Opening News

2 French guys to open Asian fusion restaurant off Dallas' Katy Trail

Le Passage will have French and Asian cuisines

There's a new Asian restaurant opening off Dallas' Katy Trail and it's from two natives of France: Called Le Passage, it'll open at The Terminal at Katy Trail, a new development at the corner of Buena Vista Street and Fitzhugh, and it's from Travis Street Hospitality, the restaurant group which is parent to Le Bilboquet, Knox Bistro, and Georgie by Curtis Stone.

The concept is from Travis Street Hospitality founder Stephan Courseau, and chef-partner Bruno Davaillon, and according to a release, it's a long ways off, with an opening set for 2024.

Le Passage - which they are wanting to type as Le PasSage, with a little s and a big S, but we are not having that here - will feature a French-Asian fusion menu, Davaillon's first foray into the cuisine. Both he and Courseau are natives of France.

Davaillon will work in collaboration with an executive chef who is yet to be named, with a menu still to be revealed that blends French and Asian culinary styles.

"French and Asian cuisines have some very dynamic similarities in their cooking styles, so we are excited to bring in a Chef that has extensive experience in the space,” Davaillon says.

The Terminal at Katy Trail is a super-duper new high-end luxury residential building, with a design inspired by train stations. It has a total of 16 units, seven of which have already been purchased.

Design is by Austin-based architect Michael Hsu, who also designed The Terminal building and features an open-air cafe and an elaborate bar, summoning florid descriptions such as "... both elegant and striking, as well as natural and inviting ... grand, yet intimate."

The patio and cafe will offer a "lush oasis" with casual seating and a view of The Katy Trail.

Courseau says in a statement that they're thrilled about the opening and about the idea of expanding their restaurant portfolio.

"This latest concept showcases the best of Chef Bruno’s French cuisine, merged with our soon-to-be-named Executive Chef that will tie in the Asian fusion,” Courseau says. “The opening of The Terminal at Katy Trail is an exciting time for all Dallasites in general, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the neighborhood’s new and grand destination.”

Travis Street Hospitality gets its name from Travis Street, around which the restaurant portfolio is centered, beginning with the 2013 opening of Le Bilboquet Dallas, followed by Knox Bistro in 2017, and Georgie by Curtis Stone in 2019.

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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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