Meridian Reopens with a New Culinary Focus

Dallas, October 21, 2025

News Summary

Dallas’s Meridian restaurant has reopened, emphasizing community dining and live-fire cooking under executive chef Eduardo Osorio. The revamped menu features a blend of fine dining and casual options, alongside innovative cocktails. The new space includes a chef’s table and The Ember Room for private events, showcasing a commitment to local engagement with a $99 Sunday Supper benefiting Meat Fight. Reservations are available through OpenTable for the newly redesigned experience.

Dallas. Meridian reopened on Friday, October 17, 2025, after a year-long closure, relaunching with a renewed emphasis on community-oriented dining and live-fire cooking under a new executive chef. The relaunch balances elements of fine dining and casual fare, and the restaurant is positioned to serve as a place for after-work cocktails, dinners with friends, and family celebrations.

Immediate facts: what changed and what remains

New executive chef Eduardo Osorio, a transplant from Los Angeles, brings a globe-trotting, live-fire-focused menu. The relaunch shifts Meridian’s culinary emphasis toward open-flame techniques to enhance flavor while retaining refined dishes that accommodate a range of dining occasions. The dining room now includes a chef’s table, an expanded patio, and a private dining area called The Ember Room, and the space underwent renovations that added velvet drapery and custom art installations to update ambiance.

Menu highlights and offerings

The updated menu features a mix of small plates, pastas, and hearth-cooked entrees. Signature and new items on the relaunched menu include Wagyu tallow-seared oysters with pancetta and espelette; foie and sea island cornbread with brown butter; the Buzzed and Aged Burger with gruyere and caramelized onions; pastas such as lumache lamb bolognese, Hokkaido scallop, and pork ragu verde; and hearth-cooked entrees including Snake River white sturgeon with chanterelles, a 21-day dry-aged ribeye with smoked tomato bordelaise, and roasted branzino with nduja sofrito.

The cocktail program includes innovative drinks such as a woodfired negroni and an extroverted old fashioned, alongside a dedicated mocktail section, a curated wine list, and selections of local beers and whiskeys. A planned updated tasting menu and happy hour specials were announced as forthcoming additions.

Specials and community support

A $99 Sunday Supper offering for three to four guests features fried chicken, cornbread, charred broccolini, pimento grits, and dessert, with 20% of sales benefiting local nonprofit Meat Fight. The relaunch signals a commitment to community engagement through both menu design and philanthropic partnerships.

Capacity, reservations, and access

The restaurant can accommodate over 150 guests and offers reservations through OpenTable. Seating options now include a chef’s table for intimate viewing of the kitchen as well as private and outdoor areas intended to serve a variety of group sizes and occasions.

Background and timeline

Meridian originally opened in 2021 under founding chef Junior Borges, inspired by his Brazilian heritage. The original concept included signature dishes such as chili vinaigrette-coated octopus, fluke crudo, and blue prawn moqueca. Junior Borges received a James Beard semifinalist nod for Outstanding Chef in 2023. Junior Borges left his position overseeing all concepts at The Village, leading to Meridian’s temporary closure in mid-2024. The year-long closure ended with the October 17, 2025 reopening under new leadership and a revised culinary focus.

Leadership and positioning

Brandy Spence, vice president of food and beverage for The Village, stated the new version of Meridian focuses on being inviting for cocktails after work, dinners with friends, or family celebrations. The relaunch emphasizes approachability and versatility while maintaining elevated technique and attention to ingredient-driven flavor.

What to expect next

The relaunch includes immediate menu changes and space renovations, with additional programming such as an updated tasting menu and happy hour to be introduced later. Reservations are available now for walk-in and planned dining occasions.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Food-Focused Events Fill the Dallas Area This Week
Dallas Culinary Scene Shines with Michelin Guide Recognition
Major Art Exhibitions and Events Scheduled Across Texas
Meridian Restaurant Set to Reopen with New Menu and Concept
State Fair of Texas Impacts Local Dining Scene
Dallas Dishes Delight: Easter Treats and New Eateries

Additional Resources

• Dallas Eater
• Dallas Observer
• Paper City
• Wikipedia: Restaurant
• Google Search: Meridian restaurant Dallas

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