Tucked away behind the AMC theater on the second floor in NorthPark Center, a space once inhabited by Starbucks has undergone quite a transformation in recent months. A restaurant with an all-white interior — a clean and crisp palette — immediately draws attention to the fiery colors of freshly chopped grapefruit, golden beets and butternut squash on display in the salad case. In the center of the restaurant, executive chef Ben Hutchison sautés meat and warms bread baked by local Village Baking Company for panini and ciabatta sandwiches.
“The whole idea that we want to promote is that people should know where their food is coming from — we should be able to go see our cows and chickens and look them in the eyes,” says owner Michael Siegel. He and his wife, Robyn, opened Green House Market in December after the success of their Green House gourmet food truck, which also emphasized fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Michael says that instead of expanding to three food trucks to meet customer demand, the couple opted to swap the food-truck biz for a brick-and-mortar location. Keeping in line with the philosophy of their food truck, the flank steak comes from Local Yocal farms in McKinney, and the chicken breast and fish come from Texas as well. Menu items at the restaurant are made to order and served fast-casual. Robyn adds that they now offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, which they couldn’t do with the food truck. There also are several pieces of artwork on display inside Green House Market. Robyn is an art advisor and says that she selects pieces for the restaurant that explore the themes of form and function, pertaining to food. So if the vibrant colors of your meal aren’t exciting enough for you, there’s some cool modern art to look at, too.
Green House Market
8687 N. Central
214.809.5977
thegreenhousemarket.com
Ambiance: Modern
Price range: $7-$15
Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Tip: The menu has symbols indicating gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options
| More wholesome fare |
1 Nazca Kitchen
Here, the focus is fresh fish and organic, sustainable, healthful ingredients. One of the first things you’ll see is the outdoor garden growing cabbage and other greens. It’s just a precursor to the goodness that waits within.
8041 Walnut Hill
214.696.2922
nazcakitchen.com
2 Green Spot Market and Café
It looks like a gas station. And that it is. But it’s also so much more. The so-called “ecovenience” store stocks fresh produce and frozen yogurt and serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in the form of tacos, burgers and sandwiches from vendors promising humane and organic practices.
702 N. Buckner
214.319.SPOT
greenspotmarket.com
3 Highlands Café
This little slice of heaven, which is owned by neighbors, serves up plenty of healthy and vegetarian options including a veggie burger, hummus and vegetables and myriad salads and pastas. Finish it off with locally baked desserts at the counter.
9661 Audelia
214.349.CAFE
highlandscafe.com