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Food

Statler Hotel is shaping up to be a tasty slice of downtown Dallas with new speakeasy and diner

The Statler Hotel in downtown Dallas reopened on Oct. 17 with the promise of a "quintessential downtown Dallas experience, blending fine dining, live entertainment and vibrant culture," according to general manager Evan Danziger. And as of late-October, local foodies and socialites are able to indulge.

A new, elegant speakeasy and a trendy new diner recently opened at the 61-year-old hotel. Several others are on the way, courtesy of Dallas-based firm Epic F&B, a partnership between two other locally-based companies, Turn the Tables Hospitality and Plan B Group, Inc. The former is owned by Chris Zielke and Christopher Jeffers, who are also behind Dallas restaurants Bolsa, Smoke, and The Theodore, among others. Plan B is a design firm that worked on Velvet Taco and Pie Tap Pizza Workshop and Bar.

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Here's what to expect if you go.

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Overeasy

A stunning mural at the entryway of Overeasy, a recently-opened diner at the Statler Hotel...
A stunning mural at the entryway of Overeasy, a recently-opened diner at the Statler Hotel in Dallas.(Tiney Ricciardi / Staff)

The word "diner" might conjure images of Waffle House or the like, but the moment you walk by the vibrant mural at Overeasy's entryway, it's obvious this isn't your typical greasy spoon. For one, it has a full espresso bar serving cold brew and lattes. The food menu, designed by chef Graham Dodds, includes trendy dishes such as avocado toast ($10), kale salad ($11) and brisket hash ($14), as well as comfort food like biscuits that come five ways. (Mushroom biscuits and gravy, anyone?)

Lunch items include fried mac and cheese, a muffuletta sandwich and cornmeal-dusted catfish, but if you're partial to breakfast, good news: It's served all day.

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Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Bourbon and Banter

The Bob cocktail come served in a tea kettle with dry ice. Fancy!
The Bob cocktail come served in a tea kettle with dry ice. Fancy!(Tiney Ricciardi / Staff)

Located in a former barbershop, Bourbon and Banter offers drinkers a subterranean escape with excellent libations -- if you can find it. Unlike many local speakeasies, Bourbon and Banter requires an entry code. (I'm not going to spoil the fun, but I'll say that golden phone booth isn't just for historic charm.) Once inside, you'll be rewarded with a playful menu of inventive cocktails named for classic hairstyles. They were developed by Kyle Hilla, local bar maven and Statler beverage director.

Presentation is not lost here. The Bob ($15), for example, is a rye whiskey-based cocktail that comes served in a tea kettle with dry ice, so when it's poured, it could easily be mistaken for a hot beverage. The Pompadour ($15), the bar's take on an Old-Fashioned, is served with a sugar brulee and mallet, so the drinker can crack the top layer before imbibing. Then there's the Ivy League ($15), a show-stopping vodka cocktail that comes with a beautiful, if explicit, image placed gracefully on top. (Hilla prints the "F" word in edible ink on wafer paper; it floats because of the egg white in the recipe.)

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Bourbon and Banter also serves a small menu of bar bites.

Hours of operation are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly.

More bars and restaurants to come:

  • Waterproof: A rooftop bar and lounge promising a pool and 360-degrees views of downtown Dallas. It's located on the 19th floor of the hotel. Expect DJs to perform and "resort-style service" with craft cocktails.
  • Fine China: A full-service lunch and dinner spot with Pan-Asian fare, sake, Japanese whiskies, tea and communal seating. Chef Angela Hernandez, formerly of Top Knot, is leading the kitchen.
  • Scout: A 12,000-square-foot sports bar and adult gaming hub, with bowling lanes, ping-pong, billiards and foosball. Expect to find American food and craft beer here.
  • Grand Ballroom: A catch-all entertainment space that's expected to host concerts and other large-scale events, such as weddings.

The Statler Hotel is located at 1914 Commerce St., Dallas. Valet parking is available at the hotel for $15 or street/metered parking is available around Main Street Garden. The Dallas Morning News is relocating its headquarters to the adjacent building, so you might spot our reporters out in the wild if you visit these bars and restaurants.

CORRECTION, 1:39 p.m., Nov. 9, 2017: An earlier version of this story misspelled general manger Evan Danziger's name.