This Week In Gluttony
Big Texas Beer Fest at Fair Park tops best food and drink events in Dallas
Unlike most weeks, which are flush with wine and beer dinners, This Week in Gluttony urges you to get outside, with a couple of farmers markets and a beer fest at Fair Park. Chef groupies get their fix at Dining Out in Dallas, a friendly competition that benefits the Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation.
Tuesday, April 1
Guest Chef Dinner With Scott Romano at Battuto Italian Kitchen
To commemorate its one-year anniversary, the restaurant is hosting a series of guest chef dinners featuring some of Dallas’ most notable chefs. First up is Scott Romano, who prepares three courses: rabbit agnolotti with black garlic, peas, pecorino and mushroom puree; raviolo with fresh ricotta, pork belly, fava beans, roasted garlic and oregano; and pappardelle and grilled baby octopus with broccolini, preserved lemon and chili porchetta. Diners can opt for a three-course dinner or mix it up with items from Battuto’s regular menu. Call 972-930-0558 for reservations and pricing.
Wednesday, April 2
Dining Out in Dallas: 2014 Battle of the Chefs
More than a dozen chefs from Dallas’ top restaurants — including Capital Grille, Pappas Bros., Seasons 52 and Meso Maya, to name a few — offer samples of their house specialties to benefit the Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation. Attendees get to vote on their favorite dish of the night, and the $75 price tag also includes wine, beer, spirits and entertainment. Doors open at 6 pm at Frontiers of Flight Museum.
Saturday, April 5
Big Texas Beer Fest at Fair Park
This third annual fest celebrates all that is good about the craft beer scene, with an emphasis on North Texas brews. Expect exclusive kegs, rare beers, one-offs and special firkins, as well as food truck fare. Local acts The Beef, Grand Ramble and Bravo Ma perform on the outdoor stage. The event runs from 2-6 pm. Tickets cost $35, and you can buy them online.
"It's in the Sauce" at South Side on Lamar
Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse teams up with chefs Dean Fearing, Dexter Samuel, Kent Rathbun and Tre Wilcox, who create one-of-a-kind dishes using Sonny Bryan's signature barbecue sauce. Proceeds benefit the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, North Texas Food Bank and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Attendees vote on their favorite dishes, and the winning chef gets extra cash for his charity's coffers. Fox 4's Clarice Tinsley serves as emcee. Tickets are $20 online or at the door, and the event runs from 11:30 am to 1 pm.
White Rock Local Market
Find the best of local produce, meats and cheese, bread and pastries, pickles, jams, tamales and more at this popular farmers market. You can also shop for handmade furniture, toys, clothes, soaps and more made my North Texans. The market takes place at Lakeside Baptist Church on the first and third Saturday of every month. The fun starts at 8 am.
Sunday, April 6
Little D Farmers Market at Four Corners Brewery
Dallas’ newest farmers market, Little D, debuts in the Four Corners Brewery parking lot at Trinity Groves; it’s up-and-running on a trial basis, on the first and second Sunday in April. All of the vendors grow or produce their food within a 150-mile radius of Dallas. Expect seasonal fruits, vegetables and specialty items straight from their gardens or kitchens. Start shopping at 9 am.