2 splashy restaurant concepts open side by side in Deep Ellum Dallas

Not one but two new restaurant-bars are opening in Deep Ellum. It's a sibling arrival from Flagship Restaurant Group, the Omaha-based hospitality company (Blue Sushi Sake Grill, Plank Provisions), located at 2625 Main St., in the former Braindead Brewing space.

Ghost Donkey is a tequila and mezcal bar, with locations in Las Vegas, Auckland, Melbourne, Chicago, Phoenix, Denver, and Omaha. Right next door will be Palma, a Tex-Asian restaurant and bar with a lush, indoor-outdoor space.

According to a release, they'll open on May 5.

Ghost Donkey
Mezcal and tequila bar will offer an extensive selection with agave-forward cocktails and zero-proof creations, garnished with florals. Highlights include:

• Mushroom Margarita: Huitlacoche-infused Montelobos, Mezcal Espadín, Nixta licor de elote, agave, and lime
• Burro Tropical: Terralta Blanco tequila, Uruapan Charanda blended rum, Chinola passion fruit, Calpico, and lemon
• Highland Picnic: Koch Elemental Mezcal, Terralta Reposado tequila, yuzu, lime, agave, and egg white
• Al Pastor (Zero-Proof): Pineapple, achiote, lime, taco seasoning, and cilantro
• Lavender Sour (Zero-Proof): Lavender, yuzu, honey, and vanilla

The food includes tacos and quesadillas ranging from the Chicken Tinga to Carne Asada and vegetarian Mushroom & Roasted Corn; plus shareable bites, or Antojitos, like Shrimp Ceviche, Guacamole, and Esquites. Nibbles, nachos, tacos, churros.

Decor includes a life-sized donkey adorned in parade florals; neon, eccentric accents; and a sea of multi-colored ceiling lights, with a bar staff that shines as entertainers, Latin-inspired music, and a nightly light show featuring signature red twinkle lights that cast a glow.

Palma
Dallas will be the second location of Palma — the first is in Phoenix — with a lush interior, towering palm trees, a mural wall animated with digital graphics, and a skylight that fills the space with natural light. The indoor-outdoor layout opens onto a sprawling patio lined with fireplaces, fountains, and a canopy of potted and hanging plants, creating a transportive oasis.

Rooted in Asian and Southwestern influences, Palma’s menu blends bold flavors with thoughtful presentation. Offerings include classic and specialty maki rolls, inventive shareables, party platters, main dishes, and desserts. Open for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch, Palma delivers an energetic dining experience set to a lively soundtrack, designed for gathering and staying awhile.

The food is a hipster global mishmash, with everything from sushi to smash burgers to a banh mi cheesesteak, as follows:

• Thai Curry Fries with chili mayo
• Banh Mi Cheesesteak with Oaxaca cheese, kewpie mayo, pickled daikon, jalapeño, kimchi, and herbs
• KFC Crispy Chicken Sandwich with pickled slaw, Korean aioli, and matcha chili crisp
• Shrimp Curry Noodles with Chinese broccoli, vadouvan curry, red onion, and ginger-scallion sauce
• Galbi Short Ribs with sticky rice, kimchi, crispy soft egg, pickled red cabbage, Korean aioli, and pineapple chili condiment
• Ube Bingsu Sundae with shaved ice, white chocolate, coconut, sea salt, and strawberry compote
• Five Spice Beignets with dulce de leche and sea salt
• Honey Butter Crunch Pain Perdu with bananas foster, corn flakes, vanilla ice cream, and powdered sugar

“Dallas has long been an important market for us, with Blue Sushi Sake Grill thriving in Uptown and Preston Hollow Village, and Plank Provisions growing in Fort Worth,” says Flagship CEO and co-owner Nick Hogan. “With Ghost Donkey and Palma, our goal was to bring concepts that feel fresh and transportive, yet still resonate with the energy of Deep Ellum. The neighborhood is known as one of the city’s most exciting culinary and cultural districts, and we saw an opportunity to contribute something new here. Both brands have built strong followings in other major cities, and we’re excited to see the Dallas community build a connection with them.”