This Week In Gluttony

You are bound to learn something at this week's top Dallas food events

Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away, and if you are tasked with planning a date, the pressure is on. Sure, you could take your special someone out for a romantic dinner for two or spoil her with gifts. But if you really want to impress, you will cook the meal yourself.

This week, there are plenty of opportunities to sharpen your kitchen skills — whether you want to prepare health-conscious meals or decadent desserts. If you say to hell with Valentine’s Day, there are wine events and a hot chocolate-fueled run to satisfy your independent, food-driven spirit.

Tuesday, February 3

Easy But Impressive Chocolate Desserts at Central Market Lovers
James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Alice Medrich teaches you how to make three chocolate desserts that rely on simple techniques to produce sensational flavors: chocolate budini sundae, chocolate tweed torte and chocolate fudge layer cake. In this class you’ll gain confidence as a baker, discover new techniques and sample your delicious creations. Tickets are $65, and the class starts at 6:30 pm. Reserve your seats online.

Wednesday, February 4

Sommelier for a Day at III Forks
Have you ever wanted to be a sommelier at a fine-dining restaurant with a world-class wine cellar? Now is your chance. III Forks offers a Sommelier for a Day opportunity on the first Wednesday of each month from 5-7 pm, during which guests can help select featured wines for the coming month. For $20 per person, attendees sample six wines selected by the steakhouse’s wine director and enjoy hand-passed paired hors d’oeuvre created by executive chef Chris Vogeli. February’s theme is Merlot. Call 972-267-1776 for reservations.

Chef’s Table Wine Dinner With Joel Harloff at Bridge Bistro
Don’t miss this delicious winter wine dinner featuring cuisine by chef Joel Harloff and wine by Oak Cliff Cellars. Dishes includes butter-poached shrimp with pearl cous cous salad, panko fried braised pork shoulder, herb-roasted salmon, and a grape- and wine-poached pear with spiced ricotta. Cost is $65 per person; reserve a spot online. Dinner begins at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, February 7

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k at Fair Park
Run through Fair Park with more than 14,000 expected participants and then celebrate crossing the finish line with indulgent, chocolaty treats. All participants receive an official swag bag, including a luxurious, fleece-lined hoodie and drawstring bag. New for the season, all 15k finishers receive the official Hot Chocolate Finisher Medal. Runners can also sign up for the “Go the Extra Mile” program to raise money for charities. Registration costs range from $44-$74. The race begins at 7:30 pm.

Cooking Class With Samir Dhurandhar and Wil Larsen of Nick & Sam’s at Dallas Farmers Market
The American Institute of Wine & Food and the Dallas Farmers Market Friends present a series of cooking classes with renowned local chefs demonstrating their favorite dishes inspired by fresh produce from the market. This one features Wil Larsen and Samir Dhurandhar of Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse. Cost is $25 per person in advance (by Thursday before class to be attended), $30 at the door or $110 for the entire series. For reservations, call 214-653-8088 or secure your spot online. Class starts at 11:30 am.

Sunday, February 8

Cooking Demonstrations at Modmarket Preston Hollow
Join Chef Nate this weekend for free farm-fresh cooking demonstrations at the new Preston Hollow Village restaurant. He shows you how to whip up some of Modmarket’s most popular breakfast, lunch and dinner items; you get to sample them all. Each attendee may bring one guest. Space is limited, and you must register. There are two classes, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, both at 9 am.

Bridge Bistro is hosting a wine dinner with Joel Harloff on February 4.

Bridge Bistro Facebook

Bridge Bistro is hosting a wine dinner with Joel Harloff on February 4.

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Smoothie News

Healthy smoothie chain from the Northeast makes Dallas-area debut

Fresh Monkee

Fresh Monkee smoothies

A smoothie chain from the Northeast has landed in Dallas-Fort Worth: Called Fresh Monkee, it's a chain from Connecticut that made its DFW debut in Richardson at 3501 Custer Pkwy. #119, in the Custer Creek shopping center, where it opened July 1.

Fresh Monkee was founded by entrepreneur Judy Flynn in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 2014. It has since expanded to 20 locations across 15 states. Four locations are planned for Texas, including Austin and Houston. The Richardson location is from franchisees Anam and Omer Nawab.

In a release, Flynn notes that many smoothie places rely on sugary fruit blends and "strange" powders.

"Most juice bars strip away the fiber from fruits and veggies, which is essential for a healthy gut and feeling satisfied," Flynn says in a press release. "I was convinced we could do better."

Their menu includes 30 varieties: fruit smoothies, green smoothies, chocolate smoothies, and coffee smoothies, with seasonal flavors such as the summer-ready watermelon strawberry limeade shake.

Notable options include:

Chunkee Monkee — milk, chocolate or vanilla protein powder, banana, and peanut butter
Filthy Monkee — milk, chocolate protein powder, brownie protein bar, and peanut butter
Coffee Buzz — milk, a splash of cream, chocolate protein powder, coffee cubes, vanilla extract, and Stevia
Orange Cream — milk, orange juice, vanilla protein, and a whole orange
Maui Colada — coconut milk, orange juice, vanilla protein, unsweetened coconut shreds, pineapple, and mango

They also carry a protein ball snack with peanut butter, oat flour, chocolate whey protein, and maple syrup, rolled in coconut oil and chocolate chips.

Each location has indoor seating, including couches and tables, but they're mainly a to-go concept.

Another pair of franchisees, Clarence Gadapati and Karuna Annavajjala, are opening a location in Arlington, at 5904 S. Cooper St. #120, in the Sublett Corners center, where it will open in August.

openings