The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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 New kid on The Lot

The Lot restaurant and bar will open next year in the former Backyard Beach Bar space across the street from White Rock Lake and along the Santa Fe Trail. The Lot owners have enlisted Tei-An designer Hatsumi Kuzuu to create an aesthetic, everyone-friendly place with a cozy, lived-in feel. “We are going to be a few things in one. We will have a rockin’ bar, great food, areas for kids, games for adults, a music stage, and hopefully a bridge to the Santa Fe Trail,” managing partner John McBride says. Out back, they are getting rid of the pool, but the volleyball nets will likely remain. Star chef Sharon Hage, formerly of York Street on La Vista near Skillman, is developing the menu. McBride comes from the Martinez family who owned El Fenix until 2008. He spent many years working at the Casa Linda location. “We are crazy-excited about [The Lot’s] location — the green trees, the area, which is experiencing a transformation, and the people who live around here.” The other owners hail from the White Rock area, he says. Because the place is undergoing such a major overhaul, they don’t expect to open until at least January.

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 The Lot, 7530 E. Grand

Lake House restaurant and bar to open this month

East Dallas residents John Schmitz and Eric Paulsen, along with help from consultant Cory Pope, plan to open Lake House bar and restaurant at Northwest Highway and Lawther, in the spot where the former Bicycle Café was located. They are aiming for a mid- to late November opening. Schmitz says the location is prime and that the north side of the lake is in need of quality food and brew, which they promise. The menu will consist of American cuisine, a step above bar food, with some healthy options such as flatbread sandwiches and dishes with locally farmed ingredients. Lake House will offer a full bar with 11 beers on tap. Schmitz and Paulsen have worked in the restaurant business for 20-25 years, including for Barley House on SMU Boulevard. Lake House will share one major similarity with Katy Trail Ice House, Schmitz says — capitalizing on the popularity of Dallas’ trails. He expects the Lake House to attract a diverse crowd — family-friendly, but also a good place to have beers with the boys or breakfast with your running or cycling group. Oh, and brunch will be a big player, Paulsen says. “Saturday and Sunday brunch — we want to be known for it.” Pope, the Lake House consultant, has worked on projects such as 303 Bar & Grill in Oak Cliff and Manhattan Lounge on Routh.

Tei-An Soba House, 1722 Routh, 214.220.2828

Lake House, 7510 E. Northwest Hwy.

Barley House, 5612 SMU, 214.824.0306

More business bits

  1. Matt’s Rancho Martinez has reopened at Skillman and La Vista.
    Matt’s Rancho Martinez, 1904 Skillman, 214.823.5517
  2. Castle Nail Spa will open at Mockingbird Station this fall.
    Castle Nail & Spa, 1745 E. Hebron, 972.394.6700
  3. Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar on Henderson now serves lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Sissy’s Southern Kitchen and Bar, 2929 Henderson, 214.827.9900
  4. Havana Café is now open in Casa Linda Plaza.
    Havana Café, 1152 Buckner, suite J126, 214.680.9545
  5. Adams Paint closed not long after celebrating 50 years in business.
  6. V Spot Cafe on North Henderson has closed.
  7. The Mecca is open at Skillman and Live Oak, in the former Tipperary Inn/Molly Maguire’s space.
    The Mecca, 5815 Live Oak, 214.352.0051
  8. Sakhuu Thai Cuisine, from the owners of Thairiffic on Cedar Springs, has opened on Bryan.
    Sakhuu Thai Cuisine, 4801 Bryan, suite 100, 214.828.9300
  9. Snack on Henderson has closed.
  10. The original Chili’s restaurant on Meadow was razed to make way for a 7-Eleven.