‘Immersive’ Tasting Menu Concept Punk Noir Quickly Shutters, A New Late-Night Pizza Spot To Debut Near SMU, and More Dallas Restaurant News

The Latest Local Openings, Closings, and Chef Moves

By Megan Ziots // Oct 19, 2026

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New tasting menu-only restaurant in Dallas' Design District closed after less than 5 months open. (Photo by Samantha Marie Photography)

From Dallas native and first-time restaurant owner Oliver Steinberg, Barsella will be an Italian-American restaurant, New York-style pizzeria, and cocktail bar. (Rendering courtesy of Wallace Johnson Studio)

The Dallas location reinterprets Palladino’s signature sense of glamour through a distinctly Texas lens, blending the sophistication and energy of the brand’s New York roots with the warmth and character of Palladino’s longstanding Dallas legacy.

The Dallas restaurant scene is always changing. From highly anticipated newcomers to beloved spots bidding farewell to must-attend foodie events, there’s always something happening across the city. In this week’s Dallas Dish, we dive into exciting new restaurant openings and unfortunate closings.

Tasting Menu-Only Restaurant Punk Noir Shutters in Design District In Less Than Five Months

Opened just four and a half months ago in Dallas’ Design District, Punk Noir has already shuttered. Led by James Beard Award-winning chef RJ Cooper, the restaurant boasted a 20-course, immersive multi-room dining experience that was meant to be unlike any other in Dallas. Along with the $295 per person price tag (excluding drinks), the expectations were high. Too high, in my opinion, as I left my experience underwhelmed when I dined there during the summer. Full disclosure: the A/C was out during my visit, and we didn’t get to dine in the third space the restaurant boasted (of its three-room experience). The concept came from John McKeel and his two sons, Cole and Clay McKeel, who described themselves as “local disruptors” with a “rebellious” tasting menu in a pre-opening press release. That’s a high bar to reach from the start.

Barsella’s Dallas — From Dallas native and first-time restaurant owner Oliver Steinberg, Barsella will be an Italian-American restaurant, New York-style pizzeria, and cocktail bar. (Rendering courtesy of Wallace Johnson Studio)

New Italian-American Restaurant and Pizzeria To Debut Near SMU This Winter

From Dallas native and first-time restaurant owner Oliver Steinberg, Barsella will be an Italian-American restaurant, New York-style pizzeria, and cocktail bar at 5600 SMU Boulevard, Suite 120. Designed by Liz Johnson of Wallace Johnson Studio, the former Round Table Pizza will transform with a design “drawing on classic Italian-American concepts, New York cafés and European aperitivo culture for a space that feels polished, bright and colorful rather than dark and rustic.” The press release describes that the 3,100-square-foot space’s interior, which seats 80 in the main dining room, will feature hexagonal mosaic floors, olive-green millwork, green tile, and red pleated booths.

There will also be a slice window with theatrical signage, “meant to feel like stepping beneath the marquee of a Broadway theater.” It’ll be a late-night spot with a menu of light bites served until 2 am.

Palladino’s Steak & Seafood Dallas — The Dallas location reinterprets Palladino’s signature sense of glamour through a distinctly Texas lens, blending the sophistication and energy of the brand’s New York roots with the warmth and character of Palladino’s longstanding Dallas legacy.

Chef John Tesar Joins the Palladino’s Team

Since last week’s news that Chef John Tesar’s Las Colinas outpost of his Knife brand, Knife Italian Steak, closed, the Dallas celebrity chef has already found a new gig. Tesar is now Executive Corporate Chef at The Palladino Group, which owns the new Dallas outpost of Palladino’s in Preston Royal, as first reported by the Dallas Morning News. We enjoyed our summer visit to the new steakhouse for its Art Deco design, filet mignon, and delicious sides. We’re eager to see how the addition of Tesar will shake things up.