Dumpling News

Chinese restaurant to pull noodles and dumplings in Highland Village

Dragon House dumplings

Dragon House

A Chinese restaurant known for its steamed dumplings and hand-pulled noodles is coming to Highland Village: Called Dragon House, it will open in the former Snuffer’s space in The Shops at Highland Village at 4050 Barton Creek, next door to the AMC theater.

This is the second location of a restaurant that started out in Southlake. According to a spokesperson, it'll open in October.

It'll have some of the staples from the Southlake location, including soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and fried rice, but with additional entrees as well as a greater selection of drinks and desserts.

“Of course, we remain dedicated to serving the diverse and flavorful Chinese cuisine that has made us a local favorite,” the spokesperson says.

Dragon House debuted at 2640 E. Southlake Blvd. in Wyndham Plaza in 2019, quickly drawing a following, particularly for its steamed dumplings, pan fried pork buns with a crispy brown underside coated with sesame seeds, and pork wontons in chili sauce. Their noodle operation is led by "Chef Dodo," an affable emigre who previously cooked for the Chinese embassy.

They also offer Chinese classics, such as orange chicken, General Tso's chicken, scallion beef, and lo mein noodles, plus beer and wine.

The restaurant has had an interesting history: After it opened, its original owner was arrested in a prostitution sting. The manager and employees took over, reopening the restaurant after it closed briefly amid the events.

In July, the restaurant was taken over by JJ Food & Beverage, a hospitality group who are expanding the concept. Following the opening in Highland Village, they're opening a location in Dallas as well, exact address still TBA.

The atmosphere at Highland Village will be more elevated with an upgraded interior design and a more welcoming ambiance. It won’t be without live noodle pulling by hand demonstrations, either. A glimpse inside the new restaurant, as seen in a rendering, shows low-hanging lights, a private dining room with a sliding door for added privacy, and a full bar.

Pie News

White Rhino Coffee acquires Dallas bakery chain Emporium Pies

Photo courtesy of Emporium Pies

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A Dallas pie company has a new boss: Emporium Pies, a small chain of pie shops founded in 2012, has been acquired by White Rhino Coffee, the Dallas-born coffee company known for its community-driven cafés and craft-focused approach.

Emporium Pie owners and sisters Landon Perdue, Jen Abohosh, and Addie Roberts say in a release that the transition reflects a natural alignment in values.

"Part of our shared mission is hospitality and giving people a reason to celebrate," Roberts says. "We love the team, who I’ll continue working alongside, and I’m excited for this next chapter together. There’s something about dessert that brings people joy in a way nothing else can, and we’re thrilled to see that legacy carried forward."

Emporium began as a small operation selling pies from a 1930s bungalow in Bishop Arts. A second location opened in McKinney in 2013, followed by Deep Ellum which opened in 2016, and Fort Worth which opened in 2021, for a total of four shops. This is the second time the chain has changed hands; the original founders sold the company in 2022.

White Rhino was founded in 2007 and currently has 12 locations, the most recent being a location at Cypress Waters, inside a conference room, which opened in 2025.

“Emporium Pies has built an extraordinary legacy,” said Sara Escamilla, CEO of White Rhino Coffee. “Their products are consistently excellent, impeccably crafted, and beloved. Every pie is made with the highest quality ingredients. To be able to support and grow a concept of this caliber is an honor.”

The bakers and Addie Roberts will remain on staff, ensuring that the recipes remain unchanged. While the businesses will operate as usual for now, White Rhino Coffee plans to explore expanding Emporium Pies’ footprint across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

They'll also introduce collaborations and menu integrations such as signature pie-and-coffee pairings.

“For now, it simply means coffee and pie - two of life’s best comforts - can be enjoyed across both brands,” Escamilla says.

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