The Uptown community is about to be taken on a one-of-a-kind culinary and mixology journey across Asia when Anju opens its doors this spring.
Anju – a new elevated Asian street food concept – is the brainchild of One Esca Owner Michael Kim and Chef Don Flores. One Esca purchased City Council Bar in December 2019 and is in the process of renovating the interior and exterior, bringing Kim and Flores’ vision of Anju’s unique, affordable Asian dining experience to life.
True to its origin, “Anju” means creative dishes consumed with alcohol. So, the 3,000-square-foot restaurant will focus on a creative mixology selection and Asian fusion shareable plates and dishes that highlight flavors from China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. The special food and drink combination cultivates Anju’s very own Asian-American culture, served in a fun, laidback atmosphere. The dinner menu will feature chef-favorites, such as Karaage Chicken and Drunken Noodles, as well as popular items like Angus Dumplings, Pork Belly Bao Buns and Wasabi Fried Rice, all at an approachable price point. Fancy a night out on the town? Anju’s drink menu will include traditional Asian beverages like Soju and Somaek, in addition to offering classic American cocktails.
When Anju make its debut at 2901 Thomas Ave. in Dallas, the One Esca team plans to keep the restaurant open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
“The Uptown community will soon see that Anju has many different vibes,” Kim said. “It will truly be like nothing else in the area. At our core, we’re bringing delicious Asian fusion dishes and unique Asian-style drinking to the area. Because of this, Anju is the place you either start or end your night. It’s the perfect spot for a group of friends to get together for a night out, but it’s also much more than that. Anju is affordable, making it the ideal restaurant for locals to stop in and grab a meal several times a week.”
Once updates are finished, Anju will boast a remarkable, 2,000-square-foot revamped patio, as well as a modern, Asian-inspired interior. TVs will line the walls of the new restaurant, giving locals a relaxed spot to watch sports games. To round out Anju’s full Asian fusion experience, guests will be able to enjoy a brunch like none other. Anju will put an Asian spin on the classic American brunch with items like Chicken and Waffles, Loco Moco and Pork Belly Breakfast Tacos.
“By the end of renovations, our ultimate goal is to have the best patio in Uptown,” Kim said. “We know this will be huge in helping us quickly become the go-to destination for brunch on the weekends and catching a game any day of the week. We can’t wait to combine Asian and American dining and drinking traditions to give Dallasites their new regular hangout spot.”
Although the Anju full experience isn’t currently available, the restaurant is testing the menu and training staff by serving dinner for dine-in, takeout and third-party delivery on DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Eats. Because the restaurant has not officially opened, the brunch, dinner and cocktail menus are in the refining process and are subject to change in the coming months.
