Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, your weekly serving of Dallas’ restaurant, bar, and culinary happenings. From buzzy openings and chef moves to can’t-miss events, menu debuts, and industry news, here’s everything you need to know about the city’s dining scene this week.
The 411
On August 10, Rock N Roll Sushi opened its first location in North Texas at 2301 E. Broad St., Building 100, Mansfield, in the Shops at Mansfield Towne Square. Experience rock-n-roll vibes, music videos on screens throughout the space, and a high-energy time atmosphere far different from most sushi joints out there.
Adults who love adult beverages, rejoice! Assembly Icehouse opened a separate adults-only lounge on August 14. The new spot offers handcrafted cocktails, a small food menu, comfortable lounge seating, and a pool table, in addition to everything the main venue next door has to offer.
A new nightspot is slated to debut in September at 2912 McKinney Ave., an address that’s seen a lot of other nightspots over the years. The new venture, Marlowe Lounge, will feature an Art Deco vibe, serving cocktails and food, plus an enclosed patio for all-weather enjoyment.
Maman continues its North Texas expansion with its latest location at Plano’s Legacy East, while another outpost is headed to East Dallas’ Casa Linda neighborhood. The New York chain is known for its creative brioche breakfast sandwiches, cookies and pastries from a collaboration with Martha Stewart, a variety of sweet and savory croissants, and seasonal beverages, ranging from a banana pudding latte iced coconut water matcha.
A new steakhouse is coming to the Harwood District. Docent Steak is actively recruiting staff, including servers, a sommelier, sous chef, bar manager, bussers, and several other roles throughout the restaurant. Apply online or attend a hiring event Tuesday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Katz Bros. Hospitality, the team behind Beverley’s, Clifton Club, Green Point Seafood & Oyster Bar, and Claremont, has appointed acclaimed Filipino-American chef Charles Olalia as the restaurant group’s culinary director. Olalia comes hot off a role as executive chef at famed Dallas icon, the Mansion Restaurant. He will oversee the kitchens at all four concepts, including creating seasonal dishes, mentoring, and enhancing the guest experience.
The boundary-pushing burger joint, Twisted Root Burger Company, closed its OG Deep Ellum location at 2615 Commerce St. after more than two decades. Fortunately, fans of its sometimes-wacky creations (like the peanut butter cup, potato chip, and bacon jam-topped Deez Nuts) have several other locations to turn to, including one at DFW Airport.
Other closures include local brewery Texas Ale Project, which shuttered last weekend. The original Cantina Laredo Addison location served its last bowl of queso on August 2. Also, RIP Restaurant Beatrice in Oak Cliff; Mutts Canine Cantina in Uptown and Fort Worth; Cow Tipping Creamery in Frisco; and Kenny’s East Coast Pizza.
Happenings
Through Wednesday, August 19, guests who donate $20 or more in new school supplies or a new backpack will receive a complimentary Schmurger at Burger Schmurger. Donated items benefit students in East Dallas schools. The East Dallas burger joint is also participates in the 2026 DFW Burger Week all week long (August 17-23), during which more than 30 restaurants offer an $8 option. Burger Schmurger’s is called the Big Schmac, and it’s a riff on, well, you can probably figure it out.
On Thursday, August 20, Nuri Steakhouse offers guests a one-night only Geonbae Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. The event celebrates Korean cocktail culture and $50 tickets include two cocktails, happy hour nibbles (oysters, chicken karaage, bulgogi beef tacos and more), a personalized Korean Color Analysis, and a guided Suntory Whisky tasting. Reservations are available via OpenTable.
Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que and Home Cooking celebrates its milestone 50th year this month and the restaurant will host a Customer Appreciation Week Monday, August 24 through Saturday, August 29. There will be daily specials, food giveaways, and more, leading up to a free block party on Saturday, August 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local celebrities, live music, a vendor market, and treats ranging from cookies to popcorn, with a portion of proceeds going to local charities.
On Tuesday, August 25, a two-part shochu culture event (iichiko Shochu x Midnight Rambler) takes place for those in the food and beverage industry, followed by a public portion at Midnight Rambler. From 4 to 4:45 p.m., members of the trade can attend an educational seminar with George Kaiho of Tei-An. Immediately following, from 5 to 7 p.m., everyone is invited to a happy hour featuring three cocktails for purchase: the Million Dollar, Bamboo, and Lemon Sour.
Local drag legend Liquor Mini hosts a lively Taylor Swift Wedding Celebration Drag Brunch on Saturday, August 29 at 11 a.m. The monthly shows typically sell out, so get your $15 tickets now and head to the bank to stock up on dollar bills to tip. Food and beverage will be available à la carte, from brunch tacos and pizzas to wings and loaded fries.
Chef Tiffany Derry brings DFW food fanatics another helping of Shef Food + Wine to Grand Prairie from October 9-11. The third annual event features culinary creators from around the world (likely including some of her Top Chef and Food Network peers), plus distillers, winemakers, and other industry professionals over a weekend aimed at transforming the culinary scene in Texas.
On the Menu
Punk Noir has launched a new seven-course tasting menu for $135 for those who wish to experience the cuisine of chef RJ Cooper without the full splurge of $295 per person for the 20-course, three-ish-hour tasting. This scaled-back dinner showcases the same creativity of the larger, longer tasting at a more approachable price and shorter duration.
Tango Room’s summer menu has launched with dishes including seared foie gras with a caramelized onion tart, plus seasonal produce such as snap peas, gooseberries, and melon appearing throughout the menu. Through Labor Day, guests can kick off their meal with chicken and caviar bites paired with a bottle of Bollinger Brut Special Cuvée Champagne for $100.
For National Dog Month, Virgin Hotels Dallas will offer hotel guests a special cocktail menu for their pooches, served in Commons Club or via in-room dining. The menu features a signature puptail made with vegetable, chicken, or beef broth, garnished with whipped cream and a Brutus Broth biscuit.
Through Wednesday, August 26, Rodeo Goat‘s August Battle of the Burger competition celebrates hatch green chiles. The head-to-head showdown features the “Radio G.O.A.T.” (beef patty, double pepper jack, roasted green chiles, prickly pear BBQ sauce, cactus fries and micro cilantro) up against the “Hatch Me if You Can” (white cheddar Hatch chile queso, tortilla strips, roasted Hatch green chiles, bronzed onions, and avocado ranch). As with each burger battle, the winner gets a place on the regular menu.
Whoopie! SusieCakes is bringing back its popular whoopie pie through Monday, September 7 as part of the bakery’s 20th anniversary celebration. Also jumping in on the National Dog Month bandwagon, they’re offering special dog-themed treats for humans and pets with $1 from each benefiting local animal charities and shelters.
Razzoo’s Cajun Café has launched a new happy hour Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. Discounts include $1.50 oysters, $2 off appetizers and cocktails, plus $1 off beer.
On Thursday, August 27, celebrate National Pork Chop Day at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille. Get a four-course dinner for $44, which features pork chop bites and white bean pork chili to start and a lunch-size portion of Perry’s Famous Pork Chop with pork mac & cheese as possibilities. Each of the four courses offers four choices, so build your perfect meal as you wish.
Now through Sunday, September 6, Sixty Vines is putting their own spin on Girl Dinner. For $35, get a crisp chicken Caesar salad, fries, and either a frozen or regular espresso martini, or a three-glass wine flight. Not to be outdone, Haywire has a Cowgirl Dinner for $30, which gets you a 5-ounce steak topped with garlic butter, a Caesar salad, tallow fries and either a Cowgirl Lemon Drop or Cowgirl Rocks Margarita.
