Hawaiian Food

Pine Isle restaurant brings Hawaiian-style food to east Dallas

Pine Isle

There's a Hawaiian-style restaurant coming to East Dallas: Called Pine Isle, it'll be located at 2325 N. Fitzhugh Ave. #104, in a former Tom N Toms coffee space, where it's opening in mid-spring.

Pine Isle is from Kevin Singharaj, a young but veteran restaurateur whose family owns the Zaap Kitchen chain. It'll be a take-out and delivery shop focused on Hawaiian dishes — an expanded version of the Hawaiian plate lunch restaurant chains that have descended upon Dallas-Fort Worth in recent years.

Singharaj, whose family is from Laos but grew up in Dallas, became familiar with Hawaiian food after working for the Nobu restaurant chain for many years — first in Dallas, then in the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu and Lanai.

He also helped with the expansion of Zaap Kitchen, the Laotian-Thai chain opened by his brother Tony in 2017, which now has 10 locations in the DFW area. In fact, Pine Isle is located next to one of the Zaap Kitchen restaurants.

“The space next door became available, and it was an opportunity for me to develop my passion project," Kevin says. "Hawaii was very special to me. Life was totally different there, and I want to provide an insight into my experiences in Hawaii to Dallas residents."

The menu will spotlight the kind of food consumed regularly in Hawaii — seafood, pork, chicken, with Asian flavors.

The menu features an array of Hawaiian favorites such as Spam musubi, the Spam version of sushi with a slab of Spam on top of rice; and loco moco, a plate with a beef patty and sunny side egg on top of steamed rice with brown gravy.

Classic Hawaiian-style lunch plates will include pork lau lau (wrapped in steamed taro leaves), Kalua pork with cabbage, and BBQ chicken teriyaki. There'll also be marinated tuna poke, available by the pound, or in options such as a poke bowl or poke nachos. Plus chirashi bowls, hamachi, ahi tuna tataki, and BBQ chicken salad, plus Bubbies mochi ice cream and haupia coconut pudding for dessert.

"I want to share my life in Hawaii with my people in Dallas," Kevin says.

openings

Fro Yo News

Healthy dual restaurant serving smoothies and froyo to open in Prosper

Red Mango

Smoothies and frozen yogurt are coming to Prosper with two restaurants in one: Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and co-branded Red Mango will open at 1470 W. Frontier Pkwy. #102, on May 17.

On the Smoothie Kitchen side, they'll serve smoothies, juices, fruit power bowls, toasts, and grilled sandwich folds.

On the Red Mango side, they'll serve frozen yogurt with a self-serve model featuring four flavors, two additional swirl combinations, and 13 toppings.

Smoothie Factory was founded in the 1980s; Red Mango was founded in Dallas in 2007 had has 60 locations in the U.S. and internationally. The concepts are siblings — both part of the franchise portfolio of Dallas-based franchising company Brix Holdings, LLC.

Bringing the concept to Prosper are franchisees Lanford and Chianna Rodgers. Lanford is a former Illinois state trooper and independent insurance business owner, and Chiana is a financial advisor.

Together, they’re looking to offer a healthy and welcoming experience to a growing city.

“My professional career has changed over the years, but the one thing that unifies my experience is my purpose to help, support and build a community with new people,” says Chianna. “As I begin my journey as a small business owner and we open our doors to the Prosper community, I’m dedicated to leading a team that feels supported and is passionate about serving high-quality products and creating an unforgettable customer experience.”

Customers who show up on opening day can expect promotions, giveaways, prizes, and activities.

”The opening of the new Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and Red Mango location is one of many of our continuous efforts to provide better-for-you options to our guests by increasing access to healthy and delicious options in our communities,” says BRIX Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas in a statement. “Lanford is a passionate and dedicated owner with a team ready to make a positive impact and change the lives of their guests with fresh food, quality service, and a seamless customer experience. I’m confident that this location will be a Prosper neighborhood staple.”

openings ice cream desserts