Today Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing, the dynamic duo behind Shinsei, shared details of their new concept: Lovers Seafood and Market. The restaurant is currently underway and is slated to open this March in the old Rex’s location at Lovers and Inwood, replacing the neighborhood’s lost seafood spot with a new concept that’s sure to satisfy Rex’s regulars and new customers alike.
Joining Rathbun and Fearing is Executive Chef Aaron Staudenmaier. The longtime Abacus chef has returned to Dallas after leaving in 2012 to lead the kitchen at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg. Staudenmaier’s menu begins with an array of soups (gumbo, clam chowder), salads, and shareable starters like Thai-style mussels and clams, ahi tuna poke and Cajun fried oysters. Larger plates include fish and chips, a Cajun roasted half chicken and fish tacos, plus a delicious burger and sandwiches like the lobster roll, crispy hot chicken sliders and po’boys. In addition to sit-down dining, the restaurant features a full bar and also a market, which will provide the freshest seafood and shellfish for customers to take home.
Rounding out the team are Pastry Chef Ty Bohoney, General Manager Max Heidenreich and Assistant Manager DJ Andre 7. Bohoney is a classically trained chef with extensive experience in restaurants and catering. His most recent position was with Kent Rathbun Concepts, where he created menus and executed pastries and breads for full-service catered events.
Heidenreich has also reunited with the Rathbun family as he started at Abacus and opened the original Jasper’s in Plano. DJ Andre 7 is a popular DJ, actor/model and fitness trainer who is well-known throughout Dallas and will bring a fun and energetic vibe to the restaurant.
The space was designed by Greg O’Neal of Philosophy Design, and was created to provide diners with a calm, clean and refreshing environment. The 3,000 square foot interior space seats 79 and is adorned by ship lap lumber walls, hemp ropes and herringbone millwork, plus a wood stain patina to give the restaurant a modern twist on coastal comfort and elegance. The aquamarine bar sits underneath a sea of crystal liquor decanters, retrofitted into a beautiful lighting feature. And outside, a boardwalk-inspired patio can accommodate an additional 40 diners.
“We couldn’t be more excited to share our new concept with Dallas,” said Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing. “This is our neighborhood, and when the opportunity presented itself, we knew we had to jump on it. We’re looking forward to providing our friends, neighbors and the entire city with great food, drinks and the freshest market catches in a fun and relaxed setting.”
Lovers Seafood and Market is located at 5200 W Lovers Lane. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
