It's good to have expectations. Expectations, though, can let you down. What you conjure in your may never live up to reality. But sometimes, the reality is even better. That's how I feel about The Chumley House — not only the hottest new restaurant in Fort Worth, but one of the hottest new ones in the entire state.
The Chumley House is the last from Duro Hospitality, the restaurateurs behind Michelin-recommended spots Mister Charles and El Carlos.
Last year, over brunch at Sister, I first heard about cofounders Benji Homsey and Chas Martin's plans to open a restaurant in Fort Worth — and I was picturing a Fort Worth-style restaurant: a steakhouse, a Tex-Mex joint, a combination of both. But Fort Worth is more than Cowtown, choice cuts and yellow cheese. That being said, the last thing I was expecting was a cozy, British-style destination. But why shouldn't I have been surprised? With Duro, expect the unexpected. It's what they do.
What Is It
The Chumley House describes itself as a “European-inspired steakhouse.” Fair! "The goal was to make guests feel as though they’ve stepped into a luxurious, old-world setting," says Duro co-founder Chas Martin. "The Chumley House is a blend of English coziness with a touch of opulence, like entering an elegant yet intimate space full of history and character." There's a strong English countryside vibe, covered with wood, floral wallpaper and hanging plates depicting rabbits, ducks, dogs and more ducks.
"The Chumley House is a blend of English coziness with a touch of opulence."
But Brenden Dutton, the general manager, greets us at the door, Stetson and all — so, yes, amid the bunches of Britannia, there are still flourishes of Fort Worth. But why the UK?
“Between me being a TCU graduate and Chas’ many years of living in Fort Worth growing up, we’ve always felt a deep connection to this city," says Duro co-founder Benji Homsey. "We wanted to create a unique experience that honored the city’s character while introducing something truly different to Texas. Our trip to London last summer solidified this vision, and we felt Fort Worth was the ideal place to bring it to life.”
The name — Chumley — is from Martin's boyhood dog, a 120-pound Bouvier des Flandres that he describes as "a big gentleman, a regal gentleman."
The Service Is Very, Very Good
The best thing about Duro's restaurants is the food. Tied for second are the service (which is great) and the Sees Design crafted ambiance (also, great). Following in the footsteps of, say, Michelin-rec'd Mister Charles, service at The Chumley House is friendly, warm and stellar. You expect the beef Wellington to be carved and served tableside (and it is), but The Chumley House even goes the extra mile: When I order a Sprite, for example, a bottle is brought, opened and poured tableside into an ice-cold glass. Little touches like this during service matter.
Must-Try Dishes
The Chumley House has some spice, but it's not drawing from one singular flavor source, but rather, Indian, Japanese, Korean and the American Southwest, among others. Great Britain is changing, and so is the country's food, and this is reflected throughout the menu. But the U.K. isn't alone — everywhere seems to be changing, becoming more cosmopolitan, and The Chumley House is a culinary expression of that. Must-trys include:
- The pork belly, smoked with applewood and served with house-made kimchi, is a luscious symphony of tart cherry, ginger and a savory-sweet bourbon glaze.
- Smoked king salmon with cucumber, labneh and dill pollen vinaigrette — fresh and flavorful.
- Butter chicken pie with herb salad: a symphony of spices of flavors. Absolutely delicious.
- The beef Wellington is not to be missed, served, as previously mentioned, tableside, with a side of potato-sticks, sour cream and chives — a deconstructed baked potato.
- Long bone lamb tandoori with harissa carrots and yogurt; The carrots, in particular, were amazing — can I order them as a side? Can I get the recipe? Goodness.
- Any of the steaks. You cannot go wrong.
"The menu incorporates creative interpretations of Indian dishes, which is a subtle homage to the UK. Indian cuisine is a large part of the dining scene in the UK so we knew we wanted to incorporate some Indian dishes into the menu," says Homsey.
Executive Chef Craig Walter points out that some recipes are his take on family recipes from Indian friends. Walter, who hails from California, now calls Prosper home. “It’s not that far of a drive,” he says. “You get used to it.”
For Those With Dietary Restrictions
If you eat gluten-free, The Chumley House wants to feed you. Most entrees are gluten-free, and there is gluten-free pasta. Ditto for the scones. If you have a sweet tooth, heads up, because only the sorbet is gluten-free.
Recommended For
Business meetings, date nights or even get-togethers. The Chumley House is lux and upscale, but not stuffy. And best of all? It's delicious.
How To Get There
From Legacy West, the drive can range from around 50 minutes to an hour and ten minutes — but if you leave at 5:30 p.m., it could take nearly two hours, depending on traffic. So, do not leave at 5:30 p.m. Either make later reservations or aim for dining while you're already in Fort Worth.
Things To Do Nearby
There are lots! Located on Camp Bowie Blvd (3230 Camp Bowie Blvd, suite 150, to be exact!), The Chumley House is in one of my favorite parts of the city, directly across the street from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and cattycorner to the Kimbell Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Casa Mañana Theatre is down the street, and Dickie's Arena is nearby. You can add The Chumley House to a Fort Worth art and culture itinerary. And you should.
If you are doing a staycation at The Crescent Fort Worth, The Chumley House is a fine choice for dinner.
A Golden Era For Fort Worth Dining
"We believe Fort Worth is settling into a golden era," Homsey says. "Dallas and the directly adjacent suburbs — Plano, Frisco and further north — have seen a lot of growth. It was only a matter of time for Fort Worth.”
“With the success of the stockyards and Hotel Drover and the newly added hotels, The Crescent and Bowie House, Fort Worth has proven the market can support elevated hospitality,” Homsey continues. “We believe this is only the beginning in Fort Worth and are excited to see where the market goes from here." Those are some big expectations that the city, like Duro Hospitality’s restaurants, are sure to meet.
We thank Duro for hosting and treating us. Hungry for more? Check out our dining guide.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
