This Week In Gluttony

You are bound to learn something at this week's top Dallas food events

Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away, and if you are tasked with planning a date, the pressure is on. Sure, you could take your special someone out for a romantic dinner for two or spoil her with gifts. But if you really want to impress, you will cook the meal yourself.

This week, there are plenty of opportunities to sharpen your kitchen skills — whether you want to prepare health-conscious meals or decadent desserts. If you say to hell with Valentine’s Day, there are wine events and a hot chocolate-fueled run to satisfy your independent, food-driven spirit.

Tuesday, February 3

Easy But Impressive Chocolate Desserts at Central Market Lovers
James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Alice Medrich teaches you how to make three chocolate desserts that rely on simple techniques to produce sensational flavors: chocolate budini sundae, chocolate tweed torte and chocolate fudge layer cake. In this class you’ll gain confidence as a baker, discover new techniques and sample your delicious creations. Tickets are $65, and the class starts at 6:30 pm. Reserve your seats online.

Wednesday, February 4

Sommelier for a Day at III Forks
Have you ever wanted to be a sommelier at a fine-dining restaurant with a world-class wine cellar? Now is your chance. III Forks offers a Sommelier for a Day opportunity on the first Wednesday of each month from 5-7 pm, during which guests can help select featured wines for the coming month. For $20 per person, attendees sample six wines selected by the steakhouse’s wine director and enjoy hand-passed paired hors d’oeuvre created by executive chef Chris Vogeli. February’s theme is Merlot. Call 972-267-1776 for reservations.

Chef’s Table Wine Dinner With Joel Harloff at Bridge Bistro
Don’t miss this delicious winter wine dinner featuring cuisine by chef Joel Harloff and wine by Oak Cliff Cellars. Dishes includes butter-poached shrimp with pearl cous cous salad, panko fried braised pork shoulder, herb-roasted salmon, and a grape- and wine-poached pear with spiced ricotta. Cost is $65 per person; reserve a spot online. Dinner begins at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, February 7

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k at Fair Park
Run through Fair Park with more than 14,000 expected participants and then celebrate crossing the finish line with indulgent, chocolaty treats. All participants receive an official swag bag, including a luxurious, fleece-lined hoodie and drawstring bag. New for the season, all 15k finishers receive the official Hot Chocolate Finisher Medal. Runners can also sign up for the “Go the Extra Mile” program to raise money for charities. Registration costs range from $44-$74. The race begins at 7:30 pm.

Cooking Class With Samir Dhurandhar and Wil Larsen of Nick & Sam’s at Dallas Farmers Market
The American Institute of Wine & Food and the Dallas Farmers Market Friends present a series of cooking classes with renowned local chefs demonstrating their favorite dishes inspired by fresh produce from the market. This one features Wil Larsen and Samir Dhurandhar of Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse. Cost is $25 per person in advance (by Thursday before class to be attended), $30 at the door or $110 for the entire series. For reservations, call 214-653-8088 or secure your spot online. Class starts at 11:30 am.

Sunday, February 8

Cooking Demonstrations at Modmarket Preston Hollow
Join Chef Nate this weekend for free farm-fresh cooking demonstrations at the new Preston Hollow Village restaurant. He shows you how to whip up some of Modmarket’s most popular breakfast, lunch and dinner items; you get to sample them all. Each attendee may bring one guest. Space is limited, and you must register. There are two classes, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, both at 9 am.

Modmarket is doing cooking demos on February 7 and 8.

Photo courtesy of Modmarket

Modmarket is doing cooking demos on February 7 and 8.

unspecified

Deep Ellum News

Mexican 'vibe' restaurant from California to open in Deep Ellum Dallas

Mama Por Dios

A buzzy concept from California is coming to Dallas: Mama Por Dios, a Mexican restaurant chain known for its vibe, will open its first location in Texas in Deep Ellum in the Epic development at 2525 Elm St., taking over the former La Neta space, which shuttered in May.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in early to mid-January.

Mama Por Dios was founded in Southern California in 2020 by chef Misael Guerrero, who famously got his start selling Mexican sushi out of his garage.

Since those early days, he's gone on to form a restaurant empire called Emme Group, with concepts that include Los Amores de Julia, El Rincon de Los Dolidos, and Culichi Town, a lower-priced chain known for Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi & seafood, which has a local presence: It opened a location in Mesquite in 2022.

Mama Por Dios — which translates to "Mother of God" — describes itself as modern Mexican, offering a unique blend of steakhouse, sushi bar, and seafood. The menu includes favorites like tacos and enchiladas, alongside luxe dishes like lobster with spaghetti, lobster enchiladas, and a surf & turf featuring a lobster tail balanced atop a skirt steak. Prices range from $18 for birria tacos to $48 for a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

But they also have a showy side that includes flamboyant presentations such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp which come strung on clothespins; or the trompito al pastor, served on a personal spit, as well as servers who walk around with shots while dancing with patrons.

There's a Gold Burger for $65 featuring Prime beef on a brioche bun garnished with 24k gold leaf, and a similarly gilded tomahawk steak for $400 that brings to mind the good old days of Salt Bae. Decor is swanky with low lighting, and there'll be a serious brunch offering on weekends.

Cocktails such as the Al Agua Pato — served in a mini bathtub with a rubber ducky — are made for Instagram. They offer margarita and mezcalita flights with flavors such as mango, tamarindo, and strawberry, and intriguing sips like Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail with Licor 43, espresso, and 43 different fruit, citrus, aromatic, and herbal ingredients.

There’s also a $20 per-person minimum spend, and the menu comes with a warning that everything is cooked to order — meaning some dishes may take 30 to 40 minutes. For many diners, waiting will surely be part of the experience.

deep-ellum tex-mex openings