Media Coverage and Accolades for GEMMA
In December, 2013, Allison Yoder and Stephen Rogers opened their first restaurant, Gemma, on a an eastern stretch of Henderson Ave. not much travelled by well heeled restaurant-goers. Neverthess, their California-inspired bistro quickly became a favorite among diners and critics. Leslie, who was the Dallas Morning News’ restaurant critic at the time, named Gemma Restaurant of the Year in 2014.
Approaching the impressive milestone of 10 years in business and still highly popular (not bad for a restaurant from first-timers!), Yoder and Rogers felt it was time for a major interior and conceptual refresh. They engaged LBC to assist, closed very briefly in September 2023, then reopened the new Gemma — Henderson Avenue’s neighborhood bistro.
The gorgeously refreshed restaurant garnered a good deal of press, and then in April 2024 it was nominated for a James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality.
Michelin honors followed later that year, when Gemma earned a Bib Gourmand in the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas. The honor was renewed in the 2025 Michelin Guide Texas.
SELECTED PRESS (SINCE ENGAGING LBC, MOST RECENT FIRST):
The Best Dallas Restaurants, According to Someone Who Eats Here for a Living, The Adventurist Magazine, November 13, 2025
Where to Eat French in Dallas: The City’s Best Spots for Escargot, Steak Frites, and More, DiningOut Dallas, November 4, 2025
My Six Weeks as a Dallas Vegetarian, D Magazine, November 3, 2025
Michelin had 4 whiffs in Dallas-Fort Worth last year. We hope it improves in 2025, Dallas Morning News, October 27, 2025
A Wish List for Tomorrow's Michelin Guide Announcements, Dallas Observer, October 27, 2025
Our 2025 Michelin Guide Star Predictions for Dallas, D Magazine, October 27, 2025
Flavor Passport: A taste of France | wfaa.com, Good Morning Texas, October 17, 2025
The Most Romantic Restaurants for a Date Night in Dallas, Texas, Observer, October 10, 2025
A cut above: These Dallas steakhouses are serving flavorful cuts beyond the typical filet, Dallas Morning News, October 5, 2025
The 10 Best Date Night Restaurants In Dallas, The Infatuation, September 8, 2025
“Let’s Talk About the Low-Key Revolution Transforming Dallas Restaurants,” D Magazine, August 29, 2024
"Is Steak Frites a Fad Food, or the Next Iconic Dallas Dish?," D Magazine, August 12, 2024
"The 12 Essential Knox-Henderson Restaurants," Eater Dallas, July 16, 2024
“The 50 Best Restaurants in Dallas Right Now,” D Magazine, June 25, 2024
"Hot List: 9 great steak frites restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth," Dallas Morning News, June 1, 2024
"Lucia, Gemma, and Petra & the Beast Are Dallas' James Beard Award Finalists," D Magazine, April 3, 2024
"Three James Beard finalists are from Dallas," Axios, April 3, 2024
"James Beard Finalists Include 2 Dallas Chefs and 1 Restaurant," Dallas Observer, April 3, 2024
"3 Dallas restaurants and chefs could still win James Beard Awards in 2024," Dallas Morning News, April 3, 2024
"These Dallas Restaurants and Chefs are 2024 James Beard Award Finalists," Eater Dallas, April 3, 2024
"Hot List: 15 great date-night spots in Dallas, just in time for Valentine's Day," Dallas Morning News, Feb. 1, 2024
"All the DFW Restaurants and Chefs Named James Beard Award Semifinalists for 2024," Eater Dallas , Jan. 24, 2024
"Is There Media Consensus on Dallas' Best Restaurants? (No)," D Magazine, Jan. 11, 2024
"10 Great Dallas Restaurants Worth Circling Back to in 2024 — Mainstays that Never Disappoint," Paper City Dallas, Jan. 10, 2024
"Here Is the Optimist's Argument that Dallas Is Building a Better Food Scene from the Ground Up," D Magazine, Dec. 18, 2023
“Here’s a Taste of the New, Bistro-fied Gemma,” D Magazine, Dec. 7, 2023
“Enjoy the Feast of Seven Fishes at These Dallas-Area Restaurants,” Dallas Observer, Dec. 7, 2023
“The Best Dishes Eater Dallas Ate in November 2023,” Eater Dallas, Nov. 30, 2023
“Gemma in Dallas reopens as new restaurant, where “everything feels different,” Dallas Morning News, Sept. 21, 2023
“10 Years Later, Gemma Remains a Cozy Constant Along Henderson Avenue — and One of the Best Restaurants in Dallas,” Paper City Dallas, Sept. 8, 2023
“French-inspired Gemma will remodel the restaurant to better reflect the Knox-Henderson area,” Lakewood Advocate, Aug. 31, 2023
"Gemma: This modern California bistro has been impressing us more than a decade," Texas Monthly, Aug. 28, 2023