Cane Rosso's owners open The Imperial Room, a 600-square-foot cocktail lounge at The Star

The Dallas restaurant group known for Cane Rosso, Zoli's Pizza and Thunderbird Pies has opened its first cocktail lounge. PILF Restaurant Group opened The Imperial Room on Friday, October 16, at The Star in Frisco.

The lounge is at 3685 The Star Blvd., Ste. 200, right next to the group's Cane Rosso. The space used to be Cow Tipping Creamery, PILF's ice cream shop, which closed in July after about 10 years at The Star. The group pitched the change when it renewed its lease. Founder Jay Jerrier told CultureMap in July that ice cream is "an incredibly seasonal business." In a release about the opening, he said, "We've wanted to open a cocktail lounge for a long time."

The Imperial Room covers just 600 square feet and seats 25 to 30 people. It's decorated in olive and navy, with cozy booths and warm lighting. The lounge is for adults only and can be booked for private parties. Jerrier says New York bars, including Juniper Bar in Manhattan, gave him the idea.

Gabe Sanchez wrote the drink menu. He's a well-known Dallas bartender who has worked at bars including Midnight Rambler and Saint Valentine. His drinks include the Calaboose Old Fashioned, a bourbon-and-grapefruit drink called Clear Skies, and a cantaloupe-infused mezcal drink called Smoky Sunset. The menu also has freezer martinis and mini margaritas and martinis. PILF executive chef Mat Urban made the food menu. It includes plates to share, like focaccia, Caesar salad and n'duja toast, plus larger dishes like agnolotti with vodka sauce.

Starting October 21, the lounge is open 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

This story is based on reporting by CultureMap Dallas, with more details from Community Impact, the Dallas Observer and Frisco STYLE.