Specials and new menus appear in my inbox every day, and I\u2019m always grateful for that, as it means I get to see when fresh restaurants are coming to town. This week, we\u2019re checking out some spots that have either just opened their doors or are completing finishing touches.<\/p>\n
Our first eatery is an establishment coming soon to dish out global and South African dishes in Keller. Next up on my list is a Fort Worth joint with a rather unique theme \u2014 Italy meets Western cinema \u2014 and an American restaurant now open for business in Arlington.<\/p>\n
Wine and South African cuisine at Umzi Vine & Vibe<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s not unusual for restaurants to keep their opening date under wraps for a bit, but Umzi Vine & Vibe in Keller turned the mystery into a promotion opportunity. Staff posted on the eatery\u2019s Facebook page July 22<\/a> that \u201cthe wait is almost over,\u201d and noted that the person who comes closest to guessing the grand opening date will win a wine and cheese tasting experience worth $1,000. The official opening date is still not public, but staff told me the most likely timeline will be late September to early October.<\/p>\n The menu<\/a> shows a few regional cuisines, but South African food is arguably the spot\u2019s biggest draw. Flavorful dishes such as cherry bacon oepsies, chicken and peri peri pepper sosaties \u2014 a kebab \u2014 and bobotie, a casserole dish, join boerewors sausage bites with smoor gravy, and steak pie appear along with braai flat-grilled chicken.<\/p>\n They will also have filet mignon, Thai curry, chicken schnitzel, ribeye and vegan summer rolls.<\/p>\n Umzi is the Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele word for village, according to the Dictionary of South African English.<\/p>\n 444 Keller Parkway, Keller; 817-380-8530<\/strong><\/p>\n La Pistola to combine Italian hospitality with Western design<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s a new Italian restaurant coming to the Cultural District in September. La Pistola Kitchen + Saloon<\/a> is described as a \u201cfun-fine-dining restaurant, cocktail bar and wine destination\u201d in a news release, with an aesthetic that blends 1970s Rome with the cinematography of spaghetti Westerns of the era. The concept will take root in the space formerly occupied by Taco Heads and comes from restaurateurs Jeffrey Yarbrough and Camille McDonald, the minds behind Teddy Wong\u2019s<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Among the dishes diners can expect to find on the table are housemade pastas, chef-driven gourmet sandwiches, and surf and turf. Veal Parmesan will appear on the menu, as will steaks, roasted chicken, fish and coastal-Mediterranean sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n Drinks will include seasonal beverages, craft cocktails, a curated beer selection and an all-day $5 ros\u00e9 special. Among the specialty drinks is the She\u2019s a Pistol whiskey sour, a spicy take on the classic drink prepared with hot honey.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cJeffrey and I both believe successful restaurants start with understanding the city, the street, and the people,\u201d McDonald said in a news release. \u201cThis project is about building something that belongs in Fort Worth.\u201d<\/p>\n For anybody wondering where the blend of cowboy culture and Italian cuisine comes from, it\u2019s actually pretty cohesive. Spaghetti Westerns carried the name because they originated in Italy, were made by Italian directors and were wildly popular with Italian filmgoers. Italy basically created Clint Eastwood\u2019s cowboy persona.<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t expect a little cinema history in this food column, huh? Me neither, but I bet my film-buff brother is reading this and nodding his head right now, which I\u2019ll consider a win.<\/p>\n 1812 Montgomery St., Fort Worth<\/strong><\/p>\n Oysters and Americana at The Vandy<\/strong><\/p>\n Located in the Caravan Court hotel in Arlington, The Vandy features a menu and atmosphere that celebrates \u201cclassic Americana,\u201d according to the website.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oysters on the half shell were among the dishes highlighted on Instagram<\/a> recently, and the dinner and lunch menus<\/a> feature quite a bit of surf and turf. Lunch mains of fried chicken, salmon and steak frites are added into the mix on the dinner side along with lobster thermidor, beef Wellington and ribeye. Dinner mains also include a double-patty smash burger and cauliflower steak for $16.<\/p>\n Of course, appetizers, soups, salads and sides are on the table, as are sweets of small batch ice cream, cheesecake, apple pie, cookies and chocolate cake.<\/p>\n Those looking to start the day in the dining room can find classics like biscuits and gravy, pancakes, omelettes, avocado toast, and eggs with bacon or sausage and hashbrowns.<\/p>\n Happy hour is Monday-Thursday 5-7 p.m., offering $2 off beers, glasses of wine and $12 signature cocktails.\u00a0<\/p>\n 205 N. Collins St., Arlington; 682-217-1800<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear from you! Send your restaurant tips and hot takes to erin.ratigan@fortworthreport.org.<\/p>\n