ARCADIA FOOD PARK COMING SOON ON FORMER THEATRE SITE
Since the Arcadia Theatre burned down in 2005, we’ve awaited movement on this site. According to Madison Partners’ Jon Hetzel, construction begins in the next couple of months to transform this blank canvas at Greenville and Bell into a family-friendly food truck park with a vintage vibe. Six food trucks will anchor the Arcadia Food Park (think silver Airstream trailers). Madison Partners is in the process of signing three big names as we speak, one of whom we know is Twisted Root’s Jason Boso (who’s thinking about serving rib-eye cheesesteaks under the name “Steak Me Home Tonight”). Hetzel says there have been preliminary talks with The Grape’s Brian Luscher, but it’s far from a done deal. Regardless of who inhabits the trucks, the idea is to have a variety of food from local Dallas chefs and to keep the price point low. The trucks will sign on to serve lunch and dinner, with the option of also offering breakfast. Eventually, Hetzel believes the park will have electric cars running delivery in the neighborhood. There will be one beer and wine truck with possible frozen sangria thrown in the mix for good measure. The dog-friendly park should to be open at the beginning of next year and will also feature a large seating area and a playground. Oh, and you can’t miss it — Hetzel says the old Arcadia Theatre sign has been purchased from local collector Dan Holzschuh and will be returned to the park, in all its glory.
• Twisted Root, 5609 SMU, 214.361.2910
• The Grape, 2808 Greenville, 214.828.1981
ON GREENVILLE, SNUFFER’S LEASE IS UP, PHO IS FOR LOVERS OPENS
In other Greenville news, college student respite Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar recently turned 33. Though the lease is up on the original Greenville location, Pat Snuffer assures us he’s working with the landlord to stay put. Pho is for Lovers recently opened farther north on Greenville in Old Town at Greenville and Lovers. This Vietnamese café is the first restaurant from owner Diana Tang, whose parents opened Garland’s Saigon Kitchen in the ’80s and most recently owned J’Adore Yogurt in Frisco. Dine here for healthy, authentic Vietnamese cuisine including pho, banh mi and summer rolls.
• Snuffer’s, 3526 Greenville, 214.826.6850
• Pho Is for Lovers, 5521 Greenville, 972.708.1028
PART OF LAKEWOOD SHOPPING CENTER SOLD, YUMILICIOUS OPENS
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the recent unexpected sale of a portion Lakewood Shopping Center to Lincoln Property Company. Lincoln, which owns The Village apartment empire, bought the northeast portion of the center, centered around the Dixie House, from the Corrigan family, which built it and has owned it for more than 70 years. According to Robert Dozier, executive vice president of Lincoln Retail Group, the company has not finalized plans for renovations and hopes to have some decisions made later this year. We did notice that Yumilicious Frozen Yogurt just opened in the center, but this is the only change for now.
• Yumilicious, 1910 Abrams, 214.824.9864
COMING SOON: KROGER FRESH FARE, BINZARIO BOUTIQUE
Work just began on the new Kroger Fresh Fare grocery at Haskell and Capitol, slated for a grand opening in summer 2012. Director of affairs Kroger Southwest, Gary Huddleston, says the location was chosen to service the untapped Uptown area. Fresh Fare seems to be Kroger’s answer to HEB’s Central Market, offering a grocery experience that is more intimate with a focus on produce and chef-prepared meals. The new store will have an olive bar, tortillaria with freshly made tortillas, sushi and a mezzanine with seating for dine-in customers. Binzario is moving from Ervay to Ross. After five years on Ervay, this custom bridal and eveningwear boutique will reveal its new space at the grand opening Aug. 27. Co-owner André Belle says the new storefront will allow the boutique to stock a selection of designer gowns from Monique L’huillier, Alfred Angelo, Maggie Sottero and more. The focus will remain on custom dress design, giving each client the opportunity to walk in with a sketch, picture or just an idea of her dream dress and walk away with a reality. The price point ranges anywhere from $400 to $12,000 based on fabric selections and other variables. And if you just need a pair of jeans hemmed or a dress taken in, they do that, too.
• Binzario, 3601 Ross, 469.274.8299,
PARK RESTAURANT REPLACED BY NEW CONCEPT FROM CAPITOL PUB OWNERS
Park Restaurant has decided to close, but its spot has been snapped up by the owners of Capitol Pub. Owner Peter Kenny plans to turn the former Park space into Swig 1921, a modern, urban pub with a casual atmosphere. “There will be a full bar with specialty cocktails and a good selection of beer and wine,” Kenny says. “The moderately priced food menu will have fresh and seasonal offerings, with an attempt to use as many local and natural ingredients as possible. Renovations are underway, and the target opening is late August/September.” The menu is similar to that of Capitol Pub but further evolved: pork belly buns, duck fat fries, wild game flatbread and cheese plates prepared for pairing. Park’s back patio area, Bar Celine, will remain open and virtually untouched except for a name change to The Gin Mill.
• Capitol Pub, 2401 N. Henderson, 214.887.9330
• Swig 1921 and The Gin Mill, 1921 N. Henderson, 214.824.3343
YOGA STUDIO OPENS
A new yoga studio, White Rock Yoga Center, has opened near Green Spot Market. We’re fortunate to have a handful of wonderful yoga studios around us, but what sets this one apart is its pre-natal and “Mommy and Me” classes. Other classes include Power Flow and Yoga Flow.
• White Rock Yoga Center, 718 N. Buckner, 469.777.8878
NEW TACO JOINT CLAIMS TO BE ‘BORDERLESS’
Velvet Taco opens this month in the former Church’s Chicken spot at Central and Henderson. In the land of muchos tacos, experienced restaurateur Mark Brezinski — of Pei Wei, Bengal Coast and more — knows that you can’t just open any old taco stand in this town. That’s why he and the folks at Front Burner Restaurants have designed Velvet Taco as the antithesis to the authentic Mexico City taqueria. The tacos at Velvet Taco are derived from a global influence, resulting in what Brezinski calls the “borderless taco”. “We have tacos with an Asian influence, Indian influence — you name it,” Brezinski says. “Our tacos appeal to a diverse crowd. That way everyone can find their favorite taco.” The menu includes calamari steak tacos with habanero pineapple salsa. Or how about the tacos with paneer and roasted tomato chutney? Velvet taco also serves breakfast tacos all day long.
• Velvet Taco, 3012 N. Henderson, 214.738.2540
