RJ Yoakum

Sushi Kozy, Dallas, 9/19/26

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
entrance – 2000 Ross Ave, Ste 150, Dallas, TX 75201

Sushi Kozy is a kaiseki inspired omakase dining experience.  That is to say it’s a 17 course comtemporary tasting menu that combines Japanese cusisine with some additional creative plates.  Chef Paul Ko worked at Uchi for 7 years where he ended as head sushi chef.  Uchi opened in 2015 and introduced Dallas to the omakase style of dining.  Since then numerous restaurants offer variations on that theme with the kaiseki structure incorporating French cooking techniques and seasonal varitations.  Ko opened this restaurant in 2025 after multiple construction delays. After several Chef de Cuisines he now has RJ Yoakum, previously at the French Laundry and Georgie in Dallas, who brings classic French techniques to intertwine with the Japanese style.  Sounded confusing when I read about it but it’s kind of the best of both worlds presented in a modern room in the Arts District.  Seating is available at the sushi counter, bar counter, private room or small bare wood tables in a dining room.  The tasting menu has a number of upgrades offered and the menu also had several dishes you could add.  After the meal there is the option to order additional portions of fish that were on the menu as well as a lot of different fishes. Parking is free in the hotel lot as they validate your ticket – all detailed on the website.  Both these gifted chefs are supported with a young enthusiastic team.  If you enjoy sushi and some intensly flavored dishes you should check this place out. Continue reading →

Georgie, Dallas, 7/6/24

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments
entrance – 4514 Travis St Suite 132, Dallas, TX 75205

Georgie was the third restaurant for Stephan Courseau in Dallas opening in 2019 as a partnership with celebrity chef Curtis Stone and a mostly steakhouse theme.  It was known for high prices and low creativity.  Enter a change when Stone parted ways and Courseau brought in RJ Yoakum as Executive Chef in January 2023 after three and a half years at the French Laundry in CA.  Creativity now abounds and I can’t remember being as excited about a Dallas restaurant since we found the now closed Cry Wolf restaurant.  We totally enjoyed a really exquisite dinner last night with service and style reminiscent of a Michelin starred place.  Music was in the background for diners seated at double white cloth covered tables on an array of plush velvet couches matched with chairs.  A coved ceiling was lined with absorptive material that made conversation possible at your table.   A valet is out front but you can park yourself for free at a large lot underneath the building.  They offer a seasonal  a la carte menu but also a tasting menu with optional wine pairings.  With advance notice Chef Yoakum will vary the tasting but we didn’t  give that notice thinking we would have what was offered.  As it sometimes happens Frankie or I are recognized and so Chef put our tasting on steroids and just wow, this man has what it takes.  We often got different dishes so we could try more but with the lower lights and fast descriptions the photos and I won’t be able to do the food justice.  You’ll have to trust me that everything that came to our table was amazing and I don’t say that lightly.  This was an exquisite meal with a flavor profile off the charts.  I may have to stay in town so I can get there again soon hope you will too! Continue reading →