Well, I'm not sure if they are/were directly competing against Abacus, but definitely against Juniper, Prhyme, Chalkboard, Flemings, Polo Grill, and others. At that price point, you better get it right. And based on some of the recent reviews, they were starting to falter.
They weren't competing against Abacus - Abacus says they are Asian-Fusion. And Dallas area generally won't be much competition except for someone like me crazy enough to do a road trip for dinner. Don't really know about the labels, just know the couple times I have been there it was pretty good. (Should be for the prices they charge!)
My favorite in Dallas is a little pricey, and a chain, but I just can't resist the ettouffe's at Pappadeaux! Love the alligator, but they haven't had it the last couple times I was there.
Yeah, perfection is mandatory at that point! Even at Dead Lobster level they better get it close to right...which too often they don't. Just wonder sometimes how they stay in business?