Isla & Co., with its Australian-influenced menu of brunch and dinner dishes, artisan coffee, vino and spiffy signature cocktails, resides in the thriving restaurant scene of Bishop Arts. Executive chef Matt Foley, who honed his culinary repertoire in Michelin-starred kitchens Marea and Manhattan Beach Post, has created a diverse menu that ranges from breakfast (like brioche French toast) to skewered kangaroo to a wonderful spicy shrimp vodka rigatoni in pomodoro sauce. But Isla's fish and chips — deceptively simple preparation of Atlantic cod sheathed in a flawless batter and served with yuzu kosho tartar sauce — was the dish that had us returning long after our first visit.

Texans love protein, and in just about any edible form, but kangaroo isn’t typically one of them.

The Australian-sourced meat is uncommon if not nearly unheard of on local menus, but one Dallas restaurant just added it to its lineup of casual bistro fare.

Isla & Co., the restaurant that opened in Bishop Arts in October 2022, now serves kangaroo skewers, and it’s a fitting place for such a dish. The all-day café, which first opened in New York and has several locations around the country, has Australian roots. Its owner David Orr hails from a small town outside of Melbourne, although he now calls Dallas home.

What Now Dallas

Menu-wise, guests can expect to see plenty of breakfast and brunch options at Isla & Co. including avocado toast, French toast and egg scrambles, as well as burgers, pastas, fish and chicken dishes, and salads. Matt Foley, executive chef for Parched Hospitality Group, says the all-day brunch menu transitions into a dinner menu, and that they’re really into building on seasonal and local flavors. Cocktails, craft beer, and natural and organic wine will also be offered.

Isla & Co. is a growing chain from Brooklyn, but its Australian founders want to bring that country's relaxed feel to the United States.

Pull out your world atlas for this: A new restaurant and bar based in New York is coming to Dallas from an Australian team. Called Isla & Co., it'll open in Bishop Arts, at 408 W. 8th St., better known as the former Lucia Dallas space. (Lucia relocated to 287 N. Bishop Ave.)

Isla & Co. is from Parched Restaurant Group, a New York outfit from two natives of Australia, Barry Dry and Tom Rowse, whose other concepts include coffee cafe Hole in the Wall, The Sentry penthouse lounge, and Daintree in Midtown Manhattan.

There are currently Isla & Co. locations in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Fairfield, Connecticut; and Midtown Manhattan. Bishop Arts opens October 21.

Parched Hospitality Group (PHG) will bring their newest concept Isla & Co., to the Bishop Arts District in Dallas at 408 W. 8th St. beginning on Friday, October 21st. PHG is the Australian team behind the Hole in the Wall restaurants, The Sentry, Daintree and Ghost Burger. With Isla & Co. locations in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Fairfield, Connecticut and Midtown Manhattan, their latest will open in Dallas this month.

The restaurant’s menu, which was crafted by Executive Chef Matt Foley, formerly of two Michelin-starred Marea in NYC, is inspired by Australian coastal towns by day and becomes a cocktail driven dinner destination by night. Isla & Co. features everyday brunch dishes and a seasonally focused dinner menu with cuts of meat paired with vegetable-focused dishes. Menu influences are drawn from Australia, Europe and SouthEast Asia.

Isla & Co, a bright, all-day cafe serving coffee, cocktails and food, has opened in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District in place of the long-time, beloved Italian restaurant Lucia.

Lucia was famously small, yet Isla & Co’s owner has managed to make the space feel a little bit bigger, with white walls and leafy greenery hanging from up high. (Lucia is still in the neighborhood; it moved to a nearby Oak Cliff address with more room.)

This Australian cafe from Parched Hospitality Group just debuted its first Texas location in Bishop Arts. Crafted by executive chef Matt Foley, the menu features brunch, lunch, and dinner options throughout the day. The former Lucia space is airy and modern with bistro tables and a small bar in the back.

Best Sips: A must-try cocktail at Isla & Co. is the espresso martini. Made with Tito’s vodka, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, and espresso, the drink is light and slightly sweet. The spritz is another favorite with gin, aloe, sparkling wine, and cucumber.

Best Bites: Start out with the crispy halloumi. It’s perfectly grilled and includes almond romesco, honey, and Spanish dukkah. The Brussels sprouts are also a go-to, topped with chili sauce and herbs. For mains, the lamb shoulder is a favorite. It comes with Swiss chard, crispy fingerlings, a delicious labneh (Greek yogurt), and zhoug sauce that adds a kick of spice.

What Now New York

The team at Parched Hospitality Group announced that Isla & Co. opens in Midtown at Hotel Hendricks on August 11th serving Aussie-inspired food, coffee and cocktails all day and night. Isla & Co. delivers a specialty coffee program inspired by Australian coffee culture serving Hole in the Wall Espresso. Isla & Co. features two signature house blends suitable for Espresso and drip extraction originating from Ethiopia and the Americas and roasted in Denver Colorado.

Isla & Co. offers an extensive wine list with a large focus on natural and organic wines, craft beers and signature cocktails like the Wizard of Aus – Starward Whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, egg white, Shiraz wine float, Isla Old Fashioned -bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, Eucalyptus bitters, and The Taipan – Hiatus Tequila, spicy pepper, yuzu, agave, shiso alongside brunch cocktail favorites like a mimosa and their house blend bloody mary. All beverages are served from brunch through to dusk.

Biz Journals

Yet another New York-based restaurant group is investing in South Florida, this time arriving to the region with an Australian concept.

Parched Hospitality Group, known for its four Hole in the Wall eateries throughout New York, plans to debut sister concept, Isla Cafe, in West Palm Beach and Miami Beach at the start of next year.

The Palm Beach Post

A New York City hospitality group has chosen West Palm Beach’s emerging Warehouse District as the location for its first Florida restaurant, an all-day café called Isla & Co.

The 100-seat café will serve daily brunch, globally inspired plates, coffees and cocktails.

In my 53 years on the planet I've gotten to experience quite a few culinary delights.

From venison, bison and wild hog to duck, dove, quail and even "Rocky Mountain oysters," alligator, frog legs and blue crabs. (I almost tried whale meat once, but it had been smuggled to Florida from Alaska and so I decided against it.)

As of last Saturday night, I can now add kangaroo to that list.

Visiting the restaurant Isla & Co. in the Warehouse District in West Palm Beach, my girlfriend and I split their Kangaroo Tucker appetizer.

The dish is skewered pieces of kangaroo tenderloin marinated in tamarind, coriander, shallots, garlic, and lemon juice. It is grilled before being served on a bed of herbed tahini (with cilantro, Thai basil, and mint), marinated cucumbers, and pickled onions. It is then topped with crispy lentils.