The Dallas dining scene is no stranger to reinvention, but every so often a new opening feels like a statement. This week, Tivona Group, the Dallas-based hospitality company behind the acclaimed Indian fine-dining destination Sanjh, steps into a new lane with the arrival of Urban Italia, opening Friday, January 9, in Victory Park. Located at 3030 Nowitzki Way, the restaurant brings Italian-American cooking into sharp, modern focus—equal parts memory, technique, and appetite.
Continue readingFiled under Steven Doyle
In the Dallas Arts District, La Stella Cucina Verace feels less like a restaurant and more like a refined escape to Northern Italy. The mood is set the moment you step through the doors—elegant lighting, bold jewel tones, white tablecloths, and the occasional sweep of live piano or vocal performances. It’s polished but never stiff, romantic without being cliché.
Continue readingFiled under Steven Doyle
If you haven’t yet heard about the “snake” at 61 Osteria, you’re missing out on one of Fort Worth’s most exciting culinary experiences. But don’t worry—it’s not rattlesnake. Instead, it’s the Serpente, a 16-inch coil of pasta that’s quickly becoming the must-order dish at this buzzing new spot in town.
The Serpente is like nothing you’ve ever seen. With its beautifully serrated edges, this pasta is stuffed with rich ricotta, bathed in a tangy Meyer lemon beurre blanc, and surrounded by a decadent layer of buttery hen of the woods mushrooms. It’s not just food, it’s a conversation starter—and the kind of dish that’ll have you wanting to tell all your friends.
Continue readingFiled under Crave
One of Dallas’ most beloved and cherished restaurants, Bugatti Ristorante, has reopened to bring its Italian favorites back to North Texas diners in the growing Mercer Boardwalk at LBJ and Luna Road in Farmers Branch (1940 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX 75234.) The 4,500-sf. restaurant has reopened for dinner service only nightly. The polished, intimate space has seating for 100 and includes a beautifully appointed private dining room that accommodates up to 40 diners.
Continue readingFiled under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Just a few moths ago Patrizio’s vacated their historic location in Highland Park Village. They quickly secured their new location at 3232 McKinney Avenue in Uptown where they have set up shop and opened for business yesterday. Although they are still in soft opening mode we were able to nab a sweet spot at the bar for a look at the new, and updated menu.
You will find many familiar favorites on the new menu, items that if removed would cause yet another earthquake in the Dallas area, such as the grilled chicken salad that is souped up with hearts of palm, artichokes, bacon red bell peppers and so much more. However, one thing you will notice, and not necessarily with the menu, is that the food has taken on a revamp. The food is actually quite good. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Andrew Chalk
If you want a reasonably-priced Italian meal or a bar that is great for people watching in Preston center check out Cucina Neighborhood Italian. The cozy spot has been open under its current ownership and culinary team since May and, although we reviewed their menu for the Restaurant Week period, we had not sampled the regular menu until now. At a media event this week we got the chance to get a comprehensive look at the regular menu and get a feel for the ambiance of the place.
First, you are going to find familiar red-sauce Italian comfort food on the menu here at prices that make it viable as a regular neighborhood spot for dinner. The lunch menu is an abbreviated version of dinner, with a ‘$10 lunch’ section that features a sandwich and/or salad with a drink. A kids menu makes it family friendly, and a Sunday brunch menu departs the Italian theme for what might be called ‘Eggs Benedict Mainstream’. The restaurant features a full bar and wine list. Continue reading
Filed under Andrew Chalk
by Steven Doyle
Back in late August Mi Piaci opened its location in Preston Center in the former Ocho location, and the response has been overwhelmingly incredible. This is where the neighborhood is looking to dine on fresh pasta according to local buzz. This is what Mi Piaci does best. We sent ace photographer, Robert Bostick, out to nab us a first look and his photos made us so hungry we immediately went out to sample a few of the dishes on our own. A few months have passed and the crowds seem larger, and the food is still what we would expect out of this 25 year old institution in Dallas.
The pasta is still handmade by the chef who arrives as early as 5am to start is handy work. The breads are also all house-made with similar start times. The staff looks remarkably familiar, and that is because they have all been with the restaurant for many years after having been transferred from the location on Montfort just before the August opening. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Andrew Chalk
Battuto Italian Kitchen, the Italian neighborhood restaurant established by Gene and Julie Gates of radio fame held a media event this week and I was fortunate to be invited. It is rather different from what I expected. I thought it would be the objet d’amour of someone with a romantic fascination with Italy – a fascination that usually does not transfer well across corporeal units. What I found was a good restaurant, informed by modern culinary trends, but making a conscious effort to not just follow the pack. Take some examples:
They hired Joel Harloff as chef. He has produced first-rate food at several Dallas restaurants including the Melrose Hotel, Second Floor and Ocho. Continue reading
Filed under Andrew Chalk
