Vegan News

Dallas steakhouse enters shocking new frontier with special menu

Steak at Al Biernat's restaurant in Dallas

This steak is an Al Biernat's specialty but it's not on the special menu.

Of all the places to find vegan food in Dallas, the last place you might think to look is a steakhouse. But Al Biernat's, the acclaimed Dallas-based steakhouse, is busting stereotypes with a new menu of vegan dishes.

Manager Cliff Bennett says that they're proud to offer a vegan menu available at both locations, including the longtime original on Oak Lawn Avenue and the North Dallas location which opened one year ago in 2017.

"It's a sign of the times," Bennett says. "We recognized the need for some of our guests to have true vegan options that are outside of the realm of the usual steakhouse."

The menu was devised by Miguel Cauich, executive chef at the Oak Lawn location, and ranges from pasta to a trendy bowl. There's also a lasagna, which is not an easy dish to execute in a vegan manner.

The vegan dishes include:

Grilled portabella mushroom enchiladas, served over poblano rice with pico de gallo, avocado slices, and guajillo pepper sauce
Tofurky Italian sausage lasagna, served with grilled vegetables and roasted cauliflower with a tomato ragout
Stirfry of linguine pasta with stirfried vegetables, seitan protein, and a Thai Aian sauce
Al's Vegan Bowl has brown rice, black beans, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, and asparagus with vegetable stock and jalapenos.

Prices run from $16 at lunch to $23 at dinner.

Although a consummate host, Al Biernat is not a typical steakhouse guy. Not only has he quietly supported animal causes, he's a regular at Spiral Diner, Dallas' pioneering vegan restaurant, and Tribal, the healthy restaurant in Oak Cliff.

"What we're seeing is that more and more customers coming in are asking for vegan dishes," Biernat says. "I want to be able to serve something more than just a plate of steamed vegetables. Our chef put together some dishes that were nice choices that vegans would enjoy."

Biernat also wanted to be with the times, not behind the times.

"In New York and Beverly Hills, steakhouses are offering a side menu of vegan options," he says. "If we host a party of 12, these days there is always going to be someone who wants something plant-based. I think a good steakhouse should offer options."

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Escargot News

New all-day French bistro in downtown Rockwall is all from scratch

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Belle View Bistro Rockwall

An all-day French bistro has made its debut in Rockwall: Called Belle Vie Bistro, it’s a new mom-and-pop in the charming historic downtown district, at 112 E. Rusk St., the former home of The Fatted Calf restaurant, where it opened its doors on November 12.

Belle Vie is from Luis and Iliana Marquez, a hard-working couple who also own Los Marquez, a popular taco--themed food-truck-turned-restaurant in Rockwall they first debuted in 2019. In May, the couple took over the former Fat Chicken space to open a brick and mortar location of Los Marquez, where they serve well-made Mexican food like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but also burgers & fries. They open for breakfast with breakfast tacos, and run a daily lunch special, often creative, always popular, such as birria ramen with choice of beef or lamb for $11.

But the couple had a bigger vision of creating a place where chef Luis could stretch and showcase his skills.

"Luis has a lot of culinary experience, and it’s something that he’s been putting aside,” Iliana says. “We were just waiting on the perfect time to bring this to life.”

"This is something exciting and new for us, it’s something that we always wanted to make,” Luis says.

Like Los Marquez, Belle Vie is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving classics like French onion soup, moules frites, escargot, and duck confit. There are also comforting and American dishes like spinach-artichoke dip, crab cakes, and fish & chips.

Lunch features Cobb salad, a French dip, and chicken & Brie panini, while an extended breakfast -- which runs from 7 am to 4 pm — includes pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict, beignets French toast, and crepes, plus pastries and breads made from scratch.

Mural on the wall at Belle Vie Bistro RockwallFacebook

The bakery counter is a delight, with eclairs, croissants, scones, fruit tarts, and cake slices in flavors like carrot cake and white chocolate raspberry. There's also a serious coffee program with espresso drinks such as lattes.

"We pride ourselves on making everything from scratch," the duo says. "Our bread—whether for sandwiches, paninis, hamburgers or anything listed on our menu is made fresh just for us by our incredibly talented pastry chef and baker. The same care goes into our pastries and desserts ensuring every bite is special and crafted with love."

The dining room is warm and cozy with dark wood chairs and plush booths and a full-wall mural depicting a street in Paris. They also have a full bar, with cocktails and beer on tap. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $9 for a Belgian waffle during breakfast to $45 for prime ribeye at dinner.

For now, they're not taking reservations — it's first come, first serve.

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