This March kept true to the saying "in like a lion, out like a lamb," kicking off with a four-alarm fire on Lower Greenville on March 2. The fire started in Terrilli's and soon destroyed Hurricane Grill, Mick's and Greenville Bar & Grill only a few weeks before one of Greenville's biggest celebrations, The St. Patrick's Day Parade. Employees at all four locations lost their jobs, so some kind soul started the Facebook page Help Lower Greenville. The page now has close to 10,000 fans with the Dallas community posting helpful information to those in need of a job, free meal or just a friendly assist because of the blaze.
Now let's get to the lamb part. This month saw many more openings than last month, always a good sign of a better economy. The much anticipated Whole Foods and Eatzi's finally debuted, and so did Nick Badovinus new place, Neighborhood Services Tavern. Cuba Libre is closed temporarily while management makes a few adjustments. The Henderson Avenue spot should be back this summer.
Spring seems to be looking brighter, with Casey Thompson returning from San Francisco with the new Fort Worth Restaurant Brownstone in the West 7 development. Ricardo Avila will also be debut Mextopia in April off Greenville Avenue. City of Aters, here's our March list of the comings and goings of the Dallas dining world.
Openings Whole Foods: The Park Lane location is open for business. We hear they have a self-serve fro-yo bar. Eatzi's: You can now listen to opera and shop for cheeses at two locations. The second location of the popular market opened early this month on Lovers Lane. Smashburger: The popular fast-casual burger joint now has an Arlington location. Pinkberry: What else do the residents of Arlington need? A new fro-yo shop. That's exactly what they received early this month with a new Pinkberry location. Ristorante Nicola: The minds behind the Plano hot spot Nicola's Ristorante Italiano opened a sister location in Preston Commons. Media Grill + Bar: A new interactive bar took over the old Crocodile Disco at the Hilton Anatole. Drinking and social networking? Sounds like the new drunk texting. Neighborhood Services Tavern: Nick Badovinus' new restaurant is now open, and we've heard nothing but great things. ALDI: A new discount grocer has invaded North Texas, opening 11 stores in March with more to come in the next few months. Kaiyo: The Japanese-style buffet opened in early March off LBJ Freeway and Greenville Avenue.
Closings Urbino Pizza e Pasta: The pizza place on Henderson didn't even make it a year. Cuba Libra: Don't worry. It's only temporary and the Cuban flavored spot is expected to reopen this summer. Greenville Bar & Grill: - GBG, Mick's, Terrilli's, and Hurricane Grill were all destroyed by a four-alarm fire in early March. Trader Vic's: First it was closed for renovation, then supposedly two pipes burst, and now the space is up for lease. Farewell, Trader Vic's.
Coming Soon Rusty Taco: The new taco joint off Greenville Avenue is rumored to be opening in early April. Hello, $2 tacos. Meddlesome Moth: - The gastro-pub debuts in late April on lower Oak Lawn near the Dallas Observer headquarters. With more than 40 beers on draught and more than 75 bottled beers, this could be dangerous. Brownstone: Chef Casey Thompson is making a return to Texas to be the executive chef at the new Fort Worth restaurant. Looks like it will be opening to the public in early May. Mextopia: Ricardo Avila, formerly of Avila's, is the man behind the Mexican restaurant set to open in April on Greenville Avenue. Urban Taco: The Mockingbird Station restaurant will add a second location in July off McKinney Avenue. Twisted Root: Jason Boso will open the fourth Twisted Root in May on SMU Boulevard. Nova: Another new gastro-pub opening in Oak Cliff this spring.
