Chefs and Stephan Pyles and Tim Byres of Stephan Pyles Flora Street Café at HALL Arts announce the opening of their “restaurant within a restaurant” Fauna. The private tasting is officially opened to the public on Saturday, June 8. Fauna is led by Chef Diego Fernandez, formerly of Chicago’s Alinea.
Fauna features an intricate 12-course menu complete with two levels of wine pairings. The cuisine is inspired by Diego’s upbringing in Mexico and Chef Pyles’ ties to Texas, as seen through dishes such as the TX Fare which utilizes Beef Cheek for a reenactment on a Frito Pie, a classic Caesar salad turned into a playful two-bite course, and other courses throughout the experience. Wine pairings, with selections made by Fauna Sommelier Aaron Benson, are dynamic and globally sourced and chosen with the intention of introducing guests to new terroirs and styles.
“I drew inspiration from local and sustainable farming trying to remain as seasonable as possible,” said Chef Diego Fernandez. “A big part of my influence comes from the opportunities I have had traveling and working in world-renowned kitchens.
Fauna offers a formal, upscale setting poised to be Dallas’ most exclusive dining experience in an ultra-luxe environment. Colorful art installations by Dutch Dallasite Arie Van Selm line the walls of the 16-seat room while a dramatic chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Forest-like elk antlers hang over a nature-inspired video installation that enhances each course. The plate ware is highly unique along with silver-plated cutlery, dynamic crystal and fine linens.
Five tables are positioned throughout the room, all equally amazing, with a view into the open kitchen where Chef Diego Fernandez and Sous Chef Liam Byres, the son of Tim Byres, prepare and plate each of the courses.
“We are thrilled that Chef Diego has returned to Texas to lead the kitchen at Fauna,” said Chef Stephan Pyles. “He is articulate, technically astute and his creativity will ensure that Fauna becomes a dynamic, destination-dining experience.”
It was announced that Diego Fernandez would lead Fauna in early April. Prior to accepting the role as Chef of Fauna, within Flora Street Café by Stephan Pyles, Diego most recently worked under Grant Achatz at Chicago’s Alinea. Before that, he experiences San Francisco’s culinary scene while working at 3 Michelin-Star restaurant Quince. Fernandez, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, opened his own restaurant in San Antonio, Starfish, at the age of 28, garnering notoriety through Texas Monthly’s “Best New Restaurant” list and more.
Fauna, positioned within Stephan Flora Street Café, is located right in the heart of the Dallas Arts District at 2330 Flora Street, Suite 150, Dallas, TX 75021. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dinner is served in synchronized fashion to all guests and the experience will last around three hours. Reservations are required via Tock at: https://www.exploretock.com/fauna/.
