Nova

The first gastropub in the burgeoning Kessler X+ area of Oak Cliff, Nova will spotlight the cuisine of Dallas native Kelly Hightower, formerly of Hatties, The Mansion on Turtle Creek and Kavala, among others. The modern restaurant and bar has been designed with the neighboring community in mind and will serve as a social hub to a number of local community organizations and events.

In addition to Chef Hightower, who was recently named to the Dallas Morning News list of 10 Chefs to watch in 2010, the Nova ownership group includes Oak Cliff hospitality pioneer and artist Robert Ramirez, who opened Twilight and Quinn, JD Reid and Darren Scott, who bring over 20 years of experience in the service industry from places such as The Wine Press, Star Canyon, Cedar Street, Bolla and the Green Room, and fellow Green Room alum Matthew Yates, who also spent time at Hibiscus.

"We're extremely thrilled to provide a new hospitality offering to the residents of Oak Cliff and the nearby Bishop Arts District," Robert Ramirez said. "We plan on being the western anchor of the Davis Steet strip. We want to contribute greatly to the walkability of the neighborhoods surrounding us, while providing them with great food at reasonable prices. Nova is a place where you can drop by for an appetizer during an afternoon walk, meet friends for a gourmet dinner, or come by for a drink after enjoying dinner at any of the other great restaurants in the area."

The food at Nova will consist of carefully crafted, globally influenced plates with entrée specials changing nightly. Chef Hightower will also feature some of his legacy menu items that were very popular in the restaurant's previous incarnation, including brick oven pizzas and his locally-renowned hummus.