During an awards ceremony on Nov. 11, 2024, Dallas’ own Rye was given a big honor: The Michelin Guide Texas exceptional cocktail award, presented to bar manager Julian Shaffer.
"This is unreal, this is unreal,” bar manager Shaffer said when accepting the award. "It's never personal — It's never supposed to be about me. It's about taking care of the guest in front of me."
Rye is a dynamic, seasonally-driven small plate establishment and cocktail bar that redefines dining with an ever-evolving food and beverage experience, with locally sourced ingredients and a menu that shifts with the seasons — offering something new and exciting every time you visit.
“Bartending saved my life,” Shaffer told The Michelin Guide Texas. “I was in a really hard spot when I was young, and when I was 19, I got a job at a little bar, and it taught me how to take care of people. That's what kept me propelling forward."
In 2022, the beloved Rye in McKinney burnt down after a fire started in the alley behind the popular restaurant. The outside walls were charred, and the flames caused some interior damage at Rye. The restaurant, which was located in a historic building that was 160 years old, closed its doors. Thankfully, Rye remained a culinary icon at its second location in Dallas.
Since The Michelin Guide Texas announcement, undercover inspectors have been quietly dining across the state, booking tables under assumed names and footing their own bills to guarantee an authentic, unfiltered experience — just like any other guest.
How To Get To Rye
Rye is located at 1920 Greenville Ave, Dallas. Rye offers free valet Thurs-Sat. In addition, Lowest Greenville has several lots available. In particular, Rye's building at has a lot located directly behind it for patrons.
How Restaurants Are Selected
The inspectors are full-time Michelin employees and rate their experience according to five publicly acknowledged assessment criteria:
- Quality of the products
- Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
- The personality of the chef in his or her cuisine
- Value for money
- Consistency between visits
What Restaurants Can Win
- Green Star: highlights restaurants with notable sustainable practices
- Exceptional cocktail: given to restaurants with quality cocktail programs
- Recommended: inspectors recommend these restaurants
- Bib Gourmand: given to restaurants that offer high-quality food at a reasonable price
- One star: a very good restaurant
- Two stars: excellent cooking that is worth a detour
- Three stars: exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey
At last, the dedication of chefs, cooks, servers — and meticulous inspectors — has culminated in a momentous reveal: the first-ever Michelin Star recipients in Texas.
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