Sandwich News

California chain brings hefty, upscale sandwiches to second Dallas-area location

Their sandwiches are so extra.

Mendocino Farms

UPDATE 3/23/2021: The addison location of Mendocino Farms opened on March 23.

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An upscale sandwich chain from California that promised to expand its footprint in Dallas is following through: Mendocino Farms has signed on to open a location on the border of Addison, at 5290 Belt Line Rd.

The restaurant will open in at the Prestonwood Place shopping center, which is undergoing a big renovation that includes an update to the facade; additional office space; and a 15,000-square-foot park. Current tenants include Flower Child, Shake Shack, Chipotle, and The Great Outdoors.

A spokesperson for the center confirms that the concept will open in early 2021.

Mendocino Farms is known for sandwiches, both classic and trendy. The concept was founded in Los Angeles in 2005 with a mission to combine an inclusive dining experience with chef-driven food and a sense of hospitality.

They made their Texas debut in Houston, followed by Dallas in November 2019, when they opened a location at 2000 Ross Ave. in downtown Dallas.

Sandwiches include:

"Not So Fried" chicken, a lighter version of a cold fried chicken sandwich with shaved chicken breast rolled in Mendo’s "krispies" (a polenta-based buttermilk batter fried separately to maintain crunch), herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, and choice of warm barbecue sauce or Southern-style remoulade
Mendo's original pork belly banh mi, a play on the Vietnamese classic made with pork belly, pickled daikon and carrots, and fresh jalapeño on toasted ciabatta in place of the traditional baguette
Farm Club, an elevated take on the club sandwich with shaved turkey breast, avocado, bacon, mixed greens, and house pickled red onions on soft, seeded whole wheat bread

Salads include:

Saved Drake Farms Salad, with shaved chicken breast, honey, herb-marinated goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, crushed honey roasted almonds, red onions, mixed greens and chopped romaine with citrus vinaigrette
Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada, with butter lettuce and romaine, kale, house-made superfood krunchies (crunchy fried quinoa, millet, heirloom red rice, and nutritional yeast), Cotija cheese, and a black bean, roasted corn, and jicama succotash

Thre are many vegan options, including:

Taco salad featuring Impossible plant-based chorizo
Southwestern spiced Impossible burger
Vegan banh mi with organic marinated, baked tofu
BBQ tempeh sandwich with tangy mustard-pickle slaw

The menu provides a legend to the diverse array of offerings that can be ordered gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian. The chain also offers an order-ahead option online, where you can grab your order from a pickup shelf.

"Mendocino Farms is so much more than just a place to get a great sandwich," says Kevin Miles, Mendocino Farms CEO (and Dallas native) in a statement. "Our goal is to be a neighborhood gathering place for co-workers, friends, and families to come together over uniquely delicious, fresh, and seasonal food."

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Wine News

New Vinifera Wine Lounge and Bistro debuts on Flower Mound’s Riverwalk

Vinifera

Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro

A new wine bar and bistro has opened in Flower Mound. Called Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro, it's at 4120 River Walk Dr., in a space formerly occupied by a short-lived pizzeria, joining a string of bars overlooking the Riverwalk.

Vinifera is from Jamie Creevy, a British native who moved to Dallas in 2007, and who has worked at concepts such as Henderson Tap House and Peppersmash Concepts. At Vinifera, he's partnered with Chris Kummer, a former US Marine with experience in nightclubs and restaurants, including Chill in Grapevine.

Running the kitchen is executive chef Justin Samsill, who has worked at a wide range of high-end places including Knife, Town Hearth, The Mitchell, Smoke, and Hide. The menu has a big selection of seafood such as mussels, shrimp cocktail, squid pasta, and scallops, as well as steak au poivre, pasta bolognese, and trendy items such as steak frites and a smash burger, with entrees ranging from $19 to $35.

Vegetarian options include an unusual rendition of ratatouille, in which vegetables such as eggplant and tomato are cut into slices and arranged like a pinwheel. There are also salads and harissa carrots with Greek yogurt.

They describe the wine list as being "from all over the world", with 38 offerings by the glass. There are also cocktails.

Between the indoor dining room and outdoor space, the restaurant seats about 130 people. It shares a private event room with next door neighbor Whiskey & Smoke.

Riverwalk is the 158-acre mixed used development developed in 2017 and designed as a destination resembling the Riverwalk in San Antonio, with live music, events, and a range of eatery options including Whiskey & Smoke, Pennywise Pub, and Underdogs Burgers & Brews.

“We are looking to be creative and pivot to keep the area fresh," Creevy says. “People are looking for live music, value, free events, we want to entertain the residents and the community at an inexpensive rate."

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