Dallas loses big-deal steakhouse Maple & Ash, but owners settle dispute that impacts Monarch restaurant

Mired for months of legal battles over ownership, the owners of Dallas’ Monarch restaurant and a previously announced Maple & Ash steakhouse in Uptown have settled their dispute and divided the Chicago-based group’s operations.

What If Syndicate co-owners Jim Lasky and chef-partner Danny Grant will retain ownership of Maple & Ash, Monarch and Kessaku brands. The Maple & Ash planned for Uptown has been scrapped. Insiders tell us the space may be replaced by seafood-centric Catch in 2024 (Joe’s Stone Crab and the Greek darling Avra were also under serious consideration).

What If Syndicate co-founder David Pisor and chef partner Daniel Perretta will retain ownership and operational control of the concepts Etta, Celestina and Café Sophie. An outpost of Etta had been planned for Dallas, but insiders tell Hatch HQ those plans were shelved last year.

“I’m relieved that we have been able to resolve our disagreement and separate the businesses. I’m excited about the opportunity to build a collection of the best restaurants around the country again,” said Pisor in a statement.

According to NRN, “the battle over ownership began in 2022 after Pisor filed a lawsuit alleging he was frozen out of management of the company he helped build, saying the infighting was putting the company’s operations and credit at risk. Later, investors also got involved in the dispute in the Circuit Court of Cook County, raising charges of misappropriation of funds.”

Maple & Ash has locations in Chicago and Scottsdale, Ariz.. Wood-fired-hearth cooking concept Etta operates four locations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Scottsdale. The Italian restaurant Monarch, and sushi concept Kessaku, are both in Dallas.