Closure News
Upscale Southern restaurant from Bobby Flay winner closes in Garland
Pangea
A popular restaurant in Garland from an acclaimed chef has closed after five years: Pangea, which served upscale Southern eats at 6309 N. George Bush Hwy. #8101 in the Berkshire Spring Creek Apartments, closed on January 28.
The closure was posted on Pangea's website and is effective immediately. A message on the restaurant's voicemail says "the difficult decision comes with little notice and we apologize for the inconvenience."
Pangea was founded by chef and restaurateur Kevin Ashade, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who also competed and won Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay in 2016. (His winning dish was coq au vin.)
Ashade worked in several DFW restaurants including Craft at the W Hotel, Nana at the Hilton Anatole, and The Oceanaire Seafood Room, before opening Pangea in January 2020 — possibly the worst time to open a restaurant, since it was right at the onset of the COVID pandemic.
But he powered through with a menu featuring seafood, comfort food, and global-inspired dishes, such as surf & turf, charbroiled oysters, crab cakes, shrimp & grits, fried rice, and lamb chops. Pangea also hosted a popular brunch featuring Benedicts, French toast, and chicken & waffles.
Customers loved not only his food but his charisma and sense of hospitality. One recalled that one of his first dates with his now-wife was at Pangea. "Even though you didn’t know us you came to our table and thanked us for coming," the customer said.
Prior to opening Pangea, Ashade started a catering business, GourmEats, in 2014, and he'll continue to operate that business.
The closure comes five years to the day, exactly the duration of a lease.
Ashade said he was closing "with a heavy heart," stating that "these past five years have been an extraordinary journey, one filled with cherished moments and unforgettable experiences. I am profoundly grateful to each and every guest who chose to dine with us, celebrate life's milestones and support us with unwavering loyalty. Your presence has been a constant source of inspiration, and for that, I thank you."
