You may not have heard of chef Jose Meza. He is moving to Dallas from Mexico City to man the kitchen at Jalisco Norte. According to the press release, Meza sounds like the perfect man for the job of creating a “rendition of Mexico City-style cuisine Dallas has yet to see.”
Jalisco Norte is the latest restaurant in the NL Group portfolio which includes Dish, Dakota’s Steakhouse, and Front Room Tavern. It’s scheduled to open in Turtle Creek Village, not far from where Monica Green and Joanne Bondy delighted us all with Ciudad.
I’m happy to see a new chef in town. Especially one with impressive credentials. According to the release:
Meza is a mega culinary talent with impressive experience at spots like Rene Redzepi’s NOMA in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Enrique Olvera’s Pujol in Mexico City. He comes to Dallas to open Jalisco Norte from Hotel Nizuc, named “Best New Hotel in Mexico” by Travel + Leisure in 2014.
“The root of Mexican cuisine is about bringing things together, and taking care of each ingredient along the way,” said Meza. “It’s not something you can learn from books. You have to live it, experience it. Our goal is for Jalisco Norte to be a space where guests can experience and enjoy old and new Mexico.”
The menu will feature traditional Mexican dishes such as a Rice Crackling Tuna Tostada, a rice tostada with tuna tartare, avocado, alfalfa and a macha salsa; ceviche with grounded fish Vallarta-style, cucumber, tomato, onion, celery and serrano, Carne Asada marinated with Mexican herbs and served with grilled cactus; and Arroz con Leche, a classic Mexican dish with vanilla ice cream, tequila raisins and walnuts.
Expect an aggressive cocktail program featuring tequila, and mezcal, stool, and bacanora. Local designer group Coeval Studio created the space which is inspired by “drawing inspiration from regions across Mexico, the space is inspired by a Central American-European home, made up of separate rooms, low ceilings, vibrant fabrics, and ambient lighting. The restaurant will also feature a walk-up, to-go window called Lonchería which will offer a small menu of tortas, tacos, and quesadillas.
