La Bombaci

Acclaimed chef Anthony Bombaci will fire up stove at Carso Mediterranean Grill

Chef Anthony Bombaci is back.

Photo courtesy of Hilton

Award-winning chef Anthony Bombaci, executive sous chef at the Hilton Anatole, has been promoted to the role of executive chef at the new Hilton Plano Granite Park, scheduled to open August 28.

With the opening of the Hilton Plano Granite Park, Bombaci will oversee all culinary operations at the new hotel including a full-service restaurant called Carso Mediterranean Grill and an accompanying take-out eatery called Carso Market.

"I am really looking forward to focusing on the Mediterranean cuisine I so love to cook," Bombaci said in a release. "I can’t wait for Carso to open, I think our diners are going to be very impressed by what we have planned."

Bombaci was executive chef at Nana, the predecessor restaurant to SĒR Steak + Spirits. During his time at Nana, the restaurant was named one of the Top-50 American Restaurants by Gourmet Magazine, received a “Five-Star” cuisine rating from the Dallas Morning News, “Four-Diamonds” from AAA, “Three-Stars” from the Mobil Travel Guide and earned the Wine Spectator Best of “Award of Excellence.”

In 2006, Bombaci was named one of Esquire’s “four chefs to watch.” Following his time at Nana, Bombaci was promoted to chef de cuisine and later executive sous chef at the Hilton Anatole.

"We are really proud of Anthony and are excited to see him advance in his career," said Harold Rapoza, general manager of the Hilton Anatole. “This is an exciting opportunity for him to be in charge of his own hotel, and I am looking forward to seeing what he is able to bring to the burgeoning culinary scene in Plano.”

Located at the intersection of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and the Dallas North Tollway, the 262,500-square-foot Hilton Plano Granite Park will include 299 luxury rooms and 35,000 square feet of conference space. In addition to Carso Mediterranean Grill and Carso Market, the hotel will feature a large bar area, a retail shop, a fitness center and an outdoor pool and lounge. A pedestrian boardwalk along the complex’s central water feature connects the hotel to its conference center and surrounding office buildings.

“I could not be more pleased to welcome Chef Bombaci to the Hilton Plano Granite Park team,” said Saundra Goldman, general manager of the Hilton Plano Granite Park. “Anthony’s background developing his unique brand of Mediterranean cuisine in Europe is a perfect fit for the world-class restaurant we intend to open at our new hotel.”

Located in the master-planned Granite Park community at the Sam Rayburn and Dallas North Tollways in Plano, Texas, the full-service Hilton Plano Granite Park hotel is scheduled to open late-summer of 2014.

Food and beverage outlets include Carso Mediterranean Grill, a full-service restaurant and Carso Market, offering freshly-prepared grab and go items.

chefs

outta this world

Cowboys superfan launches pizzeria with Tex-Mex twist in Dallas food hall

Photo courtesy of Starboy's

Check out the cheese pull on Starboy's birria pizza.

A new pizza restaurant is slinging a variety of innovative pies in the Dallas Medical District: Called Starboy’s Pizzeria, the new shop is part of Food Nation Cinco Cocinas, the eclectic food hall at 4711 Maple Ave. The food hall was created by Ray Quintanilla and legendary restaurateur and "Godfather of Dallas Tex-Mex" Mico Rodriguez, who died earlier this month at age 68.

John Flores, an IT professional and self-proclaimed Dallas Cowboys super-fan, created Starboy’s Pizzeria, which is now open in the former Sal’s Pizza and Restaurant space. Friends call Flores by the nickname "Starboy," which combines his love for the Cowboys and his fascination with NASA and space, he explains.

Flores met Quintanilla and Rodriguez while hosting karaoke at Mico’s Bar, another food hall occupant. When Sal’s closed earlier this year, they saw an opportunity to fill the void with a refreshed pizza concept.

“It is because of Mico that I even thought about starting this project: he was part of this, he was always happy, and we really hit it off, so I miss him,” Flores says.

Starboy's Pizzeria joins Mico’s Bar, Picazo Sushi and Poke, Wing City, and JJ’s Cafe, which opened a location in the food hall earlier this year.

Lupe Ibarra, a chef from the closed Sal’s Pizza with 25 years of experience, stayed on at Starboy's to continue perfecting traditional recipes while creating signature new ones tied to Flores’ Mexican heritage.

The result of the collaboration is a menu that includes traditional favorites alongside creative pies with a Mexican-inspired twist like the Pizza Birria (resembling the flavor profile of popular birria tacos), elotero, chicken fajitas, and pastor, among more than 15 specialty offerings.

Flores' passion for the Cowboys is especially evident in several unique creations:

Cry Eagles Cry: Inspired by the Philly cheesesteak, topped with beef, green peppers, onions, and mozzarella.
Starboy’s Classic (Blue): Red sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, sausage, and fresh arugula.
Starboy’s Classic (Silver): White sauce, chicken, mushrooms, onions, arugula, mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze.
Cowboy: Brisket, onions, barbecue sauce, and smoked gouda.

Starboy's 16-inch pizzas range from $14-$25, with individual slices priced around $4. The menu also features sub sandwiches, pastas with a variety of sauces, and chicken Parmesan, all under $14.

To cater to the busy medical, residential, and retail crowds nearby, Starboy's offers lunch deals for under $12, which include pasta and garlic knots or a slice of pizza and a salad, complete with a drink.

Flores explains that his heritage and his mother’s influence serve as the primary driving force behind his new venture.

“My mom would always host family gatherings. She always fed people, and I got that from her. I like to see smiles on people’s faces from the things I do,” he says. “I have big dreams for this place. I want us to be part of the community and give back.”

Flores remains involved with karaoke at Mico’s Bar and is focused on driving traffic to the entire complex. He hosts Cowboys watch parties, while his adult children — Nathan, Natalie, and Amy — assist with social media, website management, and overall promotion for Starboy’s.

“When people try our pizzas for the first time, their eyes light up, so we know we are on the right track,” Flores says.

Starboy’s Pizzeria is open daily from 11 am-10 pm.

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