This year, Dallas’s culinary scene is poised to welcome a striking new concept: Eledi, the debut restaurant from acclaimed chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, alongside longtime collaborators Victor Rojas and Carlos Marquez. The trio—deeply rooted in Dallas’s vibrant food and hospitality community—will launch Eledi under their newly formed restaurant group, Oh Hi Hospitality. Scheduled to open later this year, Eledi represents the culmination of decades of friendship, professional synergy, and a shared philosophy rooted in heritage, heart, and hospitality.
“I am thrilled to launch Eledi with my longtime friends and partners, Victor and Carlos,” says Quiñones-Pittman, who will serve as Culinary Director. “This restaurant is the result of many years of dreaming, cooking, and building a community together. Eledi is not just a restaurant—it’s a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and the people we’ve grown with.”
The founding team brings over three decades of combined experience in some of Dallas’s most respected kitchens and dining rooms. Rojas takes the helm as Director of Operations, and Marquez leads as Beverage Director, each drawing from an extensive background that’s helped shape the city’s hospitality landscape.
Meet the Visionaries Behind Eledi
Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman: Culinary Director & Co-Owner
Known affectionately as Chef AQ, Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic forces in modern Mexican cuisine today. A first-generation Mexican-American and proud Texan, she is celebrated for her ability to reimagine traditional dishes through an innovative lens, combining deep culinary heritage with refined technique.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Quiñones-Pittman honed her skills in some of San Francisco’s top kitchens before returning to Texas, where she quickly rose to prominence. Most recently, she served as Executive Chef of José, a role that brought her national recognition. She was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Texas for three consecutive years (2022–2024), featured in the acclaimed Netflix series Taco Chronicles, and named Chef of the Year by Eater Dallas in 2018.
Her approach to cooking is grounded in regional Mexican cuisine—drawing from Oaxaca, Nuevo León, and Mexico City—but evolves beyond borders. At Eledi, her menu will center around live-fire cooking, a technique inspired by her childhood and ancestral roots. “I want the food at Eledi to transcend genre,” she says. “While my foundation is Mexican, I see cuisine as ever-evolving. Each dish reflects the people, the season, and the story it’s telling.”
The name Eledi itself honors two women who shaped her life and values: her mother Elena and her husband’s mother Diana. “Eledi is built on family, love, and the belief that food connects us all,” she says.
Victor Rojas: Director of Operations & Co-Owner
With nearly 40 years in hospitality, Victor Rojas is a seasoned operator known for elevating every space he touches. His résumé includes leadership roles at some of Dallas’s most iconic restaurants, including three Stephen Pyles concepts, The French Room at The Adolphus Hotel, and Bullion. At José, his leadership helped earn the restaurant a James Beard Award semifinalist nod for Outstanding Hospitality in 2022.
More than a résumé of fine-dining excellence, Rojas brings a deep understanding of service culture. “You don’t need white tablecloths to create a world-class experience,” he says. “Service is about connection, care, and anticipation—whether you’re serving tacos or foie gras.”
Rojas studied culinary arts and restaurant management at El Centro College and is driven by a passion to mentor, inspire, and deliver thoughtful, personalized hospitality at every level.
Carlos Marquez: Beverage Director & Co-Owner
Carlos Marquez, originally from Mexico City, has emerged as one of Dallas’s most respected beverage minds. His journey began at Victor Tangos, one of the city’s pioneering cocktail bars, where he quickly built a reputation for his inventive approach to mixology. At José, he led the acclaimed bar program, developing a beverage identity rooted in experimentation, cultural reverence, and bold creativity.
Marquez is especially recognized for his expertise in agave spirits, infusing traditional elements with modern technique. “My goal is always to push boundaries—without losing sight of the story,” he says. At Eledi, guests can expect a deeply curated drink menu with flavor-forward cocktails, a robust wine list, and an emphasis on mezcal and tequila expressions that reflect his roots.
A mentor and leader, Marquez is passionate about building teams and cultivating talent, fostering an environment that’s as enriching for staff as it is for guests.
Eledi’s culinary program will be centered around the live-fire grill, bringing primal energy and flavor to dishes that merge time-honored techniques with modern interpretations. “There’s something ancient and sacred about cooking over flame,” says Quiñones-Pittman. “It forces you to be present, to pay attention—and it connects us to a shared human past.”
The menu will highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, interpreted through the lens of Mexican traditions and global influences. Whether it’s fire-roasted seafood, handmade tortillas, or charred vegetables paired with inventive sauces, every dish will be a tribute to craftsmanship and community.
The restaurant’s ethos—family, friends, and fire—resonates in every detail, from its name to the thoughtful hospitality that Rojas and Marquez are known for. “We want Eledi to feel like coming home,” says Rojas. “Not in a literal sense, but in that deep, soulful way that tells you—you belong here.
Eledi is set to open later this year at a Dallas location to be announced. For more information, visit their website or follow @ElediDallas on Instagram.
