15 August 27 - september 2, 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents ▼ OPENINGS MORE GRANDMA CORE DELILAH AND EVELYN, MEET MARLOWE: ANOTHER ART DECO LOUNGE SET TO OPEN IN UPTOWN BY LISA PETTY T he velvet rope will soon hang once again at 2912 McKinney Ave. Most recently known as Theory Nightclub, the familiar brick building near the intersec- tion with Howell will soon return as a “design-forward food and cocktail lounge and evening destination” named Marlowe. While fine details are short right now, we have been provided with a few reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the next incar- nation of this Uptown nightspot. And given the fact that Columbian Country Club, Deli- lah and Evelyn are all hot spots, there’s al- ways more room at the Grandma-core art deco bougie lounge table. The team For starters, the experienced team at Mar- lowe will include general manager Thomas Menaitreau, whose background includes Michelin-recognized restaurants like Joël Ro- buchon in Las Vegas. He’ll be joined by music programming director Garrett Swain. You may have enjoyed a recent set from Swain, who also goes by DJ Zillamatic, at the Village Beach Club here in Dallas. On cocktail details, locals may recognize beverage director Kyle Buck- elew, as well, who comes straight from Delilah. A taste Complementing the music and cocktail programs, Marlowe’s menu teases some inter- esting elements. The food will be prepared without seed oils (a new-ish target of negative ingredient commentary), and will include lo- cally sourced and Mediterranean-inspired el- ements. Two examples include Texas oysters, served charred with garlic-lemon butter, and beef skewers with sumac-tahini sauce. A very sweet-sounding take on the trendy espresso martini will combine salted caramel vodka, dulce de leche, and Demerara syrup. Last but certainly not least, every ul- tra-lounge should offer a stylish setting. Mar- lowe’s will take its cue from the era of the speakeasy, with Art Deco-inspired elements including vaulted ceilings, plush banquettes and antique mirrors. Indoor and outdoor fo- cal points will include a velvet-draped stage and bird cage-inspired enclosed patio. Sounds cool, though many questions re- main, such as “Will there be a cover charge?” “Does the DJ take requests?” and “What’s up with that penguin logo?” All will be re- vealed when Marlowe opens in September. The exact date has not yet been announced. ▼ CLOSINGS DEEP ROOTS TWISTED ROOT CLOSES ORIGINAL DEEP ELLUM LOCATION AFTER 20 YEARS BY LISA PETTY T wisted Root Burger Co. opened at 2615 Commerce Street in Deep Ellum in 2006. Back then, Dallas hadn’t ex- perienced much — if anything — quite like Jason Boso and Quincy Hart’s gourmet- with-a-wink concept. Where else could you build a wild game burger on wheat with homemade bacon jam and pick it up when your order was called by the name of a clas- sic cartoon character? Fast forward 20 years, and that little burger joint has grown into a statewide chain. But even as Twisted Root’s locations multiplied, as it gained national attention via Diners, Drive- Ins and Dives, and as it joined many other pop- ular brands in the Local Favorite hospitality group, Deep Ellum struggled. From ongoing construction on Commerce Street to issues with crime, parking, and crowds, the historic area has faced one battle after another. Earlier this week, Twisted Root an- nounced the closure of its Deep Ellum flag- ship. For reasons detailed above, the news may have been sudden, but it was hardly a surprise. A sign affixed to the window of the now-vacant storefront reads: Co-founder Jason Boso, though no longer a part of the Twisted Root leadership team, is friendly with the folks at Local Favorite and was saddened by the news of the closing. “I built that place with my own hands,” he said. “I made the tables, I painted the walls. I was in there every day for many, many years, so it’s very special to me. It’s sad to see your first thing go by the wayside.” Twisted Root represents the latest in a string of 2026 closures in Deep Ellum, in- cluding KANVAS, Goodsurf, Amor y Queso, and Zatar Lebanese. It is survived by twelve more Twisted Root locations across Texas. Provided by Duncan Design Group Marlowe should open this fall. Dish from p13 SCAN HERE TO ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS SCAN HERE TO ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS
