This Week in Gluttony

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

The fourth annual Taco Libre event is happening on Saturday, April 28 starting at 3 pm at the Dallas Farmers Market.

Photo courtesy of Suerte

What sounds better than cupcakes, whiskey, and tacos? (We'll wait.) This week offers a chance to enjoy all three. There's also a big NFL Draft-watching party, a gourmet wine dinner, and plenty of cocktail samplings.

Wednesday, April 25

Iron Fork at Centennial Hall
Whole Foods Market Presents this Dallas Observer event that features a grand tasting from local restaurants plus the chance to enjoy plenty of wine, beer, and cocktail samplings. VIP tickets get early admission at 6 pm for the first bites and sips. All tickets include unlimited food samples alongside eight wine, beer, and cocktail samples. Tickets start at $45 and the general admission start time is 7 pm.

Thursday, April 26

Waters Winery Wine Dinner at Abacus
Winemaker Jamie Brown and Abacus executive chef Chris Patrick collaborate to create a menu featuring wood-fired antelope backstrap, morel mushrooms, ramps fingerling potato, and lingonberry gastrique. The dinner starts with passed appetizers followed by four courses alongside an assortment of wines from one of Washington’s best artisanal boutique wineries. Tickets are $125, and the event starts at 6:30 pm. Call 214-520-0151 to reserve your spot.

NFL Draft Watch Party at Knife
Check out the newly revamped patio while enjoying the NFL Draft on Knife's large projector. Guests can snack on complimentary bites and beer by Oak Highlands Brewery, and Fumar Cigars will be there rolling cigars. And because it is not porch party without a little music, a DJ is set to spin tunes. This event is free and lasts from 7-10 pm.

Friday, April 27

The Whisky Extravaganza at Union Station
Explore and sample more than 100 varieties of the most prestigious single malts, premium Scotch whiskies, and other unique whiskies from around the world. Think Glen Fiddich, The John Milroy Selection, and Bruichladdich. There are also special masterclasses led by industry leaders and a tasting with commentary by mixologist Gary Crunkleton. Tickets start at $135, and the event starts at 6 pm.

Saturday, April 28

Cupcakes for a Cause at University Park United Methodist Church
Enjoy delicious cupcakes from bakeries all over Dallas-Fort Worth, and participate in fun activities like cupcake-eating contests, face painting, and more. All proceeds support LEAP Global Missions, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of people around the world by providing free specialized surgical and medical care. Tickets are $15, and the fun starts at 11 am.

Taco Libre at Dallas Farmers Market
Tacquerias are coming from all over the area (24 total) with taco sampling options ranging from authentic street-style to contemporary. And you can't forget the epic wrestling and live music that make this festival unique. Tickets start at $10 and the gates open at 3 pm.

craft-beer fundraisers wine

Deli News

Gourmet market Ari's Pantry to open in Dallas' Trinity Groves

Ari's Pantry

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A new gourmet grocery is coming to Trinity Groves: Ari's Pantry, the market launched in Oak Cliff by husband-and-wife Ari and Amy Lowenstein, will open a second location in West Dallas’ Trinity Groves, with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, November 30.

Located at 3011 Gulden Ln. #119 in the space that was once home to Potato Flats who remembers them, the Trinity Groves store will offer: pasta, olive oil, vinegars, preserves, candy, bread, crackers, cheese, meats, pizza dough, fresh pasta, housewares, cocktail ingredients, novelty kitchen gadgets, spices, prepared foods, fresh pesto and Ari’s own tomato sauce.

“We are excited to open our newest location at Trinity Groves joining the great businesses already there and the wave of new ventures opening in the development,” Ari Lowenstein says in a release. “With this location we will reach a new audience in West Dallas and be closer to our customers coming from downtown and the north.”

The couple opened their first location in Winnetka Heights at 1307 ½ W. Davis St. in December 2023 to fulfill Ari's passion for all things Italy. The idea was a small Italian food store with recipe-ready staples, with a hyper-local vibe. It has since blossomed into a general-purpose gourmet stop.

In addition to the food staples for sale found at their Bishop Arts location, Ari’s Trinity Groves location will also include a commercial catering kitchen that will enable them to provide full-service catering, prepared meal pick-up, pasta classes, and private dinners.

“Amy and Ari bring something new and special to this development as our first partner to offer consumer packaged goods made by people and companies outside of Trinity Groves,” said Sam Romano, Partner at West Dallas Investments, parent company of Trinity Groves. “They are part of the vision we have for the future of Trinity Groves that will combine innovative, up and coming chefs and restauranteurs with lifestyle and entertainment options like pickleball, bocce ball, popup events, arcade game play and additional retail partners.”

The Ari's empire doesn't stop here: Their goal is to open multiple locations "in all corners of DFW and beyond," and that includes a location in the Cyprus Waters community in Coppell, slated to open in spring 2025.

downtown openings