Opening News

Acclaimed restaurant Meridian at The Village Dallas stages comeback

Eduardo Osorio at Meridian

Eduardo Osorio

A once-acclaimed restaurant in Dallas is returning with a new lease on life: Meridian, the restaurant at The Village Dallas complex at 5650 Village Glen Dr., which has been closed since mid-2024, is returning with a new identity, menu, chef, and profile and is set to open in early May.

Meridian was the Brazilian restaurant that opened in Dallas' The Village with a big bang in 2021 — part of an ambitious mixed-use dining and entertainment complex the complex initiated in 2020. It became a platform for popular chef Junior Borges and went on to win accolades such as CultureMap's 2022 award for Best Restaurant in Dallas, and another award in 2023 for Best Chef.

Since then, many of the original concepts have been tweaked or else closed, and Borges departed in 2023. Meridian then temporarily closed in late summer 2024.

According to the release, the new Meridian will celebrate approachability, community, and seasonality — shifting from its previous profile as a fine-dining destination and more towards "refined neighborhood bistro" — still chef-driven, but more relaxed and welcoming in spirit.

The dining room will boast a more laid-back, lived-in energy, while the bar will serve as a casual drop-in spot for cocktails, small bites, and conversation. Thoughtful service, a wine list, and a commitment to culinary excellence will remain at the core of the experience.

Meridian at The VillageThe Village

In a statement, the Village's VP of Food & Beverage Brandy Spence says the new Meridian will follow what they see as a shift toward a more relaxed, neighborhood-oriented style, with a flexible à la carte menu, shareable dishes, and a bar designed for casual drop-ins and conversation.

“We saw an opportunity to create something that feels more personal and more in tune with everyday life at The Village,” Spence says. “This next chapter of Meridian is about delivering thoughtful food and genuine hospitality in a setting that feels approachable, familiar, and connected to the community around us, and to Dallas as a whole."

Spearheading the transformation will be executive chef Eduardo Osorio, who has worked for The Village since January 2024 and previously worked for Catch Hospitality and the 50 Eggs restaurant group (Yardbird Table & Bar).

"This new version of Meridian is about creating a space people can return to regularly whether for a casual dinner with neighbors or a night out on the town with friends,” Osorio says. “We’re focusing on seasonality, simplicity, and soul without losing the thoughtful approach that’s always been part of the restaurant’s DNA.”

Now open

Taiwanese restaurant in Frisco brings soup dumplings to 2nd DFW location

Photo courtesy of Kitchen Master

Kitchen Master's menu spans traditional dumplings, fresh sashimi, prime cuts, and house noodles.

A Taiwanese restaurant known for its handmade soup dumplings has debuted in Southlake: Kitchen Master is now open at 3311 E. State Hwy. 114, in the space previously occupied by Mughlai Fine Indian Cuisine, which closed in 2024.

The first restaurant opened in Frisco in 2020, followed by locations in Tamsui, Taiwan, and Suwanee, Georgia.

Kitchen Master is owned by Ian Peng, a Taiwanese entrepreneur who moved to the U.S. when he was 8 years old. He comes from a family of restaurant owners in Taipei and grew up working in the kitchen before moving on to Japanese restaurants and eventually launching his own concept.

While the original Frisco location focused on authentic Taiwanese cuisine, the Southlake restaurant expands into broader Pan-Asian influences, along with a deep selection of Japanese dishes inspired by Peng’s background.

Highlights of the Southlake menu include:

Mala Berkshire pork house soup dumplings
Szechuan Berkshire pork wontons infused with Chinese spices
Lamb chops with homemade chimichurri and lemongrass aioli
Hamachi crudo with strawberry vinaigrette and yuzu juice

There’s also a nigiri tasting sampler, described as a mini omakase experience featuring chef-selected fish and toppings.

Most entrees are priced under $30, while noodle and rice dishes stay under $20. The restaurant also features a raw bar with traditional sushi rolls starting at $10 and signature rolls at $16. For lunch during the week, an assortment of stir-fry options is available for around $15, each served with soup and a rice bowl.

“Our focus is on the best ingredients we can use," Peng says. "We elevated our menu with prime cuts and better meats that result in a more flavorful and delicate dish."

A full bar serves cocktails made with premium spirits, with an emphasis on artful presentation. A happy hour menu will launch soon, they say.

Craft cocktails at Kitchen Master feature house-made syrups, fresh garnishes, and premium spirits.Photo courtesy of Kitchen Master

Spanning 9,000 square feet, the Southlake location includes a raw bar, dedicated cocktail bar, spacious main dining room, and patio.

“For our new restaurants in Georgia and Taiwan, we introduced a more modern look and a relaxed eating environment, and we’ve brought that same vision to Southlake,” Peng says.

Hours are 11am-9 pm Tuesday-Thursday and 11 am-11 pm Friday-Saturday. It is closed Sunday and Monday.

While the restaurant is already open for service, they are planning a grand opening event in September, they say.

asian cuisine openings southlake