilates reformer training, is opening its flagship location at The Star District, at 3620 The Star Boulevard, #1215.

Moxie’s is also known for their light sign décor, centered on the main dining wall, that spells out "I will if you will."

opening frisco moxies sports bar