The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses
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Afghan Grill owners open Nora on Greenville
A new Middle Eastern restaurant, Nora, is now open at 1928 Greenville. Husband-and-wife owners Matt Pikar and Rosalind Lynam also own the highly regarded Afghan Grill on Preston Road. Nora, which is named after the couple’s 5-month-old daughter, will have much the same menu as Afghan Grill, including kebab, stews and dumplings. Lynam says they were looking for a location that is a little more hip than the Far North Dallas strip mall where Afghan Grill is. “We hope that some other restaurants will open in the area, and it will really pick up here,” she says.
Nora, 1928 Greenville, 214.828.0095
Benny’s Classic Grill to open on Garland Road
A new restaurant from the owners of Lover’s Pizza and Pasta, Benny’s Classic Grill is expected to open soon in the former Arby’s on Garland Road. Owner Benin Zeqiri, who is from a town in Slovenia on the Italian border, says a trip home inspired the new concept. He noticed that panini and grilled pizzas with gourmet toppings are popular in his hometown and in Venice. Benny’s menu will include burgers, panini and grilled pizzas, all under $10.
Benny’s Classic Grill, 10302 Garland
World of Beer coming to BLVD mixed-use development
Along with Nodding Donkey and Torchy’s Tacos, Tampa-based World of Beer has been added to the line up for SMU Blvd.’s new BLVD mixed-use development. All three restaurants are expected to open this summer. This is the first Dallas location for World of Beer, which offers more than 500 bottled beers and 50 on tap.
BLVD, 5600 SMU, 866.301.1380
More business bits
1. The Black-Eyed Pea Restaurant on Greenville near Lovers has closed. According to Black-Eyed Pea spokesman Wes Oliver, “The lease expired after 25 years. It is zoned for commercial space [non-restaurant]. We didn’t really have a say in the future of that particular site.”
2. Lakewood gift boutique Talulah Belle recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Talulah Belle, 2011 Abrams, 214.821.1927
3. For the ninth year in a row, East Dallas Children’s Music was selected to receive a Musikgarten Exemplary Program award. Program founder and neighborhood resident Cathy Mathia was presented with the award at the Musikgarten Festival in Green Lake, Wis.
East Dallas Children’s Music, 214.324.2224
4. In addition to its BLVD location, Torchy’s Tacos, the taco chain that started several years ago in an Austin trailer, is opening at Casa Linda Plaza in the former Souper Salad spot.
Torchy’s Tacos
5. Parents of teenagers 17 and younger are being asked by NorthPark Center to accompany their kids after 6 p.m., according to a new code of conduct issued by management. New policies also prohibit hoodies or masks that obscure the face, saggy pants that make undergarments visible, and going without shoes. Read the entire list of rules at northparkcenter.com/codeofconduct.
NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central, 214.363.7441
Little Bean Shop will be closed for the summer, but littlebeanshop.com will remain open for business.
6. Little Bean Shop is taking some summer vacation. The store will be closed Monday through Wednesday in June, and the entire month of July. littlebeanshop.com will remain open for business.
Little Bean Shop, 5308 Junius, 214.370.9111
