HALL Park Hotel To Open Italian Kitchen With Acclaimed Chefs

Written by: Matilda Preisendorf

HALL Park Hotel recently announced Frisco’s newest culinary destination will open this fall, featuring Eric Sakai as executive chef and Sophie Candia as executive pastry chef.

Inspired by the Hall family’s passion for wine and expert food pairings, Palato Italian Kitchen and Lounge will bring an authentic Italian experience with its signature dishes, seasonal menus and house-made pasta.

Chef Sakai brings over a decade of experience to his role, including two years of refining his skills in Italy. His background includes positions at Michelin-starred restaurants Rubicon and Acquerello in San Francisco, as well as the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, the Ritz-Carlton Dallas and Las Colinas. Collaborating closely with the entire food and beverage team, including an on-site cheesemonger who will offer guests unique cheeses from around the world, Chef Sakai will craft irresistible menu items ideal for both casual dining and special occasions.

“As we aim daily to encourage our guests to stir the senses, we are excited to add chef Sakai and chef Candia to our team,” said General Manager at HALL Park Hotel Hans Ritten in an official statement. “Their expertise and dedication to the craft speaks volumes, and we are eager to welcome in guests from near and far to experience their exquisite menus.”

Menu highlights at Palato include delights such as fritelle di baccala, Ligurian-style salt cod fritters; bigoli with Valpolicella braised duck, a traditional pasta dish with ingredients from Veneto; Bonet, a Piedmontese dessert with dark chocolate, amaretti, rum and pistachio; and hearth roasted seasonal fruit gelato, made with farm-fresh local milk and special Calabrian chestnut honey.

The cocktail menu features four distinct categories — spritz, shaken, stirred and garibaldi — offering a unique twist on classic cocktails. Notable creations include the oasis of Venice spritz, with l’aperitivo nonino, rum, roasted pineapple syrup, prosecco and Fever Tree sparkling lime and yuzu, and the Sicilian breakfast garibaldi, blending Aperol averna amaro with blood orange juice.

The regional Italian dishes at Palato are complemented by a diverse selection of craft cocktails and an extensive wine list, including offerings from HALL Wines. The restaurant boasts an exhibition-style kitchen, an open-air design, a stone hearth oven, a central bar and a spacious outdoor patio. Next to Palato, the lounge provides an intimate setting ideal for happy hours and nightcaps, creating a fresh dining experience in the heart of Frisco.

In addition to Palato, guests can enjoy the Parkside pool and bar located on the seventh-floor rooftop of HALL Park Hotel. Here, they can savor expertly crafted cocktails and delectable bar bites while taking in panoramic views of Kaleidoscope Park.

HALL Park Hotel and its dining venues will officially open this fall. The 224-room hotel will be the first Marriott Autograph Collection property in Frisco. Alongside its well-appointed guest rooms, the hotel will feature The Reserve suites — four private floors tailored for extended-stay business travelers and guests seeking apartment-style accommodations.