Ciao Battuto

Battuto Italian Kitchen is closing to become Snuffer's burger spinoff

In exciting radio news, radio personalities Gene and Julie Gates are leaving Dallas to do the morning show at WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they'll start July 28. But it's bittersweet news for their restaurant, Battuto Italian Kitchen, which will close and become home to a new burger joint from Dallas legend Pat Snuffer.

Julie Gates says that she is unable to comment on the new tenant until the paperwork works its way through the chain.

"It's one of those weird things where life takes a left turn," she says. "We love Dallas, it's been our home for nine years, but we were recruited for an unbelievable radio job. Did we plan on opening a restaurant and throwing our life savings into a business we were going to close in a year? I'd say no. But for us, it's 'Where's the best adventure?' And our daughter, who is nine, is on board."

Gene Gates told DFW.com that the couple never intended to leave radio but had to get the restaurant open and running. Their hard work on the restaurant culminated with an award from OpenTable as one of the nation's neighborhood gems, "the restaurants favored by their communities for making diners feel special time and time again."

Battuto has been closed for the Fourth of July holiday; according to a message on its answering machine, it was scheduled to reopen July 14. But with the Gates' sudden move, that will no longer happen.

Pat Snuffer has been seeking a location for the burger joint he wants to open with his son ever since he lost control of Snuffer's last year. The new burger joint will be called Pat's and Mike's.

Julie calls the restaurant "a massive labor of love" and says she and Gene are working to find jobs for their displaced employees.

"We made plenty of mistakes," she says. "This was our first rodeo. We just jumped in and did it. But we listened to people's feedback. What I'm most proud of, which has nothing to do with Gene or myself, is the staff. I learned so many deep personal lessons, they taught me so much. We are looking for some great homes for our staff."

UPDATE: Pat Snuffer's PR representative sent out a statement confirming the existence of the new restaurant, for now called "Pat's and Mike," which seems to lack some punctuation? The release states that it will be a "comfortable, casual bar" featuring not just burgers but "hand-crafted" pizzas, Tex-Mex items, a full-service bar highlighting tequila and margaritas, and late-night service.

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Putting into Plano

New Plano restaurant Sip'Stroke tees up golf with chef-driven fare

Saffron salmon skewers, one of the featured seafood offerings on Chef Madan Oli’s menu at Sip’Stroke.

Photo courtesy of Sip'Stroke.

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It's tee time for a new restaurant featuring a private Full Swing golf simulator and an indoor putt-putt course in Plano: Called Sip’Stroke, the new "eatertainment" spot is opening Saturday, August 1 at 5969 Dallas Pkwy.

The concept comes from Kushal Raj Bastakoti, a cityscape artist and interior designer from Nepal who moved to Dallas in 2013 to attend the University of North Texas. Bastakoti also owns Skyline Lounge in downtown Dallas, which opened earlier this year, and is a franchisee of the Asian beverage and dessert chain Feng Cha Café.

He says he chose the location due to the rapid growth of businesses and residences in the nearby Legacy area.

“At Sip’Stroke we created a space that is entirely unique — it feels like you're on a 9-hole golf course, but paired with exceptional dining,” he says.

Although built around golf, the restaurant is also chef-driven. Bastakoti recruited chef Madan Oli, who launched his culinary career in Copenhagen, where he developed a focus on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and presentation.

“My goal is to bring people together through modern American cuisine with bold flavors and global inspiration,” says Oli. “Every dish is crafted with care, balance, and a true passion for hospitality.”

$Sip\u2019Stroke$ At Sip’Stroke, you can catch the game, play a round of putt-putt, and enjoy a high-end meal.Photo courtesy of Sip'Stroke.

Oli designed a menu featuring shared boards, fresh seafood, premium steaks, elevated bar staples, and desserts. Highlights include prime ribeye frites, saffron salmon, maple leaf duck breast, Cabernet-braised short ribs, Wagyu sliders, and a selection of tacos and wings, with prices ranging from $20 to $35.

The full bar serves classic and signature cocktails, along with shots, wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks.

The venue includes a private golf simulator that accommodates up to eight guests, a custom nine-hole mini-golf course integrated into the dining room, seating for 60 indoors, and an additional 15 seats on the patio.

While Sip’Stroke has been operating with limited hours during a soft opening over the past several days, regular business hours begin Saturday, August 1, from 12 noon to 12 midnight daily. A grand opening celebration is planned for late August.

A second Sip’Stroke location is also in the works next to Skyline Lounge at 2012 Commerce St. in downtown Dallas and is expected to open before the end of the year. The owners say restoring the historic 100-year-old building has taken longer than anticipated.

eatertainment golf plano