Mall News
Dallas location of healthy restaurant Seasons 52 closed after New Year
In what surely seems like the worst timing ever for New Year's resolutions, a healthy restaurant in one of Dallas' most prominent malls has closed: Seasons 52, the successful concept from Darden Restaurants whereby many menu items were 500 calories or less, was forced to close its location at NorthPark Center.
The restaurant's last day was January 2. The space is now boarded up with signs that say "permanently closed."
A spokesperson for Seasons 52 called it "a tough day for everyone in the Seasons 52 family."
"Dallas was a successful location and we enjoyed serving the Dallas community. Unfortunately, our landlord elected not to allow us to renew our lease," the spokesperson said. "In no way does this reflect on the quality of our team members’ work, and we’re doing everything we can to help every team member find a new job. We’re offering everyone on the Dallas team the opportunity to join our nearby Seasons 52 location in Plano or the other 40-plus Darden restaurants in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. We expect most, if not all, our Dallas team members will be quickly offered new positions."
An employee at another business at NorthPark said that the space needed renovations and when they were unable to reach an agreement, NorthPark management refused to renew.
NorthPark did not respond to an email query.
For fervent Seasons 52 fans, the news is not all bad: The Plano location at the Shops at Legacy, at 7300 Lone Star Dr. #C100, remains open. There are also two locations in Houston, and the chain is opening another location in Texas in San Antonio, on March 30.
Darden Restaurants debuted the concept back in 2003, well ahead of its time in proving that "healthy" restaurants could be a win, with a menu orchestrated by award-winning chef Clifford Pleau that was inspired by the seasons and the fresh appeal of the farmers' market, 52 weeks a year.
It boasts a broad and inventive menu, ambitious wine program, and sophisticated atmosphere. Calories are discreetly marked on each dish, be it a roasted half chicken with vegetables and Yukon gold mashed potatoes at 460 calories or a 220-calorie watercress salad with Gorgonzola cheese and pine nuts.
Developed by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, the wine list earns praise for its diverse international selection of 100 wines, including more than 52 offered by the glass.
The restaurant is also beloved for its "miniature indulgences" dessert program, with mini servings that offered just a taste of decadence without excess.
Seasons 52 has made a number of CultureMap lists including Where to Take Holiday Visitors , Best Wine Program, and 10 Restaurants Worth The Wait.