It is hard to believe that a year has passed, and they Heyday team is celebrating a year on Celina Square. This cozy corner of Celina has become a fixture for anyone looking for an elevated cocktail or truly amazing eats in town.
Anthony Morel has prior success with Graffiti Pasta in Denton and The Nook CKMC. After working with Michael McGowan for over 20 years in the industry, Anthony knew it was time to team up. Michael runs the front-ofhouse operations. It is his job to ensure that every customer has an unforgettable, positive experience and that the restaurant is always on point. Wilborn Blalock, the master mixologist, has been instrumental in bringing the team’s vision for elevated cocktails to life. It didn’t take long for Anthony to realize that while he loved creating and designing fresh seasonal food, his skills only took him so far, so he wanted someone to lead Heyday’s kitchen. The opportunity arose in December 2024 to add Chef Joey Dawkins to the team, and since then, the menu has elevated to the next level of greatness.
When you sit down with these guys, you can't help but be reassured by their high standards. They share a common commitment to excellence, but it's their meticulous approach that truly sets them apart. Whether they're crafting a new menu, brainstorming changes to the restaurant, planning a big event, or dreaming up a new concept, their attention to detail is always evident. The day we met, they were putting the finishing touches on their fall menu, discussing the perfect harmony of pears that they could create in both their food and cocktails.
So what has this creative team from Heyday come up with to engage us this fall? In the kitchen, the focus is on comfort food that has been enhanced with the best cuts of meat and the highest quality ingredients. If you want an experience beyond the typical pumpkin spice everything, their flavors of fall make you think of cozy, crisp fall nights, warm harvest foods that make you nostalgic for that "fall feeling". Fresh apples, pears, cranberries, figs, squash, sweet potatoes, pecans, along with maple syrup for sweetening, and sage, rosemary, and thyme bring savory and earthy notes to any dish.
The goal of Heyday is not just to be a creative and leading bar and kitchen, but a zero-waste establishment. This means that seasonal fruit used to make a sauce for an elevated fall specialty might also be used to create a syrup for a special seasonal cocktail. Their passion to partner locally with businesses, such as 1418 Coffee to make the best espresso martini in the area and Granny's Bakery for fresh bread and baked goods, is a testament to their commitment to sustainability and the community.
In their second year, Heyday is not slowing down. Anthony shared that they are excited to add a year-round patio and extend the kitchen to serve more customers and host more events. The patio, wrapping around the west side of the restaurant, will include extra seating, accommodate larger parties, and allow for more reservations. This expansion is a testament to their commitment to providing a top-notch dining experience.
Now with the second holiday season approaching, the team is happy to have the opportunity to plan their unique "Taste of the Season", including holiday events and menus. Keep an eye out for their Holiday "Make Your Own" Cocktail Parties, exceptional food and drink pairing events, and live entertainment.
Anthony's company, ACM Creative Concepts, continues to see growth and expansion at his other restaurants, including The Nook CKMC, which opened in 2020 in the Light Farms Neighborhood, and Graffiti Pasta, which opened in 2022 in Denton. We can look forward to more Sip and Shop events at The Nook, as well as cigar nights for the guys, and whisky tasting parties, wine and dinner pairing events to explore local distilleries and wineries.
The Celina Square hosts a full calendar of events throughout the fall and winter, offering opportunities for community members and neighbors to enjoy and experience all that Celina has to offer. It is easy to see how a rising tide lifts all ships. The success of Heyday and other shops and businesses on the square and around Celina helps to build a base for this dream team of restaurant groups to launch successful concepts in the Celina community.
The creative team at Heyday has some exciting ventures up its sleeves. When the minds of Anthony, Michael, Joey, and Wilborn get together, we all know something amazing will happen.
322 W. Walnut, Celina, TX
The goal of Heyday is not just to be a creative and leading bar and kitchen, but a zero-waste establishment.
In the kitchen, the focus is on comfort food that has been enhanced with the best cuts of meat and the highest quality ingredients.