New French-Inspired Restaurant Coming to Bishop Arts This Spring

The duo behind Deep Ellum's Ruins and Armoury D.E. is opening a new French bar and restaurant called Trapèze in the Bishop Arts District.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Peter Novotny and Dan Murry, the owners of the popular Deep Ellum restaurants Ruins and Armoury D.E., are collaborating with Matt Battaglia, co-founder of the former Denton music festival Oaktopia, to open a new French-inspired bar and restaurant called Trapèze in the Bishop Arts District. The restaurant will feature live music, a focus on classic and regional French cuisine, and cocktails from acclaimed New York chef Jeremy Spector.

Why it matters

The Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff is known for its vibrant French cultural influences, with events like Bastille Day celebrations and existing French-themed restaurants and bars. The addition of Trapèze will further cement the neighborhood's reputation as a hub for French-inspired dining and entertainment.

The details

Trapèze will feature a live music stage both inside and on the back patio. The menu will focus on traditional French dishes as well as regional specialties that incorporate influences from other cultures, such as Louisiana, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. The restaurant is bringing on acclaimed New York chef Jeremy Spector, who has experience operating cocktail-focused establishments and working at the renowned French brasserie Balthazar.

  • Trapèze is aiming to open in April 2026.
  • The owners have been traveling to France to research the concept.

The players

Peter Novotny

Co-owner of Deep Ellum restaurants Ruins and Armoury D.E., and co-founder of the new French restaurant Trapèze in Bishop Arts.

Dan Murry

Co-owner of Deep Ellum restaurants Ruins and Armoury D.E., and co-founder of the new French restaurant Trapèze in Bishop Arts.

Matt Battaglia

Co-founder of the former Denton music festival Oaktopia and collaborator on the new French restaurant Trapèze in Bishop Arts.

Jeremy Spector

New York-based chef who will be overseeing the menu and cocktail program at the new French restaurant Trapèze in Bishop Arts.

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What they’re saying

“I know that we have the Bastille Day events there, and obviously, there's a lot of other spots there. There's La Reunion. There's Revelers Hall. All these spots have French twists on it. So we're just going really hard into the French. As hard as we can, especially the Bohemian side of it.”

— Peter Novotny, Co-owner (advocatemag.com)

“He's got a really huge following, especially in terms of the cocktail scene. They were one of the first, big-time pioneer cocktail bars ever. So, his involvement in those two spots as an owner and chef, I think, is going to bring a lot to the table, and then obviously has been working at Balthazar. They serve some of the best French food there is.”

— Peter Novotny, Co-owner (advocatemag.com)

What’s next

The owners are still finalizing the menu items for Trapèze, but they hope to open the new French restaurant in the Bishop Arts District in April 2026.

The takeaway

The addition of Trapèze, a new French-inspired bar and restaurant, to the Bishop Arts District further solidifies the neighborhood's reputation as a hub for French culture and cuisine in the Dallas area, building on the success of existing French-themed establishments like Bastille Day celebrations and restaurants like La Reunion and Revelers Hall.