Miami’s Papi Steak is coming to Dallas

Harper’s, a globally-inspired steakhouse that opened in August 2021 near Deep Ellum, will reportedly close its doors to make way for a high-energy steakhouse by the same restaurant group that owns the adjacent Komodo restaurant.

According to knowledgeable sources, Groot Hospitality, the Miami-based restaurant group behind Komodo and venues like LIV, Story, and Swan, plans to convert the Harper’s space into Papi Steak, a fashionable high-energy restaurant based in Miami Beach, Florida. The acquisition hasn’t been publicly announced.

“Right now, it’s business as usual,” a spokesperson for Milkshake Concepts, which owns Harper’s, tells EscapeHatch. “We are very much open, but we are deep into conversations with Groot about partnering with them on the space.”

Papi Steak is a collaboration between Groot Hospitality and David Grutman, a hospitality entrepreneur who owns several popular venues in Miami, such as LIV, Story, and Swan. The restaurant is named after David “Papi” Einhorn, a partner and friend of Grutman, who is known for his signature steak dish with a secret sauce. Highlights of Papi Steak’s menu include Japanese A5 steaks, the Purebred AA8-9+ Australian Wagyu ribeyes, a Truffle Kosher Chicken, and a potato with Siberian caviar.

Papi Steak also boasts a creative mixology program that serves dramatic and intricately mixed cocktails.

The change of Harper’s Dallas location to Papi Steak is expected to bring a new level of sass to the Epic development tucked in between Downtown and Deep Ellum. The restaurant will likely appeal to diners who are looking for a luxe and Instagrammable experience. Another Papi Steak will debut inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas when the resort opens in December.

Milkshake recently opened a Harper’s in Nashville with a different menu. The restaurant has been widely praised. Milkshake’s spokesperson says the Nashville location will continue to operate as Harper’s, regardless of any changes to the Dallas restaurant.

photos: Papi Steak