OK, this is it. Here’s the last guide of the year.
I didn’t think November would have any food news other than Thanksgiving. Last month, SideDish posted something new and exciting almost every day. And now December looks like it’ll have a bunch of food news, too. Strap in, folks!
Highlights
- The Biggest news: Read our updated 50 Best Restaurants list.
- Two new omakase places have hit Dallas.
- Go to Wriggly Tin Bar.
- Partenope is introducing aperitivo.
Best Meals this November
Pizza at Wriggly Tin Bar. In a city that enjoys a better pizza scene than ever before, the crust at Wriggly Tin is good enough to turn heads. It’s got good flavor on its own and is cooked crisply enough to hold some good, classic toppings. A coworker tells me that the same initial dough is also used to make a killer veggie sandwich, which is what I’ll get next time I stop in for Black Pepper Pils. —Brian Reinhart
Dinner at Sister. I, like many before me, dined at Sister and very much enjoyed it. We had a spread of small bites and one plate of pasta. Brussels sprouts? Good. Meatballs? Good. Pasta? Good. —Nataly Keomoungkhoun
The lunch okonomi set at Namo. I just wrote 700 words about this, but here’s the gist: Namo is very serious about serving some of the best sushi in Dallas, and you can sample its first-rate offerings in a chef’s-choice lunch menu. We enjoyed well-balanced bites of nigiri, sashimi folded onto purple potato chips, and a hearty bowl of miso soup that’s perfect for this weather. If you haven’t been to Namo recently, this is your excuse to return. —B.R.
Food News
Julian Rodarte leaves Trinity Groves: Restaurateur Julian Rodarte has stepped down as CEO of Trinity Groves after a year and a half, according to Oak Cliff Advocate. He joined the development seven years ago after opening Beto & Son with his father. His other concepts include Lexy’s, Nitro Burger, and Temakeria. Rodarte doesn’t have anything lined up for now, he tells the Advocate, but he is considering “opportunities outside of Dallas.”
Dallas burger on a NYC menu: George Motz, a burger scholar (editor’s note: ?!), opened a new restaurant in New York City called Hamburger America. Why does this matter? Well, if you check the fifth slide of this Instagram post, you’ll notice a familiar Dallas burger coming up as a monthly special: the No. 5 from Keller’s Drive In! Looks like it’s time to head to Keller’s.
Need a place to eat on Christmas Eve? We’ve got you.
Openings and Closings
Barons Creek Vineyard: A new tasting room for Fredericksburg winery Barons Creek Vineyard opened November 9 in the Bishop Arts District. The tasting room has tasting, wines by the glass or bottle, and small bites. 418 N. Bishop Ave.
Bar Collette: The Namo team opened a new cocktail bar called Bar Collette in West Village November 14. It’s a European-inspired bar with bold cocktails, such as the Chamonix, a hot chocolate-based cocktail with Calvados and oat milk, and the Beets Me, which is made with tarragon-infused vodka, Pineau de Charentes, pear juice, and golden beets. 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 306.
Beef-A-Roo: A fast-casual restaurant called Beef-A-Roo will open its first Texas location in DeSoto December 1. It’s speciality: Midwest cuisine. That means roast beef sandwiches, burgers, soups, and cheese fries. 1021 W. Belt Line Rd., Desoto.
Elevated Coffee & Tea: A new coffee shop is expected to open January 2024 at CityLine in Richardson, according to a press release. It will serve artisan coffee, a variety of freshly brewed teas, and Taiwanese boba alongside baked goods from La Casita Bakeshop.
Encanto Pops: The lovely paleta shop in Oak Cliff closed last month. A sad closure indeed.
Henry’s Majestic: The brunch spot reopened in its new West Dallas location early November. It has a new patio, a new menu, and a new cocktail program, which we wrote about here. 2303 Pittman St.
JINYA Ramen Bar: A new location of JINYA Ramen Bar opened in Preston Hollow at the end of October. The broth is slow-simmered for 20 hours and will include a variety of noodles and toppings, such as poached eggs and pork chasu. It’s the brand’s 13th location in Texas. 7949 Walnut Hill Ln., Ste. 160.
Leela’s Wine Bar: The popular wine bar on Lower Greenville has reopened since closing for renovations in July. Jump into their espresso martinis and new menu for happy hour and dinner now. 1914 Greenville Ave.
LOYO Burger: A new burger spot from the folks behind Local Yocal BBQ & Grill opened November 7 in McKinney. The restaurant will serve gourmet wagyu burgers and have a full bar with beer and craft cocktails. 216 W. Virginia St., Ste. 102, McKinney.
Mister O1: A third North Texas location of Mister O1 opened November 14 in Mansfield, according to a press release. The chain has grown quickly since arriving in Dallas last year, with two other locations in Turtle Creek and Grapevine. 1520 E. Debbie Ln., Ste. 102, Mansfield.
Nando’s Peri-Peri: We were very excited to learn Nando’s was coming to town. And almost a year later, they’ve got an open date set: December 11. It’ll open at the Village on the Parkway in Addison and serve marinated citrusy, peppery chicken to the masses.
The Stache: A speakeasy opened inside the new Renny’s restaurant in Preston Forest Village. The Stache is named after owner Mark Maguire’s father’s mustache. The speakeasy is open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday night, but there are only 30 seats inside, with a max. party size of six, and visits are limited to 1.5 hours. 11661 Preston Rd., Ste. 135.
Sushi | Bar: A highly acclaimed omakase restaurant called Sushi | Bar opened December 1 in downtown Dallas, alongside a bar from the same hospitality group called Ginger’s. Sushi | Bar has 12 seatings and is an intimate dining experience that includes 17 courses using fish flown in from all over the world. Ginger’s is connected to Sushi | Bar and is a space for guests and diner to enjoy pre- or post-dinner cocktails. Later, small snacks will be introduced. 2115 Jackson St.
Sushi By Scratch: Another omakase place! This time it’s a pop-up from Los Angeles called Sushi By Scratch, and it’s got an award-winning menu. It includes dishes like roasted bone marrow nigiri, hamachi with sweet corn pudding, and unagi fried in rendered bone marrow fat. Sushi By Scratch will have a temporary home at The Adolphus, and it’ll be speakeasy style. It won’t be easy to get in—according to the Dallas Morning News, reservations have been going quickly. 1321 Commerce St., 8th floor.
Thunderbird Station: The bar-restaurant closed November 29. Read more here.
UnaVida: Chef Matt McCallister has been working behind the scenes to create a menu for UnaVida, a new Mexican restaurant in West Village. The menu is inspired by traditional Mexican flavors, according to a press release, and includes items such as heartcakes (hearts of palm cakes), a smothered burrito, and an open-faced enchilada verde. The drink menu also had help from McCallister: Some of the ingredients were boiled, dehydrated, and extracted by the kitchen staff to be used in cocktails like the Guava Cooler and the Caramelized Pineapple Margarita. UnaVida opened November 27. 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 307.
Veritas Wine Room: Veritas Wine Room is closing for good this time, according to the Morning News. The owners said in January they’d be closing in March, then they walked it back after they “unexpectedly reached an agreement” with the landlords. Now, it seems they’re done.
Vidorra Cocina: Milkshake Concepts opened the third North Texas location of Vidorra Cocina in Grand Prairie’s Epic Central on November 13. The location dishes out its tasty margaritas and popular queso blanco served in molcajete bowls. 2959 S. State Hwy. 161, Grand Prairie.
Voodoo Doughnut: Portland’s popular doughnut shop opened its Dallas location November 20. On the menu: 50 flavors, some of which are vegan. Fancy doughnuts for all. 1806 Greenville Ave., Ste. 120.
wagamama: A restaurant chain serving East Asian-inspired food is opening December 8 in downtown Dallas. wagamama is a brand from the UK and serves noodles, ramen, shareable dishes, and cocktails. It’s the chain’s first location in Texas. Some menu highlights: grilled duck ramen, miso cod soba noodles, and Japanese Highball. 2425 Harry Hines Blvd.
White Rhino Coffee: The coffee shop opened its Garland location December 1. The menu includes specialty coffee drinks using beans from its roastery. The local chain is growing rapidly throughout North Texas—Garland is its 11th location. 5325 N. President George Bush Hwy., Ste. 200, Garland.
New Menu Items
Partnenope has aperitivo: At the new Richardson location and the O.G. downtown Dallas location, enjoy $5 draft Peroni, $8 glasses of red or white house wine, $9 spritzes and sangria, and $6 bar snacks. Available Monday through Friday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
La Mina launches dinner service: La Mina, the Latin-themed clubsterant in the Village, has started dinner service. The menu has small shared plates, appetizers, and a lot of drinks.
LORO is serving ramen: LORO has a miso chile tonkatsu ramen available through the end of the year. The Asian barbecue fusion restaurant doesn’t have it all year round, so go get your fix.
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