Knife Restaurant Closes After a Decade
Knife, the restaurant helmed by former James Beard semifinalist and winner of Food Network’s Extreme Chef John Tesar, is closing after a decade. Eater received confirmation of its closure from Lennox Capital Partners, the company that owns the Highland hotel in Dallas, where the Knife opened in 2024.
Confirmation of Closure
“The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton and Chef John Tesar and the Knife restaurant concept are concluding their partnership as of March 28, 2025,” a representative for Lennox wrote. “We are grateful for Chef Tesar’s partnership over the years and we wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Staff Informed of Closure
Staff were reportedly informed of the change in mid-March, and Eater Dallas subsequently received an anonymous tip that the restaurant would close. Eater visited the restaurant while it was still operating on March 12; awards and press write-ups for the restaurant and Tesar, who has been praised for his dry-aged steak program, still framed the entryway. In a phone call with Eater on March 12, Tesar originally denied rumors that Knife was closing. “Whoever said that doesn’t know what they’re talking about,” Tesar said at the time. “Until the Highland hotel and I have a mutually agreed –upon statement, there is no story. As of today, it is business as usual. There’s a lot more coming.”
No Additional Statement
At the time the closing was announced on March 28, Tesar had no additional statement.
Planned Renovation and Michelin Star
In October 2024, Tesar told the Dallas Observer that the Highland Hotel would temporarily close to remodel in order to support a push to earn a Michelin star. Tesar wanted to transform Knife Steak & Seafood to be more aligned with Knife & Spoon, his Orlando, Florida restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton that was awarded a Michelin star in Florida’s 2023 ceremony. (It lost that star a year later.) Tesar also detailed a planned $13 million renovation to Knife that he forecasted would happen over the winter holidays in 2024 to ready the restaurant to reopen in January 2025.
Other Restaurants Still Open
Tesar’s Knife Steakhouse in Plano is still open, as is Knife Italian Steaks at the Four Seasons in Los Colinas. Tesar has been a controversial figure in Dallas for more than a decade, earning the title the “most hated chef in Dallas” from D magazine in a 2011 feature; he is famously thought to be the villainous chef in Anthony Bourdain’s book, Kitchen Confidential. In 2023, he stepped down from his role at hotel restaurant Knife Modern Steak in Orange County, California, following a dispute with picketers from the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort’s union.
Update on the Story
Eater Dallas will update this story as more information becomes available.
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Conclusion
The closure of Knife restaurant marks the end of an era for the Dallas dining scene. With its unique dry-aged steak program and award-winning chef, Knife had become a staple in the city. Although the restaurant is closing, Tesar’s other restaurants remain open, and fans of his cuisine can still experience his culinary expertise. As the story continues to unfold, Eater Dallas will provide updates and insights into the future of the Dallas dining scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Knife restaurant closing?
A: The exact reason for the closure is not specified, but it is confirmed that the partnership between Chef John Tesar and the Highland hotel is concluding.
Q: What will happen to the staff?
A: The staff was reportedly informed of the closure in mid-March, but there is no information on what will happen to them next.
Q: Are Tesar’s other restaurants still open?
A: Yes, Tesar’s Knife Steakhouse in Plano and Knife Italian Steaks at the Four Seasons in Los Colinas are still open.
Q: What was the planned renovation for Knife?
A: The planned renovation included a $13 million overhaul to transform Knife Steak & Seafood into a Michelin-starred restaurant, but it is unclear if this will still happen.
Q: How can I stay informed about the latest updates?
A: You can sign up for the Eater Dallas newsletter to receive the latest news and updates on the Dallas dining scene.
