Fort Worth’s first luxury property, The Crescent Hotel will unveil its coastal Mediterranean-inspired dining venue – Emilia’s – in tandem with the hotel’s opening on November 8, 2023.
Emilia’s, aptly named in tribute to Fort Worth’s Italian sister city, Reggio Emilia, exudes an unmistakable charm and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s menus are thoughtfully crafted with a seasonal focus, spotlighting the vibrant flavors and sun-kissed ingredients of the Mediterranean. From fresh crudos to house-made pastas, wood-grilled steaks, and seafood, the offerings draw inspiration from Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Morocco.
These culinary delights are brought to life in the heart of Texas by local ranchers and suppliers. Emilia’s effortlessly marries sophistication with a friendly, approachable vibe, offering Fort Worth residents and hotel guests a delightful gastronomic journey. The restaurant takes pride in utilizing the finest locally sourced produce and prime cuts, all delivered with a warm and welcoming service reminiscent of a visit to a Mediterranean friend’s home.
Emilia’s serves as the ideal setting for savoring the light, flavorful dishes masterfully created by Executive Chef Preston Paine, all in the presence of an open kitchen, a seasonal patio, and captivating views of Fort Worth’s Cultural District. It’s an easy and delightful choice for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch.
“We are fortunate to have attracted world-class talent at Emilia’s and look forward to sharing their expertise and the Crescent’s beautiful dining room with our guests and the Fort Worth community,” said John Goff, Chairman of Crescent.
Hand-crafted selections featured on Emilia’s thoughtfully curated menu reflect Chef Paine’s culinary journey along the Adriatic Sea and his stint as a finalist on Food Network’s “Ciao House.” The menu seamlessly blends Mediterranean and Texan influences, with highlights such as freshly crafted pasta utilizing Texas grains, locally sourced fresh fish prepared on Texas white oak, and house-aged, wood-grilled steaks. The culinary offerings embrace a refined, ingredient-centric approach with minimal intervention, resulting in generous and decadent dishes with an elegant touch.
The debut of The Blue Room at Emilia’s, situated within the main dining area and set to open in late November 2023, elevates the dining experience, offering an ideal setting for leisurely and indulgent meals. A bespoke Brindisi Trolley beckons guests to commence their dining journey with inventive cocktails and thoughtfully paired tastings. The menu features traditional caviar service, opulent shellfish towers, and tantalizing items like Wagyu Beef Tartar, Creste de Gallo pasta with blistered tomato and rock shrimp fra diavolo, and a captivating Whole Grilled Fish presented tableside.
Located just off the hotel lobby, locals and guests can gather at The Circle Bar, paying homage to the Fort Worth Circle, a progressive art colony that started in the 1940s. A famous work – called “Three Virgins, 3 Giraffes and a Turtle” – which was etched by a Circle artist serves as inspiration for restaurant logos. The Circle Bar champions the Mediterranean mood and mindset by seamlessly transitioning from morning espressos to afternoon aperitivos with a rich variety of cocktails, wines and more into the evening. Here guests will enjoy Seasonal Crudités, an Emilia’s Burger and Dry-Aged Beef Tartar. In addition, Emilia’s offers two private dining rooms, both featuring thoughtfully curated menus from Chef Paine.
Reservations for The Crescent Hotel, operated by HEI Hotels & Resorts, are now open for stays starting November 2023, with reservations for Emilia’s Restaurant available on Resy. For more information visit thecrescenthotelfortworth.com and Emiliasfortworth.com.
