AF+B Discreetly Opens in Fort Worth's West 7th District

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• Former Bolsa chef Jeff Harris is back in action. [Photos: Malcolm Mayhew/EDFW]
• The rather nondescript exterior currently doesn't have any signage.
• For now, a neighbor's Ohio State flag marks the spot.

Two months after opening the likeminded and like-named CBD Provisions in Dallas, Consilient Hospitality resets its sights on Fort Worth, where today it opens the long-awaited AF+B. It opens for business today at 11:00 a.m. (AKA right freaking now).

Pronounced "A, F and B" (the plus is silent), which stands for American food and beverage, it was built from the ground-up in a newly developed space in Fort Worth's burgeoning West 7th district, just a few steps away from Consilient's initial foray into Fort Worth, Fireside Pies.

The restaurant encompasses more than 6,000 square feet, a healthy portion of which is devoted to an attractive bar area, outfitted with handsome booths, a horseshoe-shaped cast zinc bar and black and white tile flooring. In the main dining areas, it's oak above and below — white oak on the ceiling, red oak for the hardwood floors. Table tops are made from reclaimed walnut; chairs are a work-in-progress and may be changed out over the next few weeks, says a PR rep.

AF+B's menu was shrouded in secrecy until last week, when the restaurant's Facebook page and Twitter feed started lighting up with images of chorizo scotch eggs, crispy quail, wood-grilled sterling lamb with goat's milk yogurt, and housemade sorbet; mostly everything is made in-house and sourced locally, says executive chef Jeff Harris.

AF+B reunites Harris with pastry chef Laurel Wimberg. The two worked together at the now-defunct Craft Dallas before going their separate ways — she to Lark on the Park, he to Bolsa.

The American-fare menu is similar to that of CBD Provisions', and prices are, too. Dinner entrees range from $15 for a burger to $28 for a beef rib. A side of hand-cut fries is $6. Small plates include a $12 lamb tartare with smoked egg puree and a $9 chili made with grass-fed beef. Wimberg's desserts include sweet potato coconut fritters ($7) and coffee toffee apple pudding ($8).

Right now, the place is like a speakeasy: There is no sign. One is on the way, a Consilient rep promises, but for now, your best point of reference is a bright red Ohio State flag dangling from the balcony of an upstairs neighbor; the restaurant is in the space directly below it.

— Malcolm Mayhew

· A F + B [Official]
· More AF+B coverage [-EDFW-]