Downtown News

Luxe downtown Dallas residence will boast Michelin-starred chef eateries

Some high-end dining is coming to downtown Dallas.

Rendering courtesy of What If

A new residential building in downtown Dallas set to debut in spring 2021 will open with a pair of restaurants led by a high-profile Michelin-starred chef.

The building: The National, located at 1401 Elm St., part of an exciting new project from Todd Interests that also includes the new Thompson hotel.

The chef: Danny Grant, a two-time Michelin-starred chef and the visionary behind Maple & Ash, an innovative steakhouse which embraces the buzzy wood-fired trend.

Grant has two eateries in the works, located on the 49th and 50th floors:

Monarch, a wood-fired modern Italian restaurant
Kessaku, a high-end sushi restaurant

Grant is co-founder of What If Syndicate, a national hospitality group, with partners David Pisor and Jim Lasky that started with Maple & Ash in Chicago five years ago. New brands include Etta, Mavens & Aficionados, Monarch, Celestina, and Kessaku, with new restaurants also opening in Scottsdale, Ft. Lauderdale, and Los Angeles.

Grant says in a statement that he's had his eye on Dallas for a while.

"This market has been on our radar for a long time, and finally, we have the right partners and the perfect location to bring our concepts to life," Grant says. "Our partner, Todd Interests, the developer of Thompson Dallas/The National has been incredibly wonderful to work with. They know and love Dallas, and their commitment to the city is amazing."

Monarch will be a wood-fired, modern Italian restaurant that will serve handmade pasta, steaks, and grilled seafood. The approach will be light, fresh, and technique-driven.

The heart of the restaurant will be the wood-fired hearth where guests can expect to find fresh prawns charred to perfection alongside wood-fire roasted artichokes and octopus a la plancha.

The menu also features large-format dishes to be shared amongst the table, from whole, live Alaskan king crab to a 50 oz. porterhouse steak charred in coals.

Kessaku will be a lavish sushi and cocktail lounge centered around high-end ingredients, high-quality seafood, warm and delicate rice, and an extensive collection of sake. The menu offers nigiri, sashimi and an array of eclectic rolls. The sushi sits alongside a progressive cocktail menu that is approachable yet sophisticated and fun.

The restaurants promise to be ultra-swank. Monarch will feature a two-level space with a grand staircase, towering wine cellar, and private dining spaces.

The National is a $460-million preservation project by Todd Interests, who transformed the historic George Dahl-designed former First National Bank Tower, a historic high-rise located at 1401 Elm St.

It includes the Thompson Hotel and the National Residences, a luxury high-rise with 324 apartments, loaded with amenities such as room service and housekeeping.

The Thompson opened in November and features 219 rooms, including 52 suites and two penthouse suites, plus two restaurants of its own: Nine at The National, open for breakfast and lunch; and Catbird, a restaurant, lounge, and rooftop bar on the 10th floor.

downtown

Closing News

Longtime Dallas restaurant Sevy's Grill to close after nearly 30 years

Photo courtesy of Sevy's Grill

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A longtime Dallas restaurant is closing in 2026: Sevy's Grill, which has been open at 8201 Preston Rd. near Preston Center for nearly 30 years, will close on June 27, 2026.

According to a release from the owners, they're closing due to what appears to be an increase in rent.

"After months of negotiations, we were not able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement for our fourth 10-year lease," the post said.

The restaurant is located in Preston Sherry Plaza, which was acquired in September 2025 by Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate. Somebody gotta foot the bill.

Sevy's says they are looking at other locations.

"Our focus now is to finish these next 6+ months taking care of our guests and staff at the same caring level we built our brand on: Warm, professional service, consistently good food and a comfortable ambiance where the guest is always first," the post says. "First on our list of priorities is taking care of our guests in December and all the wonderful celebrations of family, friends and business groups. We do still have some availability for reservations, including our last New Years Eve at Preston Sherry. Come celebrate with us as the exciting anticipation of a new year for all of us."

"Our second priority will be the search for a new location to continue doing what we love," they said. "We are already reviewing possible sites and will keep everyone updated regularly."

Owned by chef Jim "Sevy" Severson and his wife Amy Severson, the restaurant has long been a neighborhood favorite with a lively bar scene, and was nominated in CultureMap's 2018 Tastemaker Awards for Best Neighborhood Restaurant. They were a frequent choice for winemaker events and are also known for the longevity of their staff.

"Eight team members have been with us all 29+ years, with an average tenure in the kitchen of 15+ years and a Management team that you all know," their post said. "Come support our staff as we celebrate the next 6+ months.Thank you again for your support through all the normal challenges of running a restaurant as well as economic downturns, market bubbles, Y2K, and of course the COVID era. As I tell my family and friends to “enjoy the ride in life”, wow, what an amazing ride it has been for us! And as always, Sevy’s Grill is here for you."