Elaine’s Cocktail Kitchen, the new restaurant from Alora Hospitality Group, quietly opened just off 7th Street in downtown Frisco. But the place is already buzzing, and it's packed when we arrive on a Thursday evening.
Inside, it’s plush sofas, marble-topped tables, and chandeliers that glitter just so. Each element curated by Burress Design Group evokes a timeless kind of comfort. With 44 seats inside and a cozy bistro patio out front, the space feels designed to spark conversation, connection and second cocktails.
Elaine’s isn’t just one of the most thoughtful openings of 2025, it’s the best new restaurant in Collin County this year so far.
Shareables With Soul
The menu is compact but confident: a tight selection of plates that feel rooted in European technique and warmed by downhome hospitality. “We wanted to open quietly,” says chef Amy DiBiase, “and build this restaurant guest by guest.”
And it's clear from the first bite that DiBiase knows exactly what she’s doing.
On our visit, we started with the goat-cheese–stuffed Peppadew peppers, which landed sweet and tangy with just the right whisper of heat. A stone-fruit panzanella, dotted with bocconcini, basil pistou, pickled onion and torn croutons, was vibrant and perfectly balanced — sunlight in a bowl.
But it’s the spreadables section that steals the show.
“The spreadables are something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” DiBiase says. “They’re composed with thought behind them.” Her lemon basil goat cheese with prosciutto and strawberries is indulgent without being fussy, while the blue cheese mousse with citrus-pickled fruit brings punch and poise in equal measure. The brie and honeycrisp apple is warm, buttery and bright. Served with house crackers (or gluten-free rice crackers on request), this is the kind of board that makes you pause between bites.
There are no blips on the menu: the salads are fantastic, and the mains, whether that's the steak or the salmon, are perfectly done, full of flavor.
For Those With Dietary Restrictions
The vast majority of the entire menu is gluten-free or can be made gluten-free — not as an accommodation, but as a reflection of DiBiase’s own cooking philosophy. “I traditionally don’t work with flour,” she says. It’s not a gimmick; it’s how she cooks. You won’t find a pile of unnecessary breadcrumbs or a pasta menu padded with substitutions. This is naturally gluten-free dining, elegantly executed and seamlessly integrated. Even the crackers? Swappable. And delicious either way.
Cocktails For The Conversation
No less considered is the drink program, led by veteran bartender Chris Norton. His menu includes standouts like the house Elaine’s martini, finished with passionfruit liqueur and sparkling wine, and the ashes and agave, a smoky-meets-sweet pour that feels custom-built for cooler evenings. These are seriously good drinks. Subtle, layered and delicious.
For those not drinking, there’s creativity too: mocktails like the Amalfi spritz and golden hour are every bit as layered and satisfying as their spirited siblings.
The cocktail list isn’t just decorative. It’s central. And it reinforces the vibe: slow, intentional, stylish without being precious. We loved it.
The Story Behind Elaine’s
“The goal was to create a woman-centric restaurant in downtown Frisco, where people can get together and have great food and cocktails,” says Jason Young, who co-founded Alora Hospitality Group. “We wanted chef Amy to build her dream. I want to make her a star.”
That dream has taken shape slowly: eight years of work and refinement led to this moment. And the response, even in its early weeks, has been enough to shift (and expand) the vision. The space next door, originally slated for a second concept, is now earmarked for Elaine’s bigger iteration: more seating, more kitchen space, a second patio. The current 50 seats will grow to 120, giving the team room to grow without losing what makes it special.
But stepping into Elaine's, enjoying the food and drink and the atmosphere, all this feels inevitable. It was bound to happen. Welcome to Frisco, Elaine's. We're glad you're here.
Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen is located at 8763 7th Street in Frisco. We thank Elaine's for hosting and treating us.
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