Wednesday, May 27, 2009
La Condesa, Mexican restaurant in Dallas’ Victory Park, closed
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DALLAS — Sadly, another Victory Park restaurant has gone belly up: Mexican restaurant/tequila bar La Condesa. No one answers the phone, their voicemail is full, their Web site is broken, and a source tangentially associated with the restaurant confirmed that it had closed last week.
La Condesa was opened in February 2008 by two young entrepreneurial types, Jesse Herman and Donald Chick. Reviews were mixed, but its unfortunate location right across from American Airlines Center and away from the Victory Plaza promenade made its success almost completely dependent on events at the arena.
Chick has since announced that he'll be opening a new restaurant on Henderson Avenue with chef Marc Cassel in the kitchen. A second branch of La Condesa opened six months ago on Second Street in Austin.
As for Victory Park, that leaves Moroccan-Mediterranean Medina Oven & Bar, Tex-Mex Luna De Noche, Victory Tavern, Tom Colicchio's Craft, and Japanese/sushi spot Kenichi.
Medina owner Sam Benoikken says he's working as hard as he can to surmount the obstacles at Victory Park and hopes for the best.
"We have our customer base at Medina, you just hope you can ride it through and survive," he says. "I'm doing my homework, I do everything I can to present the best food, it's reasonable, and it’s fast. What else can you do?"
Mike Orren contributed to this story.
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Comments
Billusa99 Anonymous
Everybody... get to Medina! Keep it open! It's a VERY good place and Sam is a VERY nice man!
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chris Kidd Verified
The difference between Dallas and Austin is that Austinites do go out more and support their local new restaurant/entertainment scene more consistantly, hence why the Austin location has fared better than Dallas. I think its something about the capital city(insider joke) being more laid back in mindset seems to help accordingly.
Ive said it several times already, victory park needs to change its mentality with whom and how they attract business. Cut down on the high-class $25-50/plate joints and bring in places that sports fans enjoy, such as an ESPN Zone, Two Rows or Gordon Biersch
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Ondre Sembera Verified
The only thing I will miss about La Condessa is the Thursday night $5 tequila shots.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
James Scott Verified
Chrisdanger - I'd say it's not so much Dallasites don't go out, it's that there are so many choices in Dallas to go, it kind of makes it hard for new ones to get their share - something Austin doesn't have to contend with.
Oh - and ESPN Zone sucks hard.
Bill - Medina's the one place I've been meaning to check out and now I definitely will - I haven't been anywhere in Victory because of the beating I've heard it is to get in and out of, but it's time for me to give it a try before everything is shut down.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chris Kidd Verified
James, I agree, there are a plethorea of choices here, hence why restaurants in the market have an avg. life span of 1-2 years. But, ive also found A-town seems to embrace new and interesting concepts for restaurants better than this market for the reasons I listed previously
With the Zone comment, ive been to the one at NYNY hotel/casino in Vegas. It isnt too shabby for chain food(right next to the sportsbook as well ;)). Why I suggested it is for the fact its the type of place that will attract a crowd or the tourist dollar on both event and non-event nights both before and after a game. Other places like Biersch, Two Rows or something similar to their ilk, will keep the bodies coming in and out throughout the year. A great example of mixed use of similar nature is Bricktown in OKC, they keep the crowds in the general vacinity of the ballpark before/after games with great food at decent prices. Why victory hasnt gotten on the ball is something we all need to ask...
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Robert Kelly Verified
El Guapo- Do you even know what a plethorea is?
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Travis Bush Verified
It doesn't help with the high price for parking down there either...I agree with Chris..Maybe Victory can be a sports hang out or it can be the kind of "West Village" place that wouldn't attract the majority of sports fans. As well, there is little to attract people down there when games aren't happening...one would think that the developer and investors considered that, but obviously not.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Another one bites the dust.....Well..Big D... down in the West Victory Park Lagoon....you should know,.. a 100 years ago that was a swamp...for dead horses....read The Morning News Times in 1912......and then again, why cant they have a old Mc Donalds had a hamburger farm...A/T,..Eating before pearls and swines...
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chris Kidd Verified
RK, I use that word because S--tload doesnt go through the filters on pegasus news ;)
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
James Scott Verified
Chris - well, everything is fun in Vegas! I went to the one in Baltimore and wasn't impressed. But I understand your idea of having a "touristy" place down there. Maybe that should be the Hard Rock's new location?
Already a Biersch going in at Park Lane, so that's probably out. I thought Victory Tavern might be the nice cool hangout-type place, but they even managed to make a tavern feel stuffy.
5 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Steve Thurman Verified
When I asked the barkeep at La Condesa why they did not have Lone Star beer, I got a lecture about "not wanting any American beers because we are Mexican" thing. I can understand keeping the CoorsMillerBudLight water wagon out, but hey,this is Texas and Lone Star is our thing.
With that 'tude, I knew they were short-timers in VicPlaza.
5 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chris Kidd Verified
James, ive been to VT, its a joke..too many pretentious a-holes at happy hour.
Steve, if a place doesnt serve Lone Star or Carta Blanca, they dont deserve to be in business IMHO.
I think it'll be a transition, since zee germans took over VP from perot, I have a feeling they'll realize the lease agreements are whats killing the project...
5 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
texrunner Anonymous
Hey don't forget about Chili's...it is still opened next to the AA Center. It may not be "fine dining," but it is a cheaper alternative for folks who live and/or work there.
I have no doubt that Victory Park will be a successful location for restaurants and retail, but the location is still developing. Keep in mind that there are still offices slated to be opened this summer (Ernst & Young) and more housing is being developed. Parking is an issue, but I think with some trial and error, the company managing the complex will come with an alternative that will placate the tenants as well as the influx of traffic during games (my suggestion is having the shops and restaurants validate patrons' parking so they won't be dissuaded from visiting the area due to parking costs/issues).
5 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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