Palladino’s Steak & Seafood today announced the appointment of Chef de Cuisine Henry Johnson to lead the kitchen at its highly anticipated Dallas location, opening in Preston Royal. Johnson will oversee day-to-day culinary operations in Dallas, executing the menu created by Executive Chef & Partner Sam Hazen, whose celebrated steakhouse vision anchors the Palladino brand.
The appointment marks a key step in building the Dallas leadership team for Joseph Palladino, founder of Palladino’s Steak & Seafood and a longtime Dallas restaurateur who previously co-founded Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse, as he expands the brand following its debut in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.
“Dallas has been central to my career for more than two decades,” Palladino said. “After working alongside Sam in New York, bringing Palladino’s Steak & Seafood here with a chef of Henry’s caliber is an important next step. Henry’s discipline and guest-first mindset reflect the standards Sam and I have established for the brand.”
Originally from Tonganoxie, Kansas, Johnson discovered his love for cooking alongside his mother and grandmother before serving six years in the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea, he developed an appreciation for global flavors and culinary precision, an influence that continues to shape his approach in the kitchen.
After completing his military service, Johnson graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio in 2017. He quickly rose through the Dallas culinary ranks, holding leadership roles at Café Pacific, Cowboys Club at The Star, North Italia and Flower Child before serving as Executive Chef at Bistro 31 and most recently, Evelyn. In 2025, he represented Texas on Season 24 of Hell’s Kitchen, earning national recognition for his technical skill and composed execution under pressure.
Located in a standalone 9,850-square-foot building in Preston Hollow, Palladino’s Steak & Seafood will introduce its modern steakhouse experience to Dallas with a dining room, bar, private dining room and jazz lounge/event space, in addition to catering for private events both on-and off-site. The menu will feature Hazen’s signature offerings, including prime steaks alongside impeccably sourced seafood, Italian-inspired specials and inventive sushi offerings.
“Dallas has an incredible dining community, and I’m honored to help shape what Palladino’s will bring to it,” Johnson said. “Chef Sam has created a menu that’s both bold and refined, and I’m excited to execute it at the highest level while building relationships with our guests.”
The Dallas opening follows the acclaimed launch of Palladino’s Steak & Seafood in New York City’s historic Grand Central Terminal and signals the continued growth of The Palladino Group’s national footprint. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information visit palladinos.com or follow @palladinosrestaurants on Instagram.
