Toussaint Brasserie, a swanky yet approachable modern, French-inspired restaurant and bar, will make its debut in the soon-to-open Renaissance Hotel Saint Elm Dallas Downtown early 2022.
Located in the historic Tower Petroleum Building at 1907 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75201, the property is currently operating as Cambria Downtown Dallas but under major renovations and will reopen as the Renaissance Hotel Saint Elm coinciding with the restaurant opening.
Toussaint Brasserie – offering breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week – promises to be a relaxed yet refined dining destination serving thoughtfully planned and well executed food and drink rooted in the storied culinary techniques of French and Asian flavors.
Along with a dose of New Orleans spice and hospitality, the restaurant draws inspiration in its name from the French celebration in the name of all saints and the iconic New Orleans writer, producer and performer Allen Toussaint.
Dallas-based owner and creator John Kirtland says, “With the help of our friends at hospitality consulting firm Woodhouse, we’ve created a modern interpretation of French brasserie cuisine that adorned Paris, New Orleans and Vietnam at the turn of the century and pays homage to the traditional cooking of these famed culinary destinations.”
The ingredient-driven menu will feature timeless French staples such as Moules Frites, Steak Tartare served with carrot coulis, shallots, egg yolk, pea tendrils, toast points, and fine herbs for starters with entrees such as Steak Frites with NY Strip, pommes frites and sauce persillade, Poulet Roti with roasted chicken, kabocha squash and vadouvan jus along with savory soups, Asian ingredient inspired dishes such as Lobster Thermidor with coconut red curry, glazed lobster, and seasonal vegetables as well as Halibut with Pommes Anna, haricot vert and sauce vierge.
Complementing the food menu, the robust beverage program will offer New Orleans-steeped cocktails with classics such as the Nola-Groni with Euphrosine #9 Gin, Peychaud’s Apertivo and Plymouth Sloe Gin and Quarter Bloody with pickled veg-infused Vodka plus housemade bloody mary mix. The wine program will allow guests to explore with a rotating list featuring wines from France and nearby regions along with domestic selections from California and the Pacific Northwest.
Designed by Droese Raney – known for designing local hot spots such as Jose, Mirador, Park House and more – created an austere space that takes on traditions of French typography and colonial illustrations. The design offers minimal color featuring a refined juxtaposition of blues, greys, caramel, wood and marble materiality. The millwork of a traditional brasserie – booths on spindle legs, hand carved tabletops, wooden shelves at the bar – all speak to the traditional brasseries of Paris and New Orleans.
Kirtland says, “We created Toussaint as a place we’d actually like to visit with friends, for date night or pop in for a quick lunch ourselves. It’ll offer Dallas, and visitors alike, a spirited Downtown destination for French comfort food made with high quality ingredients, a lively soundtrack, and well-crafted cocktails in a comfortable setting. We look forward to welcoming everyone in the New Year!.”
The restaurant boasts 3,200 square feet with seating for 78 indoors and 28 outside and a full-service bar with seating for 16 to include an intimate bottle service table with banquette seating for 6.
Toussaint Brasserie and Renaissance Hotel Saint Elm Dallas Downtown is owned by Dallas resident and entrepreneur John Kirtland and managed by award-winning Azul Hospitality Group.