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Bobby Pollette PAPERCITY PROMOTION AT Bistro I didn't grow up with family dinners, so creating this space is my way of bringing people together to make memories. N estled in a corner of Preston Center is AT Bistro, a chef- driven neighborhood bistro serving New American cuisine with global influences. The name is short for Au Troisieme — French for third place. "We want to be your go-to spot for hanging out, or your 'third place' after home and work," says chef founder Bobby Pollette. "I didn't grow up with family dinners, so creating this space is my way of bringing people together to make memories." Pollette has crafted a warm, welcoming space to gather for fine food and wine. "Over the years, we've formed incredible connections with our customers and their families, and we can't wait to continue building these relationships and celebrating all the special moments," he says. "We're not trying to be over-the-top. We want to be your approachable neighborhood spot where you walk in and feel like family." Pollette grew up in Hawaii, a melting pot of many cultures. Because of this, AT Bistro's menu is expansive and diverse, with both classic and nostalgic dishes. Pollette's favorite dish is the smash burger with fries and the martini special. A fan favorite is the zucchini carpaccio, and his wife loves the biscuits. "I like to create simple dishes done right," Pollette says. "It's a menu you could eat every day, whether you come in for lunch, happy hour, or dinner." Beyond the regular menu, AT Bistro also hosts nostalgic Step Where Third Place is Top Rate nights, such as Fried Chicken, Burgundy, and Caviar Night, and Chicken Fried Steak Family Dinner on Mondays. Dining chez AT Bistro can be a dining adventure. "Our private dining room was even a secret to ourselves," Pollette says. "I found two rooms during construction while looking for our hot water heater — a secret room through our kitchen and behind a door in my office. We had no idea they were even in our lease, but the goal is to create a space that feels like you are at home. Something intimate and special. I treat the private dining room just like I do catering, letting the guest control their experience and customize it — from wine tastings to family-style to chef's tastings." Pollette's passion for catering and entertaining was cultivated when he left Hawaii at age 20, moving to Aspen and Palm Beach to work as a private chef for a family. "Traveling for clients throughout the country is what brought me to Dallas, where I met my wife, who has a background in party planning and is a florist," he says. "We love to tag-team events. I don't have set catering menus to choose from; I prefer to chat with my clients and talk through their vision, theme, and hope for the event and create a menu from there." As for what's next for AT Bistro, the restaurant hosts its first movie night on the patio this fall. Expect a fun night for the family, with parents enjoying the dining room while the kids watch a movie and eat a kid-friendly buffet on the patio. Bobby Pollette AT Bistro 8305 Westchester Drive 469.726.2237 atbistrodallas.com — Bobby Pollette 108