Coffee News

Downtown Dallas cops new kind of coffee fix at iconic fountain building

New coffee shop coming to downtown.

Photo courtesy of Ascension

Downtown Dallas gets a one-of-a-kind new coffee shop with a very specific and ambitious approach. Called 84 Point Coffee, it's a specialty shop from Russell Hayward, founder of Ascension Coffee, and will open at 1445 Ross Ave., aka Fountain Place, the angled blue building designed by Henry Cobb of I. M. Pei & Partners.

The unique positioning at 84 Point Coffee is that it will serve only coffee that scores over 84 points on the Specialty Coffee 100 point scale. Only 5 percent of the world’s coffee harvest scores over 80 points, the official quality line for specialty coffee.

Hayward is certified as a Licensed Q Grader by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and is one of a few select coffee professionals around the world who are trained to cup and score Arabica coffee. He'll select every coffee served at 84 Point.

There is one other location of 84 Point, in the Greenhill Towers building at 14131 Midway Rd. in Addison. Ascension also has a location in downtown Dallas, at 1601 Elm St., along with a branch in Uptown Dallas at 200 Crescent Ct., and the original Ascension which opened in the Design District in 2012.

For coffee shops, downtown Dallas is relatively under-served. There is Weekend Coffee at the Joule Hotel, a Starbucks at 1700 Pacific Ave., and Stupid Good Coffee at 1910 Pacific Ave.

In addition to coffee, 84 Point will also serve high-quality grab-and-go food offerings, making it a highlight of what will be a battery of new retail offerings at Fountain Place.

Under the ownership of Goddard Investment Group, the property is currently undergoing a $70 million renovation. In addition to shops such as 84 Point, they're adding a 10-story parking garage, and will open the lobby to the outside plaza's installation of fountains and cypress trees.

In a release, Goddard partner Jim Wilson describes 84 Point Coffee as the perfect fit for what will be a restaurant amenity area on the water at Fountain Place. "We couldn't be more pleased to have him set the pace for the other restaurant choices we will add to this exciting and beautiful area," he says.

Hayward says that Fountain Place fits his strategy of seeking out unique sites with their own character built in. "When I first saw Fountain Place, with its world-renowned fountains and trees and its central courtyard, it seemed like a natural community gathering place, and like-minded with the Ascension experience," he says.

84 Point is set to open at the renovated Fountain Place in early 2018.

downtown coffee

Seafood News

High-profile seafood restaurant Catch Dallas sails into Maple Terrace

Catch Dallas

Seafood at Catch Dallas

A seafood restaurant from a powerhouse hospitality team is set to open in Dallas: Catch Dallas — from Catch Hospitality Group, Tilman J. Fertitta, Mark Birnbaum, and Eugene Remm — will open at 3005 Maple Ave. in Uptown's Maple Terrace development on November 8.

This will mark the eighth outpost of the brand, which already has locations in Aspen, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami Beach.

“I am excited to expand the Catch brand to the reimagined Maple Terrace area,” said Tilman Fertitta, Catch Hospitality Group partner. “Dallas has always been a great market for us and the city’s constantly growing culinary scene is amazing. We’re excited to be a part of it all and Dallas can expect nothing less of our newest Catch location.”

Catch is known for simple yet elegant seafood, sushi, and steak with excellent service and a lively vibe, with a distinguished Japanese sushi and Wagyu program and signature dishes, including the signature Catch Roll, Truffle Sashimi, Mushroom Spaghetti, and Cantonese Lobster.

There'll also be sushi from Tokyo’s Toyosu market, and a unique variety of Japanese Wagyu seared tableside on a hot rock — typical of the experiential dining Catch Hospitality Group is known for.

Designed by the renowned Rockwell Group—the design team behind Catch in Las Vegas and Miami Beach, and Catch Steak in New York City, Aspen, and Los Angeles—the space is a blend of modern elegance and historic charm with antique mirrors, marble, lacquered finishes, Venetian plaster, and contrasting woods.

A monumental main bar, adorned with tiered sapele wood risers, adds glamour and the restaurant features the chain's signature olive tree, found at several of their locations, located the heart of the main dining room, surrounded by luxe banquettes atop expansive marble stones.

Catch Dallas olive tree dining room Behold the olive tree in the dining room at Catch Dallas.Catch Dallas

A two-level outdoor patio provides a chic escape, complete with green-striped banquettes and a teal trellis under a striking striped canopy.

The Emerald Room boasts 1,900 square feet of adaptable private dining space, including private events. The space features maximal floral wallcoverings, green lacquer paneling, leather banquettes, and copper accents at the bar, plus direct access to a second-floor outdoor patio.

Guests will also discover a gallery of eclectic animal portraits, showcased within the venue’s lacquered green gallery stairway.

“The Maple Terrace space embodies the essence of every Catch establishment and we’re certain that this venue will provide an incredible foundation for our team to deliver the elevated experiential dining we’re recognized for,” said Eugene Remm, Catch Hospitality Group partner. “The Catch brand has entered a new era heavily focused on refined cuisine and service while maintaining an energetic atmosphere and Catch Dallas will be the next great location to exude this continuing commitment to well-rounded, exceptional dining experiences.”

uptown openings