Uptown Dining

Super-glam New York restaurant makes boffo Uptown Dallas debut

Dallas diners can anticipate culinary surprises, some of which will have lobster such as this.

Photo courtesy of Circo

A long-awaited restaurant with roots in New York's most glamorous circles has finally opened its doors in Uptown Dallas.

The restaurant is Circo Dallas — pronounced "CHEER-koh," and not like sir-koh which the rest of us have been doing all this time — and it's at 2619 McKinney Ave., on the corner of Routh and McKinney in the One Uptown high rise.

Circo is the Italian word for "circus" (which is NOT pronounced CHEER-kuss). The Circo restaurant concept was originally founded in New York by Sirio Maccioni in 1996. It encapsulates his view of the restaurant experience as a show similar to a European circus where unexpected things are happening all around.

These legendary Italian restaurants by the Maccioni family, including Circo and Le Cirque, have been a fixture of the New York society and fine-dining scene for over 40 years, drawing many awards and and famous guests.

In olden times, it was Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, Andy Warhol, and Jackie Onassis Kennedy. In more recent years, it's names like Sarah Jessica Parker, Kelly Ripa, Jimmy Kimmel, Howard Stern, Barbara Walters, Martha Stewart, and Robert DeNiro.

The restaurants have anchored New York's Mayfair and Palace Hotels, and the Bellagio in Las Vegas. 

This Circo is the first in Texas, and represents a collaboration between the Maccioni family and White Roc Hospitality Group, led by Lauren Santagati.

The Italian coastal menu includes signature dishes from Le Cirque and Circo including lobster salad, creme brulee, and Mama Egi's ravioli, named after Sirio's wife Egidiana. Cool name. Several dishes will be prepared table-side, including tartare and tiramisu.

A release says that some menu items will be exclusive to Circo Dallas, and that diners can anticipate many culinary surprises.

The restaurant has two stories and spans 25,000 square feet. The decor uses neutral undertones adorned with metallic accents, a scheme that will be the model for future locations.

The main dining room displays handwritten letters to Sirio Maccioni collected over the past 40 years from heads of states and countries, dignitaries, celebrities, and royalty.

Signature Le Cirque and Circo accoutrements include original tableware, custom-painted chocolate truffles, bottled estate-grown olive oil, Circo-branded wines, and a maître d’ to welcome guests upon their arrival.

The 9,800 square-foot interior includes a spiral chandelier staircase, and a 180-seat dining room with a glass-enclosed garde manger station for live-action cold dish preparations and seafood display. A fresh selection is flown in daily.

There's an exhibition wine cellar, and a private, social members lounge complete with full bar.

The second-story exterior features a spacious terrace complete with two glass-bottom pools, which can be encased with three custom platforms for events.

Circo also has a membership club where the social and business set can enjoy personalized service and preferred access to private events, cocktail tastings, wine pairings, and entertainment options such as art, fashion shows, or live music.

An individual or corporate membership grants exclusive access to "Circo Beach," an outdoor space with two pools, soothing mini-spa services, cabanas with daybeds, savory bites and sips; and the 70-seat Members Lounge, which sits atop the main dining room with a dazzling view of McKinney Avenue.

The dining room will debut with limited hours: Monday-Saturday 5-8 pm. Beginning October 1, they'll expand to Monday-Thursday 5-10 pm, and Friday- Saturday 5-11 pm. Circo Beach and the Members Lounge’s opening is slated to follow.

Circo Dallas joins the One Uptown development, and is part of a family of global locations in Las Vegas, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Dominican Republic, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

Global flavors

Upscale Caribbean fusion restaurant Arôme puts McKinney on island time

Photo courtesy of Arome

Arôme’s take on poutine showcases an infusion of Caribbean flavors into global comfort classics.

A new fine-dining destination with global inspiration and Caribbean roots is bringing island flavor to McKinney: Called Arôme Caribbean Fusion & Lounge, it is located in the Adriatica complex at 6815 Virginia Pkwy., Ste. 300.

The space formerly housed Dhamaka Premium Indian Kitchen & Lounge, and before that, Silk Road Thai Cuisine.

Arôme is from Sophia Adisson, a Haitian-born project manager who moved to the U.S. for school over two decades ago and has lived in Dallas since 2015. Adisson learned the craft of soulful cooking from her family in Haiti, and specifically from her mother, who owned several restaurants there.

“Growing up, food and music — everything together — has been my everyday life, surrounded by that energy,” Adisson says. “I like to gather people around and have fun.”

While her Caribbean heritage shines through the menu, Adisson explains that her goal with Arôme (which translates to "aroma") is to cater to everyone, noting that her cuisine is inspired by multiple countries. This results in a dynamic menu with a wide range of offerings, from steak and jerk chicken to chicken and waffles, hamburgers, healthy bowls, tacos, and even poutine.

Signature dishes include:

Queue de bœuf: Slow-braised oxtail in a rich, aromatic gravy with tender potatoes and glazed baby carrots.
Tassot cabrit: Tender fried goat, Caribbean-spiced and golden-crisp, served with plantains and aromatic rice.
Porc effiloché au barbecue: Slow-smoked pulled pork, topped with tangy BBQ sauce and crisp slaw on a toasted brioche bun.
Whole Red Snapper: Fresh whole red snapper rubbed with Caribbean spices, fried, and served with plantains, rice, mango salsa, vegetables, and spicy sauce.

Arome This slow-braised staple represents the soulful, meticulous craft learned by Sophia Adisson from her family in Haiti.Photo courtesy of Arôme.

Entrees range from $25 to $50, while sandwiches, tacos, healthy bowls, and salads are in the $20 to $30 range. Lunch specials feature a similar but streamlined menu with options from $10 to $18, including several vegan choices for both lunch and dinner.

On Saturday and Sunday, Arôme offers a brunch menu from 11 am-3 pm. Highlights include rhum banana French toast, egg sandwiches, fish and chips, shrimp and grits, and steak and eggs.

While the restaurant awaits their liquor license to operate the full bar, customers are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages.

Arome Arôme’s hamburger is presented with fine-dining finesse.Photo courtesy of Arôme.

The 3,000-square-foot space seats approximately 140 guests indoors and features a large patio with a hookah bar for an additional 100 diners. The lively setting evokes island-inspired energy, with velvet teal chairs and bright orange bar stools.

“I wanted to provide a space for the diverse community of McKinney to enjoy, no matter where you come from. You can come to my restaurant and feel at home,” Adisson says.

The restaurant is open from 11 am-8 pm Sunday, 11 am-9 pm Monday-Thursday, remaining open until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. They feature Latin music on Thursday, a DJ with afrobeats and R&B music on Friday, and live music on Saturday.

And they are already planning events for the World Cup this summer, where they will have all games on big screens and celebrate Haiti’s return to the tournament after a 52-year absence.