Duro Hospitality, one of Dallas’ most dynamic and fastest-growing hospitality groups, announces the opening of Mister Charles, an exuberant and sophisticated restaurant and bar. Opening in Summer 2023, Mister Charles will offer an unforgettable experience with irreverent globally-inspired plays on luxurious French and Italian dishes, an open kitchen, soaring 38-ft. ceilings, iconoclastic design, perfected classic cocktails and rare wines.
Mister Charles is located at 3219 Knox St. in the landmarked former Highland Park Soda Fountain Building. “Mister Charles is our most exuberant, ambitious and high-energy restaurant to date, and we are excited to share it with our neighbors and visitors to our wonderful city,” says Chas Martin, Duro Hospitality’s Co-Founding Partner. “We believe that when guests dine out, they want to be transported out of their daily lives and routines. Our culinary and bar teams have pulled out all stops to create a joyous, multi-sensory experience that will create soulful and unforgettable memories for guests.”
An Indirect Homage to Chas Martin, Co-Founding Partner of Duro Hospitality
Mister Charles pays indirect homage to Chas Martin, who lent his name to The Charles, the group’s first restaurant. Serving “Italian-ish” cuisine in a high-style setting, The Charles became an overnight success. Since then, the name has morphed into more of a fictional character and was further played on for the group’s recent El Carlos Elegante, the Latin “brother” of The Charles. Mister Charles, in turn, conjures up a more sophisticated and well-traveled relative who has enjoyed a lifetime savoring the finest continental cuisines and luxuriating in Europe’s most elegant hotels, restaurants and bars.
Chas’ journey in hospitality began as a Kitchen Intern at the iconic Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse in Dallas. Over the course of four years, he excelled in his role and eventually took charge of all front-of-house operations. Building on his experience, Chas then ventured into wine sales before assuming the position of Food & Beverage Director at Hotel ZaZa in Dallas.
A Landmarked Space in a Special Location
Mister Charles is located in the former Highland Park Soda Fountain Building. The Soda Fountain operated there for more than 100 years and holds a special place in the hearts of Dallas residents. The landmarked space has been fully renovated and also incorporates new construction in a connected adjacent space. Mister Charles seats 98 in its dining room, 12 at the bar, 26 in its private dining room and 24 outside.
A Soaring Experience Extends Over Three Stories
Guests enter the main entrance on the soda fountain side. They pass through an arched vestibule of Venetian plaster. The space opens to a cathedral-like experience with three-story columns ending in Corinthian capitals. These capitals line a coffered ceiling wallpapered with trompe l’oeil medallions. On the main floor, to the left and under the stairwell, is the darker and sensuous “new” dining room in the newest addition to the building. Here, there is a small secondary bar and an open kitchen.
This room’s ceiling is much lower, making the space less imposing. It is warmer and more romantic, but no less impressive as it is paneled in tall antique beveled mirrors with beautiful old bronze sconces with evocative black silk shades. To the right, there is a long marble bar top with a huge brass back bar in front of two-story windows. To the left is a beautiful switchback stairway sheathed in Venetian plaster that leads past the exposed plate glass-windowed wine cellar to the private dining room on the mezzanine floor.
Reimagined Luxurious French and Italian Dishes & Reinterpreted Classic Cocktails
The culinary team at Mister Charles has created irreverent takes on opulent dishes from France and Italy, with globally-sourced accenting ingredients. The drinks program spans finely-tuned classic cocktails, along with whimsical creations, like the Turnover Sour. The wine selection, which also focuses on France, Italy and Spain, along with Napa Valley, Sonoma and Washington State, includes limited production bottlings, rare vintages and extensive sparkling options.
