Closure News

Dallas bar closes after surviving a decade in Deep Ellum

On Premise Deep Ellum: RIP

On Premise

A Dallas bar that opened 10 years ago in Deep Ellum is closing its doors: On Premise, which rode a decade-long wave in the often-turbulent neighborhood, will close on October 31.

According to founder Adam Salazar, they were unable to come to terms on a new lease. Salazar calls it "a helluva run."

The bar occupied a prime spot at 2711 Elm St. in what is arguably the hottest address in Deep Ellum: along the stretch of Elm Street between Crowdus and Good Latimer Freeway — and right in between the old Green Room (also now closed) and Trees.

On Premise took over a space that had previously been home to Lemongrass Bistro, a Thai restaurant which also lasted an equally impressive 15 years in a neighborhood. The space clearly has good karma.

It originally started out as a restaurant with a menu by then-ultrahot chef Brian Zenner, Salazar recalls.

"In the beginning, we were a restaurant-bar, so we'd have a dinner rush, then a little late-night bar activity — we could do it all," Salazar says. "We had a cool steampunk theme, with nicely appointed decor."

"But Deep Ellum 10 years ago is a lot different than what it is now," he says.

That was also pre-pandemic, and like every other business, On Premise pivoted. Their strategy was to cut back on the restaurant element, and for a brief spell in 2021, they hosted a pop-up burger joint called Holy Cow. In the end, they transitioned into strictly a late-night bar.

Salazar also owns two other successful concepts: The Mitchell, the swanky bar in downtown Dallas which is coming up on its 10th anniversary; and Ye Olde Scarlet Pumpernickel Tavern, the pub-style American tavern also in downtown.

The landlord at On Premise is Westdale, who are reportedly going to redo the building, which hasn't been renovated since at least 2000.

On Premise will close out with a big party on Halloween night.

"My only regret at this point is feeling bad for our staff who put everything into it and had everything to do with us staying open," Salazar says. "But I feel proud to say that we managed to be successful to the end."

deep-ellum closings

Escargot News

New all-day French bistro in downtown Rockwall is all from scratch

Facebook

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.

openings