This Week in Gluttony

Endless Super Bowl Sunday wings and more top food events in Dallas this week

Because it’s the week before the Super Bowl, there is not a lot going on in the world of food events, as people are preparing to devour wing after wing and beer after beer to drown out the pain of the Cowboys’ narrowly missing their chance to punch their ticket to the big show.

However, if you couldn’t care less about whether the Seahawks or the Patriots walk away with the win, there are classes on chocolate, wine and French cooking; a steakhouse wine dinner; and an icy Russian festival.

Tuesday, January 27

Dark Chocolate Lover’s Class at Kessler Baking Studio
Learn about chocolate; where it comes from; and how to make desserts and other elegant treats such as chocolate bowls, chocolate-dipped berries, truffles and chocolate mousse. In this workshop, taste a selection of four dark chocolate bars and compare and discuss their attributes — similar to how it’s done at a wine tasting. Everyone gets to taste and take home samples. This class costs $50 and starts at 7 pm. Reserve your spot online.

Wednesday, January 28

Wine 101: Unlocking the Mystery of Wine at Messina Hof Grapevine
Messina Hof’s in-house sommelier guides you through the basics of wine knowledge in a fun, non-intimidating setting. How is wine aged? What are the different styles of wine? What do all of those fancy terms mean anyway? Learn the answers to these burning questions and more. The class is only $20 per person and reservations are suggested; call 817-442-8463. The class begins at 6 pm.

Friday, January 30

Keenan Wine Dinner at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Join Napa Valley-based winery owner Michael Keenan for Pappas Bros.’ first wine dinner of 2015. Courses include pan-seared swordfish, dry-aged Colorado lamb chops, a strip loin tasting (dry-aged and Japanese Waygu) served with potato purée and roasted vegetables, and a mocha parfait. This dinner costs $195 a person and starts at 7 pm. Reservations can be made by calling 214-366-2000.

Russian Winter Festival at Hotel St. Germain
This is Dallas’ chance to celebrate the annual festival traditionally observed during the brutal Russian winter just before Lent. Get your coat and gloves, because the night starts at 7 pm in a Russian-style ice pavilion. At the ice bar, partake in vodka shots served in shot glasses made of solid ice while enjoying caviar hors d’oeuvre. The festivities continue inside for a multicourse dinner of Russian and Eastern European tasting plates paired with vodka and sparkling Russian and French wines. Call 214-871-2516 to reserve your spot. The festival runs Friday and Saturday, at a cost of $95 per night.

Saturday, January 31

Flavors of France Cooking Class at Sur la Table
Work alongside other classmates to prepare a meal of authentic French favorites. The instructor demonstrates essential techniques for everything from blanching vegetables to cooking steak. Learn to easily prepare béarnaise sauce and vinaigrette from scratch; finish on a sweet note with a scrumptious tarte tatin. The class starts at 10 am and costs $69. Reserve your spot online.

Sunday, February 1

We realize every bar in town is likely showing the big game, but here are a few spots that are doing something special:

The Gin Mill
The fun kicks off at 5 pm with half-price flatbread pizzas and $3 domestic and Mexican longnecks.

Henderson Tap House
Book your tickets here for various reserved seating that includes beer, pizza and wings. Reservation packages range from $200-$3,000.

The Owner’s Box at Omni Dallas
A cover charge of $25 gets you in the bar to experience the game on one of the myriad TVs. Game-day specials include Seattle Seahawks smoked salmon pizza and New England Patriots clam chowder.

The Rustic
Watch the Super Bowl on a 25-foot flat screen. For $12.95, enjoy endless wings during the game.

Three Sheets
Brunch with $2 mimosas until 3 pm at Uptown, downtown and Rockwall locations. Call for game-viewing group reservations, 214-298-3836.

The Russian Winter Festival is happening at Hotel St. Germain on January 30- 31.

Photo courtesy of Hotel St. Germain

The Russian Winter Festival is happening at Hotel St. Germain on January 30- 31.

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Today's Seafood News

Dallas seafood king Shell Shack to expand with new location

Shell Shack

Seafood boil with potatoes and corn from Shell Shack

A pioneering DFW chain is heading into 2026 with an expansion: Shell Shack, the Dallas-born seafood favorite known for its spicy seafood boils, is opening a new location in Arlington on the south side at 4000 Five Points Blvd. #101.

The location is a former Sleep Experts store, initially slated to become a Paris Baguette (which has since opened a location in Mansfield).

According to a release, Shell Shack will open on April 27, with an opening special on crawfish at $7 per pound from April 27-May 3. (It's usually $10 per pound.)

Shell Shack was founded by entrepreneur Dallas Hale in Uptown Dallas in 2013, with their first location at 2916 McKinney Ave. They left that address in 2018 to relocate to 2326 Henderson Ave. Hale sold the company in 2021 and sadly passed away in his sleep in 2025.

The chain has since expanded with locations in Plano, Fort Worth, Mesquite, and Arlington's Lincoln Square, which opened in 2016. They also opened a location in Lake Highlands in 2022 which has since closed. This new location will be their sixth.

They were among the first in town to champion the Louisiana-style seafood boil — a restaurant category that has become widespread across Dallas in the past decade.

In Shell Shack's version, diners choose from seafood options like crab, shrimp, lobster tail, or live crawfish, then a flavor option such as Cajun, garlic, lemon pepper, or Kitchen Sink (a combination of all their flavors in one), plus choice of heat from mild to extra spicy.

Each boil is served hot in a bag with corn, potatoes, and sausage, then poured directly onto the table for a hands-on, communal dining experience.

“The boil is really what defines us — it’s not just a meal, it’s an experience,” says Director of Operations Mike Colatarci in a statement. “It’s fun, it’s flavorful, and it brings people together in a way that’s memorable.”

Other seafood options include oysters, catfish, and shrimp in a variety of preparations; po’boy sandwiches; gumbo, crab-stuffed tater tots; and crazy crab fries. They also offer non-seafood dishes such as wings, burgers, and fries.

A full-service bar features specialty cocktails with tropical rum, plus low-price $4 domestic beers, $6 imports, and $5 shot specials all day. Happy Hour starts bright and early at 11 am-2 pm, and again from 10 pm to close.

The new Arlington location is opening in one of the region’s fastest-growing communities, with proximity to Fort Worth and bustling Mansfield.

“We’ve been watching this area for years, and with the growth and energy happening here, the timing is finally right,” Colatarci says.

The restaurant spans 3,727 square feet and has seating for 161, including a 22-seat patio. The space features trademark design elements like lobster trap light fixtures, a nautical-inspired host stand, and an open-concept kitchen, as well as a lively, colorful atmosphere, designed to be both casual and high-energy.

“This brand started in Dallas and has grown because of the incredible support from our guests,” Colatarci says. “Arlington felt like the natural next step—this location allows us to better connect with guests from Arlington, Fort Worth, and Mansfield while continuing to build on what makes Shell Shack special.”

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