Friday, November 2, 2007

Best Bites: Dining out in Dallas-Fort Worth November 2

By Teresa Gubbins

DALLAS — Sushi Star, a new sushi place at the southwest corner of Preston and Royal that opened September 17, stands out from other sushi places thanks to the father-son team it has in place, with young Song Wi manning the front of the house and his father, Mr. Wi, in the kitchen, joined by longtime friend and co-owner Mr. Ko.

Before opening Sushi Star, Mr. Wi and Mr. Ko worked together for 20 years, most recently at Little Katana in Travis Walk. Mr. Ko also worked at Beni Hana and Bluefish.

Sushi Star sits in a location that was for years Italian: most recently (if briefly) Dolce Oliva, and Rodolfo's before that. Redoing the space took far more time and money than expected; between redoing the electric and the plumbing, it stretched out to 8 months.

"We had our sign up for the last six months," Soon says. "Since we’ve been open, everyone that's come in has said, 'What took you guys so long?'"

The showpiece item on the menu is the star ahi tower; but there is also a star sushi roll with tempura shrimp, avocado, and cream cheese; Kobe steak served on a hot rock; and approximately 20 cold sakes priced from $5 to $20.

Decor includes a broad granite sushi bar and large art pieces on the wall, including a huge picture of a red snapper jumping out of the ocean. Lighting fixtures resembling pagodas serve as accent pieces; Shoji screens help establish privacy zones. A lovely garden sits in the thick of it all, with a fountain and statues.

By the slice on Lower Greenville

That Greenville Avenue Pizza Company opened three weeks ago piques interest because it's one more pizza place opening, and there've been plenty this year. But more interesting still is the fact that it's in the spot that used to be that British UK Imports store. Wonder where they went?

At Greenville Avenue Pizza, they make their own dough, which is no small potatoes, and also serve pizza by the slice, a category of pizza that many people seem to care about. The other night, they had to make so much pizza that they ran out of dough. People had to go to other parts of the menu, to order meatball subs, toasted ravioli appetizers, small "slider" burgers, and wings.

You haven't lived until you've had one of J. Dorian's margarita truffles.

Last but not least, they stay open LATE: until midnight or 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"It felt like a club," said the manager," but with people eating pizza."

Margarita Truffle

Dallas chocolate guru Dorian Isenberg, owner of J. Dorian Chocolatier, has a new best-selling Margarita Truffle, which takes the flavors of a margarita and transforms them into a bite-size dark-chocolate covered treat. The truffle is made from margarita-infused ganache covered with European-style dark chocolate and a pinch of sea salt.

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• Food and Drink > Dining / Restaurants > Best Bites

Comments

kirk Anonymous

I am glad to see a chocolatier garnering some well-deserved attention for chocolate, rather than the award-winning design of a 250-square-foot retail space.

2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Michael Anderson Verified

I'll miss the UK Imports store, but I'm looking forward to checking out this new pizza place. Lower Greenville hasn't had a good pizza option since the late-lamented Cafe Nostra got caught up in the great Arcadia fire of '06. I hope they've got fresh mozz by the slice.

2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Anonymous

World Service UK went out of business, per the announcement on their web page: http://www.worldservice-uk.com/ .

Savvy marketing from Isenberg.

2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

okme2 Anonymous

Love the Pizza-by-the-Slice....Thank You TG and Pegasus!

2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Teresa Gubbins Staff

thank you scott for the link. i tried to email them whilst crafting this latest edition of Best Bites, but got no response.

2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )