Although she did not have money to attend culinary school, Willis said she made up for it with years of working in restaurants. She said she is grateful to benevolent chefs who were willing to teach her everything she needed to know. When Willis chose to open a French bistro in Lake Highlands, she did so because there were not any such restaurants nearby and because of her experience in France shadowing a chef.
“When I was in France, it was some of the best food I ever ate,” Willis said. “Not all French food is fancy. I think they get stereotyped on that type of food. It’s not all froufrou; that’s why we call [our food] rustic.”
Willis said she also added a “Southern flair” to some of her menu items. “Chicken paillard is typically not fried like I fry it,” Willis said. “We lightly fry it, and usually [in France] it is pressed and grilled. This paillard ... people go goo-goo for it.”
Willis said she based the bistro’s name on the Bible verse Romans 12:20, which reads, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.”
“My whole thing with this is whatever differences you may have with somebody, when you sit down with them for a meal that is all forgotten,” she said.
Although Willis is appreciative of the support she has received from the community, she recently asked her followers to rally behind RM 12:20 Bistro because the combined effects of COVID-19, unbearable heat, supply chain issues and inflation have left her in need of help.
“I want this place to be around forever,” Willis said. “Everybody can remember a particular restaurant where something special happened, [and] I want this to be that place.”
RM 12:20 Bistro
9850 Walnut Hill Lane, Ste. 305. Dallas
214-238-2919
www.rm1220bistro.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. 5-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 5-10 p.m., Sun. open for brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Mon.
