His last restaurant up in smoke, Dallas chef Tim Byres joins Stephan Pyles to light a fire under Flora Street Cafe

Tim Byres wasn’t without a restaurant home for long. After closing his ten-year-old Smoke restaurant at the Belmont Hotel in South Dallas last weekend (the official word is that it was sold, but EscapeHatch readers know it was closed and may reconcept), Byres announced via press release today that he and chef Stephan Pyles are reuniting to reinvigorate Pyles’ Flora Street Cafe in the Dallas Arts District.

Rumors had been swirling that Flora Street Cafe would be shuttering in early January, but that seems to have been stymied by the news that the duo now plan to reconcept the special occasion Flora Street Cafe into a more casual, everyday eatery. Byres new position is Managing Director; as we told you last month, co-chefs Cody Sharp and Evan Pemberton will continue to run the kitchen. S

Before heading out to open Smoke, Byres was one of Pyles most adored exec chefs.

“Since he left Stephan Pyles’s flagship on Ross Avenue as Executive Chef in 2009 to open Smoke, Byres and Pyles have never stopped teaming up and their friendship and respect for each other and their craft has only deepened,” says the release.

According to a spokesman, Byres and Pyles will also revamp and rename Pyles’ catering business. The duo will also work together on future projects for Benchmark Global Hospitality, where Pyles serves as Executive Culinary Advisor. (Pyles will be re-opening Stampede 66 and two other concepts, Provisions 66 and Canyon Bar, next month at Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Allen & Watters Creek Convention Center for Benchmark.)

“Expect new cookbooks, cooking classes, some television, and a host of other exciting new collaborative efforts,” says the release.