The Ramble Room, by Dallas restaurateur Jon Alexis, will open to the public Monday, March 6 in Snider Plaza at 6565 Hillcrest Ave, Suite 150, Dallas, TX 75205.
The new concept is located on the south end of Snider Plaza. Ramble Room features classic American cuisine with drinks and dinner seven days a week. Happy hour, lunch and brunch will debut later in the Spring.
Ramble Room is Jon Alexis’ 4th concept, and the 2nd from his new hospitality group Imperial Fizz. Escondido Tex-Mex opened in November in Preston Hollow.
Ramble Room represents another shift away from just seafood for Alexis after TJ’s Seafood and Malibu Poke established him as Dallas fishmonger. While Ramble Room does feature several seafood dishes, the menu offers everyday American classic dishes ranging from sandwiches & salads…to steaks & chops.
Like Escondido, Ramble Room’s menu was developed by Imperial Fizz Culinary Director / Partner Stan Rodrigues. Rodrigues cut his teeth in Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. For over a decade, Chef Stan has been a culinary corporate leader at Nick & Sam’s, Frontburner (Sixty Vines, Whiskey Cake), Harwood (St Anne, Te Deseo) and Flavorhook (Neighborhood Services, National Anthem).
Appetizer highlights include a Warm Ricotta Dip with truffle honey and toast; beef & pork Swedish Meatballs made served with brown gravy; shareable French Onion Dip which can be topped with caviar that comes with housemade porcini chips; and Caesar Brussels combining two flavors.
Housemade pastas include Three Mushroom Fettuccine with lemon, white wine, herbed bread crumbs; Italian Sausage Rigatoni with kale and parmesan and the Parpadelle with bolognese and ricotta.
While the lunch menu will introduce even more sandwiches, Ramble Room will feature several at dinner. Two sandwich features are the House Made Corned Beef Reuben on Marble Rye and a Plaza Burger made with 7 oz premium burger (Custom Meats – Lovers Lane), featuring gruyere, au poivre sauce, & crispy onions on a brioche bun.
Salads play a big part at Ramble Room with a Tomato Burrata featuring arugula & warm croutons, a classic Wedge, and a Fried Chicken Spinach Salad tossed in buttermilk dressing among the highlights. As with sandwiches, even more salads add to the eventual lunch options.
Ramble Room will also offer Steaks and Chops: a 12 oz NY Strip Steak Frite, Double-Cut Lamb Chops with chimichurri fingerlings, and a Panko Fried Bone-In Pork Milanese.
In addition to Brick Chicken with broccolini and “hen jus”; Ramble Room features a curated seafood selection, which makes sense given Alexis’ longtime ownership of TJ’s Seafood Market. A white balsamic ponzu brightens a Tuna Tartare with wonton chips. Grilled Salmon cheesy grits with apple cider butter over cheesy grits; and Seared Center-Cut Ahi Tuna comes soy marinated with wasabi mashed potatoes, veggie stir fry, pickled ginger and sesame.
Featuring a “horseshoe” bar covered in leathered-marble, Ramble Room features a list of classic and creative cocktails. The martini menu features “Tito’s On Tap” which comes out at 38 degrees. “These martinis should make your teeth chatter,” warns Alexis, who couldn’t help but put his martini preference on the menu, the classic Vesper. Olive lovers will enjoy the Filthy featuring tons of brine and bacon & bleu hand-stuffed olives. Other cocktail highlights include a Midtown, which is spirit forward yet smooth rye cocktail, The White Lotus which Alexis calls “a seductive resort punch” and a Ranchrita that Alexis describes “as if a ranch water and skinny marg had a delicious baby” featuring socorro blanco, lime, jalisco orange and Richards sparkling rainwater.
Ramble Room also features a near 50 bottle wine list with sub $50 values as well as big bottle splurges.
Alexis obsessed over every detail of the restaurant. The gas lanterns on craftsman plaster walls provide a warm ambiance. Guests can sink into custom built black leather booths and love seats throughout the modern space. A residential-inspired spiral staircase not only hides the wine collection, but leads up to a mezzanine (available for large parties and guests hosting private events) with a dramatic view across the dining room to the 20’ floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Noise dampening acoustical tile hidden in the beamed ceilings allows guests to hold a conversation in a packed house. TVs are hidden in the bar shelving to allow fans to keep an eye on the game. Guests can also watch all the action in the open kitchen. The pergola-covered patio features string lights, plants and a fireplace.
The two-story, 4,500 square foot space offers seating for 75 in the main dining room and 50 seats on the spacious patio.
The Ramble Room hours are Dinner and Bar only to start from 5pm-10pm Sun – Thurs and 5pm – 11pm Fri & Sat. Lunch & weekend brunch will debut later in spring.
