Winter
Carolyn Phillips has grown Alchemy Pops by peddling her frozen treats all over town for the past two years. Now she will open her first brick-and-mortar Alchemy Pops Shop in South Main Village. Fans can expect new offerings, such as chocolate dipping, Alchemy Pops Cookies, and fun new flavors. Expected early 2018.
As Fort Worth's newest address for shopping and dining continues to fill in, The Shops at Clearfork kicks off the new year with a bright, new Mesero serving upscale Mexican dishes in January. Chicago-based Doc B's Fresh Kitchen makes its debut in February, adding a varied menu of locally sourced fare to Clearfork.
The first quarter will also welcome two new entertainment options to The Shops at Clearfork. AMC Clearfork 8 will open the doors to its 36,000-square-foot complex. As the name suggests, the theatre will have eight screens with 800 luxury recliners. MacGuffins Bar and Lounge will serve craft beer and movie-themed cocktails as well.
Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling and Bocce will open its first Texas location in The Shops at Clearfork. With 12 bowling lanes, six bocce courts, fire pits and an event space for large parties, it will be a big draw. Pinstripes includes a bistro of its own and will serve wine, craft beers and cocktails.
203 Café by The Reata Group will open in February on the second level of Fire Station No. 1 in Sundance Square, adding convenience for the busy lunchtime grab-and-go crowd.
Crockett Row announced the addition of the Food Hall at Crockett Row which will house 14 different food and drink spots under one roof. The Dapper Doughnut and Knife Burger by John Tesar were the first announced. The Food Hall could open as early as January but will arrive more likely in February or March.
MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza will turn out a taste of Naples, under the shade of an olive tree growing inside an upscale, yet casual restaurant. Owner Michael Crain is hoping to open his new restaurant by January in Left Bank.
Nekter Juice Bar joins the mixed-use Left Bank development off of West Seventh in February. Nekter has a full range of cold-pressed juices, cold-brew coffees, freshly made juices, smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, as well as juice cleanses.
Taco Heads owner Sarah Castillo will open Tinie's Mexican Rotisserie and Cocktail Lounge in the newly redesigned South Main Village. The two-story Tinie's will have a family-style Mexican rotisserie on the first floor and cocktail lounge, El Escondite, on the second. Castillo expects to open by the end of the first quarter, around February or March.
Spring
Luna Grill is set to open in The Shops at Clearfork in the spring. The popular Mediterranean eatery with a relaxed, counter-service scheme focuses on fresh kebabs, salads and wraps.
Chef Ben Merritt of Fixture – Kitchen & Social Lounge is opening a new concept as part of the Rosedale Renaissance near Texas Wesleyan University at 3016 E. Rosedale St. The casual 3,400-square-foot restaurant will be called Ben's Triple B: Biscuits, Burgers and Brews. The new concept is scheduled to open in late spring. Expect great biscuits and breakfast items, as well as burgers and a full bar.
May will welcome two new restaurants by Dallas-based Apheleia Restaurant Group to Crockett Row at West Seventh. Pakpao Thai will fill the former Rafain Brazilian Steakhouse spot with dishes with regional roots in Thailand and popular street food found in Bangkok. El Bolero will open in the former Fort Worth Market + Table location with a regional Mexican menu that covers everything from ceviches and tacos to lobster-tail fajitas.
Texas Live! in Arlington will bring a bevy of new attractions to Arlington next spring. The mixed-use complex has already scored some major draws including PBR Country Bar. Guy! by Guy Fieri will be the flagship for the popular bleach-blonde chef and television personality. Five-year-old Revolver Brewing (brewers of Blood& Honey) will open its second brewery (the original is located in Granbury), after being acquired by the craft division of MillerCoors last year. And the award-winning barbeque joint, Lockhart Smokehouse, will arrive with its ridiculously good smoked meats and sausage. The development will also be home to Live! by Loews - a $150 million luxury hotel.
Operated by Barteca Restaurant Group, Bartaco will make its Texas debut at WestBend, off of University Drive in late spring or early summer. Pulling from a broad palate of spicy, bold flavors from the Mediterranean, Asia and beyond, the 4,853-square-foot space will overlook the Trinity River. Bartaco combines fresh, upscale street food with a coastal vibe in a relaxed environment. The minimalistic décor will be light and breezy, with the air of a rustic beach shack.
Summer
Residential options will increase with the opening of Alexan Summit on Summit Avenue. The complex is currently under construction, and when completed by the end of 2018, it will add 373 residential units to the urban mix. The 345-unit apartment community known as Broadstone 5th and Summit, which will open on Pier One Way, should see its first units ready for move-in by summer of 2018.
Heim Barbeque is completely redesigning the former VFW Hall on White Settlement Road in the River District. Its second location will be known as Heim Barbecue on the River. So, the surrounding neighborhood will be smoking hot with tender brisket, burnt bacon ends and a full bar. It is still under construction and estimated to open in summer 2018.
Fall
Roots Coffee House will expand its craft coffee shop this year to South Main as well. The original location in North Richland Hills has become a gathering place for the community. Roots is hoping to break ground on the project this year and open in late 2018.
Still to Come
The Left Bank will welcome 85°C Bakery Café. The bakery, with over 1,000 locations worldwide, specializes in European and Asian-style baked goods. Customers shop for themselves, perusing cases filled with delicacies, and filling a cafeteria tray with their selections, before proceeding to check out. At press time the date had not been announced yet.
Downtown will also welcome a host of new hotels and residential developments. Expect three new boutique hotels to expand occupancy in the coming year. The long-awaited Aloft Hotel will light up the middle floors of One City Place Tower. Marriott Autograph Hotel will add 164 rooms inside the 16-story Sinclair Building at 512 Main St., and a similarly sized Hilton Garden Inn is expected as well.