Dessert News

SMU grads grab Goff’s space for new chef-driven Dallas ice cream shop

Ice cream shop will open across from SMU.

Photo courtesy of Baldo's

A hot-hot address in University Park has a cool new tenant. The address is 6401 Hillcrest Ave., across from Southern Methodist University, and the building that was once home to Goff's Hamburgers.

In fall 2018, it will be home to Baldo's, a new ice cream shop from two graduates of SMU.

According to a release, it'll be a "hybrid-style" ice cream shop, with chef-inspired offerings including signature pairings, affogato creations, and even sorbet swimming in champagne.

They've already been in business as a catering ice cream cart and delivery service, and now they will have a storefront.

The address at 6401 Hillcrest Ave. is the former 1924 building that burned down in 2016 from a fire of unknown cause. Goff's moved to Mockingbird Lane and the building had to be razed.

The team behind Baldo's is the Tritex Group, a company based in Dallas, that's been researching and planning for the launch of its first entrepreneurial project for the past six months. Principals include Tyler Kleinert and Aldo Sandoval, formerly a pastry chef at Uchi/Uchiba.

They're absolutely no relation to Hector Cantú and Carlos Castellanos, the team who founded the Baldo comic strip back in 2000.

This Baldo's is named for a mythical character called Mr. Baldo, a whimsical, grandfatherly figure who has traveled the world, who serves as their logo and mascot.

Given their personal association with SMU, securing the Goff's space was a big win.

"SMU is home to so many incredible memories for us," Kleinert says in a release. "We wanted to create a space that encourages SMU students and Dallas families to build their own memories by spending quality time together in a fun atmosphere."

Sandoval first got his start in the Dallas culinary scene as a sous chef at The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. An artist of many mediums, he channels his creativity by introducing savory flavors to classic ice creams.

Baldo's will also draw on Sandoval's experience by offering pastries and a secret Sunday brunch. Is it secret, though, if it's in a press release?

"Our flavors are unexpected and engaging," Sandoval says. "From salted butterbourbon to prickly pear jalapeno, we invite our guests on a culinary adventure. With our signature pairings, customers can feel free to explore various flavors outside their ice cream comfort zone."

Baldo's mobile push cart is frequently spotted at the Arboretum and Klyde Warren Park, and is available for rental.

"We love surprising guests at weddings and corporate catering events," Sandoval says. "It's the same nostalgia as when you hear the music from the ice cream truck. We couldn’t be more excited to create that experience for our customers."

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Escargot News

New all-day French bistro in downtown Rockwall is all from scratch

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Belle View Bistro Rockwall

An all-day French bistro has made its debut in Rockwall: Called Belle Vie Bistro, it’s a new mom-and-pop in the charming historic downtown district, at 112 E. Rusk St., the former home of The Fatted Calf restaurant, where it opened its doors on November 12.

Belle Vie is from Luis and Iliana Marquez, a hard-working couple who also own Los Marquez, a popular taco--themed food-truck-turned-restaurant in Rockwall they first debuted in 2019. In May, the couple took over the former Fat Chicken space to open a brick and mortar location of Los Marquez, where they serve well-made Mexican food like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but also burgers & fries. They open for breakfast with breakfast tacos, and run a daily lunch special, often creative, always popular, such as birria ramen with choice of beef or lamb for $11.

But the couple had a bigger vision of creating a place where chef Luis could stretch and showcase his skills.

"Luis has a lot of culinary experience, and it’s something that he’s been putting aside,” Iliana says. “We were just waiting on the perfect time to bring this to life.”

"This is something exciting and new for us, it’s something that we always wanted to make,” Luis says.

Like Los Marquez, Belle Vie is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving classics like French onion soup, moules frites, escargot, and duck confit. There are also comforting and American dishes like spinach-artichoke dip, crab cakes, and fish & chips.

Lunch features Cobb salad, a French dip, and chicken & Brie panini, while an extended breakfast -- which runs from 7 am to 4 pm — includes pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict, beignets French toast, and crepes, plus pastries and breads made from scratch.

Mural on the wall at Belle Vie Bistro RockwallFacebook

The bakery counter is a delight, with eclairs, croissants, scones, fruit tarts, and cake slices in flavors like carrot cake and white chocolate raspberry. There's also a serious coffee program with espresso drinks such as lattes.

"We pride ourselves on making everything from scratch," the duo says. "Our bread—whether for sandwiches, paninis, hamburgers or anything listed on our menu is made fresh just for us by our incredibly talented pastry chef and baker. The same care goes into our pastries and desserts ensuring every bite is special and crafted with love."

The dining room is warm and cozy with dark wood chairs and plush booths and a full-wall mural depicting a street in Paris. They also have a full bar, with cocktails and beer on tap. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $9 for a Belgian waffle during breakfast to $45 for prime ribeye at dinner.

For now, they're not taking reservations — it's first come, first serve.

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