Food Hall News

Vibrant Thai-Laotian restaurant joins rich lineup at Grapevine food hall

Thai Esane coming to Harvest Hall in Grapevine.

fortworth.culturemap.com

Harvest Hall, the European-style food hall in historic Grapevine, has an exciting new concept: Called Thai Esane, it's a Thai and Laotian restaurant from Nashville, set to open on November 20.

Thai Esane features dishes from the northeastern region of Thailand, combining classic Thai and Laotian cuisine made with traditional methods. The Harvest Hall location will be their first location in Texas as the brand starts to expand across the country.

Thai Esane’s menu includes the classic pad Thai, plus fried rice and a variety of curry dishes served over rice, as well as appetizers like Bangkok wings, deep fried and tossed in chili sauce.

The Nashville location first opened in 2014 from Laos native and chef Nina Singto, who has combined her passion for food and her family’s experience selling fresh herbs and vegetables as refugees, to create a menu filled with family recipes.

Singto arrived in America with her family from Laos in 1984, and their early ventures started with selling garden produce in their neighborhood, later escalating to door-to-door food sales.

According to their website, the name "Thai Esane" originates from the northeastern region of Thailand, traditionally known as Isan or Esane. The majority of its population is of Lao descent, often identifying themselves as Thai Isan, distinguishing their identity from both the Lao of Laos and the Central Thai.

The restaurant will join a lineup of rich and varied concepts at Harvest Hall that include Arepa TX, Dock Local, FireBawks Hot Chicken, Pizza by Luigi, Brisket Rules, Thai Esane and ZaTaR Mediterranean. In addition to the kitchens, Harvest Hall is home to Third Rail, a listening room-style venue for live entertainment, the Harvest Hall Main Bar, as well as Main Line Coffee Bar.

“We pride ourselves in featuring globally-inspired, chef-driven concepts, making our partnership with Thai Esane a perfect fit,” says Harvest Hall Director of Operations Mitch Johnson. “Thai Esane’s approach to flavorful yet casual Thai and Laotian cuisine will fit in seamlessly into the North Hall. Their commitment to tradition shines through in their food, and we know our guests will love their vibrant flavors.”

openings food-trucks

Healthy Eating News

Mediterranean chain Cava brings healthy bowls to Saginaw

Photo courtesy of Cava

undefined

A Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant has opened in Saginaw: Cava, a concept based in Washington DC, just opened at 1428 N. Old Decatur Rd. #150 with Mediterranean-inspired bowls, pitas, dips, and dressings.

“Our mission is to bring heart, health, and humanity to food, and everything we do at Cava is grounded in that spirit of generosity, to our guests, our team members, and our community,” said Tony Frazier, Regional Director. “We couldn’t be more excited to be in Saginaw.”

Cava is known for its customizable menu featuring their signature "crazy feta" - whipped with jalapeño, onion, and olive oil - as well as a rotating seasonal offering of juices, soups, and roasted vegetables.

You start with a base from a selection of salads, bowls, or pita bread, which you can make into pita sandwiches and plates, salads, greens-and-grains bowls, and a mini pita plate for kids. Sandwiches include options such as Greek chicken, falafel, or spicy lamb meatball. Sides include hummus, red pepper hummus, roasted eggplant, and more.

They made their DFW debut in early 2020 with a location in Uptown Dallas, and currently have 29 locations in the DFW area, including Arlington, Euless, Southlake, and Fort Worth.

Cava started out as a full-service restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, in 2006. The concept was founded by three childhood friends to celebrate the flavors of their families' traditional Greek and Mediterranean cooking in a casual modern setting, dedicated to fresh, Mediterranean-inspired, better-for-you cuisine.

The chain has since evolved into a fast-growing, fast-casual brand with locations in 25 states across the U.S., including 62 across Texas - a number that grew quickly after Cava acquired the Plano-based Zoës Kitchen Inc. chain in 2018.

openings