News You Can Eat

Coffee, Cane Rosso and Restaurant Week perk up Dallas food news

Weekend Coffee at the Joule downtown is open — gasp — every day.
Photo courtesy of Weekend Coffee
Norman Grimm will be the first chef at Trinity Groves pop-up Kitchen LTO.
Photo courtesy of Kitchen LTO
The oven is a key ingredient for Cane Rosso White Rock to achieve its VPNstatus.
Photo courtesy of Cane Rosso
Pecan Lodge is now open Wednesdays too.
Photo courtesy of Pecan Lodge
Downtown Plano will get the coffee shop it deserves with Fourteen Eighteen.
Fourteen Eighteen Coffeehouse/Facebook

Coffee, there is never enough. Brunch, there's a bunch. And now that summer is practically here, we can already start thinking about the annual Restaurant Week, which this year will be August 12-18. Bud Kennedy's Twitter hints that the list and reservations will be announced July 15.

Downtown doings
Brewing as of June 19 is Weekend Coffee, the coffee shop at the Joule hotel in downtown Dallas, from neighboring boutique TenOverSix. The TenOverSix folks come from Los Angeles, which is promising, because California knows its coffee. Weekend is open every day — gasp! — from 6:30 am to 6 pm. That's already a cut above the local coffee places in downtown Dallas, which are open weekdays only. Then again, if downtown residents supported their local businesses, maybe the businesses would stay open.

Speaking of downtown coffee, Old Downtown Plano gets a coffee shop in July called Fourteen Eighteen Coffeehouse. It's named for its address at 1418 Avenue K, two doors down from stalwart Kelly's Cafe. Owners Melissa and Gerry Owen are so into coffee, they honeymooned in Seattle. They'll have a La Marzocco espresso machine plus beans from Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters. Downtown Plano always seemed like prime turf for a coffee shop. Yet many have tried and failed, including Coffee Haus (waaay back in the day), Fusion Cafe and Posh Nosh Market. Maybe this will be the one?

Another Capriotti's has opened downtown, at 1800 Main St., in the Mercantile Place apartment building. The release announcing the opening reads that hours run until 7 pm on Sundays. But on its first Sunday, the store was already cutting back to 6 pm. "We're still working on the hours," said a staffer. This makes the second Capriotti's in downtown Dallas; the other is in the West End.

The Google search-challenged Work Bar & Grill is now serving barbecue in Deep Ellum. It's in the former Sambuca spot, a prime space that was vacant forever. The furniture is hip and modern, but the waitresses in low-cut tops and schoolgirl getups are not. Come on, this is Deep Ellum, not Hooter's in the West End.

Pizza news
A second branch of Goodfellas Wood-Fired Pizza will open on Park Boulevard at the Dallas North Tollway in the old Tin Star spot. You may remember that the landlord priced Tin Star out of the space; Goodfellas seems to have been willing to pony up. The Goodfellas empire is fascinatingly inscrutable. There are various branches of Goodfellas pizza located not only around Dallas, but also in far-flung places like New Jersey and Florida. This Goodfellas is not related to those; it's a spin-off of the Goodfellas on Preston Road at SH 121, whose website calls it Santino's Goodfellas. But wait: A staffer there said that owner Sunny Samuels was previously affiliated with the other Goodfellas, but he isn't anymore. Oy!

Speaking of second branches, Cane Rosso White Rock has earned its stripes as an authentic Neapolitan-style pizzeria. Peppe Miele, president of L'Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, will come like the Pope to make a presentation on June 18. VPN rules specify that each location must be inspected and approved. Owner Jay Jerrier and pizzaiolo Dino Santonicola can't just photocopy the certification from their original Deep Ellum restaurant, oh no. They celebrate their dual-VPN status with a party at White Rock at 7 pm.

Menus and chefs
Kitchen LTO, the pop-up restaurant at Trinity Groves with rotating concepts, announced its first chef: Norman Grimm, formerly of Acme F&B. His menu will be "modern French/American" with oxtail, rabbit confit salad and sake-glazed pork belly. The restaurant is scheduled to open September 3.

The Second Floor has a new menu reflecting the output of new-ish chef Daniel Tarasevich. The lineup includes steak and eggs, goat cheese gnocchi, pork chop with yam gratin, and sweet beignets for dessert.

El Corazon de Tejas, the Mexi-Tex-Mex in North Oak Cliff in the old Tejano space, has launched brunch from 11 am to 3 pm on both Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to classics such as migas and huevos rancheros, the menu has a few original creations, including Corazon tacos with eggs and choice of ham, sausage or bacon in flour tortillas; omelets and breakfast burritos; huevos la Mexicana with tomatoes and peppers; "breakfast" chile relleno stuffed with eggs, beans and Jack cheese; guacamole, of course; and last but not least, menudo.

Pecan Lodge has extended its hours. Previously open four days, Thursday through Sunday, the hottest little barbecue joint in Dallas is now open on Wednesday too. Good idea, because the line to eat there has only gotten crazier and longer than ever since it made Texas Monthly's top 50 barbecue list in May.

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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.