Frenchy French News

2 Dallas restaurants debut at train-themed development off Katy Trail

Rose Café Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Sotera's Daily Soup

Photo by Beckley

A Dallas restaurant group has just opened two restaurants at once: The group is Travis Street Hospitality, and they've opened two new concepts at The Terminal at Katy Trail, a train-themed luxury development with residential, retail, and dining that recently opened at Buena Vista Street and Fitzhugh.

Both of the restaurants are Asian-inspired: one a formal restaurant, the other a more casual cafe.

Le PasSage, at 4205 Buena Vista St. #130
Le PasSage transports guests to the romantic golden age of travel, inspired by the iconic Orient Express. The space is conceived as a series of jewel-box rooms, adorned in rich burled wood, jewel-tone fabrics, and luxurious furnishings.

The menu incorporates flavors of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and China is crafted by executive chef Hou Lam “Dicky” Fung, a Hong Kong native who brings his expertise from Mr. Chow, the famed Chinese restaurant in New York. Menu highlights include:

shaking beef (made with grass-fed filet mignon)
green prawns with cashew
gochujang roasted chicken
Dover sole with lemongrass butter
Peking duck served with pancakes
ginger scallion whole lobster for two

Dessert is by pastry chef Dyan Ng, who previously worked for Davaillon at Alain Ducasse’s Mix in Las Vegas as well as at Restaurant Guy Savoy in Las Vegas and includes a delicate yogurt ice cream with mushroom caramel and almond cookie.

Cocktails will be Asian-inspired as well, executed by George Kaiho and Travis Street Hospitality executive mixologist Mario Martinez. Wine director Daniel Bowman, a level two sommelier celebrated for his work at Georgie, has built a diverse selection of 350 wine labels and more than 50 sakes.

A wall of tea sandwiches at Rose Cafe at Le PasSagePhoto by Beckley

Rose Café at Le PasSage, at 4205 Buena Vista St. #160
A more relaxed all-day dining spot merging French and Asian cuisines — a casual, family-friendly spot that caters to both quick bites and leisurely meals. Inspired by a lush garden, it features both indoor warmth and patio greenery, making it an ideal gathering space along the Katy Trail.

The menu is by chef Sotear Tep, who has worked at The University of Texas at Austin and Camp Waldemar, and features pork shoulder bao bun, spicy beef salad, lemongrass shrimp summer rolls, coconut noodle bowl, ham & cheese croissant, and a variety of tea sandwiches.

The credits
Travis Street Hospitality includes founders Stephan Courseau and Daniele Garcia, plus managing partners Bruno Davaillon (Mansion on Turtle Creek, Bullion) and Edward Goemans; the company portfolio includes Le Bilboquet, Knox Bistro, Georgie, and The Georgie Butcher Shop. There's also another French restaurant, Frenchie, set to open in 2025 at Preston Center Plaza.

“Over the past 12 years we’ve anchored our restaurants on Travis Street within a neighborhood, Knox District, that is community driven. Le PasSage and Rose Café underscore that commitment,” says Courseau in a statement. “We are excited to introduce these two unique concepts that not only represent our growth as a restaurant collective but also our passion for French technique-driven cuisine touched by the incredible flavors of Southeast Asia.”

openings

Deep Ellum News

Mexican 'vibe' restaurant from California to open in Deep Ellum Dallas

Mama Por Dios

A buzzy concept from California is coming to Dallas: Mama Por Dios, a Mexican restaurant chain known for its vibe, will open its first location in Texas in Deep Ellum in the Epic development at 2525 Elm St., taking over the former La Neta space, which shuttered in May.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in early to mid-January.

Mama Por Dios was founded in Southern California in 2020 by chef Misael Guerrero, who famously got his start selling Mexican sushi out of his garage.

Since those early days, he's gone on to form a restaurant empire called Emme Group, with concepts that include Los Amores de Julia, El Rincon de Los Dolidos, and Culichi Town, a lower-priced chain known for Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi & seafood, which has a local presence: It opened a location in Mesquite in 2022.

Mama Por Dios — which translates to "Mother of God" — describes itself as modern Mexican, offering a unique blend of steakhouse, sushi bar, and seafood. The menu includes favorites like tacos and enchiladas, alongside luxe dishes like lobster with spaghetti, lobster enchiladas, and a surf & turf featuring a lobster tail balanced atop a skirt steak. Prices range from $18 for birria tacos to $48 for a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

But they also have a showy side that includes flamboyant presentations such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp which come strung on clothespins; or the trompito al pastor, served on a personal spit, as well as servers who walk around with shots while dancing with patrons.

There's a Gold Burger for $65 featuring Prime beef on a brioche bun garnished with 24k gold leaf, and a similarly gilded tomahawk steak for $400 that brings to mind the good old days of Salt Bae. Decor is swanky with low lighting, and there'll be a serious brunch offering on weekends.

Cocktails such as the Al Agua Pato — served in a mini bathtub with a rubber ducky — are made for Instagram. They offer margarita and mezcalita flights with flavors such as mango, tamarindo, and strawberry, and intriguing sips like Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail with Licor 43, espresso, and 43 different fruit, citrus, aromatic, and herbal ingredients.

There’s also a $20 per-person minimum spend, and the menu comes with a warning that everything is cooked to order — meaning some dishes may take 30 to 40 minutes. For many diners, waiting will surely be part of the experience.

deep-ellum tex-mex openings