Two Popular Dallas Chefs Will Debut New Restaurants In Downtown Next Week

A two-restaurants-in-one dining destination has arrived at the spanking-new AT&T Discovery center.

Called the Second Floor at the Exchange, the space at 211 South Akard Street will house two distinct restaurants with different menus and vibes. The first, called Ounce, will be helmed by chef Brian Zenner, who Dallasites will recognize from his time in the kitchens of restaurants like the Mitchell in Downtown and and the Design District’s Oak. Described in a press release as a “modern Texas brasserie,” Ounce will serve comforting small plates like toasts topped with duck confit or roasted mushrooms and bacon, a burger made with Beeman Ranch beef, and grilled Spanish octopus.

Kathy Tran

Next up is the new Japanese restaurant from Mot Hai Ba chef Peja Krstic, called Ichi Ni San. Krstic has tapped former Yama Izakaya and Sushi chef Somnuk Gatesuwan to lead the restaurant’s sushi menu, where options like live scallop sashimi and snow crab onigiri served with uni-spiked butter await. Non-raw dishes will also be on the menu, ranging from okonomiyaki to grilled kampachi and tofu-avocado rice bowls.

Barman Alex Fletcher, formerly of Henry’s Majestic and now-shuttered Knox-Henderson hotspot Victor Tangos, will serve as the beverage director for both establishments. Diners can look forward to creative cocktails and an expertly curated wine list that boasts rare vintages. “We were fortunate enough to buy hundreds of bottles at auction in New York, and even more on consignment from private collections,” Fletcher said in a statement. “We have bottles you just can’t find anymore.”

Both Ounce and Ichi Ni San will open for dinner service on Wednesday, December 16.