Patio News

Mediterranean restaurant lands legendary patio spot in Uptown Dallas

Lyla will open on McKinney Avenue in late summer.

Courtesy rendering

In major-major patio news, there's a new restaurant set to take over the former Primo's space on Dallas' McKinney Avenue. Called Lyla, it's a Mediterranean restaurant from Dallas-based hospitality entrepreneurs Veeral Rathod and Obi Ibeto of GAP Concepts and concept partner Reham Choudhury, in partnership with Refined Hospitality Concepts, who were/are the owners of Primo's. That's quite the team.

According to a release, it'll open at 3309 McKinney Ave. in August.

Lyla is visioned as a casual yet sophisticated hangout, channeling the chic beachy vibe of destinations like Santorini, Mallorca, or St. Barths. The team is already busy reimagining the 3,000-square-foot dining room, lounge, and terrace, which was a pioneer on the patio front.

Rathod is a Dallas native with a background in finance and private equity whose resume includes cofounding custom clothier J.Hilburn, holding the CEO role at Spence Diamonds, and serving on the board of menswear company Knot Standard.

“Growing up in Dallas, I spent countless hours on that patio," he says in a statement. "We’ve long had our eye on the prime site, and we’re so excited to have the opportunity to be part of bringing it back better than ever."

The food and drink will be coastally-inspired Mediterranean cuisine with a creative beverage program.

Leading the kitchen will be Chef Cristhofer Sanchez, a native of Palm Beach, Florida who previously worked at high-profile spots such as Carbone, Uchi, Zaytinya, Top Knot, and Kai at Legacy West.

The food will focus on European coastal classics, paired with an extensive cocktail and wine offering. Food willinclude sharable apps like specialty dips, crudo, pizza, salads, pastas, wood-grilled fish, chicken, and steak.

Decor will include an entry fountain, whitewashed walls, lush plantings, arched windows, a one-of-a-kind pergola patio cover, bleached seating, classic Azulejo blue & white tile accents outdoors, an open bar, an eclectic mix of indoor and alfresco furniture including beachy banquettes, woven pendant lighting, feature art walls, and tropical greenery.

"Our intent is to offer a unique and elevated experience keeping with the area, and we also want Lyla to become a warm and inviting neighborhood bistro with a menu and ambience that we hope will entice guests to become regulars," Ibeto says. "Ultimately, it’s a place to relax with friends – and make new friends - over drinks and light bites, just like you would at a seaside cafe."

uptown openings

Escargot News

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

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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.

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