Dallas’ New Restaurant Mecca Emerges

A large, suspended white tarp, billowing in the wind for weeks, finally dropped Wednesday night to reveal New York-based artist Daniel Arsham‘s sculpture Moving Figure, which anchors Headington Companies’ three new Dallas Design District restaurants in a spacious open-air atrium.

Unveiled during a fête in honor of this Friday’s MTV Re:Define soirée, the sculpture drew applause from the crowd, which wasted no time snapping pics and capturing video of the 18-foot-tall masterpiece — Arsham’s first public installation as a solo artist.

Throughout the evening, the trio of restaurants was also a hot topic of conversation as partygoers previewed bites from Wheelhouse, which opens to the public on Saturday, March 25.

In addition to inventive cocktails, craft beer, wine, and sparkling rosé, the industrial-style gastropub offers housemade sausages, bread, and pretzels; a variety of small plates (i.e. pork ribs with kimchi slaw, oysters on the half shell, smoked trout dip); sandwiches, including a juicy burger in a brioche bun topped with blue cheese, bacon, red onion jam, and arugula; and large plates such as a butcher’s cut served with crispy onions, chimichurri, and steak sauce.

Sassetta, an Italian eatery reminiscent of a European cafe, is set to open at the end of next month. (We were also able to preview its scrumptious pizza, which will be available to-go and for delivery.) Go Go, the aptly named grab-and-go spot serving Counter Culture Coffee beverages and freshly baked entrées, will open around the same time.

All three restaurants are nestled within a 10,000-square-foot complex in the Design District’s Decorative Center. Arsham’s permanent sculpture in the outdoor courtyard will also serve as a backdrop for other art installations and live music performances.

Wheelhouse, 1617 Hi Line Dr., 214.307.5690.