Dessert News

Decadent desserts in jars from celebrity Top Chef roll in to Dallas

Jars By Fabio Viviani

jars

Desserts in jars from a celebrity chef have arrived in Dallas: Jars by Fabio Viviani, a fast-casual dessert brand serving popular desserts in jars, has opened a location at 3610 Greenville Ave., taking over the former Society Bakery, which relocated in December.

This is the second of a planned 10 franchised stores in the DFW area. The first opened in Fort Worth in January 2024.

Longtime fans of Top Chef will recall Fabio Viviani, who was a contestant in 2008, voted "fan favorite," and was among the most engaging and dreamy contestants to ever appear on the series. That is a totally objective statement. To wit:

Top Chef Fabio Viviani Why yes, chef Fabio Viviani, I will totally buy your desserts in a jar.Courtesy photo

A native of Italy who moved to the U.S. in 2005, he's cultivated a profile as a celebrity chef, hospitality developer, best-selling cookbook author, and TV host, opening dozens of restaurants, bars, and event spaces, and serving as spokesperson for several international brands.

He founded Jars in 2021 as a gourmet quick-serve dessert concept serving an assortment of classic desserts from around the world in a single-serve jar. The first corporate location opened in Chicago's West Loop in February 2023, and there are now many more in development.

The menu rotates through more than 100 recipes, featuring classics such as cherry cheesecake, birthday cake, and even gluten free options.

Selections include:

German Chocolate Cake - Chocolate Custard, Chocolate Cake, Caramel and Coconut Center With a Coconut Rim
French Vanilla cake - French Vanilla Custard, White Sponge Cake, Vanilla Frosting, Rainbow Sprinkles
Tiramisu Espresso & Cream Custard, Coffee-Dipped Lady Fingers, Nilla Wafer, Cocoa Powder
Tres Leches Cake - Salted Caramel, Tres Leches Sponge Cake, Sweet Strawberries, Crunch Cereal Topping

Prices range from $7 to $10. They also do soft-serve ice cream, a big trend, which can be ordered plain, or with toppings such as cake pieces and Fruity Pebbles, or in milkshakes in flavors such as strawberry shortcake, banana cream pie, cookies & cream, and red velvet cheesecake. Plus flavored waters such as mango passion fruit and blood orange.

Bringing the Jars concept to DFW are husband-and-wife Jason and Tejal Wible, franchise veterans whose prior businesses include a location of Dogtopia.

They're particularly happy about the Dallas location they've secured.

"Greenville Avenue is known to be a bustling area with nightlife, restaurants, and neighborhoods all in the same place," Tejal says. "We thought that would be great exposure for us, and feel confident we found the perfect spot to bring the next big thing in desserts.”

They're still in soft-opening mode with limited hours: currently full time from 12-10 pm this week, but then reduced hours from 4-10 pm, in the days leading up to their Grand Opening event taking place on June 14.

"Fabio will be coming in and will be on TV and then in the store for a meet-and-greet," she says. Repeat: Fabio will be in Dallas. Squeal!

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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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