Jon Alexis, the owner of TJ’s Seafood Market & Grill, is doing his best to whip the poké movement in Dallas into a frenzy. Earlier this year, Alexis announced his partnership with Ben and Eric Kusin to open Malibu Poké in Turtle Creek Village. The restaurant, due to open sometime in October, will fall into the quick casual category with a Southern California vibe.
This morning comes word that Alexis has convinced his good buddy and chef Matt McCallister of FT33 to come aboard as the culinary director. This trend of chefs becoming culinary directors reminds me of the days when the top chefs in town—Fearing, Rathbun, Pyles—all cooked in each other’s kitchens for fun. Now, they—Dodds, Hage, Wilcox—do it for big bucks. Smart.
And the press release sings:
“Alexis and McCallister’s menu will feature TJ’s-quality seafood, scratch sauces and farm-fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs, which McCallister will source from local farms whenever possible. McCallister is even picky about the soy sauce. ‘No Kikkoman,’ he promises.”
That probably means there will be no Coors or ketchup. Just rad kombucha, Texas and California beers, wine on tap, sake, teas, and fresh juices.
