Steak News

New Plano restaurant Bavette specializes in rare cut of sirloin steak

Bavette is French.

Photo courtesy of Bavette

A steaky restaurant newly opened in Plano spotlights a rare cut of meat. Called Bavette Grill, it opened in late July at Granite Park in Plano, at 8100 Dallas Pkwy., #115 near Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway, in a space that was once home to a Kent Rathbun restaurant called Hickory, and before that, Zea Woodfire Grill.

Bavette owners David Jeiel and Alex Nunes also own Brazilian EG Steak in Frisco, so they're into the whole steak thing.

"We're excited to open Bavette Grill and offer Collin County and Dallas an American grill experience with our spin on classic American dishes," David Jeiel says in a release.

The name Bavette is French for beef bottom sirloin steak, which is described as incredibly textured, marbled, and juicy.

Entrées include:

Bavette Steak, a 50-day wet-aged USDA Prime cut, marinated for three days in pineapple ginger and served with garlic herb fries
Short Rib Steak, an off-bone 50-day wet-aged USDA Prime cut served with garlic herb butter and mashed potatoes
Atlantic Salmon, wild caught, pan-seared with garlic butter cream and mashed potatoes. Hmm. Can Atlantic salmon be wild caught? It's usually farmed.
The Butcher Burger
Mac & Cheese with three-cheese Chablis cream and toasted breadcrumbs
Salmon Cakes with red pepper coulis and remoulade sauce
Brussels Sprouts in a honeyed chili glaze with bacon crisps

A favorite starter is deviled eggs which they do with champagne mustard, paprika, candied bacon, green onions, and EVOO over a potato string nest.

Bavette Grill has a patio with an organic hydroponic garden, which grows 36 organic herbs, lettuce, and vegetables including mint, baby tomatoes, lettuce, and squash used in the dishes.

Jeiel dubs it "Patio To Plate," noting that it's an even fresher approach than Farm to Table.

They have a separate menu for their $7-themed happy hour which takes place Monday-Friday from 4-7pm including:

Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeno
Butcher Sliders
Beer-Battered Fish Tacos
Loaded Fries

Brunch is served before the weekend which is so civilized, starting Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 am, with mimosas, bloody Marias, Pecan-Crusted French Toast with Frangelico cream, Steak & Eggs, and Blueberry Pancakes.

Bavette Grill also offers a full bar with cocktail names inspired by' 80s music.

Will Hendrickson of Granite Properties says in a statement that the new restaurant will be great for a business lunch or to unwind on the patio for a casual dinner.

openings

Kebab News

Le French Kebab brings Indian-Arabic street food to downtown Dallas

Le Fench Kebab

Le French Kebab

A new restaurant has debuted in downtown Dallas with an international pedigree: Called Le French Kebab, it's a halal restaurant that recently opened at 701 Commerce St. #120, across from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza in the former Chimalma Taco Bar Co. space, where it's serving kebabs and pita sandwiches.

Le French is from brothers Noman and Farhan Nawaz, who operate several restaurants in Paris, including their flagship, Mayfair Garden, located blocks from the Eiffel Tower. At Le French, they're drawing inspiration from Parisian kebab kiosks, while adding a Mediterranean-Indian-Arabic twist.

The brothers came to Dallas for its business-friendly climate and quality of life.

"Texas laws and taxes really favor business owners, while Paris is more supportive of labor unions," Noman says. "It’s a complicated system for small investors to have more than two restaurants in France. Plus, Plano and Frisco are great places to raise a family."

They've given the space a beckoning atmosphere by turning the front sidewalk into an airy patio with strung lights. Diners are greeted with a complimentary cup of cardamom tea, a symbol of hospitality and warmth.

Noman, who serves as head chef, says that he trained under Michelin-starred chefs in France and further refined his craft in London. He's applying those culinary techniques to a menu that combines Indian, Pakistani, and Mediterranean food.

The current menu is compact, with pita sandwiches and platters, starting at $10 for a French kebab sandwich with chicken gyro meat, and topping out at $16 for Shahi Dali, a platter with lentils and rice. Starters include hummus, truffle fries, and falafel chaat, a street-food style snack featuring falafel with chutney, cabbage, red bell pepper, and garnishes with elements of tangy, spicy, and sweet.

Everything pops with color and brightness, especially the signature mint-and-coriander green chutney, served with the gyros and chicken tikka.

Le French Kebab also does an intriguing variety of desserts including jewel-like Turkish delights, baklava, and kunafa, a rich offering made from shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and pistachios.

The brothers hope to expand the menu and dishes are still being tweaked for Texas customers, who like more spice than diners in Europe, Noman says.

"Doner kebab in France only has salt, but here, people like more flavor," he says. "We’re still learning the audience, and they’re learning us."

downtown openings