For nearly two decades Lynae Fearing has made a name for herself as co-founder of the trifecta of hip neighborhood restaurants on Inwood Road at Lovers Lane. She considers herself a lifelong student of Dallas’ evolving culinary landscape, her work shaped by a nuanced understanding of the neighborhoods, diners, and restaurateurs that define the city. Indeed, Fearing’s restaurant concepts reflect both neighborhood familiarity and global influence.
The Beginning
As a Dallas native, Fearing worked in restaurants to pay for her schooling. In college she met her future husband, Dean Fearing, who was on his way to becoming one of Dallas best-known chefs. Fast forward 15 years, Fearing and a group of girlfriends who were also married to chefs got together for dinner about once a month. During one of those dinners, she met Tracy Rathbun. They started talking about Yamaguchi’s, a restaurant in their neighborhood that they both frequented and found out was closing soon. One thing led to another, and they decided to buy it.
Fearing and Rathbun opened the popular Asian fusion restaurant, Shinsei, in 2006, showcasing modern Asian cuisine in a relaxed yet elevated setting. The name means “rebirth” or “new beginning,” a promise that Fearing says is realized “each time our friends join our table.” The menu features fresh fish, flown in daily for nigiri and sashimi along with inventive rolls and other Pan-Asian inspirations. Shinsei was an immediate success, receiving rave reviews and multiple accolades. And it still ranks among OpenTable’s 100 Best Restaurants in America.
Photos by Chase Hall Photography
Expansion Unleashed: The Journey Continues
Next came Lovers Seafood and Market. It replaced Rex’s Seafood Market in 2017. “It pulls in flavors and ethos of the Eastern Seaboard—drawing inspiration from the Hamptons, Nantucket, and Cape Cod,” Fearing explains. The menu includes oysters, shrimp, king crab and fresh fish. But Lovers Seafood also has a great burger (It won yet another “Top Burgers in Dallas” accolade, most recently from Modern Luxury). And Sunday night is a fried chicken dinner tradition.
The third restaurant, Dea, opened in 2022 next door to Shinsei, offering a fine dining Italian experience. Rebranded as Perch Bistro and Bar in 2024, its name “Perch” was aspired by its surrounding “Bird Streets” neighborhood. Fearing explains, “When you come to Perch Bistro and Bar, you come home. It’s your home perch!” Perch retains some of Dea’s Italian menu items while adding French and American dishes, making it a choice for regular dining with family and friends, or an equally enticing choice for date night or celebrating a special celebration.
The People Behind the Plate: Building a Legacy of Hospitality
A loyal team at the three restaurants has always shared the owners’ commitment to an uncommon level of dining experience. “When you decide to dine with us, we want to be the bright spot in your day,” says Fearing.
Shuji Sugawara, “a cult icon and Dallas’ hottest sushi chef” has been at Shinsei since its opening. And Janet Beckstein transitioned from the Fairmont Hotel to become Shinsei’s General Manager in 2020. The General Management team also includes Jodi Morris at Lovers Seafood and Breana Beckstein at Perch. Geri Schorlemer is going on 15 years in her role as the restaurant group’s Operations Director. Roman Murphy became Culinary Director in 2022 and continues in his role as Executive Chef for the restaurant trio.
An essential aspect of Fearing’s work is the integration of wine and cocktails into the core of the hospitality experience—not as afterthoughts or pairings, but as meaningful, expressive components of the menu. She works closely with her Beverage Directors and regularly collaborates with sommeliers and beverage experts to design drinks that reflect culinary intent.
FAR Hospitality Transitions Into Fearing Restaurant Group in 2025
Over nearly 20 years, the partners were hands-on in every sense—ever present in the restaurants, engaging with guests, mentoring staff, and ensuring every detail of the guest experience feels personal and intentional. Both were astute at juggling the demands of running the popular restaurants and raising their children.
But now as empty nesters, their priorities changed. And this summer, Fearing bought out Rathbun to become the sole owner of Shinsei, Lovers Seafood and Perch.
Fearing’s New Chapter
With local connections, a quest for culinary exploration, and personal accessibility, Fearing continues to achieve in a way that few in the industry can do consistently. When she’s not making her rounds at Shinsei, Lovers Seafood, or Perch, the culinary world remains her fascination. Whether exploring in- or out-of-town, she’s always on the hunt for fresh ideas. She greatly values time with friends and family, including her two sons, Jaxson and Campbell, who are now 27 and 25 years old.
Her spirit of continuous evolution, combined with her boots-on-the-ground presence, makes Fearing’s restaurants feel less like operations and more like extensions of the neighborhoods they serve.
