Cynthia Smoot
From Buzzy Openings To Must-Try Menus, Here’s Your Insider Guide To What’s Shaping Dallas Dining Right Now
Dallas’ dining scene moves fast, and if you blink, you’ll miss the reservation everyone’s suddenly chasing or the cocktail that’s quietly becoming the city’s next calling card. Welcome to Plates & Pours, your new monthly insiders’ digest of what’s hot and happening across Dallas restaurants and bars; new openings worth the hype, chef moves, and menu drops, wine dinners to book before they sell out, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) shifts shaping how the city eats and drinks right now. Think of it as the notes passed at the table: where to go, what to order, and why it matters, before everyone else catches on, all according to our savvy Dallas editor, Cynthia Smoot.
Delilah Dallas is where Southern charm meets old-Hollywood glamour in a transportive, high-energy environment designed for elevated dining, socializing, and staying out well past midnight. The famed roaring ’20s-inspired supper club opened its doors this past February and has seen a steady stream of notables, such as Kendall Jenner, Machine Gun Kelly, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, Leon Bridges, Jaleel White, Bravo TV’s Meredith Marks, and D’Andra Simmons. Unfortunately for those of us obsessed with celeb selfies, the venue caters to the restaurant’s discerning, and often private, clientele, offering immersive live entertainment, opulent interiors, all while maintaining Delilah’s signature “No Photos” policy.
From the moment you walk through the doors, you’re transported to another era, and while each Delilah shares the brand’s 1920s-40s supper club vein, every location is created with its own personality. In Dallas, the interiors blend the classic Delilah style of rich textures: burlwood, lush pink velvet booths, with dim lighting and shimmering chandeliers. Adorning the walls in the private dining rooms, you can find caricatures of Delilah fans and notable Dallas and Texas locals like Erykah Badu, Post Malone, Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, Clayton Kershaw, and Dirk Nowitzki.
Led by Chef Scott Ruwart, Delilah Dallas serves refined American fare with a special nod to Texas in many dishes. The culinary team’s locally inspired creations include Thick-Cut Bacon with bread and butter pickles and spicy BBQ; “Bone-in” Texas Redfish served with a brown butter beurre blanc served on the bone and fileted to resemble a T-bone steak; a Truffled Grilled Cheese with tomato fondue; Roasted Lobster Mafaldine with ancho chili cream and lobster tomato; plus a reimagined, refined classic Texan dessert – Texas Sheet Cake with chocolate butter cream and gold leaf. For entertainment, Delilah Dallas will sport the largest main stage out of all the Delilah venues, decorated with luxurious Austrian curtains, plus three dedicated performance platforms surrounded by Delilah’s iconic golden palm trees for a larger-than-life experience. Connect at Delilah Dallas.
Frenchie just rolled out a new happy hour experience happening Monday to Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. The menu features $3 oysters, $10 bites, including the Frenchie Smash Burger, Crispy Pig Ears, and Chicken Wings, $10 classic cocktails like the Paloma, Cosmopolitan, Old Fashioned, Sauv Story, and Carajillo, and a curated selection of half-price wines.
Frenchie offers French cuisine rooted in Mediterranean influences and a healthy California approach. The menu features a variety of options, including a coffee bar for breakfast, soft-serve ice cream and waffles, fresh salads, and grilled fish and meats. Connect at Frenchie.
After more than two decades as a neighborhood staple across New York City, Little Ruby’s, has expanded beyond the East Coast, to debut its first out-of-state location in Dallas’ Uptown area. With its casual yet polished vibe, it captures the essence of Australia’s laidback lifestyle while embodying the pace and personality of New York; friendly, familiar, and vibrant. Little Ruby’s opened its doors in February, ready to introduce Dallas to its warm hospitality, fresh dishes and drinks, and casual yet polished approach to all-day dining.
The menu at Little Ruby’s centers on comforting, high-quality dishes made with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. The all-day offerings span breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with signature items such as the Bronte Burger with a 7-ounce beef patty, spinach, Swiss cheese, sweet chili, and mayo on ciabatta; Spicy Vodka Pasta with canestri, parmesan, basil, and chives; Ricotta Hotcakes finished with whipped maple butter and banana; Chicken Schnitzel Salad with creamed corn, bibb lettuce, radish, and chives; and the Crispy Rice Bowl featuring puffed wild rice, halloumi, a sunny-side egg, fresh vegetables, and ginger lemon dressing.
The Dallas location features a 1,790-square-foot dining room alongside a 950-square-foot patio, offering a variety of environments that shift naturally throughout the day. The restaurant accommodates approximately 100 guests indoors, with eight additional seats at the bar and 56 on the patio, creating a layout that supports both quick visits and longer, social gatherings. Connect at Little Ruby’s.
Vandelay Companies continues its steady growth across North Texas and beyond, with the opening of its 10th Hudson House location, bringing the East Coast–inspired neighborhood favorite to Uptown Dallas’ iconic West Village. The Hudson House menu brings coastal-inspired dishes paired with a robust raw bar. Signature favorites include Hudson’s Avocado Dip made with whipped avocado, green onion, herbs, and ranch chips; The Cheeseburger featuring thin patties, American cheese, pickles, and Hudson’s signature house sauce; and the Chicken Parm, classically prepared with creamy tomato pasta and reggiano. The beverage program remains a defining element of the Hudson House experience, led by the “World’s Coldest Martini.”
The 5,600-square-foot West Village location will feature Hudson House’s signature warm leather booths, a large wraparound bar, a spacious sit-down raw bar, and an outdoor patio designed to complement the neighborhood’s pedestrian-friendly atmosphere while delivering the polished comfort guests expect from the brand. Do not sleep on their weekday happy hour, which runs 3–6 p.m. at the bar, featuring half-price martinis, bellinis, and wines by the glass, $3 East Coast oysters, and $10 cheeseburgers. The opening also adds to Vandelay Companies’ growing footprint in the West Village, alongside fellow soon-to-open concepts Ten Ramen and DL Mack’s. Connect at Hudson House.
COMING SOON TO DALLAS
Aba, the Mediterranean restaurant with a California influence from the renowned hospitality group, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, will open its first Dallas location in late 2026 at The Seam, the highly anticipated mixed-use development in the Design District. Aba currently has locations in Chicago, Austin, and Nashville, with Dallas set to become its fourth location.
The menu will feature Chef and Partner CJ Jacobson’s modern approach to Mediterranean cuisine while incorporating his California roots. Guests can expect familiar favorites, including house-made hummus and spreads, hot and cold mezze selections, kebabs, butcher cuts, and seasonal desserts, along with new dishes inspired by the local market. The beverage program will highlight spirits and rare wines from lesser-known Mediterranean regions.
Aba’s Dallas location will feature its signature green landscape, including large-scale Mediterranean olive trees, climbing ivy, and a local collection of potted plants and trees. Moroccan-style lanterns, vintage glass chandeliers, and rich tones of leather, stone, and mosaic tiles fill the space. The restaurant will feature both indoor and outdoor dining rooms and bars, ideal for private events.
Until next month, keep your calendar flexible and your Resy notifications on. Reservations are always recommended. Regrets not included.
