Sushi News

Uptown Dallas sushi restaurant arrives with vegan rolls and big drinks

Blue Sushi is newly open in Uptown Dallas.

Photo courtesy of Blue Sushi

The sushi has arrived thanks to Blue Sushi Sake Grill, which opened its Uptown Dallas branch on October 31. The 12th branch of this Nebraska-spawned chain has opened in the new M-Line Tower at 3220 McKinney Ave., and is the third Blue in DFW, following the original in Fort Worth and a second branch that opened at Preston Hollow Village in 2016.

Blue Sushi is part of the Flagship Restaurant Group, and is a sibling to Blatt Beer & Table, which is also located at Preston Hollow Village. It's known for its sparkling sushi, craft cocktails, energetic atmosphere, and vivid decor.

In addition to traditional maki, nigiri, and sashimi, the Uptown location is promoting its special line of vegetarian and vegan sushi dishes, which the chain introduced in mid-October. Options include:

Just Beet It, a vegetarian roll with crispy panko, goat cheese, beet, cucumber pickled daikon, sesame oil, yuzu kosho, and scallion.
Shiitake To Me, a vegan option with wild mushroom sautéed in coconut milk, shiitake vegan tempura, sweet potato vegan tempura, truffle oil, sweet soy, and Thai basil.
Thai Hippie, with tofu vegan tempura, avocado, cucumber and carrot, topped with Thai peanut sauce, cashews and Thai basil, cilantro, mint, and red onion salad.

According to a company spokesperson, Blue has always had vegan and vegetarian options, but the restaurants noticed more guests asking for even more vegan-friendly options, so they expanded the selection.

The vegan items are available at all Dallas-area locations, and have been very popular. "It's a unique offering not found at most sushi spots, and they’ve found loyal customers by providing these options," the spokesperson says.

Completely unique to the Uptown location is an expanded menu of "Fish Bowls" — large-format cocktails that are meant for sharing. The oversized drinks feature fresh flavors, strong spirits, an abundance of fresh fruit garnishes, and plenty of straws. There are five options including one called the Cherry Sake Drop, which is served with a floating shot of Gekkeikan sake.

Also relevant to the Uptown crowd are Blue's bountiful happy hour offerings, including nearly 50 items from the sushi bar and kitchen, among them atakai (warm) and tsumetai (cool) starters and shared plates. Happy hour runs Monday-Saturday from 3-6:30 pm and Sunday, 12-8 pm. Blue also offers a "reverse" happy hour with food specials on Friday and Saturday nights, from 10-11:30 pm, for Uptown residents searching for a late-night bite.

vegan openings

Now open

French bakery-cafe Maman from New York debuts chic Plano spot

Photo courtesy of Maman

Maman has opened a cafe at Legacy East in Plano.

A fast-growing New York bakery-cafe chain has expanded into a new North Texas city: Maman debuted a new location Friday, August 7 at Legacy East in Plano.

The cafe is at 7200 Bishop Rd., Ste. D, where it serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, pastries, and baked goods in a 2,650-square-foot space with seating for 78 indoors and another 34 on an outdoor patio, according to a release.

Plano is the brand's third Dallas-area cafe in about a year, with more on the way.

Founded in New York's Soho in 2014 by partners Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Maman has grown to about 60 locations across the U.S. and Canada. The company made its Texas debut in November 2025 with a cafe at The Plaza at Preston Center, followed by a Lakewood location that opened earlier this year. Another location is planned at Fields West in Frisco, as well as in Dallas' Casa Linda Center.

Maman Coffee and croissants at Maman.Photo courtesy of Maman

The menu features espresso drinks, tea, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast and lunch items, plus seasonal offerings and a few Dallas-area exclusives, including:

Magnolia Sweet Tea Fizz: Cold-steeped magnolia bud tea with Topo Chico, Texas wildflower honey syrup, lemon, and mint.
Lone Star Cinnamon Bun: A cinnamon roll topped with vanilla glaze and a signature pastry star.
Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Roll: A pastry swirled with salted caramel, vanilla, and toasted Southern pecans.

Known for its French provincial-inspired interiors, Maman's cafes feature vintage furnishings, wood accents, and the brand's signature blue toile details. The Plano location also offers catering and private event space.

"We're so excited to continue growing in the Dallas area with our newest location in Plano," says co-founder Elisa Marshall in the release. "Legacy East has such an incredible energy and strong sense of community, making it the perfect home for Maman. We can't wait to welcome both longtime guests and new neighbors into the space to enjoy coffee, pastries and meaningful moments together."

Maman New York Lemon meringue tarts from Maman. Photo courtesy of Maman

The company also sells coffee, tea, matcha, merchandise, and its cookbook, Maman: The Cookbook, All Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart, and continues its collaboration with Martha Stewart through limited-time menu items and retail products.

Doors opened at 8 am August 7. To celebrate the opening, the first 100 customers who make a purchase will receive a complimentary tote bag and chocolate chip cookie. From 1-3 pm, the first 50 customers who spend $15 or more can receive a complimentary croissant charm at an on-site charm bar hosted by Charmed Haven.

Regular hours are 7:30 am-6 pm Monday-Friday and 8 am-6 pm Saturday-Sunday, with the kitchen closing daily at 4 pm.

bakery legacy east maman plano openings