Where Chefs Eat: Kitchen LTO's Nick Amoriello Dishes on His Favorite Restaurants

Last month, Nick Amoriello became Kitchen LTO's latest chef in residence, taking up a six-month post at the permanent pop-up. The chef, who previously worked as executive sous chef post at Rapscallion, won over voters in January with his modern take on Texas cuisine. When he's not making buffalo fried quail at Kitchen LTO, Amoriello enjoys dining out in Dallas. Below, the chef shares some of his favorite spots for brunch, lunch, and late-night food.

What's your favorite breakfast or brunch place?
Right now I am really into what Luck is doing for brunch with their beer and donut flight program. They are hard to come by beers paired with delicious donuts utilizing different components of the beer flavors.

Where do you go for a quick lunch?

On a rush I'll grab something at Off Site Kitchen. My favorite thing to eat is their 72-hour brisket sandwich — it is super tender but that BUN — it's perfectly golden brown.

Where do you go and what do you eat after you get off work late?

Jack In The Box is my late-night go to. I order a Jack burger. Hits the spot after working a late-night dinner service.

Where do you like to drink and what do you usually order?

I've been hanging out lately at Industry Alley on South Lamar. I like that it's a dive bar created for the industry with an unwritten rule of no shop talk. We just get together and hang out and have fun.

What's the best destination for a fancy date night?

My go-to place for this is Nobu Dallas where they always take good care of me.

What's your favorite pizza place?

Serious Pizza — HUGE slices, I only need two and I'm good to go. I usually order the pepperoni, broccoli and ricotta cheese.

Do you have a favorite burger in town?

The cheeseburger at Remedy is awesome. It's super simple and hits the spot.

What's the best spot for non-Western food?

I found the most amazing restaurant off Preston Road in Plano called Yama. It's buried in a strip mall and they do amazing Japanese street food.

Any hidden gems or hole-in-the-walls you swear by?

Armoury in Deep Ellum — I can't think of anyone else doing Hungarian food that way.

Any other favorite restaurants elsewhere in the U.S.?

R2L in my hometown of Philadelphia — it's owned by Daniel Stern who is also the chef. He was my mentor when I lived and worked in Philly early in my career.