Cynthia Smoot
From Design District Glam To The Neighborhood Gems You’ll Crave All Year
The DFW 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. Plates and Pours is your monthly insiders’ digest of what’s actually 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, according to our own dining aficionado, Cynthia Smoot.
CRAFT Restaurant & Beer Market has just opened in Peston Center, bringing an expansive food menu, curated cocktail program, and over 100 taps, along with a rooftop patio complete with bocce ball, to the neighborhood. Brought to life by Founder PJ L’Heureux and President & COO Scott Frank in partnership with Tom Gaglardi, owner of the Dallas Stars and Moxies Restaurants, the Dallas restaurant marks the brand’s first Texas location.
The menu features guest favorites, including Miso Salmon, Korean Sticky Ribs, Crispy Salmon Sushi, and the Brewmaster chicken sandwich, alongside bowls, steaks, pastas, and shareable starters, with weekend brunch served until 2 p.m. The drink menu includes cocktails such as the Strawberry Mezcalrita, Oak-Aged Old Fashioned, Espresso Shaft, and Rosé Lemonade, as well as local Dallas breweries, including Peticolas Brewing Company and Celestial Beerworks, plus premium wines and spirits. Guests can visit the restaurant on weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. for happy hour, offering discounts on bites like the Spicy Ahi Tacos, Queen Bee Pizza, and CRAFT Smash Burger alongside a variety of brews, wines, and signature drinks.
On April 9, Celebrity Chef Tiffany Derry is bringing a new gastro pub, sports bar, and social lounge called The Landing to EpicCentral in Grand Prairie. The chef-driven destination invites guests to gather for elevated comfort food, crafted cocktails, live entertainment, and big-screen game-day energy. The Landing promises to bring together the buzz of a sports bar, the warmth of a neighborhood hangout, and the polish of a social lounge. The Landing offers shareable, comfort-forward dishes such as smashburgers, wings, and other craveable favorites, alongside crafted cocktails, spirit-free options, watch parties, live entertainment, and community-driven programming.
Avra Estiatorio is now welcoming guests for weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its newly opened Dallas location at The Crescent in Uptown.
Their brunch blends elevated Greek cuisine with the restaurant’s vibrant energy. Guests may choose between an à la carte menu or indulge in Avra’s three-course prix fixe brunch menu, priced at $65 per person, offering a curated journey through the restaurant’s most beloved flavors.
Their prix fixe experience begins with shareable first courses such as Greek Salad, Spanakopita, Avocado Toast, Calamari, Caviar Latkes, or Tuna Tartare, followed by hearty mains such as the Avra Breakfast with eggs, halloumi cheese, bacon and tomato; Chicken Frites, Grilled Salmon, Steak & Eggs – petite filet, coffee, cheese omelet, mushroom and onion demi glaze; or Whole Grilled Fish. The meal concludes with a choice of Butter Cake, Coconut Cream Pie, or a fresh Fruit Plate. Guests may elevate the experience with optional add-ons such as a Raw Sampler Royale, caviar service, or premium entrées, including Lobster Pasta and Lamb Chops.
In addition to the prix fixe option, Avra’s brunch is also available à la carte, featuring elevated brunch favorites such as the Greek Yogurt Parfait, Brioche French Toast, a Bagel Tower with cream cheese, honey butter, and seasonal jams; Salmon & Caviar Latkes with shredded potatoes, smoked salmon, creme fraiche, royal osetra caviar; and the Avra Breakfast. Heartier offerings include Skillet Hash, Steak & Eggs, Faroe Islands Salmon, Roasted Organic Chicken with lemon roasted potatoes, and the indulgent Lobster Pasta or Caviar Sandwich with royal osetra caviar, smoked salmon, and cream cheese. Brunch beverages are equally indulgent, featuring a tableside Bloody Mary Cart, classic cocktails, and a Mimosa Service with Bisol Prosecco and seasonal fresh-squeezed juices.
The Chicago-inspired tavern D.L. Mack’s recently opened its third Dallas location, bringing crave-worthy cracker crust pizzas and classic American fare to Uptown’s West Village. Nosh on specialty pizzas such as the Honey Truffle Chicken with white sauce, chili flakes, and arugula; Return of the Mack – sausage, giardiniera, and sweet onions; and Spicy Vodka with a ZaZa sauce, basil, and Chicago peppers. Additional menu standouts are D.L. Mack’s Famous Chicken Tenders served with honey mustard and barbecue; Mozzarella Bites; Spicy Rigatoni; The Chopped McCarthy – chicken, bacon, beets, cheddar, egg, and ranch dressing; and a fully loaded Cheeseburger. New menu items include Jalapeno Queso Dip, served chilled with chips; the Hickory Burger with cheddar, Canadian bacon, jalapeno, onion, and hickory sauce; the Grilled Chicken Burger, fully loaded with mustard and truffle aioli; and The Truffle Burger with gruyere, bacon, gorgonzola, onion, arugula, and truffle aioli.
Meridian at The Village has just unveiled an entirely new cocktail menu, introducing a fresh collection of seasonal libations crafted to mirror the warmth, creativity, and culinary precision that define the restaurant’s dining experience. From spirit-forward sips to playful dessert cocktails, every drink on the menu is new, save for Meridian’s mocktails, which remain guest favorites. Our favorite offerings include:
- Dirty Little Thing, a martini elevated with blue cheese–washed vodka for a savory, unexpected twist
- Home Is Where the Hearth Is, a spirit-forward cocktail featuring hearth-roasted chestnut, añejo tequila, Meletti and Cynar for depth and warmth
- Mull It Over, a playful take on mulled wine featuring Wild Turkey 101, blood orange, mulled wine syrup, lemon and egg white, offering a familiar seasonal profile on a fresh canvas
- American Pie, a dessert-inspired cocktail that channels the warmth of a holiday dessert table with brown butter apple brandy, allspice dram, molasses, and caramel whip
Guests can explore the new cocktail menu during Meridian’s Happy Hour when specialty cocktails are just $10, available Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the bar and lounge.
COMING SOON NEAR YOU:
The Dirdie Birdie is expanding into Fort Worth this summer with a new location that formerly housed Bottled Blonde. Designed specifically for Fort Worth, the new location pairs a full-service restaurant and expansive bar with lounge-driven social spaces and an indoor 12-hole mini golf course inspired by iconic parts of Fort Worth culture.
Themes of select holes include the Stockyards, Sundance Square, Panther City, and the Fort Worth Courthouse, and introduce PuttView technology, a tech-driven putting system that tracks the ball and allows guests to play interactive games like putt pong and skill-based challenges. Expect upscale versions of traditional offerings like burgers, salads, and sandwiches.
New York-based maman will open a second location in Dallas’ Design District late 2026 to early 2027 to coincide with the opening of the new premier mixed-use development, The Seam. Diners can look forward to a French-inspired menu of pastries, coffee, and savory café fare.
Among the must-order items, the nutty chocolate-chip cookie is a standout, perfectly chewy with dark chocolate chips and a satisfying crunch from walnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts. Croissants and kouign-amann are fresh and buttery, while the Dallas-exclusive Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Roll offers a decadent twist with layers of croissant, caramel, and toasted pecans. Drop by with friends for a leisurely experience, but don’t bring your laptop and expect to work there. The café operates without reservations and maintains a laptop-free environment, encouraging guests to slow down, savor their meal, and focus on conversation and connection.
Until next month, stay hungry, sip well, and don’t wait on that reservation. The trick is to book early. Linger late. Repeat often.
