Restaurant Roundup: Anniversary celebration, food truck closure

In Restaurant Roundup, Em Chan shares some local restaurants' latest updates. Have a question for a restaurant you'd like Chan to look into? You can send your inquiries to her atechan@gannett.com.

Washington Street Steakhouse

Washington Street Steakhouse is celebrating its 25th anniversary all day on July 20. The steakhouse will continue its tradition of luau-themed celebrations, including staff dressed in Hawaiian outfits, greeting customers with leis, serving Hawaiian food, anniversary merchandise and giveaways.

The restaurant was founded in 1999 by Debi and Glen Conway, serving up classic American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is known for its consistency through the years and specials like kids eat half off on Mondays.

Operations manager Lauren Hoefler, also the eldest daughter of the Conways, said this year will be the biggest celebration yet. The first 50 tables will get goodie bags, while the restaurant will be giving away big-ticket items like a barbeque, cornhole set, Yeti cooler, camping chairs and more throughout the day.

Food specials include Hawaiian chicken, pineapple habanero pork ribs and coconut prawns, all served in a carved-out pineapple bowl with rice, macaroni salad and a Hawaiian roll. The Saturday prime rib special will also be offered throughout the day.

Hoefler said these anniversary celebrations are not just for the restaurant, but a toast to the staff and customers because it wouldn't be possible without them.

For more on the restaurant, check out the website, washingtonststeakhouse.com, and Facebook page.

Hours: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday to Thursday; 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday

Address: 141 SW Washington St., Dallas

Presto Sando

Presto Sando abruptly closed on July 11 by an announcement on its Instagram page. The sandwich food truck was run by Silvio Franceschi, who had opened the cart in April of last year. The menu included pressed sandwiches, breakfast bagel sandwiches and smash burgers.

The truck was originally parked at Furbish, then moved across the street to Offbeat Coffee when it opened at the beginning of the year. Franceschi did not respond to comment from the Statesman Journal.

Leaf and Vine Wine Lounge

Leaf and Vine Wine Lounge opened in March of this year in Silverton as a spot for folks to have a cozy space to enjoy a glass of wine. Owner Mersadee Lulay said it'd been a project she had in mind since she opened Little Leaf Cafe in 2022. But it wasn't until earlier this year it "all came together," she said.

The wine lounge is open to minors in the back creekside deck and upstairs section, with the main floor reserved for 21 and older. The aesthetic of the lounge is bohemian, airy space with larger tables on the main floor and a mix of tables and plush seating upstairs.

"We want people to feel like they're home without the laundry, kids, dogs or dishes," Lulay said. "I want to have folks feel like they can come in, sit on a cozy chair and relax with a glass or two of wine."

Despite being open for almost half a year, Lulay said there is still much to be added to the menu and programming.

Lulay herself is not a wine person, but she said she's working on bottle sales, merchandising, and offering local and imported wines. The wine lounge offers samples of wine with a wine tap, flights, bottles and small bites like cheese plates. More pop-up bottle shops of local purveyors and other similar wine events are planned for the near future, she said.

For more of what's to come, check out the website, silvertonwine.com, and a joint Facebook page with Little Leaf Cafe.

Hours: 4 - 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Address: 107 N Water St., Silverton

Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her atechan@gannett.com and follow her on X @catchuptoemily.