Bagel News

Philly Cream Cheese recruits Dallas' Starship Bagels to resolve bagel issue

Starship Bagels and Philly Cream Cheese partner on a no-hole bagel.

Philly Cream Cheese

Dallas-based Starship Bagel has been recruited by a national company to solve a problem we did not know we had: bagel holes.

In a partnership with Philadelphia cream cheese, the acclaimed bagel maker has devised a limited-edition bagel with no holes, so as to make for a better platform for the spreading Philadelphia's cream cheese.

Called Philadelphia Bagel Wholes, it's a limited-edition, no-hole bagel that is available beginning January 30. Today! You can go get one today. At Starship's two locations: in downtown Dallas and the original in Lewisville.

Starship is one of five award-winning bagel shops across North America to partner with Philadelphia on this whimsical marketing quest. The five bagel shops serving the limited-edition no-hole bagel include:

Utopia Bagels in New York
Steingold’s of Chicago
Starship Bagel Dallas
Rubinstein Bagel in Seattle
St-Viateur Bagel in Montreal.

It's another accolade for Starship, rated the best bagel in Dallas and the only bagel shop from Texas to compete in the 2023 New York BagelFest, which Starship handily swept, winning top awards both for Best Bagel and Rising Star. Starship was also the only bagel shop in Texas to make a list of "The Very Best Bagels in the U.S." by Bon Appetit magazine.

According to a release, Philadelphia Bagel Wholes feature each shop’s signature bagel without the hole, providing a first-of-its-kind solution that offers more space to enjoy Philly's cream cheese spread.

“We’ve heard our fans question why bagels have holes and the limitations it poses for their favorite cream cheese, and we couldn’t agree more,” said Keenan White, Senior Brand Manager, Philadelphia at the Kraft Heinz Company. “That’s why we’re joining forces with fan-favorite shops across North America to create a more-schmear movement, maximizing the space to enjoy Philly’s signature, creamy taste with every bite.”

Philadelphia Bagel Wholes are available for purchase for a limited time in-store at all five bagel shops. Fans who can’t make it in-store can purchase the bagel for U.S. nationwide shipping via Goldbelly.com from Utopia Bagels.

Starship Bagel founder Oren Salomon is also quoted thusly:

“We’ve heard first-hand from our loyal customers about their frustrations around bagels with holes, so it was only right for us to rally with Philly, the only cream cheese that makes the cut to be on our bagels, in this creative movement,” Salomon says. “Now you can bite confidently into your bagel knowing that your bite will capture both bagel and schmear and lose none to the floor or less fortunate schmutz-dropping targets.”

Oren gives good quote.

Philadelphia Bagel Wholes will be available January 30 until February 12, while supplies last.

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Steakhouse News

High-profile Palladino's Steak & Seafood heads to Preston-Royal Dallas

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Filet Mignon will be on the menu.

A high-profile new steakhouse is coming to North Dallas: Palladino’s Steak & Seafood, an eponymous concept from Dallas restaurateur Joseph Palladino, will open at 5959 Royal Ln., in the former Spec's space.

Palladino is the larger-than-life ex-NYPD police officer-turned-restaurateur known for concepts such as Nick & Sam's Steakhouse and the Coal Vines pizza chain.

Palladino's Steak & Seafood is a newly created concept, which will combine steakhouse, Italian dishes, and seafood, particularly sushi. The first location is already penciled in for New York, opening in the former Michael Jordan Steakhouse at Grand Central Terminal, which closed in 2018.

The New York location is being designed by the international design firm Rockwell Group and according to a spokesperson, is slated to open in early summer. The Dallas spinoff will open in winter 2025.

Palladino first landed on the Dallas restaurant scene in 1998 to partner up with the equally larger-than-life restaurateur Phil Romano, and went on to have a hand in the creation of Nick & Sam’s, the swanky steakhouse on Maple Avenue (now run by Sam Romano, Phil Romano's son), Nick & Sam's Grill, Dos Jefes, and Coal Vines, his homage to the casual neighborhood restaurants reminiscent of his upbringing in New York.

Joseph Palladino and Troy Aikman Joseph Palladino and one of his many celebrity pals, Troy Aikman.Instagram

Palladino was approached by Preston Royal's landlords to open a restaurant at the center. Given his local following and celebrity draw, as well as the large local appetite for steakhouses, Dallas made sense as a second location, particularly at the highly desirable intersection of Preston and Royal.

On the culinary side, Palladino is partnered with veteran chef Sam Hazen, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America as well as an instructor there. His star-studded resume includes La Côte Basque, the Quilted Giraffe, Quatorze, Michelin three-star Le Gavroche, Terrace in the Sky, Cascabel, and Tavern on the Green. He was most recently at Tao, the glitzy Asian concept from Tao Hospitality, where he worked for a decade, giving him sushi expertise.

Palladino is busy getting the New York location open first, and the menu has yet to be revealed.

"But it'll have high-quality steaks and seafood, along with some of my trademark specials and Italian dishes," Palladino says.

However, Hazen previewed a dish on Linked In, consisting of a slice of toast with a cut-out center of pate, with accompaniments that included cornichons and mustard — like a pate version of the classic "egg in a hole."

The hospitality will match the cuisine and ambience. “I intend to bring a very special steakhouse to the city, one that the locals can embrace," Palladino says. "They’re going to receive a good experience — that’s important to me.”

"Pate in a hole" dish shared by Palladino's chef Sam Hazen.Sam Hazen

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