Dallas
Opened: June 2016
The most in-demand restaurant and lounge/club designers in Dallas are also restaurant operators themselves. The duo of John Paul Valverde and Miguel Vicens, creative directors of Coevál Studio, have partnered with prominent restaurant operators Joseph Palladino (Nick & Sam’s) and Richard Ellman (Apheleia Restaurant Group), for a new Dallas Design District lounge. Aiming for classic and iconic, and inspired by contemporary European restaurants set in spaces that date back hundreds of years, the result is a swanky and lavish lounge that has quickly become one of the city’s see-and-be-seen spots. Chef Joel Harrington's global tapas menu features items such as Steak Frites with Wagyu Teres Major and watercress ($25), while cocktails include the Butterfly Effect, made of Tito's vodka, St Germaine, fresh grapefruit and lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg foam. Luckily we have expense accounts. The main attraction, bottle service, combines house-made juices and mixers with premium gins, vodkas, whiskeys scotches and tequilas, and starts at $300.