Kolaches Gone Wild

New shop I Heart Kolache turns out every kind of kolache imaginable

Kolaches from I Heart Kolache come in a variety of flavors.

Photo courtesy of I Heart Kolache
I Heart Kolache is a new shop in Farmers Branch.

Photo courtesy of I Heart Kolache

A new shop devoted to kolaches, those small, filled rolls of Czech origin, has opened in Farmers Branch with a long list of options, both savory and sweet. I Heart Kolache has every kolache category imaginable: sweets, cheese, meats and fruit.

On the savory side, the menu includes sausage; potato, egg and cheese; turkey with Swiss cheese; and Philly cheese steak. Sweet kolaches come with cream cheese and nine fruit flavors such as peach, strawberry, lemon, apricot, cherry, plum, apple, blueberry and poppy seed.

There is even a "vegetable" category of kolaches, with spinach, bell pepper, squash and Parmesan cheese. There are also croissants, cinnamon rolls, sticky buns and muffins, plus a line of espresso drinks.

The New York Times pronounced kolaches as an up-and-coming trend, calling it "the next-generation doughnut." Although many doughnut shops stock it as a side thing, Dallas has few dedicated kolache shops. Last year, Houston-based Kolache Factory spread its wings north, opening a branch on Coit Road in Plano.

I Heart Kolache is in a space that was previously vacant, which has been finished out with a nice Panera-esque wood and brick decor.

"We opened less than a month ago; we're still getting settled," says manager Yvonne Young. "We start very early in the morning. We open at 6 am. Customers are already waiting for us. They come in on their way to work and get boxes to take into the office."

The recipes are overseen by a veteran baker who Young says has been making kolaches for 20 years but doesn't want to have her own shop. They're considering opening other branches in the area, including Southlake, Denton and downtown Dallas.

"It's intense work and very early morning hours," she says. The shop is currently open until 4 pm but may stay open later in response to requests from neighbors who come home from work and crave a kolache.

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Gearing up

Upscale sports bar Moxies will touch down at The Star in Frisco

Moxie's

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Moxies, the upscale-casual concept founded in Canada and co-owned by Dallas Stars proprietor Tom Gaglardi, is joining the restaurant lineup at The Star in Frisco.

According to a release, a new location of Moxies will open in The Star District, at 3680 The Star Blvd. #1300, in an old City Works space, in 2027.

The sporty restaurant at the home of the Cowboys will be designed for everything from lunch and happy hour to dinner and late-night gatherings, offering chef-driven dishes with a lively bar experience in a polished, social setting, the owners say. The new location will include the restaurant's signature statement bar, elevated dining experience and high-energy hospitality.

“Being part of The Star in Frisco is a perfect fit for Moxies,” says Joanne Forrester, president and COO of Moxies, in the release. “The entire district is built around elevated experiences and connection — training, work, entertainment and hospitality all in one place. That’s where we thrive. Our chef-driven dishes, signature cocktails and statement bar are designed for exactly this kind of social, high-energy setting anchored by the Dallas Cowboys.”

Frisco will be the fourth DFW location for Moxies. The first one debuted at The Crescent in Uptown Dallas in 2016, and got a major renovation in 2024. The chain also has locations in Plano and Southlake.

Moxies is owned by Gaglardi, proprietor of the Dallas Stars, and brought to the U.S. by franchise group Eatz Hospitality.

While few details of the Frisco location have been revealed, the other locations serve lunch, brunch, dinner, and happy hour specials, with a menu of elevated American classics overseen by executive chef Brandon Thordarson. A typical Moxies menu includes:

Sushi Cones, made of tempura shrimp with avocado, pea shoots, nori crisps and drizzled with sesame chili ponzu
Poutine, the Canadian staple with French fries, hot beef gravy, and cheese curds
Kale and Quinoa Salad
Vegetarian Power Bowl with marinated tofu, shiitake mushrooms, soft boiled egg, vegetables, and greens

Brunch options include:

Vegetarian Huevos Rancheros
Smoke Salmon Goat Cheese & Egg White Omelet
Sicilian Sausage Hash

The traditional Moxies bar features craft cocktails such as Strawberry Ghost Pepper Margarita and a Hard Lemonade made with Tito’s Vodka.

The spaces typically feature an extended bar, a large covered patio, TVs inside and outside, and flex walls that can be converted for private dining experience and party spaces.

Other openings at The Star in Frisco

Moxies will join previously announced bar The Imperial Room, which will open at at 3685 The Star Blvd. in early September (aka "next week," a spokesperson clarifies).

The new bar will open next door to the Frisco location of Cane Rosso, and is from PILF Restaurant Group (Cane Rosso, Zoli's Pizza, and Thunderbird Pies), which also owned Cow Tipping Creamery, which closed in July.

With seating for 25 to 30 guests, The Imperial Room will offer an intimate setting for pre-event cocktails, date nights, celebrations and late-night gatherings, the release says. Guests can expect a sophisticated cocktail program featuring expertly executed classics and original creations, complemented by elevated shareable plates and select entrées.

PILF Restaurant Group has drafted acclaimed Dallas bartender Gabe Sanchez, whose work has helped shape cocktail programs at some of the city's most respected bars.

Longtime Star Tex-Mex restaurant Mi Cocina has expanded its outdoor dining experience with a renovation of its main patio, at 6740 Winning Dr. Ste. 1010. The enhanced space features additional seating, permanent heaters, larger fans, and drop-down shades, creating a more comfortable three-season patio for guests to enjoy throughout the year, the release says.

On the non-restaurant front, Élan Sculpt Club, a new luxury boutique fitness concept combining infrared-heated sculpt classes with Pilates reformer training, is opening its flagship location at The Star District, at 3620 The Star Boulevard, #1215.

Moxie’s is also known for their light sign décor, centered on the main dining wall, that spells out "I will if you will."

opening frisco moxies sports bar