Claremont Finds Instant Success in Old Preston Hollow

Old Preston Hollow’s newest addition Claremont may be a cozy neighborhood grill, but that doesn’t mean you can breeze on in. With less than two months under its belt, the elevated dinner hot spot is a roaring success. Reservations are a must.

We tried to make a reservation for two for a Tuesday evening. Resy only showed availability 8:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. In fact, there was no availability Jan. 29 through Feb. 1, on Feb. 7 nor Feb. 14. (Sorry to break the news to you last-minute Valentine’s Day planners.)

Still, we arrived at 7:15 p.m. optimistically assuming it was a reservation-service glitch. Spoiler: it was not!

“Crazy,” said a stunned group of four walking out as we arrived at 7:15 p.m. “It’s Tuesday and it’s so crowded!”

The next available seating was at 8:15 p.m., a smiling hostess informed us before welcoming us to put our name on a separate waitlist with the bartender for bar seating. The full-service bar’s estimated wait was 25 minutes.

Claremont opened on Dec. 12 courtesy of the Katz brothers, Greg and Nicholas.

Since 2019, the restaurateur-brother duo have sprinkled a little of their South African roots throughout Dallas. Greg opened Beverley’s bistro and bar, named after their mother, in 2019 on Fitzhugh Avenue after two decades in Dallas and Manhattan’s dining scenes.

Meanwhile, Nicholas was appointed director of food and beverage at The Adolphus Hotel. Prior, he was director of restaurant operations at Headington Companies (Joule Hotel).

Two years later, Greg reimagined Fitzhugh Avenue’s Zippers into the sexy social lounge Clifton Club, named for the Katz brothers' childhood Cape Town, South African, neighborhood. The brothers partnered to launch the Knox Street seafood bar, Green Point Seafood & Oyster Bar in 2023, named after an affluent Cape Town suburb. The duo announced Claremont less than a year later. Claremont, named after their grandparents' South African hometown, is elegant yet comfy. It’s a complete 180 from the restaurant’s former occupant of 24 years, Suze.

The vibrant red and stark white walls, golden floor-length curtains and peering glass room dividers are gone. In its place, clay pink walls backdrop burgundy booths. Neutral-toned African art, landscape imagery and dark woods accent the softness. Warm overhead lighting illuminates the bustling dining room.

When our seats were ready, the bar staff quickly introduced themselves. Water was poured and menus were placed before we had a chance to remove our coats.

Claremont is crafted with the affluent neighborhood in mind. Texas comfort foods dominate the menu including deviled eggs ($15), red chili ($14), smoked brisket sliders ($18) and the already-famous Claremont cheeseburger ($18). There’s even a chicken tortilla soup inspired by Greg’s mentor, chef Dean Fearing.

The bar menu is wine-heavy. The cocktail menu accounts for a fraction; a hibiscus margarita, El Cantarito and a gin-based celery soda are $16. The chocolate espresso martini is $17. Needing a caffeine boost, we started our meal with the standard espresso martini. Grated chocolate served as a garnish until the last drop. The final hint of chocolate was a welcomed hit of sweetness for our premature nightcap.

Our bartender said you couldn’t go wrong with any of the basics. He suggested the tuna tartare tostada ($21) cold bar offering to start.

Maize flavors shine through the crunchy tostada topped with a smooth layer of avocado, vibrant ahi tuna, a subtle chile lime vinaigrette and cilantro. For dinner, we shared a Caesar salad ($15) with just the right amount of dressing, herbed breadcrumbs and fried capers. An order of $7 house seasoned fries would have completed our girl dinner trifecta. We went with the blackened fish instead.

The flaky blackened redfish ($35) was true to its word: blackened, not burnt. The hand-sized filet came on a bed of velvety garlic potato puree and crispy charred Brussels sprouts.

Claremont isn’t open for lunch, but next time we’re in the neighborhood, we’ll make a reservation to try the chicken, or maybe the Duroc pork chop with bourbon pork jus ($33) from the grill.

Claremont, 4343 W. Northwest Highway, Monday–Saturday 4–10 p.m.; Sunday 4–9 p.m.