It’s a boozy week in gluttony, as Abacus puts on a wine dinner, Rahr & Sons celebrates turning 9 and Texas Brewvolution puts hundreds of Texas beers at your fingertips. Plus, Pappas Bros. reminds us we’re on the precipice of holiday season thanks to a holiday wine tasting.
If all that seems like too much for your liver, some local chefs, including Graham Dodds and Matt McCallister, are leading a fundraising dinner for the Texas Honeybee Guild. Think about it: You get great food and help out Texas bees. Philanthropy is delicious sometimes.
Tuesday, November 5
Darioush Wine Dinner at Abacus
Abacus hosts a four-course wine dinner paired with selections from Darioush Winery from Napa beginning at 6:30 pm. Pairings include hickory-smoked pheasant breast with cast iron "pot pie" and rainbow chard with a 2009 Capataz Malbec, and a lamb duo of wood-grilled chop and Cabernet-braised breast with glazed piquillo, roasted fingerlings and pimenton demi glace with a 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. Reservations are $175 plus tax and 20 percent gratuity and can be made at 214-520-0151 or annj@kentrathbun.com.
Friday, November 8
Pappas Bros. Holiday Wine Tasting
Pappas Bros. kicks off the holiday season with a wine tasting beginning at 6 pm. The tasting features 12 wines from around the world, including Champagne from France and dessert wines from Australia. Master Sommelier Barbara Werley leads guests on the journey. There are also complimentary bites to pair with the wines. Reservations are $55 plus gratuity and can be made at 214-366-2000.
Saturday, November 9
2013 Texas Brewvolution
Texas Brewvolution kicks off North Texas Beer Week at Centennial Hall at Fair Park beginning at 1 pm. The majority of breweries on hand are from Texas, with more than 100 booths offering several beers for visitors to sample. The event also features live music in the outdoor food and music pavilion, including Shotgun Friday, The Roomsounds and Hanna Barbarians. General admission is $35. VIP tickets are $60 and include a meet-and-greet pre-party the evening before at Craft and Growler, plus early entry and in-and-out access at the festival.
Rahr & Sons Ninth Anniversary Party
Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. celebrates its ninth anniversary with a party and the unveiling of its 9 Year Anniversary Ale. The brewery also has more than 30 of its beers on tap, including several limited editions. Guests receive a commemorative ninth anniversary glass and can enjoy food by Chadra Mezza & Grill and live music by Peace Tree and a surprise blues band. VIP ticket holders get in at 11 am; general admission starts at 12:30 pm, and the event runs to 4 pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $20 for VIP.
Sunday, November 10
More Than Honey Fundraising Dinner
Chefs Graham Dodds, Matt McCallister, Tim Bevins and John Mercer join forces for a fundraising dinner benefiting the Texas Honeybee Guild beginning at 4 pm at Casa Stellina. The chefs are creating seasonal dishes paired with beer from Deep Ellum Brewery and honey-infused cocktails created by mixologist Amber West of Central 214 with vodka, gin and bourbon spirits courtesy of Treaty Oak Distillery. The dinner includes a screening of Marcus Imhoof’s new film, More Than Honey. Seats are $45 and can be purchased online.
Exploration of the Pacific Northwest Dinner
Chef Brian Zenner will lead diners on a culinary journey inspired by the eight years he lived and worked in Portland, Oregon. Courses include Rivers Edge chevre, butternut squash, chanterelle and filbert; Manila clam with Serrano ham and napa cabbage; and gnocchi with Oregon black truffle, Sablefish with black trumpet mushroom. Tickets are $95 per person, plus $45 for wine pairings. Reservations are required; call 214-855-5551.
The More Than Honey dinner on November 10 raises money for the Texas Honeybee Guild.
