Swanky Mexican Eatery Tulum Debuts This Week

Tulum, an upscale new eatery from restaurateur Mike Karns, will officially open its doors this week.

As Eater reported earlier this month, Karns and his wife Valerie will take over the space at 4216 Oak Lawn Avenue, formerly home to French-Mexican fusion spot Madrina. In a press release, Karns takes great pains to assure diners that Tulum won’t be like El Fenix or Meso Maya, the casual Mexican eateries his Firebird Restaurant Group operates. “The menu will be rustic and elegant with natural offerings that inspire a new way of dining, Karns said in a statement. “We want our guests to enjoy all that Tulum has to offer, right here in Dallas.” What that means, exactly, is still unclear.

Instead of cheesy enchiladas and queso, this entirely separate project will serve fare centered around the restaurant’s wood-burning oven, a prominent fixture in the cuisine of Tulum. A full menu has still not been made public, but diners can look forward to dishes like scallops served with smoked potato puree and baby back ribs sauced in roasted pineapple salsa negra and sesame seeds. Chef Nico Sanchez, who oversees the menus at Karns’ other establishments, will lead the kitchen at Tulum.

Tulum will open its doors on Thursday, October 25. The restaurant will be open for dinner service Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

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