Rockwall News

Dallas hospitality team opens restaurant in Rockwall honoring city founder

Deviled eggs will be on the menu at Wade's Landing.

Felix Culpa

A new restaurant with hipster credentials is coming to Rockwall: Called Wade's Landing, it's from a veteran Dallas hospitality team and it's opening at 308 N. Fannin St. in downtown Rockwall, in the former Roundabout space.

According to cofounder Chris Beardon, it'll open in March.

The restaurant and its name pay tribute to the history of Rockwall, specifically Terry Utley "T.U." Wade, who city history tells us named Rockwall for a literal rock wall geological formation he discovered while digging a well in the mid-1800s, and suggested naming the town Rockwall in its honor. This is how towns got named back in the day! The town of Rockwall was platted on April 17, 1854.

"Wade's Landing pays homage to our city's roots," Beardon says in a statement. "Our name itself reflects the captivating tale of Terry Wade's discovery of the famous Rock Wall in 1852. It's a story that defines our community, and we're here to celebrate it."

They describe the menu as a culinary journey, with dishes such as Million Dollar Deviled Eggs, Chili & Waffles, Wade’s Chop Salad, The East West Beef Dog, Cedar Plank Salmon, and Steak Frites.

The bar will serve craft cocktails, local beers, and a wine selection they describe as eclectic. They'll also serve brunch on weeekends, both Saturday and Sunday.

Beardon's partners include his brother Mark Beardon, Stephen "Scuba" Underhill Jr, and Massimiliano Sgarbi, who, as 3ntourage Hospitality, have launched multiple concepts around Dallas including PM: A Nightlife Lounge, Dahlia Bar & Bistro, Ill Minster Pub, and Felix Culpa.

And here's a sweet touch: This is a hometown venture. Apparently the city boys have moved to the country.

"As proud Rockwall residents ourselves, Wade's Landing is more than just a restaurant to us; it's a home away from home for everyone who walks through our doors," Beardon says. "We want this to be a place where the community gathers, celebrates, and creates lasting memories."

cocktails openings

Coming soon

Chinese restaurant from celeb chef to debut in Dallas Design District

A table spread at Night Rooster with tea smoked duck, noodles, and steamed redfish

Samantha Marie Photography

Tea-smoked duck, steamed redfish, and more await at Night Rooster

A new Chinese fine dining restaurant from a celebrity chef will debut in Dallas’ Design District later this month: Called Night Rooster, it will open at 1000 N. Riverfront Blvd., taking over the first floor of the building that's home to Italian steakhouse The Saint.

A Saint-sibling concept from Hooper Hospitality Concepts, Night Rooster is the culmination of 20 years of conversations between restaurateur Andy Hooper and Los Angeles chef Shirley Chung, the Beijing-born chef who’s appeared on food competition shows such as Top Chef and Food Network’s Tournament of Champions.

This is the first Dallas restaurant for Chung, whose kitchen experience includes working alongside culinary heavy-hitters like Thomas Keller and Jose Andres.

“Shirley and I have talked about building something together for over 20 years, and Night Rooster is the realization of that dream,” Hooper says in a release. “Night Rooster tells a story — of friendship, perseverance, and starting fresh — and we’re incredibly proud to bring that story to life.”

Chef Shirley Chung.Photo by Samantha Marie Photography

Chung, dubbed the “Dumpling Queen of Los Angeles,” brings her own brand of perseverance to the restaurant. In 2024, Chung was at the top of her culinary game when she was diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, says the release.

After undergoing an “intensive” treatment regimen, her cancer is now in full remission, and she’s been busy dreaming up a menu of Texas-inflected Chinese dishes ranging from orange quail, a play on the classic Chinese-American orange chicken, to cheeseburger-stuffed potstickers.

Elsewhere on the menu, diners will find creative, shareable dishes like jasmine tea smoked duck, tequila-marinated Drunken Yellowtail, and multiple noodle options, including the Cacio e Sichuan Pepe, a tingly riff on the classic Italian pasta with Sichuan peppercorn.

Many dishes will be made with ingredients from local purveyors, like beef from Outpost 76 Ranch in Sulphur Springs and mushrooms from Arlington’s Texas Fungus.

Night Rooster dumplings Chef Shirley Chung is known as the "Dumpling Queen of Los Angeles."Photo by Samantha Marie Photography

Night Rooster's cocktail menu will have a similar focus on blending Texas ingredients with Chinese flavors and techniques, all with a modern twist. Drinks like the East Meets West, mixed with Nikka Coffey malt whisky, bourbon, black sugar, bitters, and cherrywood smoke, await.

When it debuts on January 31, Night Rooster will be open for dinner service only. The restaurant will serve dinner Sunday-Thursday from 5-10 pm, and Friday-Saturday from 5-11 pm.

chefs chinese restaurant design district openings