Chef John Tesar Joins Palladino's Restaurant Group
Chef John Tesar takes over kitchen operations for restaurateur Joseph Palladino in New York City and Dallas.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Dining Out
Live Poll
Are you willing to pay $200 for a single dinner at an upscale local restaurant?
Restaurateur Joseph Palladino has tapped Michelin-starred chef John Tesar to lead the kitchens at his restaurant locations in New York City and Dallas. Tesar replaces Sam Hazen as the executive chef for the growing restaurant brand.
Why it matters
This partnership aims to synchronize culinary operations across Palladino's locations in Grand Central Station and Preston Hollow. Joseph Palladino will continue to oversee front-of-house operations while Tesar manages all kitchen activities.
A dinner at the Preston Hollow location costs $200 per person, while D Magazine reports a total of $17,000 spent on steak dinners at the establishments. Joseph Palladino previously spent 20 years building the Nick and Sam's brand.
The players
Joseph Palladino
A prominent restaurateur known for building the Nick and Sam's brand over two decades.
John Tesar
An acclaimed chef who earned Michelin star recognition for his work at Knife and Spoon in 2022 and 2023.
Sam Hazen
The chef previously announced to lead the kitchen for Joseph Palladino's restaurants before being replaced.
The details
John Tesar will maintain his new role by traveling between the restaurant sites in New York City and Dallas to ensure consistency. The transition follows the 2025 opening of Palladino's Steak and Seafood in Grand Central Station and a 2026 expansion into Preston Hollow.
Timeline
2022: John Tesar earned a Michelin star for Knife and Spoon.
2025: Palladino's opened in Grand Central Station.
Earlier in 2026: Palladino's opened in Preston Hollow.
October 29, 2026: The partnership between Palladino and Tesar was formally announced.
Culture Shift
The hiring of John Tesar follows the 2022 and 2023 Michelin star awards for Knife and Spoon, highlighting a broader industry trend of recruiting elite talent to anchor luxury dining groups. This move positions the brand to maintain high culinary standards across its expansion into new markets.
Patrons at both the New York and Dallas locations should expect potential menu refinements as Tesar synchronizes operations between the two cities. Prospective diners should note that the Preston Hollow location maintains a $200 price point per guest.
The takeaway
The arrival of an experienced chef like Tesar suggests a focus on operational excellence and consistency for Palladino's growing luxury dining portfolio. Diners planning to visit these restaurants can look forward to a unified culinary vision supported by extensive industry experience.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in the culinary industry, visit the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dallas Observer.
Live Poll
Are you willing to pay $200 for a single dinner at an upscale local restaurant?
