T.S. Eliot proclaimed that April was the cruelest month, but we would argue that November has been particularly unkind to some restaurants. Top Chef fan favorite Tiffany Derry found herself without a gig after Go Fish Ocean Club shuttered its doors this month, and Sharon Hage closed York Street, long considered to be one of the best restaurants in the city. But it wasn't all bleak in November. Deep Ellum gained a new pub; Tom Fleming opened his latest venture; and Michael Guerrero, formerly of Abacus, started dishing out food in Uptown. Luckily, December looks promising with many restaurants sprouting up, including a new Italian spot from David Uygur.
Here's how November played out:
Restaurants Opening in November Saint Ann Cafe, 2501 N. Harwood St. -- The cafe is connected to the Saint Ann Court building and features breakfast, lunch and dinner from chef Michael Guerrero. Pizzeria Venti, 6465 E. Mockingbird Lane-- This East Dallas pizza joint serves stuffed pies and pizza by the slice. Zenna, 1914 Laws St. -- The Plano-based Thai and sushi restaurant has expanded to downtown. Twisted Root Burger Co., 232 Town Place -- The burger chain's new location in The Village at Fairview resembles an old school drive-in movie theater. Anvil Pub, 2638 Elm St. -- Deep Ellum's latest addition has a green kitchen and gastropub fare. Andrea Grimes recently gave us a first look here. Crossroads Diner, 8121 Walnut Hill Lane -- Tom Fleming's not-so-greasy spoon will add dinner service in late December.
Restaurants Closing in November Trinity Hall, 305 N. Central Expressway -- The Allen outpost of the Irish pub is gone, but the Mockingbird Station branch remains open. Go Fish Ocean Club, 5301 Alpha Road -- The owners of the DRG Concepts restaurant allegedly failed to inform Tiffany Derry she was out of a job. Bella Bar & Restaurant, 2626 Howell St. -- The Italian restaurant was plagued with problems, as Patrick Michels reported in this cover story back in April. York Street, 6047 Lewis St. -- Sharon Hage is taking a break, but we hope she's not gone too long.
Coming Soon Lucia -- David Uygur, former chef at Lola, will be dishing out inventive Italian cuisine at his new Bishop Arts eatery in early December. La Fiorentina -- The latest addition to the Lombardi family of restaurants is a Tuscan-style steakhouse set to open any day now. Gio's Café -- The new deli plans to start making pastrami sandwiches this week on Preston Rd. where Roaster's Deli was once located. Naan Sushi -- The Japanese spot will open mid-December in the space that formerly housed Geisha House. La Duni Latin Kitchen/ La Duni Dulce -- The popular Latin American chain will open a new restaurant in The Village at Fairview in December. La Duni Dulce, a casual cafe, will also open in the shopping center. Bonnie Ruth's Café -- There's a new outpost coming to Watters Creek in December. Morton's The Steakhouse -- The chain will open its Uptown branch across from the Crescent Court in late February 2011. Yo! Sushi -- The U.K. based restaurant serves sushi on conveyor belts and will be scouting potential locations in North Texas including Uptown Dallas and Allen in 2011.
