A hipster motel with superstar chef-affiliated restaurant has debuted in Stephenville, 78 miles southwest of Fort Value: The Interstate Inn is now open for in a single day lodging with 33 distinctively outfitted rooms that summon the ’60s. Its on-site restaurant, The Seeker — a contemporary Texas delicacies idea created by Southwest chef Stephan Pyles — will open January 30.
The Interstate Inn is known as for its location on the intersection of two main highways — US-281 and US-67 — the Interstate was previously a Caravan Inn that first opened in 1965. The event comes from Mod Motels, a Dallas-based hotelier led by siblings Lisa Lennox, Cathy Bonner, and Kirk Bonner. The trio has a ardour for traipsing small city Texas highways to rework roadside motels into dreamy locations. (Different upcoming initiatives on their listing embody The Mimi on Predominant in Fredericksburg – slated for 2026 – and Iron Springs Lodge in Whitney, set to open later this yr.)
Every of the 33 rooms pops with a retro-styled wallpaper in daring patterns with shades of fuchsia, orange, and yellow. Shag rugs and curvy furnishings dot the premises in each indoor and outside seating areas. The outside pool evokes Palm Springs with its pale pink chaise lounge chairs and turquoise and white umbrellas.
Two rooms function cheeky period-era surprises: a waterbed, and a vibrating mattress operated by a classic coin machine. (“Strive it you’ll prefer it,” the coin collector says.)
There’s additionally a 1960 white Cadillac Coupe Deville convertible with pink leather-based inside that sits on the Inn’s circle drive for photograph alternatives upon arrival. The car is a part of Lisa and her husband Eddie’s automotive assortment.
Design credit score goes to Neal Stewart Designs of Dallas, who additionally included Western touches with art work by Texas artists in rooms and the foyer space, and items from the proprietor’s non-public collections. Charges begin at $329 an evening.
The Seeker
As for the collaboration with Pyles on The Seeker, Lennox says it was a pure match.
“His means to raise each dish with creativity and precision completely aligns with the elevated expertise we try to supply at Interstate Inn and The Seeker,” she says. “What higher place to showcase his culinary genius than on the gateway to the Hill Nation and the start of West Texas? We’re thrilled to have such an iconic determine as a part of our journey.”
With a extra fashionable design than the Inn, The Seeker is anchored by a 360-degree craft cocktail bar and gives sales space, banquette, and desk seating for practically 90, a coated patio space for 40, and a separate non-public area known as the Cork Room that may accommodate as much as 80 and options Asian-inspired wall artwork and a ceiling manufactured from cork.
From the primary eating room friends can see the open kitchen the place Pyles and his staff will put together upscale Texas dishes like grilled bobwhite quail salad with port poached pear, arugula, compressed beets, and native Veldhuizen blue cheese ($18), and lobster tamale pie with paddlefish caviar ($21). “Massive Plates” vary from Pyles’ honey-fried hen ($24) to a bone-in cowboy ribeye ($59). Different objects embody an array of salmon, ahi tuna, and shrimp ceviches ($14 every or strive all three for $25), and “Masa,” which incorporates Wagyu brisket tacos ($12) and pork stomach huarache ($12).
There’s additionally a “Breads & Pickles” class influenced by Southern flavors providing Shiner Boch beer bread ($10), blue corn skillet sticks ($10), and watermelon rind pickles ($8). “Candy Endings” vary from butterscotch pudding ($10) to Heaven and Hell Cake ($12) made with peanut butter powder and raspberry sorbet.
Pyles may have a presence within the restaurant early on and all year long for menu planning, staffing, and coaching. He’ll additionally host six culinary weekend getaways per yr, the primary of which is scheduled for Valentine’s weekend. The bundle features a two-night keep beginning Friday, February 14 starting with a night of champagne and candies from Katherine Clapner, of Dude, Candy Chocolate and a protégé of Pyles. A Saturday morning Valentine’s cooking class will probably be hosted by Martha Hopkins, writer of Intercourse: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook. There’ll be a four-course dinner Saturday night time with drink pairings, and a Sunday morning “Brunch Fiesta” that includes tacos, tamales, and tequila. The worth is $1,250 per particular person for double occupancy or $1,500 for single occupancy.
