Miami News

Villa Azur restaurant brings Miami flash to W Dallas Hotel - Victory

The cuisine is Mediterranean.

Photo courtesy of Villa Azur

A glitzy restaurant and lounge from Miami has made its Dallas debut: Villa Azur is a new concept at the W Hotel in Victory Park with a cosmopolitan, international mien, promising to bring the kind of food, beverage, service, and glamour you might find in the French Riviera, opening on November 11, according to a release.

Villa Azur comes from three friends with extensive backgrounds and experiences. Jean Philippe Bernard has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Paul Breuza develops concepts around the world. Michael Martin is a staple in the Miami nightlife scene (Opium Group, The Mondrian Hotel, LIV, Wall at the W Hotel) who brings expertise nightlife industry expertise.

They vow that Villa Azur will add a "sexy, European touch" to Dallas' nightlife scene.

Food
Under the direction of Executive Chef Carlos Torres, the menu will observe a Mediterranean theme, pairing seasonal ingredients, international flavors, and stunning presentation, including more than one tableside preparation.

Dishes include:

Truffle burrata
Pâtes à la Meule served tableside in a Parmigiana wheel and cognac-flamed
Dover Sole Meunière prepared tableside
Whole roasted chicken
Tiramisu

Service
Villa Azur Dallas will be open 5 pm-12 am, with breakfast and lunch in the hotel lobby. It aspires to excellence on service while embracing the vibe and energy of a neighborhood hotspot, combining the upscale dining experience found on the French Riviera yet simultaneously incorporating the effervescence of Dallas' vibrant lifestyle.

This will include entertainment, glamorous greeters, live DJs, fancy cocktails, and dinner parties.

Atmosphere
Located in the former Cook Hall space to the left of the hotel's Houston Street entrance, the restaurant seats 150, with an additional 20 seats in the bar and lounge area. The space has been given a makeover by interior designer Jose Jafif, with a mixture of neoclassical and modern trends and eclectic details.

In a statement, co-owner Jean-Philippe Bernard calls the design spectacular.

"I am very excited to be joining my friends and business partners in the opening of a restaurant in Dallas," Bernard says. "We are looking forward to sharing with our future patrons a next-level experience, a place where they can dine, socialize, and celebrate, mixing culinary excellence and glamorous lifestyle. From the cuisine and drink menus to the overall atmosphere and ambiance, Villa Azur will definitely bring the authentic, vibrant, and festive South of France energy to Dallas."

Director of Operations Genevieve Bernard says that "not only is Villa Azur a restaurant where patrons can enjoy fine French-Mediterranean cuisine but it is also a 'destination' where friends can gather together in a cozy yet energetic atmosphere."

Villa Azur is part of a wave of concepts from Miami, giving Dallas some Miami heat. In addition to the restaurant, the hotel will also host a rotating contemporary art collection with works from Markowitz Fine Art Gallery for opening weekend, and more gallery features to come.

hotels openings nightlife cocktails

Ramen News

Dallas' acclaimed Ten Ramen to open in Cru Wine spot in West Village

Ten Ramen

A highly acclaimed ramen spot is coming to Dallas' West Village: Ten Ramen, one of Dallas' most celebrated ramen spots, will open a location in the former Cru Food & Wine Bar space at 3699 McKinney Ave. #107.

According to a release, Ten Ramen will open in spring 2026.

In related news, the concept was acquired by Vandelay Companies (Hudson House, Jack & Harry's, East Hamption Sandwich Co., El Molino), led by CEO Hunter Pond, who counts himself a big Ten Ramen fan.

“I’ve been a longtime fan of who is arguably one of Texas’ most respected chefs — founder and creator Teiichi Sakurai — and what Ten Ramen embodies,” says Pond.

Vandelay also owns Tei An, the award-winning authentic Japanese restaurant and Ten Ramen sibling which Sakurai opened at One Arts Plaza in 2008.

Ten Ramen debuted in March 2015 at the Sylvan | Thirty mixed-use project in West Dallas — a pioneering concept at the time, and one that quickly earned a devoted following with its tiny 10-seat setup and uncompromisingly authentic flavors.

Back then, it was a ground-breaking concept for Dallas and is still one of the most beloved ramen spots in the city. Diners flocked to wait in long lines for its menu of Mazemen, Shoyu, Tonkotsu, and Lobster Ramen — recipes that will remain intact, Pond says.

“We haven’t touched the recipes, they’re perfect just as they are,” he says. “After many months under our ownership already, it remains clear that the magic is in the food, the service, and the experience. Our goal with this new location is simple: bring what we feel is the best ramen in Dallas to more people, in a space that feels both fresh and familiar.”

Ooooooh, so Vandelay has owned it for many months. Well well well.

“When the opportunity came to bring this incredible concept into our family of restaurants, I jumped at it," Pond says.

He's the one shepherding it into the West Village — a location he says will give more diners the chance to experience the concept.

The location has an impressive track record: Cru Wine Bar closed in August 2025 after an unparalleled 23 years at that address.

The new 1,480-square-foot space will be a fresh take on the Ten Ramen experience, with a full-service bar that seats 7, and an intimate dining room seating 28 — versus the impromptu stand-up situation at Sylvan Thirty.

Their goal is to make a space that feels approachable and lively while staying true to the dishes that made Ten Ramen a local favorite.

openings