Cocktail Kitchen News

Chic Euro-inspired Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen makes debut in Frisco

Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen

A European-inspired restaurant and lounge has opened in downtown Frisco: Elaine’s Cocktail Kitchen, a restaurant and lounge from Alora Hospitality Group, has opened at 8763 7th St, in a space previously occupied by charcuterie spot Board & Bread, where it is serving shareable plates and craft cocktails for happy hour, dinner, or casual drinks and bites.

Alora Hospitality Group was founded in 2024 by Donny Churchman, CEO of Nack Development, and hospitality entrepreneur Jason Young. AHG is dedicated to cultivating hospitality concepts that elevate and enrich historic downtowns. Elaine’s joins a growing portfolio of brands, including 1902 Prosper, set to open later this year.

Food
The menu, created by AHG COO and culinary director Amy DiBiase, a Johnson & Wales grad who previously worked for San Diego’s InterContinental Hotel, the acclaimed Tidal at Paradise Point Resort, and Grand Restaurant Group. For Elaine's, DiBiase is drawing from her Italian roots to craft dishes that are both refined and approachable.

Menu highlights include

Elaine’s Charcuterie - rotating selection of cheeses and meats
Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppadew Peppers
Buffalo Deviled Eggs - blue cheese filling, carrot, and celery
Stone Fruit Panzanella with cherry tomatoes, pickled red onion, bocconcini, cucumber
Roasted Beets & Burrata with greens, oranges, pistachios

There's a "spreadables" section of spreads including Whipped Lemon Basil Goat Cheese with crispy prosciutto & strawberries; Blue Cheese Mousse with with endive & candied walnuts; and Marin French Cheese Co.'s Petite Crème with a caramelized sugar top, apples, and candied pecans.

Pressed sandwiches served on sourdough from Frisco bakery Croix Bakehouse includes the Brie and Honeycrisp Apple Sandwich with cheddar, and French Onion Sandwich with gruyère, fontina, red dragon, caramelized onion, and French onion broth.

Cocktails are overseen by veteran mixologist Chris Norton including Elaine’s Martini with Tito’s Vodka, passionfruit liqueur, and a sparkling wine sidecar; and Ashes & Agave with Socorro Blanco Tequila, Rosaluna Mezcal, Aperol, & sparkling grapefruit.

Plus zero-proof cocktails and wine by the glass or bottle.

Decor
Designed by Burress Design Group, the interior evokes a 1920s parlor, with velvet emerald sofas, marble-topped tables, and vintage crystal chandeliers.

There are 44 seats inside plus bistro-style patio seating.

Alora Hospitality Group is currently developing a portfolio of experience-driven concepts with thoughtfully restored settings, bringing renewed energy and timeless elegance to the heart of historic downtowns that include Old Town Pie Co., 1902 Prosper, and MaryAnn’s Speakeasy.

openings

Lobster Roll News

Famous lobster sandwich shop rolls into Dallas near Victory Park

Mason's

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls

A restaurant centered on lobster rolls is coming to Dallas: Called Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, it's a chain based in Maryland and will open its first location in Dallas in The Union building at 2301 N. Akard St. #260, near Victory Park in a space previously occupied by Creamistry, an ice cream chain.

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls was founded in 2014 by Dan Beck, a former restaurant seafood buyer who opened his first location in Anapolis, Maryland. He began franchising in 2016. Once Dallas is open, the chain will have 37 locations, mostly up and down the East Coast, although none actually in New England. There is, however, one in Austin which opened in 2021.

The menu is centered on lobster rolls with five varieties that include both Maine and Connecticut styles:

Maine lobster roll with mayo and lemon butter
Connecticut roll with butter
Lobster salad roll, in which lobster is tossed in mayo with diced celery
Lobster BLT roll, with bacon
Bar Harbor, which has more lobster including a lobster tail

They also do a variety of other seafood rolls such as a crab roll, a crab cake roll, and a shrimp roll — all of which are served in a New England-style hot dog bun whose opening is on top of the bun rather than on the side, providing a better vessel for whatever is ladled into the bun.

Prices range from $17 to $27.

Other menu items include New England clam chowder, lobster bisque, and lobster mac & cheese.

The concept comes to Dallas via franchisee Thu Bui who discovered the concept while visiting the location in Austin.

"Just over a year ago, I tasted my first Mason’s Famous Lobster Roll, and I knew that I needed to bring their freshness and quality back home to Dallas,” Bui says. “It was unlike anything I’d ever tried before with the Mason’s New England Split Top roll and the high-quality lobster. I am excited for the Dallas community to experience their own taste of Maine with all of our delicious menu items whether they’re a lobster lover or they’re trying it for the first time!”

The Dallas location will celebrate a grand opening on December 13 with various giveaways including the opportunity to win free lobster rolls for a year.

One might think that a restaurant chain dedicated entirely to lobster rolls would be a one-of-a-kind deal, but Mason's actually marks the second lobster-roll chain that has come to Dallas: In November, a chain from Phoenix called Angie's opened its first location in Plano.

trends downtown openings

Cocktail Kitchen News

Chic Euro-inspired Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen makes debut in Frisco

Crazy wave of Dallas restaurants and bars have all just opened

Ambitious Indian restaurant Jashan opens at Plano's Legacy North

New restaurant The Gibson fills needs of its North Dallas neighborhood

Lobster Roll News

Famous lobster sandwich shop rolls into Dallas near Victory Park