Courtesy of Palladino’s
Audio By Carbonatix
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Joseph Palladino, co-founder of Nick and Sam’s, is opening a new steakhouse in Dallas this spring. We learned about Palladino in a Humans of New York Facebook interview. This popular series focuses on New Yorkers from all walks of life who shape the city’s vibrant landscape.
In the post, Palladino talked about an upbringing that chisled him: a mom who worked two jobs, a gambling addict father. He says he was too soft to be a cop, so he moved to Vegas for a casino job. That was a bust. At this time, his grandfather died. He was heartbroken and broke. He used his last $500 to buy a plaque at a Catholic church in honor of his grandfather. The next day, he saw a job ad for a new bistro, and he “bullshitted” his way into it.
In the post, he shared this sentiment for his children:
“Please, believe in something. Because your mother and I won’t be able to answer all your questions. Life will put you in situations that require something deeper.”
Joe Palladino in Humans of New York’s Post
Twelve months after landing the job (and buying the plaque), he climbed the ladder and was running four locations. Later in life, he took his mother to dinner and a movie every Tuesday night, “until the day she died.”
Along the way, Palladino co-founded Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse (though he is no longer involved in the restaurant), which has thrived amid a sea of big steakhouses. Now he has Palladino’s Steak & Seafood inside the hub of the Big Apple, Grand Central Station.
Palladino’s will open a second location in Dallas later this spring. We feel like it could measure up.
What to Expect
Inside its standalone 9,850-square-foot building in Preston Royal (5959 Royal Lane), there will be a full dining room, bar, private dining room and jazz lounge. Prime steaks and high-quality seafood will flesh out the menu while Italian-inspired specials and inventive sushi offerings fill in the gaps.
Former NFL defensive end and TV host, Michael Strahan, has his own section on the New York City menu (see below). Steakhouses in Dallas have their own celebrity and sports regulars. It will be interesting to see who might land a spot on the Dallas Menu.
Strahan’s section has a 22.5-ounce Sack NY Bone-In Strip, a crab béarnaise enhancement, lobster scampi, Knob Creek glazed bacon steak and pastrami foie gras. (“Sack” because he sacked people?)
The Newly Appointed Chef
Overseeing the kitchen details in Dallas is the newly appointed chef de cuisine, Henry Johnson. Johnson will be executing the menu written by Palladino’s executive chef and partner, Sam Hazen, who drives the kitchen in New York City.
Johnson is originally from Kansas, and after completing military service, he graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio in 2017. Following that, he rose through the ranks in Dallas’ culinary scene, holding leadership roles at Café Pacific, Cowboys Club at The Star, North Italia, Flower Child and Bistro 31.
His most recent title was executive chef at EVELYN. During his tenure last year, Johnson represented Texas on Season 24 of Hell’s Kitchen, where he earned recognition for his technical skill and his ability to execute dishes under pressure.
It’s fitting that his next gig is at a Dallas steakhouse. And under the leadership of two seasoned heavyweights.
