Hotel News
New Virgin Hotels Dallas in Design District hires name-brand local chef
The soon-to-open Virgin Hotels Dallas has hired a chef for its signature restaurant: Matt McCallister, who will open a restaurant inside Commons Club, Virgin Hotels' flagship restaurant, bar, and modern social club concept, dubbed "The Kitchen."
Virgin Hotels Dallas is opening in the Design District in 2019, the latest property from the lifestyle hotel brand founded by Sir Richard Branson. The property, which is already uber-hot and hasn't even opened yet, is being developed with Bill Hutchinson of Dunhill Partners and aims to deliver a one-of-a-kind hotel experience.
The hotel will offer at least three places to eat: Commons Club will be the hotel's headlining restaurant. It'll also have Funny Library Coffee Shop, a coffee house-communal work space, and the Pool Club, located on the hotel's rooftop terrace.
Details on the menu at The Kitchen are scarce, other than it will be seasonally driven with French influence.
No opening date has been set, but reservations for the hotel begin on December 15, so we can assume the restaurant will open around that time.
They like McCallister because his first restaurant, FT33, "made waves on a national scale," earning awards such as the "best new chef" nod he got in 2014 from Food & Wine magazine, as well as three James Beard Award nominations for best chef of the Southwest.
Collaborating with McCallister at The Kitchen, and leading the hotel's culinary team, is executive chef Nick Walker, who recently served as executive chef at CBD Provisions and Americano.
The release says that it will feature seasonally driven menus, and will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The space will feature an open kitchen including a communal chef's table and wrap-around patio.
Commons Club will be located inside of Virgin Hotels Dallas, situated on the ground level, with a dedicated street entrance. Here are some of the ways it's described:
- a modern social club in a playful, yet sophisticated environment
- designed to blend work and play
- an all-day foodie destination where live entertainment and entrepreneurial conversations abound
Joel Mozersky Design has created an intimate dining area with tamboured wood walls, warm white oak tables, and upholstered leather booths. The room, as well as a featured center booth, can be sectioned off with a velvet curtain for extra privacy and a more intimate dining experience.
A highlight of Commons Club will be the oval brass and marble bar, which will serve cocktails, wine, and champagne.
Something called the Shag Room will feature a '70s glam design with a large serpentine banquette, smoked mirrored walls, and brass lighting.