Married team adds dinner, catering spin-off

A lot has changed since Trio New American Caf opened in 2009 on Precinct Line Road in Colleyville, owner and executive chef Jason Harper said. The cafe is no longer considered just a soup and sandwich shop convenient for lunch hours; since 2011, it has also been an elegant and romantic restaurant that serves American cuisine with global influences Thursday through Sunday night, Jason said.

While partaking in an entree, guests can also drink a bottle of wine from their own personal collection as Jason and wife and co-owner Miriam have introduced a BYOB policy during dinner hours.

"We have a lot of customers who visit Napa Valley and other exquisite wineries," Jason said. "So we decided to do BYOB so that our customers can bring their wine back from Napa and have food that will complement it. The fact that they trust us to bring their expensive wine to our restaurant is a testament to why we have been so successful."

One of the chef's favorite entrees is the Pan Seared Seasonal Catch ($23–$32), as Jason said he makes a point to get his fish to his kitchen from the water as quickly as possible. He also tries to buy all of his meat unfrozen and locally. Regardless of the season, the dinner entrees will always include a dish that features beef, chicken or fish, he said. Along the line of keeping offerings in trios, the cafe features three types of desserts each season. One of the most popular desserts this season is the lemon Brulee tart ($7), which Jason said is made of lemon curd and a butter tart shell made from scratch. Other seasonal desserts include the brownie pistachio ice cream sandwich ($8), house-made pie ($4) and cupcakes and cookies ($2.50).

Trio offers a live band each Saturday and once a month Trio hosts a $90-per-person private seven-course chef's tasting that features food of different cultures.

Trio New American Catering

Since its opening, Trio New American Cafe has branched out into a companion catering company located down the street that caters to small and large parties. The catering company provides breakfast, brunch, hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts.

Trio New American Caf, 8300 Precinct Line Road, Ste. 104, Colleyville, 817-503-8440,www.trionewamerican.com

Hours: Lunch—Tue.–Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Dinner—Thu.–Sat. 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

Trio New American Catering, 8245 Precinct Line Road, Ste. 130, North Richland Hills, 817-629-0879, www.trionewamerican.com/catering-home/4579993386