Victory Park Chow

Dallas' Victory Park gets its sushi back with new Kent Rathbun spot

Victory Park is set to get an Asian restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Victory Park

There are details and an opening date on the new Asian restaurant opening in Victory Park from Kent and Tracy Rathbun.

Called Imōto, it represents "the Pan-Asian fruit" of their lifetime of culinary and cultural pursuits. "Pan-Asian fruit," now that is some press release writing.

Imōto, the Japanese word for "little sister," will open at 2400 Victory Park Ln. on June 7, filling a gap on the "Asian Restaurant Options in Victory Park" category that was left when Kenichi, the sushi restaurant, closed in 2017.

Imōto will be upscale, and will serve favorites from various Asian cultures in a contemporary style. There'll be sharable plates and a traditional sushi bar. Those are all the details on the menu for now.

The restaurant will also have a "flare" for the nightlife with a lounge, weekend DJ, and extensive cocktail menu. "Flare," now that is some press release spelling. We kid, we kid.

Imōto will reflect Kent's extensive travels to Thailand and Tracy's dedication to hospitality. Kent says that "everything about Imōto is geared to taking you to an exotic, cool locale."

Chef is Jennifer Newbold, previously of Rathbun's Blue Plate Kitchen. General Manager is Cinthia Mullenix, previously of Shinsei Restaurant. Sushi master is Jimmy Duke, previously of Nobu.

In Imōto, the Rathbuns are partnered with John Kinzer, founder of the Barley House; and John D. Harkey, Jr., who is CEO of Consolidated Restaurants.

Consolidated operates and franchises more than 100 full-service restaurants including III Forks, Prime Steakhouse, Cool River Café, Cantina Laredo, and Lucky’s Café.

Kinzer had a leadership and formative role in the creation and direction of the Del Frisco's Grille concept and was director of Del Frisco's Restaurant Group from 2009-13. He has also had oversight responsibilities for Texas Land & Cattle and Lone Star Steakhouse.

Everyone knows Kent Rathbun as founder of Abacus, Jasper's, and more, and as one of Dallas' best-known chefs. Imōto is his first solo venture since leaving the company he founded and developed, Kent Rathbun Concepts.

Tracy Rathbun co-founded the popular Shinsei near Inwood Village and has 20 years of restaurant and managerial experience.

downtown

Coming attractions

Celeb-magnet restaurant Delilah is ready for its Dallas debut

Facebook/Dallas Design District

Delilah will debut February 3 in the Dallas Design District.

Delilah, the glam Los Angeles supper club known for its celebrity clientele, live music, and chic art deco vibe, will officially make its Dallas debut next month.

The restaurant is set to open its doors in the Design District, at 1616 High Line Dr., on February 3, according to its official Instagram account.

It’s the fourth location for the Los Angeles-born Delilah, which first opened in West Hollywood in 2016. It has since expanded to include outposts in Las Vegas, Miami, and now, Dallas, where it will serve up a glam, modern supper club vibe alongside chic cocktails and classic American cuisine.

The Dallas outpost will bring Delilah’s classic, Roaring ‘20s inspired aesthetic to the Design District, along with an equally convivial atmosphere.

The “immersive” restaurant will boast live music, dancers, and “multiple performance moments,” according to a description shared by a representative. Delilah has a no-photos policy that is seriously maintained, too, which has helped it attract a devoted celebrity clientele in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami.

Delilah restaurant Dallas Delilah’will bring its classic, Roaring ‘20s inspired aesthetic to the Dallas Design District.Facebook/Dallas Design District

According to Vanity Fair, Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, John Mayer, and more A-listers are all fans of the establishment, thanks in part to their ability to dine in privacy. If you’re busted taking photos or video in Los Angeles, you’ll be politely escorted out by security.

“We built this place to protect our friends,” owner John Terzian told the outlet in 2023.

Delilah has not yet released the menu for the Dallas location, but the Los Angeles outpost serves everything from lobster rolls to baby back ribs slathered in barbecue sauce and paired with cole slaw. There’s also a lineup of steaks including a massive 32-ounce tomahawk ribeye, plus roasted chicken and sea bass served with lime and charred onion chimichurri.

During late night hours, the menu is pared back significantly to shareable snacks like chicken fingers and a $15 order of french fries showered in house seasoning — or truffle for 3 bucks more.

Delilah is currently accepting reservations via the platform SevenRooms starting on February 3 — but you might want to act fast, because they’re already getting snapped up quickly. At press time, all tables on opening day had already been reserved, and for the following day, only one spot at 11 pm still remained.

dallas design district celebrities openings