Food

Dallas’ West Village Gains New Modern Mexican Restaurant UnaVida

November 29, 2023

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On November 27, 2023, the Local Favorite Restaurants Group (El Fenix, Snuffer’s) and one of Dallas’ most notable chefs, Matt McCallister (formerly of Homewood and FT33), opened a modern Mexican restaurant called UnaVida, located in the West Village (3699 McKinney Avenue).

UnaVida is the newest creation after Mexican Test Kitchen, a temporary concept opened in 2023 by McCallister and Local Favorite Restaurants founder Mike Karns.

UnaVida (“one life” in Spanish) celebrates creative yet familiar, fresh flavors and healthy recipes rooted in responsible sourcing and menu items that meet various dietary needs.

McCallister, the executive chef of New Concept Development, built a menu of fresh dishes using high-quality ingredients inspired by traditional Mexican flavors. He uses a method of boiling, extracting, and dehydrating ingredients to optimize flavors. Some of his unique creations include the Toreados Margarita with grilled serrano, Caramelized Pineapple Margarita, and Cactus Caipirinha. Other delicious items include the Smothered Burrito, Stacked Enchilada Verde, and a variety of bowls, like Fajita or Mole, with a choice of bases, such as cauliflower rice, cilantro rice, and quinoa.

The restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner, serves starters like Street Corn Fritters, Casa Guacamole, Heartcakes (hearts of palm cakes, like vegan crab cakes with avocado, salsa Veracruz, cabbage slaw, lime aioli), or Crudo de Atun with ahi tuna, Mancha Verde, and jugo verde agua chile.

Guests can order family-style meals, including Mexican Caesar, Rising Phoenix, Chopped, Poke, and Taco.

“Platos de la Casa” include the following menu items.

Smothered Burrito: Tri-color quinoa, refried lentils, black beans, melted peppers and onion, criminis, zucchini, cashew queso, pico de gallo, and guacamole
La Hamburgesa: A signature blend of grass-fed ground beef & heirloom mushrooms, rajas con crema, romaine, lime aioli, queso Oaxaca crusted Brioche Bun
Open-Faced Enchilada Verde: Select steak or chicken, chihuahua cheese, zucchini, peppers and onion hash, marinated mushrooms, salsa verde

Bowls come with a choice of Mexican cauliflower rice, cilantro rice, or quinoa, with options such as:

Enchilada Verde: refried lentils, crispy Yukon, zucchini, kale, avocado, peas, whipped queso fresco, cashew crema, roasted salsa verde, crispy corn tortilla
Sedona: black beans, sweet potato, pickled golden beets, roasted corn, purple cabbage slaw, jicama, jalapeno ranch, queso crema, chili-dusted tortilla strips, ginger pepita
Fajita: melted onions and poblano peppers, grilled broccoli, guacamole, romaine, pickled jalapeno, poblano and cashew queso, chili-dusted tortilla strips, cashew sour cream.

Salads, soups, vegetable sides, and creative tacos are also available.

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A weekend brunch menu will feature the following:

Heart cake Benedict with masa sope, veracruzana sauce, cashew crema, smashed avocado, cabbage slaw, and eggs
Chilaquiles with sweet potatoes, corn tortilla chips, asadero and cotija cheese, salsa verde, and eggs
Hotcakes with two pancakes, banana, creme fraiche, candied peanuts, dulce de coco caramel
Veggie Hash with crispy Yukon, seasonal vegetables, creamy ranchero sauce, eggs, cotija cheese, and pico de gallo

The Bar Menu includes a signature Toreados Margarita with grilled serrano, tequila, gran gala, lime; Cantarito with tequila blanco, grapefruit, Jarritos, lime, orange; Guava Cooler made with vodka, lime, grapefruit, pineapple guava; Cactus Caipirinha with cachaca, kiwi, jugo verde, lime, agave; the Caramelized Pineapple Margarita Tequila reposado, agave, lime and much more. A full selection of wine and Mexican craft or domestic beers are also available.

As for the restaurant design, the building decor and design stems from travels to Oaxaca, Mexico. Guests will see wood designs, colorful fabrics, hand-brushed murals, authentically crafted art, vibrant colors, and more. The space features a U-shaped bar, a large, covered patio, and a semi-private dining room.

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