Chef Stephan Pyles to open San Salvaje, a “modern Latin” restaurant, in former Samar space in downtown Dallas

Chef Stephan Pyles will open San Salvaje (pronounced sah-vah-hey), a “modern Latin” restaurant in the downtown Arts District space formerly occupied by Samar, Pyles reluctantly confirmed today.

San Salvaje, Spanish for “wild Saint,” is a play on Latin America’s long history of blending pagan and religious beliefs into a cohesive, beautiful dance, says Pyles.

Pyles says the menu at San Salvaje will romp across all of Latin America, “incorporating everything south of Harlingen,” including tacos and tamales made with fresh nixtamal, arepas, empanadas, ceviches, tiraditos, plus elements borrowed from Cuba and Peru.

A design team from Atlanta is transforming Samar into San Salvaje, enlarging the restaurant by enclosing a portion of Samar’s hookah patio and reconfiguring the existing interior footprint.

Pyles wouldn’t confirm a targeted opening date but hoped to have San Salvaje open by late Spring.