Samosa News

Treasured Indian restaurant Saffron House heads to Victory Park Dallas

Saffron House twist on samosas

Saffron House/Facebook

Two new restaurants are coming to downtown Dallas-adjacent in fall 2025. One is Indian, the other is Italian. They're both from Tivona Group, the hospitality team behind Indian restaurant Sanjh, and both will debut in the Victory Park complex at 3030 Nowitzki Way.

Urban Italia
This is the Italian-American restaurant starring chef Carla Pellegrino, with housemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, meatballs, red-sauce classics, and indulgent desserts.

Chef Pellegrino was born in Brazil to Portuguese and Italian parents, and was formally trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York. Carla made her U.S. debut with the critically acclaimed Baldoria in NYC before taking the helm at Rao’s Las Vegas, where she brought the legendary East Harlem Italian institution to the Strip with resounding success. She went on to launch multiple beloved restaurants including Bratalian, Bacio, Touché, and Meatball Spot—each showcasing her signature elevated Italian cuisine and approachable hospitality.

“Italian-American cuisine is more than food—it’s culture, history, and family. When we met Chef Carla, it wasn’t just her talent that stood out, but her instinct for a style of cooking that felt both familiar and fresh,” says Tivona Group president and CEO Sanjay Joshi. “We knew there was an opportunity to celebrate the rich story of Italian-American cuisine in a way that hadn’t been done before, and Urban Italia was born from that shared vision.”

The 5,500-square-foot-space will be on the first floor and will seat 250 inside and on the patio. Both lunch and dinner will be served.

Saffron House
This is the revival of a Dallas favorite from the original owners. Tivona Group COO Probodh Arora first opened Saffron House in 2002 and it was open for nearly two decades before closing in 2019. The restaurant is now making its return with a refreshed look and renewed energy. Guests will once again enjoy the modern Indian flavors that became part of Dallas dining history—now in a bright, open, and airy 2,000-square-foot space on the second floor, with seating for 60.

Arora states, “Even today, guests at Sanjh share their fond memories of Saffron House. Some remember dining at our original Addison location, others recall our catering while celebrating weddings at Union Station or the Ritz-Carlton, and many St. Mark’s alumni grew up on our cuisine when we catered to their campus each week. That enduring love for Saffron House inspired me to bring back the concept—modernized yet true to its roots—so families in Dallas can enjoy it once again.”

The menu will highlight cherished classics from the original Saffron House, reintroduced alongside new dishes, with a vibrant cocktail program designed by renowned mixologist Yangdup Lama, Director of Beverage Program for Tivona Group.

Both lunch and dinner service will be offered, with takeout and third-party delivery available.

downtown openings

Closing News

Longtime Dallas restaurant Sevy's Grill to close after nearly 30 years

Photo courtesy of Sevy's Grill

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A longtime Dallas restaurant is closing in 2026: Sevy's Grill, which has been open at 8201 Preston Rd. near Preston Center for nearly 30 years, will close on June 27, 2026.

According to a release from the owners, they're closing due to what appears to be an increase in rent.

"After months of negotiations, we were not able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement for our fourth 10-year lease," the post said.

The restaurant is located in Preston Sherry Plaza, which was acquired in September 2025 by Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate. Somebody gotta foot the bill.

Sevy's says they are looking at other locations.

"Our focus now is to finish these next 6+ months taking care of our guests and staff at the same caring level we built our brand on: Warm, professional service, consistently good food and a comfortable ambiance where the guest is always first," the post says. "First on our list of priorities is taking care of our guests in December and all the wonderful celebrations of family, friends and business groups. We do still have some availability for reservations, including our last New Years Eve at Preston Sherry. Come celebrate with us as the exciting anticipation of a new year for all of us."

"Our second priority will be the search for a new location to continue doing what we love," they said. "We are already reviewing possible sites and will keep everyone updated regularly."

Owned by chef Jim "Sevy" Severson and his wife Amy Severson, the restaurant has long been a neighborhood favorite with a lively bar scene, and was nominated in CultureMap's 2018 Tastemaker Awards for Best Neighborhood Restaurant. They were a frequent choice for winemaker events and are also known for the longevity of their staff.

"Eight team members have been with us all 29+ years, with an average tenure in the kitchen of 15+ years and a Management team that you all know," their post said. "Come support our staff as we celebrate the next 6+ months.Thank you again for your support through all the normal challenges of running a restaurant as well as economic downturns, market bubbles, Y2K, and of course the COVID era. As I tell my family and friends to “enjoy the ride in life”, wow, what an amazing ride it has been for us! And as always, Sevy’s Grill is here for you."