Eats in the 'Burbs

Three new restaurants join buzzing CityLine in Richardson, including Dallas Mexican favorite

In its unceasing quest to feature every cuisine, the CityLine complex in Richardson has signed on three more restaurant concepts including a Dallas Mexican favorite, a Razzoo's spin-off and a new-to-Dallas concept from Atlanta.

The restaurants, all new to Richardson, include: Fernando’s Mexican Cuisine, Fresh To Order, and Tricky Fish.

CityLine is the 186-acre mixed-use project in Richardson being developed by KDC. According to KDC vice president Colin Fitzgibbons, phase one of the project is 90 percent leased.

"We want to provide the thousands of office tenants, residents and visitors with plenty of quality dining choices to fit their varying tastes and lifestyles," Fitzgibbons says in a release. "These new restaurants round out our roster of dining options as we move into phase two of our development."

Fernando’s Mexican Cuisine offers upscale Tex-Mex dining with the continental influence of Mexico City. This will be the third Fernando's; the first opened in Preston Hollow in 2005, and the second on Travis Walk in 2011. Menu items include fajitas, taco and enchilada plates, and regional dishes such as fish tacos and chicken mole poblano. The restaurant will offer weekday lunch specials, brunch and dinner, with a patio and happy hour.

The 5,115-square-foot Fernando’s will be located on the ground floor of a 532-unit apartment building at 1250 State St., and is scheduled to open in February 2016.

Tricky Fish is a Southern seafood restaurant owned and developed by Razzoo's which features a fast-casual dining room as well as a full-service bar. Menu items include fresh seafood, entrée salads and sandwiches, including po'boys and muffaletta. The signature dessert is a peach ice cream sundae with bread pudding croutons and rum sauce. The bar will offer 12 regional craft beers on tap, wines by the glass and happy hour specials. A patio with sliding doors will open onto a pedestrian area.

The 3,800-square-foot Tricky Fish will be on the ground floor of Three CityLine at 1251 State St. and will open in fall 2015.

Fresh To Order is an Atlanta-based chain that serves food fire-grilled in front of guests within 10 minutes for about $10. That sounds dangerous. Menu items include almond-crusted seared tuna, chicken with wild mushrooms, burgers made from bison, salmon and tuna, soups and paninis. Founder and CEO Pierre Panos plans to launch 10 to 15 more Fresh To Order restaurants in the Dallas area.

The 3,200-square foot Fresh to Order will be located in the ground floor the JLB apartment building, next to Fernando’s, on the southwest corner of State Street and Plano Road, and will open in spring 2016.

CityLine will also be home to Whole Foods, LOOK Cinemas, office buildings, an Aloft hotel and multiple restaurants.

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School Cafeteria News

Unusual new restaurant in Lewisville summons Korean school cafeteria

Andrea Young/AsianGrub in DFDUB

F&F on the Go

An adorable restaurant that serves up a Korean school lunch has opened in Lewisville: Called F&F On The Go, it's at 2405 S. Stemmons Fwy. #201, on the second floor of Korean specialty Zion Market, where it specializes in Geupshik — a Korean custom that refers to the homestyle lunch meals provided by schools or companies.

At F&F, you get a pre-set meal, served in a stainless steel tray with compartments for the different courses. You make two choices: black or white rice and your protein, from choices such as Beef Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Spicy Squid, and Salmon Steak.

Everey meal comes with the banchan, or Korean side dishes, which the restaurant rotates daily — there's usually a salad and kim chi — plus a classic Japanese yogurt drink called “Yakult."

For $14.99, you get an authentic, yet approachable taste of Korean comfort food, says co-founder Eric Song.

“It’s a unique concept in DFW that blends Korean and Japanese flavors with a nostalgic touch,” Song says.

F&F On The Go is part of the growing Fast and Furious brand, which launched in Irving in 2013, where Song is head of operations and brand development. Their first concept was F&F Japanese Grill, a fast-casual hibachi restaurant featuring Korean and Japanese fusion cuisine which now has locations in Addison, Plano, Frisco, and Greenville Avenue.

In 2016, they expanded with a food truck, F&F Express, which makes K-style bowls.

With F&F On The Go, Song wanted to create a casual, but high-quality dining experience inspired by the nostalgic Korean school lunch style.

The presentation was designed to bring a touch of nostalgia, yet be appealing to diners unfamiliar with the style or dishes. The counter and seating area have a clean finish while capturing the essence of a Korean school cafeteria. The word “Geupshik” (급식) in Korean literally means "school meal" or "lunch service."

The restaurant is in a multicultural area north of the Sam Rayburn Tollway in Lewisville — surrounded by sushi restaurants and Korean street food stores.

“We chose the location based on strong community presence and growing demand for Asian comfort food in the area,” Song says.

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