And here we are, once again, at the end of the calendar, looking back at the year that was. We visited so many new places — restaurants, bars and more. Before we dive into 2024, let’s pause, look back and reflect on the best new places we visited in North Texas.
Andreas Prime Steaks & Seafood
610 W. Bethany Drive, Allen, TX 75013 | 469.675.0245
This is not just another steakhouse. Oh, no, no, this is a French-inspired steakhouse from Chef Andreas Kotsifos, the former executive chef at The Palm, who has over forty years of culinary experience in Athens, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Manhattan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Dallas and more. This latest venture evokes Paris, namely Art Nouveau. Geographic provenance and art history references aside, Chef Kotsifos makes some seriously good steaks. And if that’s not your thing, try the French onion soup or the lobster bisque. Sop that up with the restaurant’s freshly baked house-made bread.
Beckley 1115
1115 N. Beckley Ave., Dallas, TX 75203 | 214.941.1115
Chef Luke Rogers, along with his wife Geniselys Rogers, took over Beckley 1115, a neighborhood restaurant and wine bar located at, well, 1115 N. Beckley Ave. in Dallas, buying the restaurant from the legendary Chef Sharon Van Meter. Everything we tried was excellent, including the lobster mac and cheese, which was both comforting and decadent, and the stuffed pork, which was a work of art that tasted as good as it looked. (Frame it in The Louvre!) What caught us completely off-guard was just how darn good the classic cheeseburger was — Chef Rogers told us he thought it might be his best dish. It’s done in the style of a chimi, a Dominican hamburger, complete with meat seasoned with a variety of spices and smashed thin, grilled and topped with cheese. Delicious.
Birdcall
5350 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034 | 325.229.5551
Willow Bend, 3232 E. Hebron Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75007 | 469.896.0050
While it seems like chicken sandwich places are opening all over Collin County, this Colorado import is not just another chicken sandwich place! It’s really, really good — plus, there are cocktails, craft beers and free arcade games. Oh, and we love the bird mascot. What else do you need?
Chicken N Pickle
2965 State Highway 161, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 | 469.943.1410
4600 Merlot Ave., Grapevine, TX 76051 | 817.766.6320
Of course, Chicken N Pickle has chicken dishes and pickleball courts, but what if you don’t feel like chicken? Or what if you don’t play pickleball — or can’t reserve a court? Here at Local Profile, we’ve been to Chicken N Pickle several times; we haven’t yet been able to reserve a court (maybe next time!), but we still had a blast playing yard games with our kids. And while we do like the chicken (it’s good!), we’re fans of the ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and salads. So yes, do come for the chicken and the pickleball, but stay for the good times. Fridays are packed, though — you’ve been warned.
Craft & Vine
5800 Legacy Drive, Suite C1, Plano, TX 75024 | 469.209.8020
Here’s a foodie and drink lover’s paradise. The menu is a mix of modern Asian and Americana. The bar’s cocktails are great, too, but one of the most enjoyable aspects of Craft & Vine is the tasting room, which lets you try a wide variety of beer and wine, pairing this and that with each dish. What beer or wine goes best with the braised hoisin barbecue grilled beef? We’ll let you find out.
La Parisienne French Bistro
6740 Winning Drive, Suite 1000, Frisco, TX 75034 | 469.200.5411
Is this the cutest restaurant that opened in Collin County this year? Maybe! We love the chic Parisian-inspired eats, the Tiffany-blue interior and the oh-so-charming afternoon tea, especially the one for the kiddos. Joie de vivre right here at The Star.
Maison Chinoise
4152 Cole Ave., Suite 106, Dallas, TX 75204 | 469.851.2222
The newest restaurant from Lombardi Family Concepts, Maison Chinoise serves both modern and traditional Chinese cuisine with Texas flourishes. Collin County residents who are intimately familiar with Kai, Toulouse Cafe & Bar and Lombardi Cucina Italiana should def. get acquainted with Maison Chinoise. The traditional soup dumplings are not to be missed (if you were thinking about skipping them, the viewable dumpling station is a reminder), and we’re big fans of the Texas pecan dessert dumplings. After dinner, head into the Lombardis’ new spot next door, Regines, for excellent lounge vibes and stellar cocktails. You are in good hands.
Mister Charles
3219 Knox St., Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75205 | 972.920.9471
When Mister Charles opened this summer, the restaurant was lauded with praise. But does Mister Charles live up to the hype? Oh, yes. It is as good — no, as great — as you’ve heard, and that makes this latest establishment from Dallas-based Duro Hospitality even more impressive. Located in the old Highland Park pharmacy, Mister Charles serves up a playful take on French and Italian cuisine with truly excellent steaks. The restaurant is elegant without being stuffy; it is both playful and serious. But look closer. This contrast — embodied by the angel and the demon in the logo — is found throughout the restaurant. The little details of the food, the drinks and the decor are seemingly endless. Plus, the service is some of the best in North Texas. Mister Charles is fantastic, memorable and unique. Bravo.
Ryder Cup Grille
3725 PGA Parkway, Frisco, TX 75033 | 469.888.5850
OK, of course, the golf is great, and Omni nails the resort part at its new PGA Frisco locale, but we’re here to talk about the restaurants — namely, Ryder Cup Grille. Perfect for relaxing after a day on the links, it’s a fantastic casual spot with a great patio and a spectacular view of the course. Eat it up, unwind and relax.
Pearl Sushi
4640 McKinney Ave., Suite 130, Dallas, TX 75205 | 972.803.6686
There’s a sushi renaissance happening here in North Texas, and Pearl is a welcome addition to the scene. Co-owner Chef Shine Tamaoki cut his teeth at Nobu Dallas, and Pearl is his debut restaurant. And what a debut! Within weeks of opening, Pearl already had regulars proclaiming this to be the best sushi in Dallas. While Tamaoki is still honing and expanding the menu, the sushi being served now is top-notch. Kaya Turner, Tamaoki’s wife, who was previously at the iconic Tei-An, has crafted an equally excellent drink program that could stand on its own. But being able to enjoy truly wonderful cocktails and pair them with exceptional sushi in the same space makes Pearl something to treasure.
Portillo’s
4560 Destination Drive, The Colony, TX 75056 | 254.233.2111
1955 N. Central Expressway N., Allen, TX 75013 | 469.663.1035
Those long lines are no accident. When Portillo’s first opened in The Colony early this year, people had to wait, and the drive-thru line wrapped and snaked around the parking lot. It was the first one in the whole state and appropriately Texas themed — there’s even a Toyota pick-up truck, a nod to the auto giant’s North American H.Q. in neighboring Plano. (Likewise, the newer Allen location makes nods to the Lone Star State.) The hot dogs are Chicago classics for good reason, but save room for the chocolate cake. It’s a family recipe, and it’s fantastic.
Ramble Room
6565 Hillcrest Ave., Suite 150, Dallas, TX 75205 | 214.620.0385
It’s hard to believe that this is a new restaurant. But it is. From restauranteur Jon Alexis, owner of the iconic TJ’s Seafood, the Ramble Room is already on its way to becoming a Park Cities favorite. The catch of the day, of course, was excellent, but the sausage rigatoni was especially good. The service and the drinks were both on point. Already a neighborhood haunt, the Ramble Room is a welcome addition to Snider Plaza and, well, all of DFW.
Red Phone Booth
5774 Grandscape Blvd., Suite 100, The Colony, TX 75056 | 972.410.0065
Yes, the red phone box outside and the speakeasy element can seem like a gimmick, but it’s a good one. And more importantly, the folks behind the bar know exactly what they’re doing, mixing up pre-Prohibition and Prohibition-era cocktails like the aviation, the clover club and the lion’s tail. We love how the drinks menu has little histories (and drawings!) for the cocktails. If you just want something from behind the bar, Red Phone Booth has a great selection of bottles, too. But you have to know the phone number to get in.
Quarter Acre
2023 Greenville Ave., Suite 110, Dallas, TX 75206 | 214.647.1616
The concept is New Zealand — a nod to chef-owner Toby Archibald’s homeland. But Quarter Acre is much more than that: it’s an encapsulation of a chef’s travels and influences filtered through a Kiwi sensibility. The restaurant’s earthy tones immediately put us at ease as we took in beautifully plated food that was exquisite down to the smallest details — not only the teeny flowers placed with tweezers but also the taste of every single bite. The result was one of our best dining experiences this year. And I write that in a best-of-new piece, knowing full well that this establishment is in very good company — the best.
The Wilfred
4017 Preston Road, Suite 530, Plano, TX 75093 | 972.473.2722
Plano’s first speakeasy comes from Chef Ryan Oruch, the co-owner of the neighboring Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill. Drawing on his love of Prohibition-era drinks, Oruch has created a terrific drinks program — something that shouldn’t come as a surprise to Sea Breeze regulars. If you are expecting to get seafood eats at The Wilfred, you won’t be disappointed — but it’s an entirely new menu, serving up delicious delights like savory Asian sticky ribs and meatballs. And if you are wondering about the bar’s moniker, The Wilfred, Oruch named it after his dog.