Meatballs are the theme at new Statler Dallas downtown restaurant

The meatballs will soon be here at Sfereco, a new restaurant opening in downtown Dallas at the Statler Hotel.

The new eatery by Refined Hospitality Concepts will take over the space just outside the Statler that was previously occupied by Ramen & Bao, at 1914 Commerce St. #100. According to a release, it’ll open on June 10.

Sfereco is a passion project for RHC’s CEO Robert Hall and Executive Corporate Chef Ryan Carbery.

Meatballs have been upwardly trending for a year or two, showing up as a “starter” on many menus, but for Carbery, it goes way back to the days he grew up working in his family’s restaurants.

“I can remember so vividly the sights and smells of my dad’s pizza and pasta restaurant, and how it really brought people together,” he says. He has meatball cred, people.

Decor will include a spaghetti Western-themed interior, and the menu will also dovetail with the history of the Statler Hotel which, like spaghetti Westerns, came of age in the 1960s.

Sfereco will follow a casual quick-service model, and will open its dining room with socially distanced tables. Guests can also order for pickup or delivery via call-in, online, or third party delivery apps. It’ll also have a full-service bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, including Italian-inspired specialty drinks.

The menu has at least six kinds of meatballs with a build-your-own approach. Have them solo, have them with toppings, have them with pasta, put them on pizza.

Starters include Sfereco Focaccia, Crispy Chickpeas, and Whipped Ricotta. There are also salads and sandwiches, ranging from $7-$15. Pastas run from $13-$19 and include Shrimp Scampi and a “Spin & Shroom” Lasagna.

Dine-in hours will be Sunday-Thursday from 11 am-12 am, and Friday-Saturday from 11 am-2 am. Closed Mondays, but delivery is available via the website and third party platforms seven days a week.