When Mitch Kauffman first toured an Old East Dallas property built in 1926, with burglar bars on the windows, one window air conditioning unit and linoleum flooring, his first thought was, “OK, it’s got a grease trap and a vent hood.” 

Kauffman, an Ohio native, was searching for a new place for his Urbano Cafe. After working for hotels, including the Four Seasons in Las Colinas, and then for restaurateurs including Patrick Colombo of Sfuzzi and Alberto Lombardi of Taverna, he was ready to open his own place.