Mixtli chef, other culinary talents to debut Italian concept Rosso at the Pearl

The Pearl development has a new restaurant in the works. Credit: Courtesy Photo / The Pearl

Yet another new eatery is in the works at the Pearl — and it has a familiar face behind the reins.

Mixtli chef and co-owner Rico Torres has joined forces with Gabe Erales and André Natera to form a new hospitality group dubbed La Unión Hospitality, according to details unveiled Thursday by the partnership.

The trio’s first project, an Italian steakhouse named Rosso, will open at Pearl this fall at 306 Pearl Parkway, Unit 101, across the street from Best Quality Daughter. Torres, Erales and Natera will operate Rosso, and they plan to announce an executive chef closer to the opening.

Although La Unión Hospitality didn’t release a grand opening date, the group did offer a tease of what guests can expect from the menu. Sounding like an homage to classic white-tablecloth Italian restaurants, Rosso will feature sophisticated pasta dishes, elevated steak entrees and classic sides.

No word yet on the wine and cocktail program, but with the combined pedigrees of Torres (a James Beard Award nominee and a Michelin Star recipient for Mixtli), Erales (a Top Chef winner) and Natera (a Dallas Morning News top chef winner and host of the Chef’s PSA podcast), Rosso is likely aiming for a polished drink experience to compliment its food.

Rosso will be the first project from the newly-formed hospitality group. The restaurant joins a slew of other new additions set to join the Pearl Brewery — including an unnamed concept from chef Aaron Bludhorn, LoverBoy House Eats from the founders of Box Street Social, and a mystery project taking over the space that once famously belonged to Cured.