The idea for The Imperial Room took shape during one of the PILF Restaurant Group’s annual research and development trips to New York City. Juniper Bar in Midtown Manhattan left a lasting impression on the team, inspiring the 600-square-foot, 30-seat cocktail lounge.

Inside, the lounge will have rich olive and navy tones, cozy booths, warm lighting and a classic lounge atmosphere. But more important than that, acclaimed Dallas bartender Gabe Sanchez is shaping the beverage program. 

This DFW favorite has earned its reputation for authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and the Frisco location keeps that standard high. The dough is fermented for days, the mozzarella is made in-house daily and every pie comes out of a blazing-hot imported oven with that signature lightly charred crust. A classic Margherita always delivers, but the real must-order is the Honey Bastard: housemade mozzarella, hot soppressata, bacon marmalade and habanero honey. It’s sweet, spicy, smoky and wildly craveable.

If there is any hope for a homegrown Dallas-style pizza to come into existence, it’s at Zoli’s, which began as a New York-style joint from Cane Rosso founder Jay Jerrier but keeps inventing and innovating. Barbecue brisket and sausage on pizza? They serve it. Everything bagel seasoning on crusts? They do it. Wild monthly specials featuring toppings such as pastrami, Brussels sprouts, or garlicky broccoli? They have all of the above. The sky’s the limit at the city’s most inventive pizzeria, and quality is never sacrificed in the making. The restaurant’s sense of humor—check out the enormous painting of The Last Supper populated with Star Wars characters and pizza—is an added bonus.

A taste of Italy without the plane ticket

One of Cane Rosso's best-selling pies is an off-menu item, a white pizza made with mozzarella, soppressata, bacon marmalade, and finished with hot honey. "Holy smokes. The pizza cooks so fast in the wood-fired grill so the crust is still soft and chewy. The sauce is amazing and the mozzarella is unbelievable," wrote a pleased customer on TripAdvisor. "If it isn't the best pizza I've had, it's on a very short list." Jerrier has estimated that pizzas can cook in just over a minute and has seen visitors line up just to marvel at the speed of pizzas being made in the 900-degree ovens.

17. Cane Rosso – Dallas, TX

This Texas favorite serves authentic Neapolitan pizza from wood-fired ovens. Cane Rosso is known for its chewy crusts, classic Italian toppings, and a fun menu featuring pies with clever names.