Tag Archives: Matt Balke

by Steven Doyle | October 5, 2020 · 10:26 am

Encina Opens Oct 9th

Encina – a warm and inviting neighborhood restaurant offering New American cuisine will open to the public on Friday, October 9 for happy hour and dinner Monday through Saturday (with Saturday/Sunday brunch service in coming weeks).

Located at 614 W. Davis Street in the beloved neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, Encina was created by chef/co-owner, Matt Balke (formerly Executive Chef of Bolsa) along with co-owner Corey McCombs (formerly front of house at Stephan Pyles, FT33, Flora Street and SMOKE) to offer an uncomplicated yet adventurous menu with influences from Texas, California and the South. With a very deliberate and thoughtful focus on seasonality and fresh ingredients, the name Encina is Spanish for Holm Oak – which is not only a type of tree but also the original name of Balke’s hometown of Uvalde, Texas. This is where his appreciation of quality, authentic ingredients and locally sourced produce and protein were born.

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Filed under Crave, Steven Doyle

Tagged as Bishop Arts, Dallas, Encina, Matt Balke, Oak Cliff, Restaurant

by Steven Doyle | July 7, 2020 · 10:00 am

Chef Matt Balke to Open New Neighborhood Restaurant, Encina, in Former Bolsa Space

Matt Balke headshot.jpeg

Encina — a warm and inviting neighborhood restaurant planning to offer New American cuisine, cocktails, wine and beer with influences from Texas, California and the South, will open later this summer/early fall for dinner and weekend brunch at 614 W. Davis Street (former Bolsa space) in the beloved neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas.

Chef/Owner Matt Balke (formerly Executive Chef of Bolsa) partnered with front of house restaurant veteran and life partner, Corey McCombs (formerly FOH at Stephan Pyles, FT33, Flora Street) to create an uncomplicated yet adventurous menu with a focus on seasonality and fresh ingredients in a comfortable interior and large patio design described as “homey southern charm”. Continue reading →

January Closures

bolsa by Steven Doyle

January 2020 has been a sad month with closures the Dallas restaurant community.

We were rocked by the news of LUCK in Trinity Groves bowing out, with a final blow out last Sunday. We were especially unsettled by this bit of news as over the years we had plenty invested mentally in LUCK and the owners, Chef Daniel Pittman, Jeff Dietzman, and Ned Steel who were all first time restaurant owners. The boys called on us months before opening their beer-centric restaurant in up-and-coming Trinity Groves having us attend pop-ups around the city as they prepared guests for something truly amazing. Continue reading →

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Filed under Crave, Steven Doyle

Tagged as Bolsa, Common Table, Cory Pond, Eddie "Lucky" Campbell, Graham Dodds, Jason Kosmas, Luck, Matt Balke, Rodman Shields

by Steven Doyle | May 12, 2014 · 11:42 am

Exclusive: Matt Balke Out At The Rustic *Update

balke by Steven Doyle

Chef Matt Balke who opened the Rustic sends word that he gave notice 30 days ago and last night was his final shift at the popular venue. Balke has a beautiful history working with Sharon Hage at York Street, and with chef pal Jeff Harris at Bolsa. We should have his next destination very soon. Continue reading →

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Filed under Steven Doyle

Tagged as Chef, Dallas, Matt Balke, The Rustic

by Steven Doyle | February 24, 2014 · 1:09 pm

Real Ale Brewing Co Beer Paired Dinner At The Rustic Feb 28

by Steven Doyle

Rustic has proven to be this amazing success and executive chef Matt Balke is celebrating with a special Real Ale Brewing Company dinner on February 28, 2014. This special dinner will include 6 courses for $65. For reservations email rsvp@therusticrestaurant.com or call 214-730-0596.

Check out this beautifully paired menu: Continue reading →

The Rustic Opens October 16

Free Range Concepts partners, Josh Sepkowitz and Kyle Noonan announce their newest project – The Rustic – will open Wednesday, October 16th for dinner service (lunch hours planned for later in the month). Located in Uptown at the prime corner lot of Lemmon Avenue and North Central Expressway in the West Village area, The Rustic promises to be a vibrant Texas-inspired addition to Dallas’ restaurant/bar scene with great food and drink.

Sepkowitz and Noonan, the team behind Bowl & Barrel, Mutts and the new television series Local Fare, have partnered with Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Pat Green and local businessman Brian Manion to open a full service restaurant and bar that will showcase kitchen and bar menus with roots reaching deep into the Texas soil. Beef, poultry and game from local ranchers and produce from local farmers are an important foundation of the menu. Local purveyors include the likes of Barking Cat Farms (Heath, TX), Comeback Creek (Pittsburgh, TX), Vital Farms (Austin, TX), Wagyu Excelente (Dallas,TX), Broken Arrow Ranch (Ingram, TX), Caprino Royale (Waco, TX), Eagle Mountain Cheese (Granbury, TX), Veldhuizen Cheese (Dublin, TX), Spiceman’s FM 1410 (Dallas, TX) and more. The bar will feature all the best Texas has to offer including 40 beers on draft, cocktails and a notable wine list. Continue reading →