This Week's Hot Headlines

Insider foodie news and untimely deaths lead this week's 5 most popular stories

Editor's note: Another week has come and gone, and there's a lot we all probably missed. But we're looking out for you, kid. Here are the most popular stories from this past week:

1. Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 best insider foodie destinations. Staying atop Dallas' dining scene is a quixotic pursuit. There is always the cool new thing, mercilessly eluding you. A person could spend every waking hour trying to keep up. Or they could read this roundup by senior editor and resident foodie Teresa Gubbins.

2. Deep Ellum rocked by trio of sad deaths. An unfortunate trilogy of deaths hit Deep Ellum when three well known regulars died, all within the same week. Punk-rock musician and music lover Brian Alguire died on Wednesday; he was 37. Scott Lastowski, a 39-year-old veteran bartender, also died on Wednesday. His friend David Rell, 39, died on June 2 of natural causes.

3. Where to drink in Dallas right now: 10 top spots for summer happy hour. Maybe you already have a favorite spot that you hit every Thursday and Friday (and every other Wednesday for good measure). But here are some newer options to make every day of the week feel like an occasion to raise your glass.

4. New Sykamore Cafe gives Dallas vegan scene a unique Asian-fusion twist. Sykamore is a family-run spot that opened May 28 in East Dallas. It takes an approach similar to restaurants such as Loving Hut and Veggie Garden (which just closed), by featuring vegan versions of Asian and some Western dishes, with a limited buffet served at peak hours.

5. City of Dallas vows to investigate allegations against Kung Fu Saloon. DeAndre Upshaw took his battle against Kung Fu Saloon to City Hall, and council members were all ears. They vowed to open an investigation into alleged discrimination, and to visit the arcade bar themselves, which they did that evening.

Tacos taste better at 3 am.

Velvet Taco Facebook

Tacos taste better at 3 am.

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This week in gluttony

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Hotel Crescent Court & LoveShackFancy

Celebrate spring with a garden tea party and pop-up shop.

Spring is officially here and there’s a two-day, floral-themed afternoon tea party with shopping to celebrate. Also get ready for backyard barbecuing with a pitmaster class. Multiple pairing dinners, including wine, whiskey, and tequila, help round out the list. Save room for a soul food festival by Sunday.

Tuesday, March 21

Herman Marshall Whiskey Dinner at Urban Rio
Experience Wylie-based Herman Marshall Whiskey during this four-course pairing dinner at Urban Rio Cantina & Grill in Plano. The $70 ticket includes tax and gratuity. Dinner begins at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, March 23

Taste of Texas at Elm Street Cask & Kitchen
It's an evening of Texas fare including dinner, meet-and-greet with Texas spirit vendors, and a local musician performing tunes from Texas-born artists. Menu by chef Jasmine Copeland includes venison with sweet potato, crab, red ceviche, Texas BBQ oyster, bison short rib, and pecan cheesecake, and is accompanied by Texas wine, beer, and bourbon. Diners get take-home recipes and goodies. It runs from 6:30-9:30 pm and is $130, with attendance limited to 30 guests. Reserve online.

Tequila Dinner at Cantina Laredo
Get a taste of Mexico City during this four-course dinner at Cantina Laredo in Frisco. Each course will be paired with a different cocktail made with Tequila Corazon. Courses include ceviche, fresh asparagus soup, choice of red snapper or New York strip, and mixed berries with tequila cream. Dinner is $79.99, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 7 pm. Call 214-618-9860 for reservations.

Saturday, March 25

Pitmaster University at OAK’D
Learn how to smoke brisket with the best of them during this Saturday morning barbecue class. OAK’D chef and pitmaster Michael Lane will lead the instruction, sharing his secrets on selecting and trimming meat, controlling temps and timing, and creating rubs and marinades. The hands-on class is $99 and will run from 8-9:30 am.

LoveShackFancy Afternoon High Tea at Hotel Crescent Court
The vintage-inspired feminine lifestyle brand LoveShackFancy Dallas will partner with Hotel Crescent Court to host a whimsical garden tea party and pop-up shop Saturday and Sunday. Wear your fanciest floral dress and visit the hotel for flower-laden tablescapes and a multi-course menu, including caviar, lobster salad on pumpernickel bread, roasted duck with apricot glaze, and strawberry chiffon cake. The $225 ticket, plus a service fee and tax, includes a $100 gift card to the LoveShackFancy pop-up shop and a canvas tote bag. Add endless bubbly for a ticket price of $250. Seating times are 10 am and 12 pm on Saturday and 12 pm and 2 pm on Sunday.

Sunday, March 26

Selena Brunch at Peticolas Brewing Company
The Dallas brewery will commemorate the life and music of the Tejano superstar, who died tragically on March 31, 1995. Visit from 11 am-3 pm to hear her music (there’ll be room to dance) and enjoy food trucks serving tacos, burgers, pizzas, and even Selena-themed cookies. The brewery will also bring back their michelada and beermosa bar for the occasion. The first 50 people to arrive in Selena-themed gear will get a rose.

Doughnut Pairing at Oak Highlands Brewery
Chef Diana Zamora and her Nena Postreria bakery concept are partnering with the brewery for a doughnut pairing, combining four brews with four gourmet doughnuts including a corn cake doughnut with Mexican whiskey caramel, pan dulce, al pastor empanada, and a Bunuelo Mexican fried cinnamon sugar, paired with Raspberry Porter. It starts at 11 am and it's $20. Reserve tickets online.

Dallas Soul Food Festival
There’ll be live music, kids’ activities, and soul food galore during this Sunday afternoon festival to be held at The Lofty Spaces at 816 Montgomery St. Prepare to indulge in pork chops, oxtails, candied yams, greens, fried chicken, fish, barbecue, funnel cake, tacos, and even vegan options. Food will be available for purchase from individual vendors and admission is free with an RSVP. The festival will run from 12-6 pm.

Monday, March 27

Euro Trip Wine Dinner at Urban Seafood
The Plano seafood destination will take diners on a trip around Europe during this four-course wine dinner. Each course will be paired with a different European wine. The $95 ticket includes tax and gratuity. Dinner begins at 6:30 pm.

Pitmaster University Selena Brunch Tequila Dinner news-you-can-eat