This Week in Gluttony

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

This week features a variety of margarita-induced events that will help you properly celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Courtesy photo

It is a busy week, with margaritas and food festivals galore. Choose any number of events to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in true Dallas style. Or check out a chef competition, beer festival, or a foodie fundraiser or two.

Wednesday, May 1

Dallas Observer Iron Fork at Centennial Hall
Do not miss this grand tasting event featuring the Chef Challenge that is being moderated by restaurateur Kent Rathbun. Two top chefs receive a basket of ingredients and go head-to-head for the Iron Fork award. Attendees can watch the competition while tasting food and beverages from local restaurants. Participating restaurants include Empire Baking Co., Five Sixty, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Sandwich Hag, Stirr Dallas, Trompo, V-Eats Modern Vegan at Trinity Groves, and many more. Tickets start at $45, and the fun starts at 7 pm.

Thursday, May 2

Anniversary Party at Lala's Mexican Cafe
This delicious, organic cafe is raising a glass to a successful first year on the Dallas dining scene by throwing an epic anniversary party. From 4-7 pm, guests receive one free margarita and street taco. Happy hour prices are also happening all day, including $1 off half-sized margaritas and wines.

Friday, May 3

Tacos & Tequila Walk at Trinity Groves
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, this evening includes the opportunity to experience 12 restaurants with different cuisines from around the world as they each create their own version of tacos and tequila cocktails. Every participating restaurant offers a special taco and tequila cocktail for $10. DJ Chamo is playing from 6-10 pm in the main patios of Trinity Groves, and a live band will take the stage from 8-11 pm at Babbs BBQ. There will also be a free photo booth. Tickets are $15, and the event kicks off at 6 pm.

First Friday Cigar, Bourbon, and Brew at Cool River Cafe
Russell’s Reserve Bourbon and Rahr & Sons Brewing Company are the stars of this Friday's show. Admission includes select craft brews and premium whiskey pours, a complimentary cigar from Master Cigar Roller Mario Almanza, and unique menu items created by chef Fernando Rodriguez. Tickets are $35, and the event starts at 8:30 pm.

Saturday, May 4

TAP Fest at Texas Ale Project
This annual event features live music from The Roomsounds, Danni & Kris, and Chappy Peck, and food from Munchie Street. The event also features over 20 beers on tap — mostly rare, one-off, one-barrel brews only. Tickets start at $20, and the fun kicks off at noon.

Taste of Oak Cliff
Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce presents a taste of all things Oak Cliff in a family-friendly setting showcasing live music, food, and local businesses. Vendors include Dallas Grilled Cheese Company, Eno's Pizza Tavern, Cafe Brazil, Kozy Kitchen, Bahama Buck's, and more. Tickets are $5, and the fun starts at noon.

Sunday, May 5

Makers & Margaritas at Fixture Kitchen and Social Lounge
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with brunch and the opportunity to shop locally handcrafted goods, all with a margarita in hand. Vendors include 31:13 Eco-friendly Accessories, Coral Bunny and Lo, Regan Cruz Art, Untangled, and more. Admission is free, and the event kicks off at 10 am.

Field & Vines Chefs' Dinner at The Statler
This annual dinner benefiting Youth with Faces aims to give youth in the juvenile justice system a second chance to become more than just a statistic. Event attendees can witness and interact with students of the Youth With Faces program as they work this premier culinary event. Chefs helping out include Matt Balke of Bolsa, Jimmy Contreras of Taco y Vino, Matthew Ford of Billy Can Can, Jeff Harris of Americano, and Nathan Tate of Boulevardier and Rapscallion. Tickets start at $175, and the event begins at 5:30 pm.

Taste of the Cowboys at Ford Center at The Star
North Texas Food Bank presents this annual event put on with the help of current Dallas Cowboys players along with team legends Chad Hennings and Preston Pearson. The event features past and present Dallas Cowboys players, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, live entertainment, and 30 gourmet tailgate food stations from North Texas’ hottest restaurants and chefs. All proceeds benefit the North Texas Food Bank and provide critical funds to support the nutritional needs of the one in four children in North Texas who is food insecure. Tickets start at $150 and has a 6:30 pm kickoff.

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Relo News

Oak Cliff Dallas address says bye Swank and hello Indian restaurant

Elephant Indian Bar and Grill

A location in Oak Cliff Dallas that has seen some turnover in recent years is about to see some more: It starts with Swank, the ambitious restaurant from chef Luke Rogers, which is leaving its address at 1115 N. Beckley Ave. after a year and relocating to a new space still to be determined. The restaurant's final day at its current location will be Saturday, July 26.

"We want to give guests one last chance to toast the place that started it all," Rogers says in a statement.

But 1115 N. Beckley Ave. won't be empty for too long: The space will soon be home to Elephant Indian Bar and Grill, an Indian restaurant from chef Praveen Prasannan, an industry veteran with international experience working in the kitchens of hotels and on cruise ships.

This will be a second location of Elephant Indian Bar and Grill following the original that opened in the original Buzzbrews location at 4154 N. Central Expwy. in 2024.

Prasannan says he wants to expand his customer base by bringing Indian food to areas currently lacking in Indian options. He's also opening an Elephant to-go spinoff in the Park Cities, at 5601 W. Lovers Ln. #110.

He also owns Shivas Bar and Grill, an elevated Indian concept, with his brother Prinu, which has locations in downtown Dallas and Allen.

The menu at Elephant Indian features Indian classics such as chicken tikka masala, butter masala, tandoori, and a variety of biryani, the comforting rice dish.

There are also Indo-Chinese fusion dishes, such as veggie fried rice, chilli paneer, and hakka noodles; plus wraps, hummus with naan bread, and thali, a selection of different dishes served in small bowls on a round tray, served with choices of steamed rice or naan.

Prasannan is a forward-thinking chef who has also created a number of vegan items and meatless versions of their signature dishes, including a rare vegan version of butter chicken and Kadai vegetables, a mix of stir-fried vegetables. Prices are affordable, ranging from $6 for a soup or salad to $26 for lamb biryani.

Prior to Swank, 1115 N. Beckley Ave. was home to some big-name restaurants over the years, most recently Beckley 1115, and before that VH, and before that Outpost, and before that, Campo featuring chef Matt McAllister, and before that an Argentinian place called La Carreta Argentina.

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