Ron Ruggless - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 3

2 min

American bistro Ella set to open in Dallas June 17

🍴 Blaine McGowan's new American bistro, Ella, opens in Dallas on Tuesday, June 17, in the former Chido Taco Lounge location. The restaurant features a modern, female-forward design with 12-foot chandeliers and a red tiled bar. Julian Shaffer leads the beverage program, while Kyle Farr, ex-Sachet chef, offers dishes like shrimp dumplings and steak tartare. Open Tuesday-Saturday 4-10 p.m., with Customs Speakeasy offering craft cocktails 5 p.m. to midnight.

2 min

Starr Restaurants to open Parisian bistro Pastis in Nashville

🍴 Starr Restaurant Group is set to open Pastis Nashville in summer 2025 at Wedgewood Houston, 512 Houston St. The 2,774 sq. ft. interior will seat 170, with an 18-seat bar, and a 1,300 sq. ft. patio for 75 opening late summer. Located in the historic May Hosiery Mills, it will offer French bistro dishes like onion soup and steak frites. Pastis, founded in 1999, will be the fourth location, joining others in D.C. and Miami.

1 min

Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse hotel debuts refreshed Lacroix restaurant

📰 Ron Ruggless, senior editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, joined in 1992 after a decade at the Dallas Times Herald. Expertise: foodservice mergers, operations, and marketing. Edited Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth. Frequently moderates panels like MUFSO and Horeca Professional Expo. Career includes roles at Dallas Times Herald (1982-1991), Charlotte Observer (1980-1982), and Omaha World-Herald (1978-1980). Connect with Ron via Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok: @RonRuggless.

2 min

Zaxbys cofounder invests in Georgia-based Maepole concept

🍱 Tony Townley, who sold his Zaxbys stake in 2020, invests in Maepole, a Georgia-based restaurant concept with three locations. Founded in 2018 by chef Peter Dale, Maepole offers customizable, fresh, healthy meals aimed at millennials and Gen Z. Current locations are in Athens and Atlanta, seating 40-50 in 2,800-3,000 sq. ft. spaces. Maepole plans regional expansion in 2024 and potential franchising by 2026, with menu changes reflecting seasonal produce.

2 min

Chef Dominique Crenn’s Café Dior adds afternoon tea

☕ Chef Dominique Crenn unveiled an afternoon tea menu at Café Dior in Dallas, launched in early May, located in the Christian Dior boutique. The café opened on February 22. For $75 per person, offerings include chicken salad sandwiches and piña colada baba au rhum. Teas are priced separately, and Veuve Clicquot champagne is available for $25 extra. Crenn, set to be inducted into the MenuMasters Hall of Fame, crafted a menu blending tradition and innovation.

1 min

Esparza’s celebrates 40th anniversary by spotlighting longtime employees

📖 Ron Ruggless, with a career spanning over three decades, is a senior editor at Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1992. Before joining NRN, he spent 10 years at the Dallas Times Herald as a restaurant critic, assistant business editor, and more. Ruggless edited the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth and has been published in Food & Wine, Food Network, and Self magazines. His expertise lies in foodservice mergers, acquisitions, and operations. Email: [email protected], Twitter: @RonRuggless, LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless, Instagram: @RonRuggless, TikTok: @RonRuggless.

2 min

Chicken N Pickle to open 12th location with Allen, Texas, venue

🍳 Chicken N Pickle, an indoor/outdoor eatertainment complex, is set to open its new location in Allen, Texas, on May 13. This North Kansas City, Mo.-based company's Allen venue marks its fifth in Texas and 12th overall, featuring more than 55,000 square feet, dining areas, a sports bar, six indoor and two covered outdoor pickleball courts, beer gardens, and various yard games. The location, part of The Farm mixed-use development, also champions inclusive "pickleball for all" through sports wheelchairs and dedicated programming. With NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce's backing, Chicken N Pickle is expanding rapidly, planning four more locations in Indiana, Nebraska, and Colorado by early 2026.

2 min

FB Society division to open Shaver Hall in NYC’s former Lord & Taylor

🍳 FB Society plans to open Shaver Hall, a 35,000-square-foot food hall in New York City's former Lord & Taylor building at 424 Fifth Ave, expected to open later this year. The hall will feature 11 food stalls, including an omakase concept, wine and cheese bar, steakhouse, and modern bodega. The Food Hall Co. and FB Society operate multiple venues including Legacy Hall in Plano, Texas, and Assembly Food Hall in Nashville, Tenn. Shaver Hall is named after Dorothy Shaver, Lord & Taylor’s president from 1945 to 1959. ZGF Architects designed the hall, paying homage to the building's rich heritage.

1 min

Thompson Restaurants introduces Table Rewards loyalty

🍴 Thompson Restaurants, under Thompson Hospitality, is launching the Thompson Table Rewards Program, beginning with a soft launch this month in Reston, VA. The program unifies 15 brands and over 65 locations in Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and D.C. Customers earn one point per $1 spent with milestones like 125 points for a free dessert (up to $14 value), and 1,000 points for a $50 reward. Additional benefits include a free birthday dessert and a $5 registration reward.

1 min

Guy Vaknin and City Roots Hospitality plan Reverie vegan dessert and cocktail bar

🍫 City Roots Hospitality and Guy Vaknin are set to open Reverie, a vegan dessert and cocktail bar, on May 14 in Williamsburg, New York City. Beyond Sushi, Willow, Coletta, Anixi, Sentir, and Le Basque are also owned by City Roots. The menu by executive pastry chef Makenna Hale will feature signature desserts like “The Rainbow” with fruit, florals, rosewater meringue, and ube streusel, alongside savory appetizers. The venue is designed by Studio RB, offering an artful and immersive dessert experience with private dining and space rentals.

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