Tex-Mex restaurant coming soon to White Rock Center. (Photo by Kathy Tran)

At the rate restaurants open and close in Dallas, new-venue announcements can be anxiety inducing. There’s comfort in learning that the latest eatery is owned and operated by an industry veteran, as is the case with a recent addition to White Rock Center in Old Lake Highlands (Buckner at Northcliff).

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

Teresa Gubbins at Culture Map writes that El Vecino, slated to open this fall, comes to us from John McBride, most recently known for opening The Lot near White Rock Lake (a location that faltered multiple times before he got his hands on it). McBride, a Preston Hollow resident (when we last spoke, anyway) is a member of the Martinez family who owned El Fenix until 2008. He spent many years working at the Casa Linda location, he has said.

McBride also operated an upscale Mexican restaurant in New York — Rosa Mexicano.

El Vecino is Spanish for “the neighbor,” he tells Gubbins. “This is going to be me and my wife — small, simple, comfortable. We’ll have 120 seats, including 30 seats in the bar. The majority of the menu is going to be basic Tex-Mex.” That, and some contemporary creations, “for guests looking for something more modern.”

El Vecino joins another recently announced tenant, La Caveau Vinotheque.

More.