This Week in Gluttony

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas-Fort Worth this week

With Valentine's Day falling on a Tuesday this year, going out for a romantic dinner dominates the dining world this week. We've already covered that angle, so let's focus on the non-Valentine's options in and around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Tuesday, February 14

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium presents Cascade and Donut Flight
Nix the box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day, because Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Fort Worth is offering a special flight of four beers by Cascade Brewing paired perfectly with Dough Boy Donuts signature donuts. The featured beers are Cascade Figaro, Cranberry, Strawberry, and Blackcap Raspberry. Flights will be served from 5 pm until they are gone.

Wednesday, February 15

Food in Fashion: Cuisine Meets Couture
At Food in Fashion: Cuisine Meets Couture, 10 emerging fashion designers partner with 10 restaurants to create fashions for 10 models in a Project Runway-like show at 3015 at Trinity Groves. Ten percent or more of each fashion must come out of the restaurant, whether edible or not. Also, the Dallas ISD board of trustees are teaming with Dallas ISD high school culinary career students and preparing appetizers in a friendly Chopped-like competition.

Friday, February 17

Tarrant Area Food Bank presents 2017 Empty Bowls
More than 500 local artists and 50 of Fort Worth’s top chefs and restaurants contribute to Tarrant Area Food Bank's annual signature fundraiser, Empty Bowls, taking place at Will Rogers Memorial Center. Attendees can choose a handcrafted bowl to take home and taste a variety of bowl-friendly fare, such as soups and desserts. Empty Bowls guests also experience special demonstrations by local glass blowers, wood turners, and potters, plus a Celebrity Bowls live auction, silent auction, and raffle.

Saturday, February 18

Urban Crust presents Boozy Brunch
The only thing better than a good brunch are the fun drinks that you can get with it. This Boozy Brunch at Urban Crust in Plano features four brunch-inspired courses from chef Salvatore Gisellu, which may or may not involve his delicious pizza, along with four brunch cocktails. Tickets are $44.90 each and reservations are required.

Macy's Culinary Council presents chef Marcus Samuelsson
Macy's Culinary Council chef Marcus Samuelsson presents a special cooking demo at Macy's inside Galleria Dallas in celebration of his new cookbook, The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem. Samuelsson will share stories and secrets on how to prepare some of his favorite award-winning dishes, with plenty of scrumptious samples.

Sunday, February 19

Fearing's presents chefs Marcus Samuelsson & Dean Fearing
The following day, Samuelsson joins chef Dean Fearing for brunch service at Fearing's. The experience is part of a new initiative showcasing the best of local and national/international chefs appearing in side-by-side collaboration with the Fearing’s Restaurant culinary team. The Sunday Brunch allows diners to enjoy menu selections by both Samuelsson and Fearing. During the event, diners will be able to purchase a copy of The Red Rooster Cookbook, which he will autograph for them.

Urban Crust is offering a Boozy Brunch on February 18.

Photo courtesy of Urban Crust

Urban Crust is offering a Boozy Brunch on February 18.

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Coffee News

Italian brand Lavazza Coffee opens training facility in Dallas

Lavazza

Lavazza Coffee

A coffee brand from Italy has planted a stake in Dallas: Lavazza, founded in the northern Italian city of Turin in 1895, has opened a state-of-the-art training center in Dallas, at 1722 Routh St. #960, where it will serve as a hub for coffee enthusiasts throughout the Southwest.

Dallas is the newest outlet in Lavazza's coffee training network, joining locations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, West Chester Pennsylvania, and Toronto — part of their expansion across high-growth markets in the U.S., and its mission to elevate coffee culture globally. (They're also doling out endorsement dollars in commercials featuring Steve Carell and John Krasinski.)

The facility is equipped with espresso, brewing, and coffee innovation equipment, and will serve Lavazza partners, industry professionals, baristas, and distributors. They'll offer hands-on training, SCA certification, menu development, and emerging coffee trends.

Lavazza already partners with many respected hospitality groups and culinary destinations in Dallas including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Coury Hospitality Group, Al Biernat's Steakhouse, and Vandelay Hospitality.

In October 2025, Lavazza also began serving coffee on flights by Fort Worth-based American Airlines — further strengthening their connection to the North Texas market. The facility will enable Lavazza to provide closer, more consistent support to these partners and help elevate their coffee programs through continued training and collaboration.

Lavazza has been owned by the Lavazza family for four generations. Today they're one of the leading players on the global coffee scene, with a portfolio of top brands that lead their respective markets, such as Lavazza, Carte Noire, Merrild, and Kicking Horse.

In a statement, Lavazza North America president Hossam Ashraf says that "Dallas has an incredible energy and an ever evolving coffee scene," while Lavazza North America Marketing VP Daniele Foti says that Dallas is great, and we must concur.

"As one of the fastest growing hospitality and culinary markets in the country, Dallas represents a tremendous opportunity for Lavazza," Foti says. "Our investment in this new Training Center demonstrates our commitment to the region and to the partners who bring the Lavazza experience to life every day. Dallas is a city of innovation and high standards, and we are excited to deepen our roots here."

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