This Week in Gluttony

Massive margarita bash tops best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Dallasites are likely dusting off their lawn chairs and firing up their grills in preparation for the Memorial Day weekend. They may also be hunting down the brand new Cousins Maine Lobster food truck — recognizable from Shark Tank, The Chew, Food Network andthe Today Show — which is serving lobster rolls and more all this week. (Check out full schedule here.)

For those who hate to break tradition, here is your usual roundup of the week’s tastiest food events:

Tuesday, May 19

Deschutes Beer Tasting at Whole Foods Plano
A representative from Oregon brewery Deschutes brings some wonderful goodies to celebrate the end of American Craft Beer Week. He also has a few brews to share. Admission is free, but you have to register. The event kicks off at 7 pm.

Thursday, May 21

Craft Beer and Artisan Cheese Pairing at Community Beer Company
Rare Edibles cheesemonger Ali Morgan continues her quest to bring together our favorite fermentables: cheese and beer. The event features four select craft brews, each paired with complimentary and contrasting cheeses. That’s four beers and eight cheeses for only $30. The event kicks off at 6 pm.

Deep Ellum Wine Walk
Pick up a glass and a passport for $10 outside of Kettle Art Gallery and embark on a sip-and-shop tour of this historic neighborhood. Starting at 5 pm, enjoy wine samplings at each participating venue; get your passport stamped at five or more destinations to be entered for a chance to win gift certificates at the drawing held at the check-in table immediately following the event.

May Dinner at Urban Acres Farmstead
Be a part of this local, organic and sustainable culinary event celebrating spring and the early bounty of local farmers and purveyors. The five-course, BYOB meal costs $85 per person and begins at 6:30 pm.

Raymond Vineyards Wine Dinner at Ser Steak + Spirits
Executive chef (and Tastemaker Rising Star Chef nominee) Anthony Van Camp teams up with French chef Michou Cornu from Raymond Vineyards for a decadent five-course dinner. Courses include day boat sea scallops with cauliflower, lamb tenderloin, Comte tuile and Manchego with endive and beets, and chocolate crème brûlée. Another special guest, Raymond Vineyards winemaking director Stephanie Putnam, shares her passion with guests. Dinner is $149 per person and starts with a 6:30 pm reception. Call 214-761-7479 for reservations.

Friday, May 22

La Marzocco on the Road at Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters
Love good coffee? This event is for you. Your favorite espresso machines and grinders are on display, specifically the Linea Mini and the Lux-D Grinder; baristas are welcome to come and try them out. Guests can also enjoy snacks and beer throughout the night. The event lasts from 6-9 pm, and it is free to attend, but you have to register.

Saturday, May 23

Thai Culture & Food Festival at Buddhist Center of Dallas
Experience Thai culture through authentic cuisine (including vegan options), dance performances, fruit carving and Muay Thai demonstrations, handcrafted Thai arts and gifts, and tours of the temple. Best news ever: Admission and parking are free. The festival runs through Sunday. Hours are Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm, and Sunday, 11 am-7 pm.

Sunday, May 24

Dallas Margarita Meltdown at Bishop Arts District
Witness a mixology throwdown between some of the best restaurants and bars in Dallas. Starting at 4 pm, competitors concoct their finest margaritas and offer tastes to the public. Tickets includes samples of more than 20 different libations from more than 30 establishments, and you can vote for your favorite. Participants include El Fenix, Vagabond, Komali, C’Viche, Meso Mayo and more. Tickets start at $25.

Monday, May 25

Nickey’s Week at RA Sushi
During this week of giving, the restaurant plans to donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of special Nicky’s Week menu items to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The menu includes edamame, Tootsy Maki, shrimp nigiri, pork gyoza, sesame garlic chicken, garlic citrus yellowtail and certain beverages. Nicky’s Week was developed in memory of St. Jude patient Nicholas “Nicky” Mailliard, of Scottsdale, Arizona. Nicky, the nephew of RA Sushi’s founder, lost a long battle with brain cancer in 2005 at the age of 13. The menu is available at both the Addison and Plano locations through Sunday, May 31.

One hundred percent of proceeds from designated Ra Sushi menu items benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital May 25-31.

Photo courtesy of RA Sushi

One hundred percent of proceeds from designated Ra Sushi menu items benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital May 25-31.

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Where to Drink

Where to drink in Dallas: 7 bars with St. Patrick's Day specials

Velvet Taco

Green margarita with a green velvet cake

It's that time of year again to gather up all your green for St. Patrick's Day. The holiday, which started in Ireland and was introduced to the U.S. in 1737, has evolved to be very boozy. It's definitely a big deal in Dallas, which comes out for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Greenville Avenue in force.

For the March edition of our monthly Where to Drink column, we go green with restaurants and bars offering St. Patrick's day specials:

Fuzzy's
Taco shop chain will bring the luck of the Irish with the Ginger Irish ’Rita, a limited-time cocktail that gives Fuzzy’s signature frozen margarita an orange kick thanks to a float of Jameson Orange, an orange-flavored version of Jameson Irish Whiskey, topped with spicy Q Ginger Ale for $10. Available March 10-May 5.

Kona Grill
Hawaiian restaurant is offering a swath of lucky specials during happy hour. There will be $3 green beer, sake, and seltzer. Featured bites include $6 corned beef sliders available for dine-in and takeout. Available March 14-March 21.

Logan’s Roadhouse
Laid-back steakhouse chain is featuring green beer for $4-$5. They also have a green butter which can be paired with Logan’s rolls. Available at Hurst and Burleson locations March 14–17.

Mexican Bar CompanyMexican Bar Company

Mexican Bar Company
Plano restaurant is celebrating St. Patrick's Day all month long with its drink of the month: Called the Lucky Charm, it's a lively sip featuring basil infused agave, cucumber puree, lime juice, serrano-infused Lalo Blanco Tequila, and a fresh serrano pepper for garnish, if you dare. $17.50.

STK
Uptown steakhouse will offer the Leprechaun Stiletto — made with Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka, St. Germain, cucumber, and mint — during happy hour for $9. Food specials include corned beef sliders, $26 for two. Available March 14-March 21 from 3-6 pm.

Thirsty Lion
Pub chain has cocktail and beer specials including an Irish espresso martini and an Irish old-fashioned, both made with Jameson Whiskey. They'll also be pouring Guinness Stout, Smithwick's Red Ale, and the Blacksmith:: Smithwick's layered with Guinness Stout. Bites include Scotch eggs, Reuben sandwich, and Irish Shepherd's pie. Available at Addison, The Colony, Plano, Las Colinas, and Euless through March 17.

Velvet Taco
Taco chain has two Irish specials: A green margarita with Lunazul blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar.; and a green twist on their red velvet cake, tinted green and topped with Lucky Charms. The margarita is available in small for $5 and large for $8, and the cake is $4.25. Both available from March 17-21.

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