Opening News

These 5 sneaky new Dallas restaurants have opened oh so quietly

Salaryman has recently opened in Bishop Arts.

Photo by Elliot Munoz

CultureMap Dallas tries to keep up with all the important restaurant openings. CultureMap Dallas stays up night and day so that no important restaurant opening slips through the cracks.

And yet somehow, restaurant openings happen, undetected. When that happens, there's only one thing to do: make a list.

Here are five new restaurants, in geographically diverse locations spread across the DFW area, that have opened quietly in the past week:

Ebb & Flow. New restaurant in Deep Ellum is from a committee of entertainment personnel that includes Whitney Barlow, co-owner of Trees, Bomb Factory, and Canton Hall; two of her employees, Eric and Laura Bradford; and Eric's brother Dallas Hale, owner of the Shell Shack chain. The menu is said to have toasted ravioli, Cubano egg rolls, "stuff jalapeños" (surely they mean stuffed?), charcuterie, sausage queso, sandwiches, and wraps. The vibe and atmosphere are "garden party" with a floral theme that includes flowers and living vines. 2651 Commerce St., Dallas.

Latin Deli Addison. Spin-off of the well-regarded East Dallas deli that's been serving Latin-American specialties since 2011. Owner Fernando Barrera does good-quality sandwiches, crepes, salads, baked goods, and coffee drinks. His best seller is his marinated chicken sandwich, which features thick chunks of white-meat chicken with pork and thinly sliced red onion on good ciabatta bread. His crepes, which he does in both savory versions and sweet, are also popular. This location is in Addison Circle; the hard-working Barrera also has a location in downtown Dallas he opened in 2016. 15615 Quorum Dr., Addison.

Pappas Delta Blues Smokehouse. Second location of an upscale barbecue restaurant from Houston-based Pappas Restaurants, which owns Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, and Pappasito’s Cantina. It's located in Plano in what used to be a Bone Daddy's; the original opened in Webster, Texas, in 2017. They do typical barbecue meat plates, and their signature is their Prime beef brisket. But they also do buttermilk fried chicken and a fancy chicken-fried steak. 3916 Dallas Pkwy., Plano.

Royal Blue Grocery. Second downtown location of Royal Blue Grocery, the "bodega"-style concept founded in Austin that combines gourmet shop, convenience store, grocery, and cafe all in one. Zac Porter has brought the concept to Dallas, first at Highland Park Village, then downtown Dallas, at the Mercantile Place building in 2018. Royal Blue does not lack for eats, with salads, breakfast tacos, cold sandwiches like the muffuletta, hot sandwiches heated on a panini press, and pizza by the slice, plus pre-prepared items to-go, plus local goods such as pastries by Bisous Bisous. This location is in the Trammel Crow building at Harwood and Ross; like every other Royal Blue, it will customize its merchandise to meet the needs of its unique neighborhood. 2001 Ross Ave., Ste. 150, Dallas.

Salaryman. New izakaya-style restaurant in Bishop Arts from chef Justin Holt has come to fruition after years of pop-ups. The menu includes yakitori, ramen, and cocktails featuring shochu and Japanese whisky. Noodles are made from flour ground in-house from Texas wheat, and the miso and pickles are fermented on site. The restaurant is small in size and vibe, with 27 seats at the bar, communal table, and three dining tables. If the restaurant's full, you pencil in your name to a clipboard with a waitlist. 400 Melba St., Dallas.

openings

A Toast

Dallas distiller launches zero-proof liquor line and hosting accessories

Photo courtesy of Teaspoon

It's the brand's first line of non-alcoholic beverages.

The zero-proof liquor movement keeps gaining momentum, and the latest to take a seat at the bar is Teaspoon, from the Dallas-based Dynasty Spirits.

The brand's first line of non-alcoholic whiskey, tequila, gin, and "Italian Spritz" (comparable to the main ingredient in a certain bright-orange cocktail) are already available for shipping nationwide, and the company promises they will be carried by more than 400 Texas retailers by year's end. Each 700ml bottle is priced at $32.99.

“Teaspoon was born from a simple belief: that the drink in your hand should match the moment you’re in,” says founder Devin Odell. “Teaspoon isn’t just zero-proof spirit alternatives, it’s a statement. It offers a fresh option for those who expect more from what’s in their glass: more flavor, more intention, more celebration.”

For the mocktail connoisseurs out there, here's a quick overview of each bottle's tasting notes:

The zero-proof whiskey has cherry, vanilla, caramel, and citrus zest on the nose. The palate opens with a bourbon-style sweetness and finishes dry and peppery.
The zero-proof tequila has the aroma of cracked black pepper with hints of pineapple and guava, and tastes of fresh bell pepper up front. Citrus mid-notes add brightness and it's rounded off with a lightly sweet oak finish.
The zero-proof gin's nose brings lemon zest and elderflower, and its taste is dry and herbal like a true London Dry gin.
The zero-proof Italian Spritz balances sweet red licorice and bitter orange peel on the nose. The palate starts with orange-candy brightness and progresses to juicy grapefruit before finishing with a lingering herbal bitterness.

The name Teaspoon is reflective of the culinary measuring tool's history, and how the gilt silver spoons were once prized by England's upper crust due to the initial rarity of tea imported from Asia.

The Texas-born Odell founded Dynasty Spirits in 2010, and the brand's portfolio currently includes Pezuña Blanca tequila, Townes vodka, Green House vodka and gin, Lasso Motel whiskey, and Painted Donkey tequila.

Launching in tandem with Teaspoon’s non-alcoholic beverages is a collection of custom retail products in collaboration with Marcello Andres, Shelton Metal, Tom Adam, Match 1995, A Bientot, WP Standard, and more. Currently, that includes linen cocktail napkins, glassware, and a set of artful pewter teaspoons, each representing a different zero-proof liquor.

Dallasites can taste and shop at Teaspoon's launch event: November 6 at at the Shop Swoon boutique inside the Joule Hotel. Bottles will be available for purchase there through November 9.

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