20 March 7 - 13, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Hello and Goodbye 12 of Dallas’ most exciting restaurant openings and 2 closings in the past month . BY CARLY MAY GRAVLEY D allas’ restaurant scene is mas- sive and always changing, so the question of where to eat can sometimes feel daunting. It’s tempting to bypass scroll- ing through pages of Google results and just go to the same place you went last week (and maybe also the week before that). With all due respect to the familiar favor- ites, you owe it to yourself and to up-and- coming businesses to branch out. Here are some of the buzziest new restaurants and bars that have opened in Dallas this past month and some that have closed. Openings Aladdin Cafe 888. S. Greenville Ave., Richardson This cafe is “a whole new world” for DFW cof- fee enthusiasts to fall in love with. While Alad- din Cafe features several visual nods to the 1992 Disney film it shares a name with, the tributes to Arab culture extend far beyond the one movie. They serve Middle Eastern coffee, tea and breakfast items in a regal setting that feels like it was plucked from the movie. Birdcall 507 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson This Denver-based fast-casual fried chicken spot opened a store in Richardson in Febru- ary, joining locations in Frisco and Carroll- ton that opened just within the past few months. Birdcall has only 14 locations na- tionwide. The fact that three of them are in North Texas indicates that this budding chain is betting big on the region. Cafe Frida 509 W. Walnut St., Garland This new spot hidden inside of Scoop N’ Buns in Garland is hopping on the speakeasy trend, but with a twist. Instead of a seedy, Prohibition Era-style bar, Cafe Frida is a col- orful and cozy coffee shop inspired by artist Frida Kahlo. Between the much-sought-af- ter air of exclusivity and its selection of spe- cialty coffee drinks, this place won’t be a secret for much longer. Cafe Nubia 3920 Rosemeade Parkway, No. 100 Cafe Nubia, an upscale new spot that serves a unique fusion of Mediterranean and Afri- can cuisine, soft-launched on Valentine’s Day. Its dinner menu offers entrees like ox- tail, cauliflower steak and a kebab sampler. It also serves a Champagne brunch on Sat- urdays and Sundays, where the featured item is Nubian chicken and waffles. Dozo Sushi 800 E. Arapaho Road., No. 112A, Richardson This new takeout spot in Richardson spe- cializes in boxed sushi and matcha drinks. Combos range from the $25 Lunch Box (four pieces of nigiri, two pieces of sashimi, two maki rolls and edamame) to the delectable $80 Dozo Omakase (eight pieces of premium nigiri, four pieces of sashimi, a mini seasonal donburi and a special maki roll). In addi- tion to being available for take- out, Dozo Sushi is also available for delivery on Doordash. Dua Trattoria 5225 Warren Parkway, Frisco This new concept from the family behind North Texas pizza chain Eddie’s Napolis serves Italian food with a Mediterranean twist. Dua Trattoria’s menu offers Italian res- taurant staples like pasta, sandwiches and flatbreads as well as filet mignon and chef’s Cornish hen. It also has daily specials on bar drinks as well as half-off on bottles of wine on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe 9244 Prestmont Place, No. 210, Frisco Who among us hasn’t been dazzled by jiggly Japanese desserts? They’re almost too mes- merizing to eat. Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe, a popular chain making its Texas debut in Frisco, specializes in such desserts, particu- larly souffle pancakes that come in flavors like cookies and cream and Nutella banana. We recommend you actually eat them, but we wouldn’t blame you if you’d rather poke them with your fork for hours on end. Landmark Prime Rib 3015 Oak Lawn Ave. Housed inside the historic Warwick Melrose Hotel, Landmark Prime Rib both replaces and reimagines the property’s longtime on- site restaurant, The Landmark, which closed during the pandemic. The reborn restaurant will include a vintage serving cart situated in the center of the dining room, where guests can “meet their meat” before it is served. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar 2910 Rio Grande Blvd., No. 100, Euless Euless welcomed the latest loca- tion of the popular Japanese chain Kura Revolving Sushi Bar in February. As the name sug- gests, Kura features a mechani- cal sushi bar that allows customers to grab a plate as it travels past them. In addition to sushi, this spot serves sides like dumplings and fried rice and mochi ice cream for des- sert. The Taco Stand 3227 McKinney Ave. The first Texas location of a popular Califor- nia taco joint, The Taco Stand is inspired by Tijuana street tacos and serves tacos, burri- tos, handmade corn tortillas and salsa and guacamole made onsite daily. The counter where you order is even designed to look like a food cart. It’s a sweet detail. Taipo 200 E. Abram St., No. 140, Arlington By day, Taipo is a fast-casual Nepalese spot that serves lo mein, stir fries and Nepalese dumplings. By night, it’s (you guessed it) a speakeasy. A secret door off of the main res- taurant leads to a bar that continues the Nepalese decor but with a darker color pal- ette and its own limited menu. Speakasies have been on trend for a few years now, but it’s exciting to see businesses branch out from art deco and ‘20s theming. Tikka Bowls and Tacos 4144 S. Cooper St., Arlington This fast-casual concept out of Florida com- bines Mexican and Indian food to create a match made in heaven for lovers of spicy food. Customers at Tikka Bowls and Tacos can create their own tacos, bowls and burri- tos with a selection of more than 50 top- pings and fun, fusion-y twists such as naan bread being used in place of tortillas. Closings Boulevardier 408 N. Bishop Arts Ave., No. 108 After 12 years, this beloved French bistro (and one of our Top 100 Restaurants) is clos- ing its doors. “We were fortunate to be blessed with amazing employees, loyal regu- lars and a fantastic landlord, all of whom were integral in Boulevardier staying open all these years,” read a statement on the res- taurant’s Facebook page. “But as they say, all good things must come to an end.” The res- taurant will remain open through late March or early April, so fans have about five more weeks to say goodbye to their brunch, oysters and phenomenal bar. Medina Oven & Wine Bar 2304 Victory Park Lane This Moroccan restaurant in Victory Park closed in January after more than a decade in business. Medina was popular with cus- tomers and critics alike but faced challenges following the death of owner Sam Benoik- ken in 2019. Though the closure was initially announced as only being temporary, Cul- tureMap has since confirmed that the clo- sure is permanent. Xochitl Gonzalez (left) and Anisha Hollas (above) Above: Boulevardier is closing after 12 years. Top right: Aladdin Cafe’s toffee coffee; bottom right: Tikka Bowls and Tacos’ burrito. | CITY OF ATE | t Dish WITH ALL DUE RESPECTTO THE FAMILIAR FAVORITES, YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO BRANCH OUT.
