Famed Toro Toro Latin steakhouse tangos into downtown Fort Worth hotel
August 27,2019
See full CultureMap article by Teresa Gubbins here.
A new kind of steakhouse is coming to Fort Worth — one with major credentials: Toro Toro Pan Latin Steakhouse and Lounge will make its Texas debut at The Worthington Renaissance in downtown Fort Worth in November.
According to a release, the restaurant is coming thanks to a partnership between DiamondRock Hospitality and chef Richard Sandoval, "the father of Modern Mexican Cuisine."
It'll replace Vidalia, the restaurant previously at the Worthington, which closed on Memorial Day weekend. A spokesperson from the hotel says that there's currently a "temporary" restaurant with a menu similar to Vidalia's filling the gap, which will eventually become a breakfast spot once Toro Toro opens.
Toro Toro is inspired by the art and tradition of Latin American barbecue, with a menu featuring charcoal- and wood-grilled steaks and seafood and small plates that include ceviche, tiraditos, empanadas, and skewered meats.
Sandoval says in a statement that he loves Fort Worth's "pioneer spirit."
"Toro Toro Fort Worth will be a destination fueled with Latin fire and passion that also embraces the city’s cowboy legacy, historic architecture, dynamic arts and entertainment scene, and toasts its champions of industry," he says.
DiamondRock Hospitality COO Tom Healy says in a statement that they saw "a tremendous opportunity" to bring Sandoval's concept to town.
"The timing is impeccable to also transform the arrival experience of The Worthington Hotel and create an enticing gathering spot with vibrant flavors and bold design, which will further complement the new Dickies Arena opening and the array of marquee events during the fall/holiday season," Healy says.
That's a big quote, but Healy still has more to say.
"Richard Sandoval Hospitality's talent and leadership are known for curating an energetic, vibrant, celebratory experience with outstanding service," Healy says. "Richard and I have worked together on several successful projects over the years, and I knew that he would be the right partner for us. The iconic Worthington Hotel with its modern, sloping architecture was the very first structure in Sundance Square built by the Bass Brothers in 1981 and now will be the first to set the stage for a new era of entertainment and dining in Fort Worth."
Based in Denver, Colorado, Richard Sandoval Hospitality is a Latin restaurant group founded by Mexican-born chef/restaurateur Richard Sandoval, with more than 45 restaurant concepts around the globe. Restaurant locations include California; Colorado; Arizona; Texas; Florida; Georgia; Virginia; Washington, D.C.; New York — as well as internationally in Mexico, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Serbia, and Tokyo.
His restaurants tend to combine authentic Latin ingredients with international flavors and inventive techniques to create one-of-a-kind concepts and cuisines that include modern and coastal Mexican, Latin-Asian, Peruvian and Pan-Latin.
Wilson Ishihara Design will execute the transformation with sweeping high ceilings and symbolic elements of fire and horns expressed through sculpture, metal mill work, fabrics, natural stone, tooled leather, pendant lighting, and dramatic furnishings finished with red, charcoal, and amber accents.
Toro Toro Pan Latin Steakhouse and Lounge Fort Worth will be its sixth location and the third Richard Sandoval concept in Texas; his other Texas restaurants include Ciclo in Austin and Bayou & Bottle in Houston.
Location Mentioned: The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel