New Name, New Chef, New Menu, New Design
DALLAS (September 24, 2014)……Front Room Tavern (formerly The Front Room) at Hotel Lumen in Dallas, has a new name, chef, menu and design.
NL Group, in collaboration with Headington Companies, has transformed the space with warm colors and textures. Wood tabletops and chairs with industrial lighting and other elements make this an approachable and inviting neighborhood restaurant and bar. The dining room, bar and patio (seating 155 total) is comfortable and simple, yet chic. Executive Chef Michael Ehlert complements this with his whimsical take on classic dishes, but adds a few unanticipated ones as well.
For starters, there is a Chicken Liver Mousse with fig mostardo and wheat crackers and a salmon ceviche “michelada” with house-made chips. As an entrée, the Corned Beef Reuben Tartine with house russian, red cabbage and chips is a huge surprise with its artistic take grounded in the classic original dish. The Sea Scallops with grits and ham gravy is a decadent artful presentation yet still home grown and familiar with a comforting flavor that will not disappoint.
Menu items might surprise some guests. They are familiar dishes with a twist. Ehlert explains, “This is an elegant tavern concept that really showcases simple, familiar dishes but with a heart and soul as well as a story behind each and every rendition of the dish. With this menu, I wanted to make my guests happy while also having fun creating them. Even though you have seen the names of these dishes before, I want our guests to possibly come out of their comfort zone a bit and be ready for a taste and presentation that these familiar classics might not have provided them before. We are grateful and excited to deliver it in a new setting that also suits the food.”
The food menu is accompanied by a thoughtful and specialized bar program. Front Room Tavern is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
ABOUT EXECUTIVE CHEF MICHAEL EHLERT
Michael Ehlert’s passion for food began during his college career while working for well-known kitchens including Boulder Café and The Sink in Boulder, Colorado. Eventually he landed a job at the well-known Mediterranean Restaurant, working his way up from the bottom to Sous Chef. He then moved on to work at Jax Fish House, the restaurant of Top Chef Season 5 winner Hosea Rosenberg. Rosenberg influenced Ehlert to continue his training, so he attended The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he graduated head of his class.
After graduation, Ehlert began as poissonnier at Brasserie in New York City, working under Executive Chef Luc Dimnet where he rose to the position of Sous Chef after just one year.
Ehlert left Brasserie to become opening Sous Chef for world-renowned Chef Daniel Boulud’s DBGB Kitchen & Bar. In this position he worked closely with Executive Chef Jim Leiken to develop a well-received French brasserie meets American tavern menu. After one year, Ehlert was promoted to Executive Sous Chef.
In October 2011, Ehlert moved to Dallas and opened cocktail and food destination The Chesterfield with barman Eddie Campbell. Ehlert featured a new American menu of snacks and full dinners anchored in classical technique to compliment the hand-crafted cocktail program.
In the spring of 2012, Ehlert was hired on as Executive Chef at Campo, a charming bungalow bistro in the Oak Cliff neighborhood. Later in 2012, Ehlert was Chef de Cuisine at Hibiscus, before Tim Bevins brought him to The Front Room in 2013. The two collaborated on a new American menu. After Bevins’ departure to Austin in June 2014, Ehlert took over as Executive Chef and has continued to develop the neighborhood tavern concept.
ABOUT NL GROUP (OPERATING PARTNER THE FRONT ROOM TAVERN)
NL Group – owned by hospitality veteran Tim McEneny – is the operating partner of Front Room Tavern. From owning, operating and consulting, NL Group has the competitive edge on creating successful concepts. McEneny, who has been in the industry for over 30 years, has experience operating some of the most prestigious venues in the country and his earned his stripes. Notable projects include: Ian Schrager – New York/San Francisco, Hotel Zaza – Dallas, Obar – Dallas, Lift – Dallas, DISH Restaurant – Dallas, Dakota’s Steakhouse – Dallas, Front Room Tavern – Dallas, and soon to open DISH Restaurant – Preston Hollow in Dallas.
ABOUT HEADINGTON COMPANIES
Headington Companies is a privately held, Dallas-based company with multiple lines of business, including private equity investing, film production, real estate, and urban development – including hotels, retail and mixed-use.
Downtown Dallas projects are highlighted by the Joule Hotel and other retail locations in the Company’s Main Street redevelopment project, including an ESPA spa, TenOverSix, TenOverSix Presents, Traffic LA -Men’s, Traffic LA –Women’s, Play by Comme desGarcons, Taschen Books, Midnight Rambler craft cocktail lounge, CBD Provisions and Vital Fitness Studio.
In addition to its Downtown Dallas projects, the Company has also co-developed Ilume®, Ilume Park® and Dish Restaurant, all located on Cedar Springs Road near the Medical District.
Headington Companies has owned the Hotel Lumen since its inception, as well as The Front Room Tavern, each located on Hillcrest Avenue across from Southern Methodist University. The Company completed a major expansion and renovation to Hotel Lumen in 2012, including recent updates to Front Room Tavern’s concept and design in collaboration with NL Group.
Front Room Tavern
6101 Hillcrest Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75205
214.219.8282
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Breakfast: Daily from 7am – 11am / Brunch: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 3pm
Lunch: Monday – Friday, 11am – 3pm
Dinner: Daily from 3pm – 11pm
For more information, please contact Lindsey Miller & Associates lindseymiller@lindseymillerpr.com – 214.228.7630