First Look: CBD Provisions, new restaurant in downtown Dallas’ Joule Hotel, Opens Thursday, October 10

I have been wowed by a restaurant that doesn’t even open for a week…and it’s in downtown Dallas. I joined a group of friends for a sneak peak last night of CBD Provisions, which is so good, so exceptionally good, I can’t wait to go back.

CBD Provisions is part of the newly reminted Joule Hotel, in downtown Dallas. Tristan Simon, the brains behind Consilient Restaurants (the Porch, Hibiscus, Fireside Pies, among others) really shows he knows what he’s doing with this place, a mashup of the Porch, Westside Tavern (LA) and Victor Tangos.

Michael Sindoni is the chef, ably assisted by Richard Blankenship (formerly of Nick & Sam’s empire). Sindoni ran the kitchen at the now-shuttered Charlie Palmer restaurant at the Joule. I loved his cooking there. I love it just as much at CBD. Even though CBD (Central Business District) Provisions doesn’t open till next week, the preview I attended last night demonstrated the kitchen is already one of the best in town. The restaurant has a great vibe. It has an even better menu. Chewy, al dente house-made pastas (try the strozzapreti with mushrooms and a 63 C coddled egg), nose-to-tail piggy dishes (pig tails with earthy guajillo bbq sauce and peach slaw, pork rinds with chile and lime, pig head carnitas), pan roasted quail, , even a terrific butcher’s steak graced with a verdant, vinegary chimichurri sauce. Terrific bar. Skilled servers.

And watch out, Off Site Kitchen: CBD’s super crunchy, super creamy french fries are even better than yours. Cooked twice, they are the best in town.

Wow, wow, wow. I’m calling it now: This place is one of the best new restaurants to open in Dallas this year. (Valet parking is free.)

1530 Main Street, Dallas, 214-261-4500