Welcome to SideDish’s weekly dispatch of need-to-know News Bites, from quiet closures to opening updates and everything in between, including coronavirus-related intel.
Khao Noodle Shop Make Its Next Move
In the name of survival, Donny Sirisavath temporarily closed Khao Noodle Shop earlier this month for some “time apart to see if this is the right place for us, or to determine if we have to move on.” Now Dallas Morning News reports that Sirisavath’s Old East Dallas restaurant will open Khao Gang, a to-go restaurant, in February. It will operate out of the same noodle shop space, but will serve curries, soups, and stews for takeout only.
José’s New Ghost Kitchen Sounds Spooky-Good
Wow, even ghost kitchens are pop-ups and restaurants are reimagined as to-go only. Such is the year 2021, I suppose. José and its executive chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman has launched Provecho Pollos, a ghost kitchen tucked inside the Lovers Lane restaurant. In terms of the menu, think fast-casual: 24-hour-brined half or whole roasted chicken; caldo de pollo, a chicken soup packed with vegetables like squash, corn, and potatoes; garlicky frijoles charros with pork belly; arroz con leche, and more. José will still operate per usual. After cooking for frontline workers, chef AQ and her staff learned how to run two concepts in one kitchen. As they wind down their frontline meal program, Provecho Pollos allows daytime staff to keep their work hours—and gives another reason to visit and support José.
Mercat Bistro and Te Deseo Are Back
Harwood Hospitality Group brings two restaurants back for dinner dine-in after being closed since March. Mercat Bistro is open now for dinner and Te Deseo reopens today at 5 p.m. Options for to-go are forthcoming. The duo joins Harwood Arms, Happiest Hour, and Magnolias Sous Le Pont, all currently open with physically distanced dining setups, per Harwood’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Pouring Soon in Texas: Yuengling Beer
D.G. Yuengling & Son announced last fall that the Pennsylvania brewery would be expanding westward, teasing possible distribution in Texas. As of this week, it’s been confirmed. Yuengling, in partnership with the Molson Coors Beverage Company whose Fort Worth brewers will make the beer, will begin rolling out to retail locations by fall 2021. For some, it’s a welcome taste of sudsy nostalgia that won’t require a trip to Mississippi or Louisiana. To others, it’s a womp-womp arrival in a region that’s seen a lot of growth in their preferred craft beer offerings.
Commissary and The Fit Cook’s Meal Kit Collab
Dallas fitness expert and cookbook author Kevin Curry, aka The Fit Cook, has launched a lineup of prepared meals, meal kits, and pantry goods at Commissary. The monthly rotating selection is good for those looking to eat healthier or kick off the year with a nutrition reset with less prep work. The Fit Cook meals are, per the press release, “designed for busy people who want healthy and delicious food.” Options include steak and broccoli rice pilaf, turkey lasagna, veggie jambalaya, and more. Hey, it beats another Lean Cuisine lunch.
