14 December 28, 2023 - January 3, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents What’s for Dinner The biggest restaurant openings and closings in Dallas this year. BY CARLY MAY GRAVLEY T his year was a roller coaster for anyone in Dallas with tastebuds and a stomach. We saw the opening of exciting new restaurants ranging from high-end cuisine to fast casual with a twist, some devastating closings of longtime fa- vorites and the debut of businesses from out-of-town that are vying for a place on the local restaurant scene. Here are just some of the notable openings and closings in Dallas this year. OPENINGS Birdie’s Eastside 6221 E. Mockingbird Lane Birdie’s Eastside was one of two debuts by local restauran- teur Jon Alexis this year. Housed in a former Luby’s on East Mockingbird, this bar and grill offers a gamut of laidback American dining, including wings, wraps and burgers. Ramble Room 6565 Hillcrest Ave., No. 150 The second Jon Alexis spot to open this year was Ramble Room, the self-described restaurant you go to when you don’t feel like going out. The menu offers classic crowd- pleasers like housemade pasta, burgers and steaks; an im- peccably laidback vibe earned it the distinction of being named our Best New Restaurant of 2023. Saint Valentine 4800 Bryan St. A collaboration between two acclaimed bartenders, The Black Swan’s Gabe Sanchez and Tiny Victories’ Ryan Paine, Saint Valentine has quickly lived up to its hype. With a drink selection ranging from classic cocktails to more experimen- tal drinks like the Montclair Manhattan (made with re- posado tequila and chocolate mole bitters) as well as an eclectic menu of bar bites from chef Jordan Edwards, Saint Valentine has been dubbed an “instant East Dallas classic.” Teriyaki 4 U 1111 W. Frankford Road, Carrollton Hawaiian food has certainly had a moment over the past few years, but when chef Josh Bonee — whose CV includes Stephan Pyles Flora Street Cafe and Fine China — opened Teriyaki 4 U in Carrollton, we felt real island vibes. Elevated technique and from-scratch cooking over a charcoal grill take everything here to another level. The Grapevine Bar 2213 Butler St. Last August The Grapevine had to move because the land un- der it was sold. But the joint reopened in style in a spacious new location, the same quirky collection of furniture and a very polite neon sign asking customers not do coke in the bathroom. It’s the same friendly neighborhood dive bar it’s al- ways been, just all grown up. Raising Cane’s (Dallas Cowboys and Post Malone Edition) 2255 W. Northwest Highway With dozens of locations across North Texas, it’s not easy for a Raising Cane’s opening to so much as raise an eyebrow. But when you throw Post Malone, the Dallas Cowboys and an eye-catching floor-to-ceiling theme into the mix, folks in Dallas are sure to take notice. This is the perfect place to pay homage to some local legends while enjoying the same meal you get every time you go to Cane’s. We haven’t tested the theory yet, but we feel like you can probably see the giant lit blue star in the drive-thru from an airplane. Via Triozzi 1806 Greenville Ave. Inspired by her time studying abroad in Florence, chef Leigh Hutchinson has brought her passion and deep knowledge of Italian food to Lower Greenville. At Via Triozzi, all of the pasta is made in-house in a windowed room visible to cus- tomers. The warm, airy atmosphere accomplishes the goal of bringing a little bit of Italy to Texas. Mister Charles 3219 Knox St. If you’re into fine French and Italian cuisine, have some cash burning a hole in your pocket and no qualms about waiting a few weeks for a reservation, Mister Charles is the place to go. This new Highland Park favorite is dripping with luxury: marble checkerboard floors, ornate chandeliers and towering 40-foot ceilings. The food is pretty good, too. Saaya 2511 Swiss Ave., No. 110 After the scorcher of a summer Dallas had this year, Saaya aimed to provide an oasis. A self-described “refuge to es- cape, indulge and recharge,” Saaya is part restaurant, part lounge; its exotic Mediterranean vibes are abetted by mas- terful climate control on the patio. It almost makes us fool- ishly wish it was summer again. Almost. Joa Korean BBQ 2254 Royal Lane, No. 100 A new restaurant from the creators of Nuri Grill and located in its former space, Joa serves authentic, traditional Korean food in a more casual environment than its upscale predecessor. “Joa,” the Korean phrase for “I like it,” is a fitting name for an al- ready popular addition to Dallas Koreatown’s restaurant scene. Pearl Sushi 4640 McKinney Ave., No. 130 This sushi spot from former Nobu chef Shine Tamaoki is a sophisticated and inviting destination for those on the hunt for hgh-quality, authentic sushi. For dinner and a show, we recommend grabbing a spot at the sushi bar to watch up- close the technique and artistry that goes into each bite. NEW TO DALLAS Komodo 2550 Pacific Avenue This Miami import opened in Deep Ellum this year and serves luxurious Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine with prices that might elicit an audible gasp. We think $105 for Peking duck is a bit much, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t intrigued. If they’d lighten up on charges for parking and water, maybe we could afford to let our curiosity get the best of us. Crown Block 300 Reunion Blvd. E. Las Vegas-based Crown Block moved into the most visible real estate in the city: the top of Reunion Tower. This high- end restaurant serves steaks, seafood and a stellar panoramic view of Dallas. Unfortunately, what it doesn’t do is spin. Slutty Vegan 2707 Main St. Sluts and vegans rejoice! As if having a name that would send a Fox News viewer into cardiac arrest wasn’t sweet enough, Atlanta-based chain Slutty Vegan has vegan burgers that are genuinely tasty and an atmosphere that’s fun and raunchy in the best way. Just check out the menu items with names like “One Night Stand” and “Hollywood Hooker.” Voodoo Doughnuts 1806 Greenville Ave., No. 120 The Portland-based chain took its sweet time landing in Dal- las, but one bite of their mouthwatering confections and you’ll be quick to forgive. We recommend ordering the Voo- doo Dozen for a hearty sampling of the unique flavors, then blatantly pick favorites among your friends and loved ones when choosing whom to share it with. CLOSINGS Thunderbird Station 3400 Commerce St. This charming, retro-themed bar and restaurant just out- side Deep Ellum closed this year after a memorable three- year run. Though she has no plans to open a new business anytime soon, owner Kim Finch tells us that Thunderbird | CITY OF ATE | t Dish Lauren Drewes Daniels Saint Valentine offers crafted cocktails and eclectic bites.
