by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick
In just a matter of two weeks Dallas will see a new restaurant on the scene located just to the west of Preston on Frankford that will serve breakfast, brunch and lunch called Coffee House Café. You may have seen the construction over the past few moths at the large building that was formerly a series of Tex Mex restaurants, and the new owner is happily setting up her happy kingdom that should rule the for a long time to come.
Single mom Carrie Kelleher is new to the restaurant industry but she has gone to extreme lengths to ensure her success. First, she bought the building. Then Kelleher went to industry leaders to develop menus and learn the business from the back of the house perspective. We actually met her while testing dishes at the Milestone Culinary Center many months ago.
Her background is impressive, working in corporate America and in the non-profit sector as well as an adjunct professor at UTD but has always had a desire to be in hospitality.
Wanting a large focus on coffee Kelleher will use a post roast blend from three continents that is an organic and fair trade bean and is extremely difficult to find.
“It’s time to bring coffee up to our century and there is a large disparity with farmers and child labor with America’s favorite beverage, so our goal to donate a percentage to Coffee Kids that builds schools in these third world farming communities. The system is not perfect, but at least it moves the bar in the right direction,” said Kelleher as she made me a perfect latte.
More recently Kelleher hired executive chef Rockow who could be found at Rex’s Seafood Market for the past five years. Together the pair have been working to put together a stellar kitchen, ordering some of the best equipment which also includes the La Marzocco Strada and the Victoria Adonis by Nuova Simonelli , two rare handmade Italian espresso machines that would bring any self-respecting barista to tears.
Being green and earth-friendly is fantastic, but the daily business will ultimately fall into the hands of the menu itself, and Rockow was kind enough to make a few surprise dishes for us yesterday afternoon following our tour of the nearly constructed building.
One of the interesting aspects to the menu will be the variety of food available. I was told there would be numerous Benedicts including this Chicken Apple Sausage Hash with its perfectly Poached Egg and Chipotle Hollandaise. Available in full and half orders for the lighter diner, or you may mix and match half orders for larger tastes.
The Baja Seared Fish Tacos with a spicy Remoulade were some of the best fish tacos I have sampled outside of California, and I didn’t get sand between my toes.
Other dishes that Rockow plans to offer Dallas diners is a really great burger made with Akaushi beef. If you are not familiar with the product, think Wagyu or Kobe, but even more pronouned in flavor and rarity.
The restaurant also has a cool (as in temperature) covered patio that is functional year-round and sports a fireplace. We visited in the heat of the afternoon when it was over 100 degrees outside, but the patio was a welcome relief to the blaze that hit us outside.
Look for a great breakfast, lunches with a promise of deliveries and a destination brunch with live music for the city from these ambitious people at the Coffee House Cafe. They are also developing a cocktail menu, working with local cocktail experts to make sure they are up with all the latest bar tricks, but Rockow will also have a hand in the development.
We will be following up on the opening and more menu items very soon.
Coffee House Cafe 6150 Frankford Rd, Dallas 469-248-0554
best of luck to Rockow (and everyone at Coffee House Cafe)…menu sounds delicious.
Steve-why didn’t you call me? I am literally within walking distance of this place–we’ve been watching the build and are so excited. Have seen Carrie around the place doing everything!
Can’t wait for decent fish tacos.
yay Rockow! good to see again! we missed you here on lovers lane. good luck.
Been taking forever to open. Any idea on opening date?
They have taken quite a long time, but it looks fantastic. They are gunning for the 15th. So next week.
I saw them bring in chairs yesterday, but it looked a ways off. It will be nice to be able to get some quality coffee in the area
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Hope you plan on great staff not just corporate dogs !
I hope that I could work up there .. God luck
Congrats, Jeff!
It all looks delicious!
If we ever get to Dallas, we’ll stop by!
Jacqui (formerly Evers) in Honolulu 🙂
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still waiting for opening
Wow! Are we EXCITED about you being in the neighborhood or what? We so enjoyed your Soft Opening for lunch today!!! Scrumptious food & drinks! You certainly are the Star of the area. We love supporting our neighborhood businesses. Thanks so much for a wonderful experience! We look forward to seeing you often + when you start an evening service & Happy Hour. Great local meeting place! Tony, Sandi, Nikki, Andy & Miller (who agreed to share his birthday with you) 🙂
My daughter and I just finished lunch here. It was one of the most delightful dining experiences I have ever had. The food is fresh, carefully and thoughtfully prepared and delicious. The sfaff is wonderful and our waiter Georgio is the consumate professional. He made my daughter and I feel like royalty. The owner and her daughter are the warmest, sweetest people you will ever meet. I just can’t say enough good about the place. We are thrilled to have CoffeeHouse Cafe in our neighborhood. I can’t wait to go back.
Been a few times, french press coffee is quite good
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Im sooo glad to FINALLY see a different assortment of deserts…The chocolate and coconut pie
are to die for!!! Great job!
Im sooo glad to FINALLY see a different assortment of deserts…The chocolate and coconut pie
are to die for!!! Great job! The keylime was Awesome too.