It looks like it is shaping up to be a beautiful week for patio eating and drinking, food and wine festivaling, and crawfish boiling. If you prefer to stay indoors, there is plenty of fun to be had there too.
Wednesday March 25
Local Beer Dinner at Libertine Bar
Enjoy five courses by chef Ashley Yancey paired with five beers from local breweries such as Community, Martin House, Lakewood and Rahr. Courses include garden fresh duo of chilled cous cous salad and warm eggplant bruschetta, deconstructed tuna tartare, pancetta-stuffed quail, bison with split pea risotto, and chocolate beer ice cream. Tickets are $60 per person, and dinner starts at 7 pm. Call 214-824-7900.
Thursday, March 26
Back in the Day Bakery: Made With Love Cooking Class at Central Market Plano
Authors Cheryl and Griffith Day are visiting from Savannah, Georgia, to show you how to make delicious handmade treats such as sweet potato hash hand pies, pimento cheese crackers, devilish eggs, beans and cornbread cobbler, and Tybee sand dollar cookies. Their book is debuting in Texas and is available for sale that night. The class stars at 6:30 pm and costs $65.
Brew Brains: Gluten-free Beer Tasting at Whole Foods Preston Forest
Ever had a taste of gluten-free beer? Now’s your chance to explore these unique brews with a special tasting and pairing put together by the Whole Foods Preston Forest beer buyer. The free tasting starts at 6:45 pm. Register here.
Craft Beer and Artisan Cheese Pairing at Community Beer Company
Community Beer Company welcomes cheesemonger Ali Morgan from Rare Edibles as she continues her quest to bring together the most favored fermentables: cheese and beer. This pairing features four craft brews and cheeses, with descriptions of taste profiles and styles from brewers and industry experts. The event starts at 6 pm and costs $30.
Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival BBQ Bash at Billy Bob’s Texas
The 2015 Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival kicks off with a BBQ bash at Billy Bob’s Texas, featuring country singer Wade Bowen. A dozen of the best pitmasters in the state come together to celebrate the festival launch and share their smoked meats. Wear your favorite boots for dancing. Tickets start at $15 for the concert only; if you want to eat and enjoy the music, it costs $60. The event starts at 7 pm.
Friday, March 27
Arts & Letters Live Featuring Marcus Samuelsson at Dallas Museum of Art
Marcus Samuelsson discusses his bestselling books, including the recent Marcus Off Duty. Prior to the 7:30 pm talk, there is a dinner at 6 pm inspired by Samuelsson’s signature dishes and the DMA’s global collection. There are limited VIP tickets available that include dinner, event ticket and a hardcover book. The cost of the dinner and discussion is $165 for the public and $130 for DMA Partners. Presentation tickets only are $35 for the public and $30 for DMA Partners. Buy them here.
Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival Grand Tasting at Renaissance Worthington Hotel
This event showcases more than 100 exceptional wines, craft beers and spirits from near and far, paired with food from the best North Texas chefs, restaurateurs and artisan producers, including American Food and Beverage, Bird Cafe, Bite City Grill, Bonnell’s, Clay Pigeon, Ellerbe Fine Foods, Grace, Hibiscus and more. The festival starts at 6 pm, and tickets start at $125.
Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival Late Night Desserts After Dark at Renaissance Worthington Hotel
This late-night event features eight pastry chefs and eight mixologists; the latter use Firestone & Robertson’s TX blended whiskey in their creations. End the night by voting on your favorite edible and libation. Pastry chefs include Laurel Wimberg of American Food and Beverage, Sally Schwartz of Bonnell’s and Katherine Clapner of Dude, Sweet Chocolate. The event starts at 9 pm, and tickets are $45.
Real Ale Brewing Company Vegan Beer Dinner at Whole Foods Park Lane
Join Whole Foods Park Lane for its first beer dinner of the season. Executive chef John Mercer is crafting a vegan menu paired with brews from Real Ale. Courses include vegan ceviche and raw gazpacho, tiny taco trio, stacked chili pie and cilantro cream, and grilled ancho pineapple upside down cake. The dinner starts at 6:30 pm and costs $30.
Saturday, March 28
Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival Rise & Dine at Renaissance Worthington Hotel
Enjoy dozens of dishes from an assortment of noted area restaurants, including eggs Benedict, omelets, migas and huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast tacos. Also expect a big selection of craft beer, specialty wines and spirits; mimosa bar; and Bloody Mary bar. Participants include East Hampton Sandwich Co., Shinjuku Station, Velvet Taco and Thai Tina, just to name a few. It starts at 11 am and costs $60.
Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival Burgers Brews & Blues at Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
This rockin’ party on ranch land lining the Trinity River features some of the best snacks and suds around. Eleven chefs grill their best mini-burgers, while 22 craft breweries pour two different beers to taste. Throughout the evening, enjoy live blues music from James Hinkle, Chris Watson Band and Michael Lee Clemmer Band. Burgers are provided by Clay Pigeon, Far Out Burger, Fred’s, Luck, Mac’s on Main, Magnolia Motor Lounge, Riscky’s, Rodeo Goat and more. This event starts at 6 pm, and tickets start at $60.
Mudbug Bash Crawfish Boil at Main Street Garden
Jack FM and 105.3 The Fan host this annual event featuring 4,000 pounds of crawfish; live music from Rebirth Brass Band, Texas Cotton Kings, Juke and more; games; and beer and specialty drinks. Special new features include armadillo racing, a Bayou beard contest, and Cajun and Zydeco dance contests. The crawfish boil kicks off at 2 pm, and tickets start at $15.
Uptown Farmers Market at West Village
West Village presents the newest Dallas farmers market, in partnership with Uptown Dallas, every Saturday through October. Expect a variety of vendors, including Promise of Peace Garden, Steel City Pops, Caliper Farm to Market, Brazos Valley Cheese, Basic Foodism, Texas Toffee, Round Rock Honey Company, Buda Juice and many more. This is a free event and lasts from 8 am-noon.
Sunday, March 29
Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival Family Sunday Funday at Coyote Drive-In
Family Sunday Funday features a wide range of noshing opportunities from a lineup of North Texas food trucks. The original food trucks, aka chuck wagons, also serve vittles. The event kicks off at 2 pm, and each $50 ticket (required for anyone 12 and up) includes a taste from each truck plus two beverages.
See Marcus Samuelsson at the Dallas Museum of Art on March 27.
