This Week in Gluttony

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

TACA Party on the Green is happening at Sammons Park at the AT&T Performing Arts Center on May 12 at 7:30 pm.

Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

With Mother's Day around the corner, this is a quiet food week. But don't despair, there's still a variety of tasty happenings for you to enjoy, including a festive party on the green and a chic scotch and cigar evening at a top steakhouse.

Tuesday, May 9

Taste Tuesdays at Addison Circle Park
The public is invited to experience a preview of Taste Addison, with a selection of participating restaurants handing out bites from their festival menu. Additionally, guests have a chance to win Taste Addison admission tickets and swag. Admission is free and the tasting preview starts at noon.

Wednesday, May 10

Texas Wine Talk & Tasting at Whole Foods Park Lane
The Texas Wine Journal presents this Texas vs. The World-themed road show that includes an interactive and educational tasting and talk followed by a mixer with Texas wine producers, the Journal, and other Lone Star wine lovers. Tickets are $25, and the tasting event starts at 7 pm.

Thursday, May 11

Scotch & Cigars at Dallas Chophouse
This event includes a three-course dinner finished off with a custom, hand-rolled cigar on the patio, all paired with an exclusive Chivas whiskey flight. Courses include hamachi crudo, sage and garlic-brined flat iron steak, and a grilled striploin. Tickets are $50, and the dinner starts at 6:30 pm.

Crafts & Crispers Flight Night
Chili’s is hosting an intro of its new menu items at Four Corners Brewery. Get free beer from Four Corners along with a preview of chicken "crispers" in five new flavors from Chili's. You'll also get a sneak peek of the new Four Corners Brewery space, which won't open to the public until the fall. So many exclusive previews, and attendance is limited. There's also music and prizes. Plus free. 5-9 pm. To RSVP, go to chil.is/crispers.

Friday, May 12

TACA Party on the Green at Sammons Park at AT&T Performing Arts Center
This signature social event (note new location) includes celebrity chef tastings, a wine-cork pull, silent auction packages, live music, and performances by TACA-supported arts organizations. Tickets start at $375, and the party starts at 7:30 pm.

Real Ale Brewing Co. Beer and Cheese Pairing at Craft Beer Cellar Dallas
Cheesemonger Andrew Asaff and Real Ale Brewing Co. team up for this event that features five beers and five cheeses. There are only 12 seats per time slot. Tickets are $35 and there is a 6 and 7:30 pm seating.

event-planner

Chicken News

Popular rotisserie Cowboy Chicken chain to open first outlet in Plano

Cowboy Chicken

A highly rated rotisserie chicken chain is coming to Plano: Cowboy Chicken, the fast-casual restaurant known for its wood-fired rotisserie chicken and Southern sides, has signed a lease agreement with Vesta Restaurant Group at 8245 Preston Rd., where it will open in late fall.

Located in a small shopping center next to Dream Tacos and McAllister Deli, the 2,500-square-foot restaurant will hold 75-80 people, with both indoor and outdoor seating.

The menu centers on chicken, plus homestyle sides, sandwiches, salads, and seasonal specials.

A half chicken is $13.50 and comes with a roll and two sides from a selection that includes

Mashed Potatoes with GravyTwice Baked Potaters
Black Beans
Ranchero Beans
White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
French Fries
Green Beans
Sweet Potato
Spanish Rice
Garden Salad with Ranch
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Mexican Street Corn
Cowboy Slaw
Fried Okra

You could definitely just make a meal out of the sides.

There are also wings, tenders, salads such as a Cobb, and bowls featuring chicken over rice.

Cowboy Chicken was founded in Dallas in 1981 by "Cowboy Phil" Sanders and his wife Jeannette, who opened the first restaurant on Shady Brook and Park Lane. There are currently locations throughout Louisiana, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, and Texas, with six in the Dallas area including Wylie, Carrollton, and North Dallas — but none in Plano.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Vesta Restaurant Group to open the new Cowboy Chicken in Plano,” says president and CEO Sean Kennedy.

Vesta currently operates three other Cowboy Chicken restaurants in the Dallas metroplex; industry veteran Aaron White is the operating partner for the group.

"What we love most is the opportunity to be part of the communities we serve," says Michael Lenzi, director of operations at Vesta Restaurant Group. "There’s nothing better than seeing families walk through the door, share a meal and leave with a smile.”

openings