Cattlemen's - Upgrades include the Lonestar Crab Cake at Cattlemen's Steakhouse. (Photo by Courtney Dabney)
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East coast oyster in mignonette sauce was part of the amuse buche portion of the meal. (Photo by Courtney Dabney)
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Some of Fort Worth’s best new restaurants aren’t technically new― they are, shall we say, repositioned. Restaurants have a tough balancing act. They have to find the right mix of location, menu, and atmosphere. Sometimes, a reboot or a concept refresh is their best bet to achieve just the right balance. These five local spots have built on a winning formula and elevated their brand in unique ways this year. These are Fort Worth’s best restaurant rebrands and concept updates for you to dive into.
Local filmmaker, Taylor Sheridan, and his business partners revealed their ownership of Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in The Stockyards in June. The group has sunk some serious cash into refreshing this Stockyards mainstay. Cattlemen’s (circa 1947) now has a new patio, a fresh face, a new chef, and new energy. Not to mention its swanky Cattlemen’s Club on the basement level ― the private members-only sanctuary that was featured in a recent episode of Landman.
Whether you sit in the refreshed dining room or on the new patio listening to live music, the classic steakhouse still grills them to perfection, served with a fluffy baked potato to die for. The elegant crab cake starter in a pool of remoulade is lovely, and the decadent bread pudding is the perfect after-dinner treat. It’s a little bit of history repeating. Cattlemen’s is now ready for its close-up.
The stylish enclave inside Emilia’s Restaurant at The Crescent Hotel went from fine dining to a multi-course tasting menu last June. Chef Preston Paine launched his six-course tasting menu inside the Blue Room. It’s built entirely on Texas-sourced ingredients — offering a “refined exploration of the state’s most distinct flavors, told with intention, elegance, and heart,” they say. The lavish experience is available only on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The seasonal menu includes eye-popping plates like the venison carpaccio “al Pastor” with fermented pineapple, toasted masa, candied serrano, and cilantro flower. Or the clever Navajo fry bread with seasonal cultured butter, smoked white fish, Muhamarra, and baba Ghanoush for dipping. It’s an experience not to be missed. And, The Crescent’s newly enclosed, light-filled Conservatory is located in view of the Blue Room’s moody embrace of a dining room.
Paco Islas rebranded from his famous Paco’s Mexican Cuisine to a new format this year on Magnolia. Last March saw the dawn of Shogun Taqueria, a new fusion of Mexican and Japanese flavors, and it works. Plus, this creative menu satisfies many tastes, especially on nights when you just can’t decide whether to go Latin or Asian.
Appetizers range from edamame to blistered shishito peppers and Chicharron de Botana. At brunch, the chilaquiles have a base of both ramen and tortillas. The ramen bowls themselves have a unique twist, like birria broth ramen or chicken pozole ramen. Islas debuted his new (connected) Secreto speakeasy recently as well.
What began as F1 Smokehouse (Felipe Armenta’s barbecue-focused restaurant) then shifted to F1 Bar and Grill in April (adding more steak from the chef’s own AF1 Ranch in Walnut Springs). Now the restaurant at 517 University has gone back to Chef Armenta’s roots, repositioning to Little Tavern. It affords a somewhat snugger interior and menu than his original Tavern, which opened in 2011 on Hulen Street.
The chef-inspired take on a neighborhood bar and grill has remained a popular format. The greatest hits menu includes fan-favorites like The Zuni Salad, Mexico City Enchiladas, and of course, a slice of Key Lime Pie. With a cool bar and bold, Far Out brand interior design, Little Tavern brings one of its best concepts to a new part of town.
After closing its Camp Bowie location and its Holy Cue pickup and delivery model further down the bricks, Enchilada’s Ole is back ― this time on Magnolia Avenue. Owner Mary Patino Perez has consolidated both concepts at 1208 West Magnolia Avenue. That’s the former home of Cat City Grill, which closed earlier this year. Enchiladas Ole re-opened in early December.
Now you can enjoy Perez’s classic enchiladas with those delectable sauces and a taste of her Texican barbecue, too. Welcome back to the popular Keto plate layered with avocado halves and tender brisket, and the Hatch plate with enchiladas draped in our favorite Hatch chile sauce.
So, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sometimes a concept just needs to be tweaked a bit, just like these Fort Worth restaurant rebrands.
