The Spread.

Denton's Getting A Cool New Concept and Downtown Is Becoming Obsessed With Coffee.

Welcome to The Spread, our weekly feature that aims to share all the area restaurant, food and beverage industry news that's fit to print. Except, this is the Internet, so space isn't a concern. Also: Good thing, because this is Dallas and this town always has breaking restaurant news going down like whoa.

As we said just yesterday, Denton is kinda rocking shit at the moment.

The Denton is food scene in particular seems to be growing at a remarkable rate, too. The latest factor on this front is a new restaurant called 940's that's coming to the Square in the old Banter space. Now, here's why you should care: The venture is the brainchild of Midlake drummer McKenzie Smith and former Sundown at Granada head honcho Patrick Stark.

“There's definitely a Dallas and Denton connection,” says Smith about his partnership with Stark. “I'd heard about Patrick through a mutual friend, and from the get-go we had a mutual admiration of each other and what we could both bring to the table.”

The premise for 940's (read it as “nine-four-zero's”) centers around a “casual-classy” vibe, with an original concept inspired by Smith's travels and Stark's vast culinary catalog. In terms of the menu, this means an eclectic selection for the dinner and late-night crowds. No specific food details have been released as of yet, but Smith promises plenty of healthy and meaty options to go around.

“We will have something that will satisfy [everyone],” Smith says. “We want to steer away from what's considered typical bar food, and have another option that's open late — something that's made with what Patrick Stark is famous for, and that's healthy, fresh and organic ingredients.”

Over in Frisco, meanwhile, former MasterChef competitor Cutter Brewer is opening a sports-friendly place called Ace's Ice House and Chop Shop. The menu here is a take on Texas comfort food, featuring dishes such as quail and waffles (instead of chicken) and a crawfish etouffee corndog. The grand opening takes place this Saturday, January 24.

And out in Oak Cliff, the wait for grilled cheese is finally almost over as the official opening of Dallas Grilled Cheese Co. approaches. If the excitement of a dedicated grilled cheese place isn't enough of a draw, there are plenty of meatier options such as fried bologna, Reubens and Cubans, as well as beer and cider on tap and signature Kool-Aid cocktails.

In East Dallas, takeout burger spot Harvey G's is approaching its opening if its “now hiring” sign is an indication of things. It won't be long before the area is inundated with breakfast burgers, curly fries and milkshakes. Look for the opening sometime in the next week.

On McKinney Avenue, the Dallas location of California-based venture Public School (or PS214) is slated to open on Thursday, January 29. Despite the name, the concept is less school lunch and more burgers, beer and foodie trends, with a rotating craft beer list and a “recess” happy hour with $4 to $7 specials. The Dallas opening will be followed by an Addison location (PS972) later this year.

Also? Fans of Deep Ellum's Monkey King Noodle Co. can now look forward to getting their dumpling fixes on Sundays now, thanks to extended hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meanwhile, Greenville Avenue's Remedy is now open for lunch. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., expect a more kid-friendly, diner atmosphere that offers breakfast, appetizers, sandwiches and salads. After lunch, Remedy serves from an abbreviated afternoon menu from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

People in Uptown can also now stop by The Alcove for a caffeine fix, as the space now doubles as State Street Coffee. People intimidated by restrictive cafe menus will be pleased with State Street's no menu policy, as freedom of coffee choice is a part of their ethos. You can visit State Street Coffee on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also in coffee news: Downtown will soon be home to another coffee shop named The Foyer. The new shop is aiming for a European-meets-Middle Eastern concept with late hours, wine and a basement whiskey and cigar bar in the future. The Foyer plans to join the ranks of the growing coffee Mecca that is Downtown Dallas by the end of March.

Coming even sooner to Downtown is Chad Houser's recidivism-fighting Cafe Momentum, which has been hosting soft well-received openings as it ramps up for its official opening date of January 29.

And Lastly this week, just a little east in Deep Ellum, comes news that noted Dallas underground chef David Anthony Temple will be going above-ground with a new restaurant called Twenty-Seven at the intersection of Elm and Malcolm X, which should be in full operation within just a few weeks.

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