Remedy, a neighborhood restaurant/bar created by Elias Pope (owner, HG Sply Co.) is ready to open for dinner service at 5pm, this Friday night January 2nd. Lunch service will begin mid-month.
Owner Elias Pope says, “At Remedy, we believe in bringing old school hospitality back to life. Beginning as early as the 1600s, medicine men and alchemists in the United States looked to natural sparkling water to cure illness “Health by Soda”. After the civil war people began to open soda fountains, where pharmacists would dispense your medicine in soda waters flavored with syrups to make them more palatable. During prohibition, people turned from the saloon to the soda fountain.
Though people initially visited soda fountains as a remedy to what ailed them, they stayed for the company. Soda Fountains are the first completely American dining experience, a community where men, women, and children all felt welcomed. It was here they sought and often found the remedy they were seeking, whether it was a thoughtfully crafted soda, an inventive ice cream sundae, or a friend to laugh with. Remedy is our modern version of that tradition.”
Inspired by The Dispenser’s Formulary which was a practical handbook written for soda fountain operators compiled by the editors of Soda Fountain Magazine in 1915; the Remedy team has worked to produce the freshest, most inventive and delicious sodas, cocktails, ice cream sundaes, classic American cuisine and pies. Pope continues, “We have been working diligently to create an experience that puts as much weight into the ingredients in the glass as we do the ingredients on the plate ”.
Beverage director Mate Hartai – who also owns his own hand cut ice company called The Cold Standard – has worked hand in hand with the culinary team to create a modern beverage program that is less about being a copy of an era. Mate explains, “We are not looking to mimic the American Soda Fountain of the early 1900’s; instead, we are taking inspiration from the spirit and technique of those innovative pioneers and combining it with a little pioneering of our own. The fountain of the soda fountain was well carbonated water and intensely flavored syrups and mixers. We are taking those fundamental ideas and combining them with spirits to create a beverage program as focused on texture as it is flavor.”
Executive chef McPherson says, “ We are taking familiar and simple ideas and executing them at what we hope is the highest level possible. We want to take these familiar food items and turn them into refined dishes. Remedy is not about sourcing exotic ingredients, it’s about sourcing the best ingredients possible and making the best fish sandwich, BLT, grilled cheese, pork chop, pot pie etc that we possibly can. The menu is inspired by food my mom would make when I was growing up.”
The dessert program – consisting of homemade pies and ice cream – is headed up by pastry chef Guiellermo “Gmo” Tristan. Tristan explains more, “This is a simple pie and ice cream menu. Pies will be made fresh daily. The pie program will be truly seasonal and flavors will change often. Three sundaes will stay on the menu all of the time, with three rotators based on flavors we are working with at the time. All of our sundaes are named after someone important in our lives. This is our way of paying homage to people that helped us along the way.”
Pope adds, “Remedy is a passion project. Every person on the team has molded the concept with their own unique skill set. I am excited to work with such amazing talent. Over the last month, we had had the pleasure of adding to our team: executive sous, Al Havens (previously of Salum and Neighborhood Services), and pastry sous, Martha Nicol (previously pastry chef under Graham Dodds at Central 214).
Designed by Jones Baker, the space is inspired by photos Pope found of old soda fountains from the early 1900’s. The décor is a blend of the classic look from the era combined with modern and clean lines. Pope says, “ We wanted a space where we could transition from a family-friendly spot during the day (complete with a vanishing back bar where no spirits will be displayed during the day) to a more intimate and adult dining destination in the evening.”
Remedy | 2010b Greenville Avenue, Dallas | 469.294.4012
photos courtesy of Kevin Marple
