The Bugatti name has meant something in Dallas Italian dining for a long time, and now there’s a new chapter. Trattoria Bugatti opens Monday, April 20 at 3850 W Northwest Hwy in Midway Hollow — just down the street from where the original Bugatti Ristorante stood before it moved to Farmers Branch.
This isn’t a clone of the original. Michael and Zee Bugatti partnered with Ashley Odeh and the Odeh Restaurant Group to build something that feels current without abandoning what made the name matter. Zee, who has become one of the more recognizable faces in Dallas hospitality, describes it as a more modern expression of the brand — fresh and evolving, but still rooted in the Italian culinary tradition the family built its reputation on. Think neighborhood Italian — the kind of place you actually want to go on a Tuesday.
The kitchen belongs to Chef Erin Willis, a James Beard Award nominee and the former chef-owner of RM 12:20 Bistro. Her food draws on time she spent in Italy — not just cooking, but eating in people’s homes, learning where things came from and how little equipment you actually need. That experience shows up on the menu in direct, honest ways. Her “True” Italian Alfredo, for example, is made the way she learned it there: housemade fettuccine, butter, garlic, parmesan. No cream. She’s also sourcing locally where it counts — dough from Lubbies Bagels, gelato from Botolino, fresh pasta from Fresh Pasta Delights, a Plano family operation that’s been at it since 1984.
The menu covers a lot of ground without feeling scattered. Starters include Cacio e Pepe Wings with a parmesan béchamel dipping sauce, Testaroli semolina pancakes with pecorino and basil pesto, and house focaccia with Calabrian butter. Pastas include Sachetti Shrimp Scampi and a Lasagna “Rotta” built around housemade meatballs and broken sheet noodles. For something more substantial, there’s a Pork Milanese, Eggplant Parmesan, and an Allen Brothers T-bone with a garlic herb oil.
Lunch leans into focaccia sandwiches and sourdough pizzas, including a Bianca with cacio e pepe béchamel, ricotta and chili flakes.
The cocktail program was built by Chris Henley of Betty Cocktail, whose credits include Balcones Speakeasy inside Globe Life Field, Ka Thai, and Dahlia on Ross. Her approach here is Italian-influenced without being precious about it. The Limoncello Daisy is bright and easy; the Cyn-Cyn leans on bourbon, Cynar and Averna for something more brooding. There’s also a dedicated aperitivo menu at the bar — small bites, wines, and cocktails designed for the early evening crowd.
The space is 4,425 square feet with 120 seats in the dining room, a 15-seat bar, and a 30-seat patio. Design is by the Hohe Design Group, with layers of green, vintage artwork and a clean modern bar anchoring the room.
Trattoria Bugatti is at 3850 W Northwest Hwy, Suite 1190, Dallas, TX 75220. Phone: (214) 217-3889. More at TrattoriaBugatti.com.
