It’s Goodwins’s world, we’re all just living in it. | Kathy Tran Pillar, the Old Monk in Oak Cliff, Sanjh, Mirador, Goodwins, Nuri Steakhouse — a lot of new classics came to town It wasn’t a splashy year for openings, aside from Nuri Steakhouse, but it was a solid year. DFW got a lot of new restaurants that experienced big successes by positioning themselves as actual neighborhood spots — places that are relaxed and affordable enough for a visit every week, if not every day. Here are the spots some of Dallas’s biggest food lovers fell in love with this year. Chef Toby Archibald of Quarter Acre: “I live in Oak Cliff so I was very excited to hear that the Old Monk was coming to my part of town! Look, I am a Kiwi, and to double down on that, I lived in London for three years, so I love a good pub. The original Old Monk on Henderson Ave. always seemed a bridge too far for me for a cheeky pint, or a quick trip for a great fish ’n’ chips, now there is one less than 10 minutes from my house! (And if I ‘accidentally’ take a wrong turn it is kind of on my way home from my restaurant on Greenville…) I love this new addition to the bustling Bishop Arts and TYPO areas, and they did an amazing job on making a relatively average building feel just like a proper pub should, both inside and out.” Editor for Eater Texas Courtney E. Smith: “My favorite opening was Nuri Steakhouse. It had drama, it had style, it had food that was so much more incredible than I imagined it would be. The marriage of Korean and Texan (with a little New Orleans) is deeply satisfying, in the way the two chefs there have executed it, and the experience feels decadent. Covering it was a lot of fun. Going there was even more fun. The decor is great, the service is top-notch, and all I want to know is what do I have to do to get them to give me the private dining room.” Kathy Tran The Nuri board at Nuri Steakhouse Dallas Morning News food writer Claire Ballor: “I love seeing people open small, independent restaurants in their own neighborhoods. There’s just a different type of energy found between the walls of such places, so I was particularly excited to see Be Home Soon open in East Dallas last month. Madison King, Russ Kirk, and Joey Fink are doing something pretty cool over there with their free-spirited and constantly changing menu. In a world where setting calendar invites to make dinner reservations months in advance has become common practice, a casual, come-as-you-are spot like this is a welcomed reprieve.” Greg Katz of Beverly’s, Clifton Club, Green Point, and Claremont: “Chumley House. I’m so excited for Benji Homesy and Chas Martin to continue pushing the envelope with their awesome concepts. I’m a big fan of everything they do.” Chef Travis Wyatt of Mirador: “Pillar by Peja Krstic and Tiffany Derry’s new Italian restaurant, Radici.” Eater Dallas contributor Rachel Pinn: “The restaurant that has excited me most is Mirador, where chef Travis [Wyatt] never misses. In a space that could easily be (and used to be) cold and soulless food-wise, he has infused heart and deliciousness into every dish. Tea there has been especially stellar.” Influencer Chris James Kahle: “Goodwins, because I feel like Greenville needed a new elevated yet casual spot that is a never fail. It’s decorated well, has a great and easy to eat menu, a speakeasy bar, plus outside and side patio areas. It really has a lot to offer. Also, Jack & Harrys — I’m from New Orleans and my hubby went to LSU so we love New Orleans food, but Dallas didn’t really have anything we loved. Jack & Harrys is elevated, you can dress up for a nice date night, and they nailed the interior and food. Love the oval shaped bar so you can see everyone, just wish they would have a jazz band in on the weekends at night to make it even more New Orleans.” Gabe Sanchez of Saint Valentine and Black Swan Saloon: “The opening of Be Home Soon opening excited me the most. The more quality over quantity restaurants we get in Dallas the better. I love the restaurants that press the envelope forward, but my favorite places to eat are classic comfort food places. This place nailed it.” Dallas Morning News food editor Anna Butler: “I get excited by consistency, and that’s what I’ve found at Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge. Honorable mention to Goodwin’s, specifically for its addition of lunch.” Zeno The pork chop at Nikki Greek Bistro Chef Taylor Kearney of Harwood Hospitality: “Pillar. They’ve brought something truly special to the DFW dining scene. Not only does the restaurant have an amazing team, but their dedication to creativity, impeccable service, and their menu sets them apart. Every detail, from the ambiance to the plating, feels thoughtfully curated.” Dining critic Brian Reinhart of D magazine: “This was a banner year for new Indian and South Asian restaurants. Sanjh stole a lot of the headlines with its opulent dining room, high prices, gorgeous plating, and especially its cocktails. But among smaller, more traditional options, I also loved new Punjabi spot Chandigarh Wale, had a killer Chicken Majestic at Hyderabadi Dumaka, and enjoyed super-tender momos at Everest Momo and Kabab. On my list to try next: Simply South, which got a shout-out in the New York Times.” Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman of Jose: “Seager & Son’s opening excited me this year. The pizza and fried chicken are damn good! And I’m not bias because it’s my husband’s restaurant group. The pizza reminds me of Fireside Pies (rip) and the fried chicken is so tender and crispy!” Eater Dallas contributor Diana Spechler: “Am I allowed two? Both Sanjh and Uchiko Plano delighted me.”