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Welcome to AM Intel in the time of coronavirus, a round-up of the city’s newest bits of restaurant-related intel. Follow Eater on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date details on how COVID-19 is impacting the city’s dining scene.
Judge Clay Jenkins asks Dallasites to stay out of restaurants once again
As COVID-19 numbers continue to reach new highs in Dallas County and beyond, county judge Clay Jenkins has issued a plea to diners asking them to stay out of indoor dining rooms. In a press conference, Jenkins described the current wave of cases as a “major spike,” and urged people to stay out of spaces that have been closely connected with COVID-19 spread. “Stop going to indoor restaurants and bars,” Jenkins said. “Stop having parties in your house and get-togethers in your house, just during this time during this big spike.”
Ascension Coffee lands in WestBend
Fort Worth coffee fans have a new spot to score flat whites and pour-overs. Ascension Coffee, the Australian-style cafe originally founded in Dallas in 2012, has opened its sixth location, at 1751 River Run in Forth Worth’s WestBend district. The cafe serves up high-quality beans brewed in a variety of forms, including nitro coffee on tap, Doki Doki (a Kyoto-style cold brew method) and specialty lattes. Ascension also serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, with dishes like a Wagyu pastrami hash, lamb meatballs and grain bowls, alongside smoothies, juices and teas. The Fort Worth location is the first to serve wine on tap from Sixty Vines beer from Martin House Brewing.
Chef known for underground dinners to launch taco hotspot in Frisco
Blaine McGowan, a local chef who cut his teeth hosting underground, tickets dinner parties at his house, has his first restaurant in the works. Chido Taco Lounge, expected to open in early 2021 at 6959 Lebanon Road in Frisco, promises “multi-cultural fusion” with a focus on tacos and cocktails. “Frisco is missing a local watering hole—something that is casual and cool but with killer food, too,” McGowan said in a statement. “Chido will provide diners an opportunity to enjoy craft cocktails & cuisine without the pretentious attitude of most institutions throughout Dallas.” Ouch.
