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.
Cheeseburger taco fans, get ready for a gone-but-not-forgotten restaurant favorite when Tin Star makes a triumphant return. Now open at 8801 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 100 in McKinney, the fast-casual gourmet taco spot that debuted in 1999 brings back original recipes, plus some new twists in this exciting reincarnation. If you’ve been missing the OG #9 made with grilled chicken, red onion-jalapeño marmalade, melted jack cheese, and those addictively crispy sweet potato straws, you’re in luck. And if you live or work in Frisco, keep an eye out in February 2027 for the next location to debut at the Mix, a 112-acre mixed-use development.
Celebrity chef John Tesar (perhaps best known for his Top Chef appearances and Knife Steakhouse) has joined the Palladino Group as Corporate Executive Chef. He’ll oversee both New York City’s Grand Central Terminal location of Palladino’s Steak & Seafood and the new Preston Hollow location in Dallas. Stop in for sushi, prime rib, or Palladino’s Steakhouse Board, featuring quarter-pound portions of Prime Filet, Rib Eye, and New York Strip with whipped potatoes and a selection of sauces.
It’s National Sandwich Day on Tuesday, November 3, and you can stretch your food budget when you score a free medium sub. Spend at least $15 at Firehouse Subs through its app or online ordering, then choose your freebie from a variety of options from the regular menu, as well as limited-time sandwiches like the Thanksgiving Turkey Sub with smoked turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo.
Chefs for Farmers returns for its 16th year from Wednesday, November 4-Sunday, November 8 at Old City Park in Dallas. Tickets to the multi-day food festival start at $145 per day for the Saturday and Sunday main events, or $249 for a full weekend pass. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the Seed Project Foundation.
If you can’t wait for Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season, Punch Bowl Social sees you. The multi-use entertainment venue rolls out its limited-edition holiday cocktail menu on Friday, November 6, with jolly libations including the Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini (Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Owen’s nitro-infused espresso, Irish cream and peppermint mocha garnished with a mini candy cane). That’ll get you in the spirit for the return of their Ugly Christmas Sweater pop-up shop on Friday, November 21.
Mirador, the penthouse restaurant above Forty Five Ten, replaces brunch each Saturday through Saturday December 26 with a Modern Holiday Tea. The three-course tea service kicks off this Saturday, November 7, with seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festive experience includes teas from The Cultured Cup and Mariage Frères paired with courses of sweet and savory treats, ranging from chai-spiced scones and pear financiers to caviar tartlets and Wagyu sandos with spicy mayo. Upgrade with optional caviar service, flights of mini martinis, and bubbly if teetotaling during tea service isn’t your thing.
On Saturday, November 7, the 9th Annual Plano Food + Wine Festival returns to Legacy Westt in Plano. From noon to 6 p.m., you can sample dishes from the area’s top restaurants, sip on more than 100 wines, and shop for gifts from local vendors while listening to live music throughout the afternoon. Tickets start at $66 for a food-only pass, $54 for a wine-only pass, and $95 for both food and wine tastings, with optional VIP upgrades for a little more.
Modern Indian dining destination, The Mango Yard celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights, this Sunday, November 8 from 5 to 10 p.m. Enjoy a vegetarian menu from culinary director Balpreet Singh Chadha in addition to the restaurant’s full menu. Diwali specials include Mangho Thandai (creamy mango spiced-milk drink, with or without alcohol); Classic Paneer Tikka (Indian cottage cheese cooked in the tandoor); and Ghee Zeera Rice with Mango Tomato Dal (cumin rice with ghee and lentils cooked with mango and tomato). On Friday, November 13, the Diwali festivities culminate with a performance by UTD Laksh, the award-winning Bollywood fusion dance team from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Meridian in The Village Dallas has launched a new fall/winter menu from executive chef Eduardo Osorio. Embracing his signature live-fire cooking techniques, Osorio introduces one-hitters including caviar with ham hock egg custard and an autumn chicory salad (both single-bite options); as well as hearty braised short rib cappelletti; Texas Wagyu chef’s cut with escargot and tarragon butter; and the shareable coal-roasted dorade with red kuri-curry, turnips, coconut rice, coriander, fennel, and garden herbs. Hearth-grilled sunchokes with sunchoke purée, toasted cashews, and brown butter vinaigrette bring a little autumnal flair to the side dish category. Reservations available via OpenTable.
On Lowest Greenville, Apothecary has launched new fall menus at both of its dining experiences under one roof: Alchemy and Archive. On the Alchemy side, try new fall cocktails including the Curry Favor, a surprising blend of rum, Thai red curry paste, makrut lime, ginger, and fish sauce that keeps in line with the bar’s outrageously creative cocktails. Or head to Archive, where an equally tasty (albeit less bizarre) concoction like the Appley Ever After, made with brown butter-miso brandy, spiced apple cider cordial, pineau des Charentes, and a milk wash. Whichever side of the restaurant you choose to dine at, you’ll find the same food menu with new additions including charred cabbage with koji butter, caramelized onion tahini, baharat pistachios, and torn mint; and a twist on shrimp and grits featuring grilled shrimp, crispy polenta, guajillo manchego sauce, piperade, and pickled Swiss chard.
Torchy’s Tacos locations across North Texas have brought back a reimagined version of a fan-favorite sweet treat: Nookies. These ooey-gooey, deep-fried chocolate chip cookie dough bites are now rolled in cinnamon sugar for a dessert that’s a little bit churro, a little bit chocolate chip cookie, and a whole lot sinful.
