Quick Bytes: New top chef at Abacus, new NoCal-inspired restaurant in Coppell, new empanadas at Pollo Tropical

Christopher Patrick, an alum of Dallas restaurants Nobu, Yutaka Sushi, Nana, N9NE  and Fedora, has been promoted from sous chef to chef de cuisine at Abacus.

In Coppell, newcomer Carmel works to capture the easy style and fresh cuisine of California’s Monterrey Coast. The restaurant’s menu features a take on shakshuka (pictured above), the delicious Middle Eastern eggs-and-tomato dish rarely seen around these parts.

Further north, in Addison, Pollo Tropical is about to roll out new cheese empanadas. The crispy sweet corn empanadas are filled with creamy white cheese and will launch system-wide on April 20.