Saturday

07-19-2025 Vol 2026

Exciting New Dining Experiences in Preston Hollow and Beyond

A wave of fresh culinary options has emerged in Preston Hollow Village and its surroundings, showcasing a mix of intimate bistros, French cafés, high-end steakhouses, and fast-casual eateries.

Among the newest additions is a modern American bistro that has taken over the former Chido Taco Lounge.

Owned by Blaine McGowan and featuring the talents of General Manager Julian Shaffer and Executive Chef Kyle Farr, this intimate spot prioritizes modern comfort food with a unique twist.

Guests are encouraged to start their dining experience with the Libertad cocktail, a pleasantly surprising drink composed of clarified watermelon, salted sakura blossom, and Mexican rum.

Accompanied by delicate green chive oil droplets, this cocktail sets the stage for an exciting meal ahead.

Diners will also want to try the Poached Pear dessert that showcases Calvados, Saint Louis brandy, summer pears, riesling, and fragrant baking spices, with Shaffer perfecting it for future visits.

As for the food, the steak tartare stands out as a highlight among appetizers, prepared in traditional fashion but elevated with black garlic yogurt, Dijon, egg yolk jam, and crispy fingerling potato chips.

The mussels, served in Casino butter with champagne, pickled red onion, and pickled celery, are another crowd favorite.

Additionally, the corn soup made with smoked avocado, corn relish, and corn stock presents a delightful taste of summer for guests.

For an entrée, the slow-braised short rib impresses; perfectly tender and combined with smoked sweet potato and charred broccolini, it’s not to be missed.

Make sure to order a side of the Rye milk buns accompanied by whipped brown butter and apricot jam for an indulgent treat.

Desserts at this bistro are equally noteworthy, with the purple velvet cake crafted from ube and blueberries, providing a visually stunning and tasty conclusion to the meal.

Across the dining scene, another notable opening has taken place at The Plaza at Preston Center – an all-day French café from the team behind Le PasSage and Georgie.

Under the direction of Culinary Director Bruno Davaillon, this casual yet chic spot invites guests to enjoy the French flair the group is famed for in the Knox-Henderson area.

Occupying the former Corner Bakery space, the venue features a dining room, bar, and a covered patio equipped with an indoor-outdoor bar.

Diners are encouraged to explore a variety of appetizers; the Provençale tomato tart, salmon carpaccio, and escargots provide a burst of flavors, with the tomato tart standing out as the highlight with its flaky crust, goat cheese, and basil.

The lemony salmon carpaccio impresses with its crispy quinoa topping, a unique twist that diners appreciate.

Next on the list to try is the cheese soufflé or gougères (cheese puffs).

For main courses, the café offers a variety of comforting dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and various grilled proteins.

On a recent visit, the orrechiette pasta with grilled chicken, English peas, button mushrooms, and parmesan cream was a satisfying choice.

Frequent orders around the dining space led to the recommendation of trying the Croque Monsieur, Croque Madame, French Omelette, and Quiche Lorraine on the next visit.

The dessert selection at Frenchie is also exceptional.

The café Liégois, featuring espresso ice cream, chocolate crumble, chantilly, and candied almonds, has quickly become a favorite.

Meanwhile, the nougat glace, made with honey and citrus semifreddo, pecan praline, and chocolate sauce, has also garnered great attention.

For fruit lovers, the pavlova adorned with strawberries and blueberries makes for an excellent choice.

On the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole, the SER steakhouse offers a stunning view along with an elevated dining experience.

With recent changes in the kitchen led by Executive Chef Aubrey Murphy, SER has incorporated new items into its exclusive menu.

One of its distinctive offerings includes HeartBrand Beef, making it the only steakhouse in Dallas to serve this particular product.

To start, guests are recommended to try the caviar churro, which features Osetra caviar atop golden churros and green onion crema — a unique and shareable appetizer.

Accompanying it is the beef tartare, made with Texas wagyu and served with puffed tendon instead of traditional bread, a twist on the classic dish.

For main courses, both petite filet mignon and the massive 18-ounce New York Strip come highly recommended.

Enhancing the experience is suggested with a bleu cheese crust and a flight of sauces, including house steak sauce, red chimichurri, au poivre, béarnaise, and truffle butter.

The sides, such as local carrots, potato purée, and the upgraded mac and cheese with crispy chicken skin, are essential for complementing the rich flavors of the main dishes.

Additionally, the elote-style creamed corn topped with Tajin kettle corn is a must-taste item.

Desserts are stellar at SER, with the Texas Honey Cheesecake displaying a charming bumblebee design alongside mixed berry mascarpone, captivating every diner.

Adding to the variety within Preston Center, a new fast-casual eatery named The PoBoy Shop has made its debut.

Established by local butcher shop owner Evan Meagher, the restaurant specializes in cold and hot po’boys using house-prepared meats alongside authentic Cajun sides and salads.

The exquisite bread is sourced straight from the Langlinais Baking Company in Lafayette, where Meagher began his culinary journey.

In a cozy 1,200-square-foot space featuring Louisiana-inspired décor, guests can opt for a quick lunch either on the patio or within the quaint seating area.

For a refreshing drink, the Swamp Water is a must-try, blending cucumber, mint, and a hint of simple syrup for a light, invigorating experience.

Among the sandwich options, the Muffaletta made with various house-made meats and giardiniera has emerged as the top pick.

Other recommendations include the Fried Bologna with melted cheddar and yellow mustard, crispy Cajun seasoned curly fries fried in beef tallow, and a classic potato salad enhanced with yellow mustard, mayo, and scallions.

In conclusion, whether it’s an intimate bistro, a casual French café, a lofty steakhouse, or a quick casual eatery, food enthusiasts in the Preston Hollow area have plenty of exciting new dining options to explore and savor.

image source from:papercitymag

Charlotte Hayes