A dumpling shop from New York is coming to Dallas: Brooklyn Dumpling Shop will open its first Texas location in Dallas in Deep Ellum, offering traditional and specialty dumplings influenced by flavors found in a typical New York City diner.

According to a release, it'll open on May 15, at 2548 Elm St. and not just with dumplings but also bowls.

The concept was founded in New York in May 2021; this is the sixth location and first outside of the New York area (although, despite the name, there are none actually located in Brooklyn).

The menu consists of traditional dumpling flavors plus specialty flavors, plus gluten-free options, plus the abovementioned bowls, plus sides and desserts.

Traditional dumpling options include Crispy Pork, Pork & Chive, Kung Pao Chicken; and Potstickers including Chicken Teriyaki, Pork & Cabbage, and Vegetable.

Specialty Dumplings can be ordered "seared" (in a pan) or "crispy" (deep-fried) in seven flavors: Buffalo Chicken, Korean BBQ, Reuben, Steak & Cheese, Mac & Cheese, Chicken Parmesan, and Pepperoni Pizza.

You get four dumplings to an order, for $6 to $10 and you can mix and match dumpling flavors in an order.

In their "Chop Chop Bowls," you select a base from white rice, lo mein noodles, or mixed greens; a protein (chicken, crispy chicken, pulled pork, crispy shrimp, plant-based chicken), and sauce (peanut sauce, buffalo ranch, Kung Pao, sweet & sour, teriyaki).

The concept is being brought to Dallas by franchisee Sam Cole, who says in a statement that he loved "the tech."

The tech is that you can order online or at an in-store kiosk, scan a barcode, and pick up your order in a locker, similar to the old-school automat.

The Dallas location will feature 14 hot and 4 cold lockers and a pick-up window. They'll also offer 34 seats if you want to dine in.

Cole says they chose Deep Ellum because of the diverse crowd of lunchtime office inhabitants, local residents, and late-night partygoers who are either familiar with the brand or will embrace the quality, convenience, and pricing.

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop was created by Stratis Morfogen, a third-generation NYC restaurateur with over 40 years of restaurant experience. He and his partners owned a full-service Asian-inspired steakhouse, Brooklyn Chop House, whose dumplings were popular. They hatched this dumplings-centric spinoff that would be scalable and quick-service.

There's a mechanical bull coming to Dallas' Deep Ellum, courtesy of a new bar called Rodeo Dallas, opening in late spring.

Rodeo is a spinoff of a concept founded in Arizona, and it's opening at 2724 Elm St., in the space previously occupied by Wits End. Construction is already well underway and according to co-owner Joseph "JD" Ybanez, it'll open in early summer.

The original is called Rodeo Ranch, and was founded in 2018 in Tempe as an "adult playground" with the aforementioned mechanical bull, bottle service, DJs, dancing, and light show.

The concept is from two veteran club impressarios with strong ties to Texas: Ybanez and partner Josh Reagan, who own Longshots in Dallas, plus two locations of Varsity Tavern, in Fort Worth and in Tempe.

Ybanez, 35, is a native of El Paso and graduate of A&M with a master's degree who's been in the bar and restaurant industry since 2007.

"I love the industry, I've been involved in it since I was 19," he says.

His first bar was Trophy Ranch, which he opened in the West 7th District seven years ago, now closed. It, too, had a mechanical bull.

"That's where I learned how popular it was," he says. "We liked the idea of bringing one to Deep Ellum. Obviously, the mechanical bull will be a focal point — but Rodeo will also just be a country-themed bar with great nightlife, food & drinks, state-of-the-art audio-visual, and plenty of entertainment."

Rodeo Ranch has been described as an upbeat bar with Texas-inspired elements such as cowhide benches, animal trophy heads, lighting over the bar made from a rustic trough and Edison light bulbs.

The Arizona location features arcade games such as Big Buck Hunter, boxing, and basketball games, numerous 70-inch TVs for sports viewing, electronic dance music DJs, VIP tables with bottle service, a high-end sound system and light show that includes a back-lit wall lined with liquor bottles, shot wheel, and dancing on the bar.

Part of the package includes women servers in lingerie, which has become increasingly common in high-energy bars.

"I think Bottled Blonde brought that to Dallas, but it's a trend you see across the country now," he says.

Ybanez also organized the Tacos & Tequilas festival that debuted in 2022 at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth , where it will return on May 20, 2023.

Wits End was an old-school hangout that closed in June 2022. At the time it closed, a spokesperson said that the lease had come to an end and the landlord, Westdale Properties, would not renew. Westdale did not comment, but neighborhood regulars cited a desire to clean up the area and focus more on soft uses such as restaurants and retail.

There's a new bar opening in one of Dallas' hottest club districts. Called Saaya, it's a new spot from Milkshake Concepts (Vidorra, Harper's, The Finch) opening at 2511 Swiss Ave., and will debut this spring.

According to a release, Saaya will serve as an escape from the urban hustle bustle; Saaya means shadow, shelter, or refuge in ancient Sanskrit.

It'll sit next door to Citizen, the glitzy nightclub that Milkshake relocated to Deep Ellum in 2019, with a synergistic plan to feed off each other, making for a lively night on the town or else a tranquil setting for late-night cocktails and shared plates. The group also opened Harper's, their upscale restaurant in the Epic building, one block away in 2021.

"With both Citizen and Harper’s nearby, we felt a venue like Saaya - with its unique offerings - would be a welcome addition to the neighborhood," says Asim Sheikh of Milkshake Concepts in a statement. "Saaya delivers that same energy, but with the refined and relaxed approach of an oasis in the middle of downtown. There’s nothing quite like it in Dallas and we can’t wait for our guests to indulge in our newest experience."

It's also across from Bottled Blonde, one of the most successful bars in Dallas, and is in the middle of the so-called North Good Latimer District, an unexpected club zone in a neighborhood just east of downtown Dallas, straddling Good Latimer Freeway, between Live Oak and Elm streets, that has drawn a number of high-profile bars.

Saaya will offer live entertainment, including private karaoke suites and also traditional hookah.

They'll also do food. The menu will feature mezze – small Mediterranean-style tapas meant to be shared with family and friends.

Dishes will include

• Lebanese Caesar Salad with Chopped Romaine, Goldened Zaatar Croutons, Pickled Red Onions, Tahini Caesar Dressing
• Crispy Cauliflower with herbed tahini, pine nuts, capers, Hawayej spice
• Beef Shawarma Bites made with Lavash Bread, Tahini, Red Onion, Tomato, Cucumber, Sumac, Parsley

They will also bake fresh Manakish – Lebanese flatbreads – in a variety of options.

The bar program will feature two signature cocktails: 43 Shades of Gray, with Gray whale Gin Crème de violet, Licor 43, allspice, and lemon; and the Pompeii Passion, with Ancho Reyes, passion fruit, coconut, and lime.

Decor at the authentic Mediterranean feel to ensure the nearly 5,400-square-foot space is Mediterranean, including an expansive patio, rich and colorful fabrics throughout the interior, and a lush native greenery and foliage in the outdoor space.