Loews Arlington Hotel Announces Signature Italian Restaurant - Farena
The three-meal authentic Italian experience will serve as the culinary center of the property
The new Loews Arlington Hotel announces its signature Italian restaurant, Farena, with award winning Executive Chef Mouhssine “Moose” Benhamacht at the helm. Debuting on February 13, 2024, Farena will serve as the culinary center of the 888-room meeting and resort destination among four other restaurants and lounges, delivering expertly crafted Italian cuisine according to the country's culinary traditions with a mix of fresh, local ingredients and those imported directly from Italy.
The Design
Both Farena’s menu and interior design are anchored by two 900-degree wood-fired stone pizza ovens. These workhorses produce more than 70% of the menu including Neapolitan-style pizza. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a Pasta Lab where chefs make fresh pastas daily with premium ingredients and traditional Italian execution. Culinary classes will also be taught here throughout the year. The aesthetic of the dining room balances casual comfort with a refined sensibility through a mix of rustic touches, industrial fixtures and rich finishes.
Patrons may also choose to dine at The Veranda, an extension of Farena with an expansive outdoor covered patio, dedicated bar and views overlooking the Resort pool. The beverage program features Italian cocktails and a wine list curated to complement the Farena menu, which changes seasonally.
Behind the Name
At the heart of Italian cuisine are the carefully selected and time tested building blocks of each dish, perhaps none more important than the grains used to create the dough that will become pasta, bread and pizza. Farina, or Farena in local dialect, translates directly to "flour" and can refer to the ground, edible portion of any cereal grain. Few places in the world treat these grains with the reverence found in Italian kitchens. The type of grain, its source, gluten content and level of grind are all meticulously considered. The name Farena, however, is not used only in reference to this carefully selected and all-important ingredient, but also more broadly as a metaphor for the granular level at which each part of the guest experience is considered and executed. From the initial selection of ingredients through the final bite of dessert, everything is created with the goal of guest satisfaction.
The Inspiration
In preparation for the opening of Farena, Executive Chef Moose, who was recently named a 2023 40 Under 40 recipient by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, traveled to Italy for ten days, spending time in Sicily, Trento, Barolo and Torino. There, he honed his Italian cooking techniques in the kitchens of local chefs, worked alongside cheesemakers, foraged fresh ingredients with truffle hunters and farmers, visited artisan markets and more. Not only did Chef Moose grow his understanding of the science behind the grain, but he immersed himself in the country’s rich culture, traditions and history.
“Learning about the Italian lifestyle gave me a better understanding of the food. It’s so much more than ingredients -- the entire process is sacred from the ground to the table. Chefs invited us into their homes and kitchens. They were eager to teach and pass on their craft because with it, they are passing on their Italian heritage.”
The immersive trip laid the culinary foundation for Farena. Chef applied the ideologies he learned in Italy when developing the menu and partnered with vendors who focus on quality over quantity. “Authenticity of ingredients is paramount. Italians buy the best ingredients and do the least so the food can speak for itself. Simplicity creates sophistication.”
Chef Moose has always been passionate about teaching and grooming the next generation of chefs in his kitchen. “My job as an Executive Chef is to ensure I pass on the knowledge ingredients to the team because it influences their cooking and in turn, enhances the guest experience.”
Each Farena server and chef must go through a training class to learn about history of each item on the menu from which farm the olive oil was sourced to what dish pairs best with wine.
Reservations for Farena will open on February 1, and can be made online via Resy or by calling the restaurant at 682-318-2810.
ABOUT LOEWS ARLINGTON HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER
Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center is a state-of-the-art, full-service meetings and resort destination that caters to groups of all sizes, as well as families who are looking for a world-class experience in the epicenter of the premier sports and entertainment district in the country. Centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth between iconic sports stadiums, Globe Life Field, home of the 2023 World Series Texas Rangers and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, the 888-room resort features five restaurants and lounges, two pools with an authentic sandy beach, cabanas and a water slide as well as a fitness center, full-service spa and salon and 266,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
Loews Arlington Hotel is the second Loews Hotel in Arlington, Texas, joining the iconic sports resort, Live! By Loews - Arlington. For more information and to make reservations, please visit www.loewshotels.com/arlington-hotel or call 682-318-2810.
Media Contact: Lisa Garland | lisa.garland@loewshotels.com
