This Week in Gluttony can be summed up in two words: pie and beer. The latter, of course, refers to North Texas Beer Week, which runs through Sunday, November 9. A few events are listed below, but you can get the full list here.
If pie — or pastry, for that matter — is more to your taste, then grab a fork. And BYO mug for coffee.
Tuesday, November 4
Brooklyn Brewery Beer Dinner with Garrett Oliver at Meddlesome Moth
Author and Brooklyn brewmaster Garrett Oliver hosts a seven-beer, six-course dinner as part of North Texas Beer Week. The event starts with a meet-and-greet pint with Oliver; dinner follows with courses such as truffle pudding, scallop sausage and fried tofu prepared by chef David McMillan and team. After dinner, guests can get their books signed. Dinner costs $80 and starts at 6 pm. Buy tickets online.
Wednesday, November 5
"Thai Me Up" Dinner at Malai Kitchen
Chef Paul Singhapong of CrushCraft Thai joins the Malai team to create a six-course dinner paired with house-brewed, Asian-style beers. Courses include Vietnamese crepes, grilled quail salad and oxtail soup. Dinner begins at 7 pm and costs $60 per person. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Call 214-599-7857 to secure a spot.
Wednesday, November 5
Lazaranda Third Anniversary Celebration(s)
On November 5, chef Antonio Marquez hosts a celebratory five-course dinner featuring seasonal Mexican cuisine paired with Roca Patron Tequila. A champagne toast kicks off at 7 pm, followed by dinner. On November 6, guests can attend Lazaranda's anniversary party and enjoy $4 house margaritas, $3 Dos Equis, $4 rib-eye tacos and $8 pomegranate margaritas. To purchase tickets for the chef dinner, call 972-866-8900.
Thursday, November 6
Epic Brewing Company Beer Dinner at Flying Saucer on the Lake
This dinner features four courses — beef tartare, cayenne-dusted apples with pulled pork, brisket popovers and pumpkin s'more bread pudding — paired with five beers. The event includes an appearance by special guest Michael Malachowski of Epic Brewing Company. Tickets are $60 each, and you can buy them by calling 972-226-0725. The fun begins at 6:30 pm at Flying Saucer's Garland location.
Friday, November 7
Slow Food Dallas Second Annual Coffee and Pie, Oh My! at Davis Street Espresso
Baristas from Davis Street Espresso pour coffee while Emporium Pies offers two flavors not found in their Oak Cliff store: The Trifecta, a chocolate chip bourbon pecan pie with shortbread crust, and Drop Dead Gourdeous, a spicy pumpkin pie with gingerbread crust. Tickets are good for a piece of pie and all the coffee you can drink. Ticket holders are encouraged to bring their own mugs to cut down on waste. Tickets cost $20 per ticket or two for $35, and you can buy them online. All proceeds benefit Slow Food Dallas and its food literacy education efforts. The event goes down from 7-10 pm.
North Texas Beer Week Brewer's Ball at Renaissance Dallas Hotel
Approximately 40 breweries from Texas and beyond are participating in this first-time event. Brewers provide one unique or debut beer, plus one of their staple beers. Dallas restaurants — including Meddlesome Moth, East Hampton Sandwich Company and Malai Kitchen — whip up small bites to be served throughout the evening. The event kicks off at 7 pm, and tickets cost $125. Buy them online.
Saturday, November 8
Pop-Up Celebrity Pastry Chef Bake Sale with Nicolas Blouin at Empire Baking Company
Empire welcomes Tastemaker Award-winning pastry chef Nicolas Blouin of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek for a charitable event featuring Blouin's French-inspired pastries. This ongoing pop-up series give the public a chance to meet the masters behind the creations, and each chef selects the beneficiary for the event. This time, 100 percent of the proceeds go to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. The events runs from 10 am-2 pm at Empire's Lovers Lane location — or until it sells out.
Sunday, November 9
Sixth Annual Fall Pie Contest at Vickery Meadows Local Market
Think you can bake a pie as well as a pastry chef? Then this contest is for you. It's also for you if you like to eat pie. Contestants provide samples at a public tasting from noon until 2 pm. After that, market attendees judge the competition and decide winners in the categories of fruit, nut, chocolate, cream/custard, savory and youth. Pie crusts and fillings must be homemade. Winners in each category receive gift certificates for Vickery Meadows Local Market or White Rock Local Market. Contestants pay $10 per entry and must provide two pies per entry. Deadline for registration is November 7. To register, go online or call 214-797-4989. Tasting tickets can be purchased day of for $5 at the VMLM information desk.
The Flying Saucer on Lake Ray Hubbard is hosting an Epic Brewing Company beer dinner on November 6.
A variety of dishes at Luna Roja.Photo courtesy of Luna Roja
The bar area, which looks out to the patio.Photo courtesy of Luna Roja