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Wish You Were Here Group will officially open Élephante Dallas on September 1 at 2701 Maple Avenue in Uptown Dallas. Inspired by the spirit and cuisine of coastal southern Italy, the highly anticipated restaurant will offer a transportive dining experience centered around seasonal Italian cuisine, aperitivo culture and warm hospitality.
Established in Los Angeles in 2018, Élephante was inspired by Wish You Were Here Group’s travels to Pantelleria and the Aeolian Islands. The restaurant channels the ease and energy of the Italian coast through thoughtfully designed spaces, shareable menus and a lively atmosphere that encourages guests to linger over food and drinks.
The menu will feature light, coastal southern Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh vegetables, housemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, seafood, premium meats and vibrant seasonal ingredients designed for sharing.
Signature and notable dishes will include Whipped Eggplant served with puccia and olive oil; Ragu Bianco – cavatelli, italian sausage, pecorino, broccolini, and fennel pollen; Grilled Octopus with hearts of palm, olives, capers, tangerine, and red onion; Margherita Pizza with housemade mozzarella, tomato and basil; Branzino with salsa verde butter, sea beans and lemon; and Vodka Sauce Pasta with calabrian chili, basil and parmigiano.
The beverage program will draw from the Italian tradition of aperitivo, featuring signature spritzes, handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list showcasing regions throughout Italy. The collection will also include limited-vintage wines and proprietary private labels created exclusively for Wish You Were Here Group.
Together, the culinary and beverage programs will embody Élephante’s approach to accessible luxury: polished yet relaxed, transportive, and rooted in genuine hospitality.
“Our goal is to showcase a menu that captures the freshness and simplicity of coastal southern Italian cooking while still feeling distinctly at home in Dallas,” said Wish You Were Here Group Chef/Partner Thomas Lim. “The dishes are vibrant, seasonal and designed to be shared, allowing guests to experience the menu the way we believe Italian food is best enjoyed – together, over a table filled with great food and drinks.”
The sprawling two-story Dallas restaurant will span approximately 9,800 square feet indoors, with an additional 1,250 square-foot patio. The restaurant will accommodate approximately 270 guests inside and 78 guests on the patio.
Designed to evoke the effortless beauty of the Italian coast, Élephante Dallas pairs a warm, sun-washed palette with natural materials, layered textures and custom furnishings created specifically for the Maple Avenue location. Conceived as a two-story garden pavilion, the space balances refined sophistication with a relaxed, residential quality through tactile stonework, warm woods, sculptural lighting, lush greenery and collected artwork inspired by the landscapes of southern Italy.
Anchored by a dramatic central bar featuring a sculptural white oak and honed stone counter beneath a suspended canopy of illuminated wine bottles, the restaurant flows seamlessly between indoor dining rooms, shaded terraces and landscaped gardens. Full-height sliding glass doors blur the boundary between inside and out, creating an inviting setting for everything from leisurely lunches and aperitivo hours to celebratory dinners and late-night gatherings. Throughout, handcrafted materials, layered landscaping and thoughtful details reflect Élephante’s signature coastal identity while giving the Dallas location its own distinct sense of place.
The restaurant will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m, and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are available through OpenTable.
Élephante Dallas is located at 2701 Maple Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201. For additional information, visit the Dallas page on the Élephante website or call 214-795-9090.
The post New Italian Concept Élephante to Open in Dallas appeared first on FSR magazine.
Dining and Cooking