Dallas’ Most Intriguing New Mexican Restaurant Brings Art Cred and George Clooney’s Margaritas

A Little Vacation Escape Within the City?

By Linden Wilson Jobe // Jun 22, 2017

Photography Steve Wrubel

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José restaurant on Lovers Lane

Mexican restaurant José on Lovers Lane is named for the art collector whose dynamic design elements are incorporated in the space.

José Noé Suro, founder of Cerámica Suro — a ceramics manufacturing biz in Jalisco, Mexico — fashioned the hand-painted tiles, plates, furniture, and lighting, including an 85-foot mural.

Droese Raney Architecture pulled it all together, with a design that’s all things South of the Border vacay chic.

Inspired by numerous escapes to Mexico, Brady and Megan Wood opened the restaurant under their Dallas-based hospitality group WoodHouse, which also operates Bare Knuckle Brewery in Chicago and Highland Park Village’s forthcoming private social club, Park House.

At José, executive chef Natalio Charles crafts a menu of soft-shell crab tacos, chicken enchiladas, seafood chile relleno, and ceviche (inspired by those found in the Guadalajaran neighborhoods Noé Suro loves).

Opt for a table in the interior courtyard by the fountain and sip The Usual margarita — a glass of George Clooney’s Casamigos Blanco tequila on the rocks, simply served with fresh-squeezed lime juice and a mini Topo Chico to pour yourself.