Shannon Wynne has been called many things over the years, most notably “successful restauranteur” and perennial “cool kid.” Born and raised in Highland Park, Shannon is known for creating some of Dallas’ most vibrant clubs of the 80s and 90s which are now just memories without landmarks as most of the buildings that housed his ventures have been demolished.
Today, he co-owns and operates five successful restaurant concepts: Flying Fish; Flying Saucer Draught Emporium; Meddlesome Moth; Rodeo Goat; and Miriam Cocina Latina. Each of Wynne’s concepts are visually rich with very specific cultures, from Flying Fish’s East Texas fish camp vibe to Rodeo Goat’s rustic Texas barn to Miriam’s radiant, warm, and understated elegance which reflects Ms. Miriam herself.
Shannon’s a Preservationist, a supporter or advocate for the preservation of something, specifically historic buildings, and artifacts. Indeed, he has advocated strongly for preserving the architecture of the Park Cities. Largely and sadly, to no avail.
He’s passionate about preservation and would like to talk to folks coming from other states and tearing down some of the community’s most important houses. “I would tell them that the homes were built by significant architects.” Wynne said. “We had our own style, a prairie style, we didn’t create it, it wasn’t ours, but it was certainly {prevalent} in this region.” He adds that the current blocky styles that are replacing the architectural gems don’t reflect the history of this place. Nor do they honor it.
Wynne also has a heart for East Texas, specifically Caddo Lake and has built an outdoor amphitheater there to allow locals to host fundraising events for the lake and its surrounding natural elements. One of Texas’ few natural lakes, Caddo has been infiltrated by dangerous plant life that threatens to choke out native plant and aquatic life and, true to form, the Preservationist made a short film about it to help raise awareness.
With his restaurants now in six states, preserving the cultures that make his concepts so special has not been easy. Restaurant success is sometimes just catching lightning in a bottle, but Wynne’s done it. His success is likely due to his authenticity and brilliant insight into people and places. Shannon and his partners have succeeded in this notoriously fickle business and, thankfully, survived the pandemic.
In a quick round table of favorites, Shannon revealed some of his go-to menu items in Dallas. Carbone’s Lasagna, which he says is the best in town; Las Palmas’ Spinach and Crab Salad; any fish at Montlake Cute, and Miriam’s Ceviche which includes tiger shrimp and baby octopus and might well be the best bite of food you’ll ever eat.
At 70, Shannon is looking outward and onward, continuing to make an impact. The friend, mentor, employer, husband, dad, and now “Shan Daddy” to three grandchildren born in the last year, isn’t retiring. “Building is fun,” he says of his projects including the restoration of historic homes in the Cedars.
Keep building and preserving, Shannon. Dallas is better for it.