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Restaurant News

News Bites: Ciao to Sprezza and Au Revoir to La Tarte Tropézienne

SideDish’s weekly digest of need-to-know dining happenings in Dallas.
By News Bites: Ciao to Sprezza and Au Revoir to La Tarte Tropézienne Jacob Villalobos |
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Kevin Marple

Sprezza Says “Ciao” for Now

The Oak Lawn Italian restaurant known for its Roman-style pizza and small bites has shuttered its doors on New Year’s Eve. According to the Dallas Morning News, Sprezza’s demise, along with several apartment complexes, comes as a part of the Old Parkland campus expansion onto Maple Avenue. Owner Julian Barsotti (Nonna, Carbone’s, Fachini) opened Sprezza in 2016 and it was a hit with critics and patrons alike. Alas, there is hope: Barsotti has teased a possible Knox-Henderson opening in the near future. 

Manny’s in Uptown Closes Permanently 

It seems the ghost of Christmas past got a little too close to the wrapping paper. According to WFAA, on Christmas Eve in 2019, a malfunctioning exhaust fan started a fire at the original Manny’s Uptown Restaurant on Oak Grove Avenue. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the building sustained significant damage with firefighters using a chainsaw to cut through the roof in order to extinguish the blaze. Initially, an employee stated that the location would only be closed for three months. Well, in a recent report with the Dallas Morning News, catering manager Robert Sharp confirmed the location would be closed for good. 

New Sushi Option Is Rolling Its Way to Uptown

There’s a new sushi spot hitting the scene, reportsDallas CultureMap. Sushi Sakana took over the space that formerly housed Christie’s (2811 McKinney Avenue), which relocated to Lowest Greenville last January. The restaurant made its debut in Plano in early 2007 and has since built a following for its diverse selection of sashimi and sushi, as well as a variety of other dishes such as udon, ramen, teriyaki, and fried rice. James Park, who owns the chain along with partners So Park and Sung Yoon, plans to open the new location in late spring and expand its bar offerings which are currently limited to sake and Japanese beer. 

New Flower Mound Restaurant Debuts With an Unlikely Combo

Forget boring old doughnuts and coffee. Why not have doughnuts and fried chicken? A fast-casual restaurant called Honeybird Sandwiches + Donuts opened at 801 International Parkway. According to CultureMap Dallas, Honeybird is the brainchild of young entrepreneur Debra Park. Coming from a background of hospitality and doughnuts, Park seized the opportunity for a new concept after her father, owner of Champ Donut Company in Fort Worth, had plans to open a second location. Her idea: a doughnut shop with savory options, such as fried chicken sandwiches and breakfast fare. Other unique menu items include a pineapple fritter, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and a tiramisu doughnut. 

Troy Aikman Has a Beer

Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman has delved into what other retired athletes have before him: beer. Specifcally he’s launched his own light brew called—what else?—Eight. It’san entirely malt beer made with organic grains and antioxidant-rich Hallertau Taurus hops, which of course nods to Aikman’s health-conscious lifestyle.

He joined forces with brewmaster veteran Phil Leinhart (formerly of Anheuser-Busch, Harpoon Brewery, and Brewery Ommegang) and with Oregon State University’s food science department. It took two years of R&D and plenty of beer-guzzling to the formula just right. Soon,Eight will hit draft lines at restaurants and bars in February, then supermarkets and stores in March. 

Aikman’s history with malts began when he was 19. The then college student took a summer gig working at a Miller distributorship in Tulsa, perTexas Monthly. Even after he signed with the Cowboys in 1989, Aikman continued doing occasional gigs with Miller distribution in Dallas. Look at him now, with his own 90-calorie brew—so you can keep that six-pack bod by drinking a six-pack of Eight.

Au Revoir, La Tarte Tropézienne

The world-famous French bakery and cafe known for luscious cream tarts closed its downtown location. The patisserie opened its first-ever location outside of France here back in April 2020. CultureMap Dallas reports that the bakery posted a sign stating that it was closed January 10, but something special would come to replace it. The bakeshop was well known for its selection of champagne and pastries, including croissants, eclairs, and fruit tarts.

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