Chef Bombaci Moving to Hilton Plano Granite Park

by Steven Doyle

Wonder where in the world chef Anthony Bombaci is off to? Bombaci, executive sous chef at the Hilton Anatole, has been promoted to the role of executive chef at the new Hilton Plano Granite Park, scheduled to open August 28.

Bombaci is the former executive chef of Nana, the predecessor restaurant to SĒR Steak + Spirits. During his time at Nana, the restaurant was named one of the Top-50 American Restaurants by Gourmet Magazine, received a “Five-Star” cuisine rating from the Dallas Morning News, “Four-Diamonds” from AAA, “Three-Stars” from the Mobil Travel Guide and earned the Wine Spectator Best of “Award of Excellence.” In 2006, Bombaci was named one of Esquire’s “four chefs to watch.” Following his time at Nana, Bombaci was promoted to chef de cuisine and later executive sous chef at the Hilton Anatole.   

“We are really proud of Anthony and are excited to see him advance in his career,” said Harold Rapoza, general manager of the Hilton Anatole. “This is an exciting opportunity for him to be in charge of his own hotel, and I am looking forward to seeing what he is able to bring to the burgeoning culinary scene in Plano.”

With the opening of the Hilton Plano Granite Park, Bombaci will oversee all culinary operations at the new hotel including the full-service Carso Mediterranean Grill and Carso Market, the restaurant’s “grab-and-go” eatery.

“I am really looking forward to focusing on the Mediterranean cuisine I so love to cook,” said Bombaci. “I can’t wait for Carso to open, I think our diners are going to be very impressed by what we have planned.”

Located at the intersection of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and the Dallas North Tollway, the 262,500-square-foot Hilton Plano Granite Park will include 299 luxury rooms and 35,000 square feet of conference space. In addition to Carso Mediterranean Grill and Carso Market, the hotel will feature a large bar area, a retail shop, a fitness center and an outdoor pool and lounge. A pedestrian boardwalk along the complex’s central water feature connects the hotel to its conference center and surrounding office buildings.

“I could not be more pleased to welcome Chef Bombaci to the Hilton Plano Granite Park team,” said Saundra Goldman, general manager of the Hilton Plano Granite Park. “Anthony’s background developing his unique brand of Mediterranean cuisine in Europe is a perfect fit for the world-class restaurant we intend to open at our new hotel.”