It’s always interesting to watch restaurants react, adapt, and transform themselves--or not--as times change. The restaurant at Starr’s is a good case in point.
Fifteen years ago, long-time wine store owner Oliver “Bud” Starr transformed 1500 SF into a wine tasting room, which begat a private party room (mainly targeted at pharmaceutical wine dinners), which begat Bar Oliver (a riff on Bar Louie targeted at adults, profiled in SLM here), which begat the Bistro at Starr’s less than a year ago.
And last week, that Bistro sign came down.
The next installment will be called Sonora, a southwest-themed restaurant created and owned by Mark French, former Exec Chef at Lumiere Place and current private chef for the Rams' Steven Jackson, Look for "modern" Southwest cuisine, which, if I can interpret, is progressive without eschewing must-haves like burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. And yes, Sonora will indeed have chips and salsa.
My take has been the same on all of Starrs' incarnations:
1. It’s a good location with good parking (especially now that the 40/Big Bend interchange is easy-off/easy-on)
2. The space is well-designed and comfortable.
3. The fare has always been good to above-average
4. Marketing and general awareness has always been poor.
The last point will always trump the first three. Be honest…how many of you considered Starr’s when deciding on dinner? Thought so.
After a mild décor change, look for Sonora, Spanish for “sound," to open in early March. May we suggest a website and a little action on Facebook and Twitter, without which Sonora--no matter how good it is--may be the sound of one hand clapping.
