Dallas restaurateur Jon Alexis thinks a local approach is best when it comes to opening a restaurant. “I believe great neighborhood restaurants start with an owner who lives in the neighborhood,” he says. Now he’s putting that into practice with the second venture from his company Imperial Fizz.

Ramble Room, a classic eatery featuring “approachable, everyday American classic dishes,” is slated to open in early spring 2023 in the Hilltop Plaza on the south end of Snider Plaza in University Park. It’s the second venture from Imperial Fizz, following the successful launch of Escondido Tex-Mex as a Preston Hollow neighborhood hot spot.

“This is a very personal project,” Alexis said in a statement on the Ramble Room. “Not only did I grow up in the area, my wife and kids lived two blocks from Snider Plaza. All our neighbors wanted to enjoy a place like Ramble Room but it didn’t exist. So we created it.”

As a teenager, Alexis worked in the nearby Kuby’s Sausage House in Snider Plaza, which has been a local icon since 1961. “I hope Ramble Room serves the neighborhood as long as Kuby’s,” he says.

‘We do it backwards’

Imperial FIzz’s Jon Alexis. [Photo: LinkedIn]

Alexis says Ramble Room was created in a way that’s tailor-made for its location. “We do it backwards,” he said in the statement. “We find a great spot in a great neighborhood, and figure out what those neighbors need. We felt Snider Plaza was missing a grown-up restaurant where you can have a happy hour, business meeting, a mom’s night out, or a much needed date.”

“I love approachable American cuisine,” Alexis added. “We wanted to do a style of restaurant that my friends as well as my parents would enjoy. Wrapped in old school hospitality with no pretense and an incredibly welcoming atmosphere, this is somewhere our guests can dine a few times a week.”

The two-story, 4,500 square foot space will offer seating for 75 in the main dining room along with 50 patio seats. A second floor mezzanine is available for large parties and private events. “When my wife and 15 other moms want to go out, it’s nearly impossible to find a space in the Park Cities,” Alexis said. “We want to be the go-to for large bookings in the neighborhood.”

Designed to be “an all-day space with a casual but stylish interior,” Ramble Room will feature dramatic high ceilings with a fireplace by the front door and personal lamps at every booth Whether they’re melting into their booths are grabbing a spot at the 25-seat bar, Alexis hopes diners will find a place where they can “forget about the real world for a while.”

Ramble Room will initially open for dinner only, seven days a week. Lunch and brunch service will be added later in 2023.

Also known for TJ’s Seafood Market & Grill and Malibu Poke

Alexis previously launched TJ’s Seafood Market & Grill, which has locations in Oak Lawn and Preston Royal. Alexis also created the Malibu Poke concept, offering locations in both Dallas and Austin.

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