Put on your eatin' pants
New on the Dallas restaurant scene: A crazy spate of fall openings
It's the most restauranty time of the year, and Dallas-Fort Worth is enjoying a plethora, a surfeit, a glut of openings — so abundant that a list is required to keep track. Preston Center is hot! Shazam:
Soleo Mexican Kitchen. Sweet, beautifully appointed mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant at Hillcrest and Northwest Highway officially opened October 12 with an open kitchen, taco bar and triptych on the wall.
FT33. Highly anticipated restaurant in the Design District starring chef Matt McCallister opened October 12. Restaurant features beautiful design on the plate and off and a celebrity staff that includes sommelier Ryan Tedder and Top Chef contestant/pastry chef Josh Valentine.
Tacos & Avocados. Chef-owner Jason Boso replaced the last Cowboy Chow (sob) in Roanoke with this more casual concept in mid-September. The menu is simple and more approachable, with tacos, guacamole and tacos. Boso kept the Cowboy Chow brisket, so that's something.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Another burger concept, this one from Austin, Hopdoddy opened October 3 in the old 24-Hour Fitness space (and before that, Larry North) in Preston Center. They're big on the word "craft." They call their burgers "crafted"— none of those bogus uncrafted burgers, no-sir-ee — and brag on the craft beer list, too.
Ocho Kitchen + Cocktails. New Mexico-inflected Mexican with menu from Santa Fe chef Eric DiStefano opened in the old Preston's space (and before that, Park Cities Prime, and before that, Szechuan Pavilion) in Preston Center September 24. The second-floor bar has its own hopping Park Cities scene.
Grip Mediterranean Grill. The brothers behind Ali Baba and Terra Mediterranean opened this fast-casual spot featuring pita wraps and salads October 1. Eater cleverly described it as "Chipotle but with gyros, dolmas, falafel and Greek salads."
Ser Steak + Spirits. Goodbye interesting chef food; hello steakhouse. Ser, which opened atop the Hilton Anatole October 1, replaces Nana Grill. For months preceding its opening, Ser was serving gratis meals to groups of bloggers and "influencers" like "Royal Chef" Darren McGrady; waiting to see how that works out for them.
Jack's Southern Comfort Food. Latest creation from serial restaurant creator Scott Jones is a small home-cooking spot on Lower Greenville Avenue that opened October 5 in the old Ali Baba spot with biscuits biscuits biscuits.
Ellen's Southern Kitchen. Great American restaurant in the West End open all day and night, with good coffee, a full bar and breakfast all the time. Slated to open by October 19, but who's counting?
The Greek. New concept from folks behind Ziziki's takes over the space previously occupied by The Commissary. The owners already had some bumps — first a name change (from the less-comprehensible Meze) and then a chef change (former Boulevardier chef Taylor Kearney) — but they're on track to open October 19.
Also in the coming-soon category:
- The Dallas branch of Seasons 52, the fancy lo-cal place from big restaurant company Darden, opening in NorthPark Center October 29 (following the Plano branch at the Shops at Legacy)
- A second branch of TuLu's Gluten-Free Bakery opening Thursday in the old Orange Cup space in West Village
- British Beverage Co., a pub opening in the Quadrangle October 30
- JoJo Eating House & Bar, also by the Quadrangle, in the old Bella space
- Two restaurants with extremely high-profile chefs: Stampede 66 from Stephan Pyles, slated to open October 29, and Spoon from John Tesar, slated to open — in Preston Center, no less — the first week of November