Dudes Like Macarons Too

Dallas baker throws Valentine's Day pop-up party with manly macarons

For those hoping to get crafty on Valentine’s Day, Emily Allen has some sweet tricks up her sleeve. The Dallas baker is hosting a Cakewalk Bake Shop Valentine’s Day pop-up at her Bell Jar studio on February 14, from noon-6 pm. But it won’t be all red paper hearts and cupcakes.

For starters, Allen will offer her hand-painted, gilded and Sweetheart candy-inspired macarons in pretty craft paper boxes — ready for gifting or eating on the spot. But she is also debuting her “Man Macs,” a line of snack-time-flavored macarons she recently developed to appeal to the more rugged gender.

“I get so many clients who think men don’t like macarons, so I wanted to make something fun that the ladies could buy their guys,” she says. “I thought it would be fun to play on manly flavors.”

That means versions of the delicate treat in root beer float, s’more, Guinness-infused chocolate stout, and peanut butter and jelly flavors. There is even an unexpectedly sweet Cheetos-n-beans combo. And, yes, you can sample before you buy.

Allen also will offer plenty of her most popular flavors, including lavender, pistachio, lemon ginger, raspberry and vanilla bean. Each box of five costs $14.

Those who wish to customize their gifts can pick their macaron flavors, then head to the Yeti & The Beast station for decorating supplies and DIY heart box kits. Funky extras — think hand-painted “You’re a Gem,” gift tags, leather pens and photo-strip cards — will also be available for purchase from the custom design company.

To preserve those Valentine’s Day memories, Allen has partnered with the Photo Wagon, a vintage 1960s trailer-turned-photo booth, for on-the-spot, prop-packed photos. The wagon will be stationed at the back of the Bell Jar, where guests can snap shots for $5 per strip.

“My hope is that the event is interactive and fun for people,” Allen says. “And not just couples.”

Can’t make it to the event? Fort Worth fans can swing by Shampoo salon or Maven boutique to find her pre-selected and packaged macaron boxes. Or keep an eye on her Facebook page for future pop-up shop dates.

Baker Emily Allen has developed "manly" macaron flavors, which she debuts at her Valentine's Day pop-up shop on February 14.

Photo by Apryl Ann Photography

Baker Emily Allen has developed "manly" macaron flavors, which she debuts at her Valentine's Day pop-up shop on February 14.

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Tea News

New tea at Dallas' Mansion on Turtle Creek is seriously surreal

Mansion on Turtle Creek

Surreal desserts at Mansion on Turtle Creek

Dallas is a little tea crazy these days, but the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek has launched a new tea that stands out as truly surreal: Called the Surrealism Art Afternoon Tea, it's a limited-time immersive culinary experience timed to coincide with the International Surrealism Exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art, and it's open for reservations through March 22, 2026.

According to a release, the Surrealism Art Afternoon Tea transforms The Mansion’s regular afternoon tea into a dreamlike journey, starring a parade of whimsical desserts paired with organic teas and celebratory champagne.

Guests will begin with savory sandwiches, followed by scones and inspired pastries reimagined through Dalí and the surrealistic lens.

The menu is informed by three pastries inspired by surrealistic works of art — two of which take direct inspiration by iconic works of Salvador Dalí. Each pastry draws from the symbolism, whimsy, and surreal visual language of these masterpieces.

These desserts are the centerpieces of the experiencing, evoking dreamscapes that are surreal in form and flavor.

Highlights include:

The Queen of Hearts, inspired by Dalí’s “Playing Card” collection. At first glance it looks like a regular card, but with a closer look you can find an array of traditional and non-traditional symbols and colors.

This pastry features ruby peach jelly, almond sponge and glazed strawberry mousse on a red sable heart, garnished with chocolate decorations and an edible queen of hearts.

The Metamorphosis of Narcissus. Painted in 1937, The Metamorphosis of Narcissus is Dalí’s interpretation of the Greek myth. Focusing on the narcissus flower, which begins to blossom out of Dalí’s egg, the flower symbolizes new beginnings.

This cake is composed of a mango and passion fruit jelly, pistachio financier and vanilla mouse, dipped in passion fruit chocolate and garnished with sugar daffodil and chocolate leaves.

Butterfly Windmill. this surrealist-inspired creation reflects the butterfly as a timeless symbol of freedom, metamorphosis, and transformation, central themes within the Surrealist movement.

The pastry layers citrus crémeux, olive oil cake, and almond–hazelnut praline, encased in Manjari chocolate mousse, glazed, and dipped in yuzu chocolate. A delicate butterfly, crafted from chocolate and sugar, crowns the piece as a final tribute to its symbolism.

The tea is set in the historic 1925 Mansion Library, surrounded by stained‐glass windows in a 16th-century Italian Renaissance-inspired setting. Price is $95, or $115 with a glass of Bollinger Champagne. Reservations are available Saturday and Sunday from 12–2:30 p.m. and may be made on OpenTable.

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