By Natalie Lozano Trimble
Photography by Jill Johnson
Dining at The Chumley House begins with a complimentary course of savory scones and tea, which feels more like you’re a guest in the home of British nobility than in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Lacquered wood paneling, old English paintings and the European-inspired menu further set the scene.
Chas Martin, a founding partner of Duro Hospitality, the group behind The Chumley House, appreciates the difficulty of setting apart a steakhouse in Cowtown.
“If you’re gonna open a steakhouse these days and you’re not gonna be wildly different from what people are expecting, there’s no way that you can compete with all the amazing legacy steakhouses in this metroplex,” Martin says.
He describes the menu as elevated comfort food with dishes that reflect the cuisines available in London. “The best of every type of food is in London,” Martin says. “I’ve been to India and the Indian food there is fantastic; London’s might be better.”
Butter Chicken Pie is one of the most popular items on the menu, with Long Bone Lamb Tandoori and Saag Paneer also paying homage to India’s influence.
The European continent is well represented with dishes like Beef Wellington, Chicken Schnitzel, Tallow Popovers and Roast Turbot. The Tenderloin Stroganoff not only has a distinctive, complex sauce, but the ricotta dumplings are pockets of perfection.
It’s more than the menu that creates an impression — making guests feel special and appreciated is what brings them back, Martin says.
He’s been in the hospitality industry for years — his first job was at Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse — and he met the co-founder of Duro Hospitality, Benji Homsey, when both worked for Hotel ZaZa. Martin was the director of food and beverage, and Homsey was the president of brand and development for its parent company, Z Resorts.
For years, the two friends discussed meals they had enjoyed and what the metroplex was missing before opening their first restaurant, The Charles, in 2018.
By 2023, they had added three restaurants in Dallas and three partners: brothers Corbin and Ross See, who have their own design firm, and J Chastain, the original chef at The Charles, who now runs day-to-day operations.
This diversity in skills allows everyone to focus on their strengths, Martin says. Bringing on the See brothers in particular has given each concept a distinctive look.
“We wanted design to be a part of our identity,” Martin says, which meant more than just looking good. “We wanted them to be remarkable.”
Their quality didn’t suffer as they expanded. Two restaurants, El Carlos Elegante and Mister Charles, were included in Texas’ 2024 Recommended Restaurants in the Michelin Guide, and Casa Duro, their boutique hotel, received one Michelin Key.
Despite their success in Dallas, The Chumley House, which opened in November, isn’t a copy of anything they’ve created. Martin, who went to high school here, and Homsey, a Texas Christian University alumnus, knew their first Fort Worth restaurant had to be something that belonged here.
“I think Fort Worth was ready for something new, and thank God we’ve proved that correct,” Martin says.
The Chumley House opens for dinner at 4:30 p.m. seven days a week, closing at 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Find the recipe for The Chumley House’s Butter Chicken Pie here.