Casa Brasa — the new restaurant from award-winning chef Omar Flores and the Marshi family’s Big Dill Hospitality — is one of those rare spots that feels alive from the moment you walk in. Set in Preston Center at 8111 Preston Road, it’s a vibrant collision of Latin fire, Mexican warmth, and a whisper of Japanese precision. The open-flame grill sets the stage for a menu that celebrates smoke and spice, while the raw bar and sushi counter bring brightness and balance. Add in a speakeasy just out of sight, glowing softly long after dinner service, and you’ve got a place that’s both sophisticated and full of soul.
The dining room is breathtaking — warm, golden light dances off rich wood and polished stone, creating an atmosphere that’s equal parts elegant and inviting. It feels like a modern palace, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and the irresistible scent of wood smoke from the open kitchen. Every detail is considered, from the gleaming tile to the perfectly placed art that nods to the restaurant’s global influences. Beyond the main room, the speakeasy hums quietly with low jazz and candlelight — dark, intimate, and effortlessly cool. It’s the kind of space that seems to slow down time, where a well-made cocktail and good conversation can stretch into the night.
CEO Alec Marshi ties it all together with a gracious touch. He moves through the restaurant with an easy confidence, checking in on guests, sharing stories about the menu, and talking passionately about the vision behind Casa Brasa. When he stops by your table, it doesn’t feel rehearsed — it feels like catching up with a friend who happens to run one of the most exciting new restaurants in town. His genuine warmth and enthusiasm for hospitality elevate the experience from excellent to unforgettable.
And as with all of Omar Flores’ restaurants, the wine list at Casa Brasa is cleverly curated — equal parts education and adventure. It’s a list that invites conversation rather than intimidation, built around pairings that amplify the menu’s fire, citrus, and smoke. Crisp Albariños, bright Chardonnays, and supple Riojas share space with a few unexpected gems that nod to the chef’s global reach. It’s not just a wine list — it’s a thoughtful companion to the meal, one that mirrors Flores’ playful, polished approach to cooking.
We began with a half dozen oysters that set the tone for the night — perfectly shucked, sweet and briny, each one glistening in its own liquor. They were the kind of oysters that make you pause mid-conversation and just smile. That was followed by the ahi tuna tataki, vibrant slabs of togarashi-seared tuna resting on slices of navel orange and bathed in a bright yuzu ponzu with salsa macha. It was as beautiful as it was balanced — citrus, spice, and umami playing in perfect harmony.
Then came the entrées: a stunning deboned whole branzino, grilled in the style of pescado zarandeado, with two different flavors split down the middle. One side leaned smoky and bold with chile, the other delicate and citrusy, letting the natural sweetness of the fish shine. The Chilean sea bass followed — a flaky, tender fillet resting in a Veracruzana lobster sauce that was rich, savory, and deeply comforting. Every bite felt like a little revelation — a reminder that when you respect ingredients and cook with passion, the results speak for themselves.
We were eyeballing the lamb shank and will soon be back for that. And we did not order the octopus, but that is a chef Flores specialty.
And then dessert — the kind that stops you in your tracks. The passionfruit pavlova arrived like a small work of art: a crisp, cloudlike meringue shell giving way to lush vanilla crème, tangy ribbons of passionfruit curd, and a crown of fresh mango, toasted macadamias, and mint. It was light yet indulgent, a perfect balance of tart and sweet, creamy and crunchy — a dessert that makes you close your eyes for just a second longer than you mean to. The chocolate cake, many layered and dense, was another showstopper — rich cocoa softened by walnuts, palomitas de caramelo, and a warm caramel drizzle poured tableside. Unbelievable.
By the time we left, the glow of the open kitchen had faded to the low hum of the speakeasy, and the staff — so professional, kind, and clearly proud — were still smiling. Casa Brasa is an experience. It’s what happens when passion meets precision, when hospitality feels personal, and when food becomes storytelling. It’s elegant, fiery, and full of heart — everything Dallas dining should be.
