Owner Noemi Chiriac has revamped the 1913 space in an Art Deco style. The storied location most recently served as The Metropolitan Café, and originally opened as the Masonic Blue Lodge Temple. In 1919, it became the Western Union Telegraph Company. Notably, both Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby received telegrams there (before Ruby shot Oswald just behind the building in front of the Dallas courthouse) in 1963 following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
More recently when it was The Metropolitan Café, Chiriac used to frequent the spot. While working as an engineer, she fell in love with the space. In 2021, she brought her mother along for lunch, and when they finished their meals, she asked the owner if her mom, who was retired, could help cook there. The owner told her it was the café’s last day in business, and in a spur-of-the-moment decision, she asked if he’d sell the business to her. Remarkably, he did.
“The team and I are ready to greet Dallasites with a smile as they start their day, take a lunch break or unwind after a long day with happy hour,” said Chiriac. “We hope The Metropolitan on Main will become a staple again for downtown residents and commuters, as well as a new staple for others in their daily routine.”
Breakfast items include coffee from a Faema espresso machine and mascarpone stuffed French toast.
Kayla Enright
For lunch, there's a wide range of options from a charcuterie board with European cheeses, cured meats and fig jam to a turkey poblano panini and a grilled chicken gyro.
The spot also offers heartier entrees, including an herb-crusted filet of salmon with dill cream sauce, polenta and crispy Brussels sprouts; a pork chop prepared with a balsamic and brown sugar glaze that’s served with sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes; and The Sami, a panko-breaded chicken breast with rosé vinaigrette slaw, pickled red onion and tomato on a brioche bun.
For drinks, coffee is made on a famed Faema espresso machine during breakfast and lunch hours. During happy hour (weekdays 4–7 p.m.) nab $7 house martinis, $5 wells, $4 domestic beers, $13 signature cocktails and $10 spritzers.
Signature cocktails include A Rose For Jack, with Jack Daniels, grenadine, lemon and rosemary, and The Lady in the Blue Dress, with Drumshanbo gin, bergamot, Crème de Violette, lemon and rose. There are also handful of mocktails, including the 325, which includes pineapple, orange and coconut cream, and A Voice in the Choir, with butterfly pea flower, mint and lemon.
In the coming weeks, the spot will begin providing dinner service and catering and will be available to host private events.
The Metropolitan on Main. 2032 Main St. Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; closed Sunday.
