This Week in Gluttony

These are the 10 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Savor Dallas' Grand Tasting event takes place on May 19 at Centennial Hall.

Photo courtesy of Savor Dallas

This week, we salute the almighty food festival. Between Savor Dallas and Taste Addison, local foodies have an abundance of epicurean events from which to choose. No one will go hungry — or thirsty.

Tuesday, May 15

Ultimate Barbecue Experience at Hutchins BBQ
Pit boss Trey Hutchins presents the ultimate barbecue experience. Guests will get a taste of all the smoked goodness including four meats, four sides, and plenty of other sweet and savory surprises. Hutchins will also lead the group in a pit tour, which is said to be a great treat for those with an affinity for barbecue. Tickets are $100, and the event starts at 6 pm.

Chef Nick Ocando Wine Dinner at Gaylord Texan
This event features a lovely champagne meet-and-greet on the vineyard patio, a seven-course feast, and wine pairings by The Prisoner Wine Company. Courses include fresh Maine lobster, A5 Miyazaki Wagyu strip, and more. Tickets are $200, and the event begins at 6 pm.

Wednesday, May 16

ROXOR Spirited Pairings at Museum Tower
This event features ROXOR Artisan Gin cocktails, expertly paired food, inspired music, and culture. Chefs Dean Fearing and Robert Del Grande will be on hand, as well as Eddie "Lucky" Campbell, who has been tasked with serving up delicious drinks. The evening also features DJ Blake Ward and ROX Star model Roxanna Redfoot. Tickets are $100, and the event begins at 6 pm.

Thursday, May 17

Opening Night: Cut it Up at Dallas Farmers Market
The ultimate opening night kickoff to Savor Dallas puts a whole new spin on a favorite local cuisine — barbecue. Curated by notable local host chefs, the kick-off event features culinary and drink innovators all playing with fire while providing a fresh twist on smoke. Tickets are $65, and the event begins at 6 pm.

Cheese 101 at Scardello Artisan Cheese
This comparative tasting of cheese and out-of-the-ordinary items helps guests focus on the distinct flavors of each cheese type. The class covers the basics of how cheese is made and answers questions about cheese pairing fundamentals. Libations also will be served in the shop. Tickets are $60, and the event begins at 7 pm.

Friday, May 18

Taste Addison
This three-day food and fun festival pairs bites from dozens of the town’s favorite eateries with great music. Think Cory Morrow, Casey Donahew, Eli Young Band, and more. Tickets start at $10, and the venue opens at 6 pm on Friday and noon on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, May 19

Doughnut and Beer Pairing at Lakewood Growler
Hypnotic Donuts and Lakewood Growler present a 3 Nations Brewery pairing in two separate seating times to better accommodate all who want to indulge. Four beers and four doughnuts that pair perfectly? Sounds like a complete meal. Tickets are $20, and events begin promptly at 2 and 4 pm.

Savor Dallas Grand Tasting at Centennial Hall
Wine aficionados and gourmands of all kinds attend this main event. It features more than 50 notable restaurants, chefs, and culinary artisans, along with hundreds of winemakers, countless spirits purveyors, curated mixology, an outdoor barbecue lounge, live entertainment, beer garden, and more. Tickets start at $95, and the event kicks off at 7 pm.

Sunday, May 20

Gaby Dalkin Book Signing at Williams-Sonoma NorthPark
The What's Gaby Cooking Everyday California author stops through Dallas to sign books for fans at Williams-Sonoma in NorthPark Center. Tickets are $33, and the signing starts at 1 pm. Tickets include a book to be signed at the event or a set of spices.

Retox Brunch at The Grove at Harwood
Put the sweat equity in before refueling appropriately with ample bacon and Bloody Marys. This brunch event wraps up Savor Dallas’ week of indulgences with a side of fitness and nom-aste yoga. There will also be live entertainment, because what's a boozy brunch without some jams? Tickets are $45, and the event starts at 10:30 am.

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More Guy

Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives is taping in Dallas this week

Guy Fieri/ Instagram

Guy Fieri at a previous DD&D taping.

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri is coming to Dallas this week as part of a meet-and-greet, in support of Santo Spirits, a liquor brand he does in partnership with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar.

But Fieri has not come alone: The Food Network star is also filming future episodes of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

According to a source that requested anonymity, the perennially popular TV show currently has two crews in town, who began recording segments at restaurants around Dallas on December 4. The taping will continue through December 6.

The restaurants — there are six — have all signed nondisclosure agreements, and the tapings themselves are buttoned down tight. And a spokesperson for Food Network said they have no news to share.

So no one is willing to go on the record about DD&D being in town.

However, that does not stop an observant diner from noting abrupt closures of their favorite restaurants — blamed on perfectly-reasonable-sounding excuses such as "plumbing issues" and/or "routine maintenance."

There have also been loose-lipped employees bursting with pride who've been unable to resist sharing the news.

So far, restaurants that have been observed enacting sudden closures such as this include at least two barbecue joints, one of which is a chain: Soulman's Bar-B-Que, founded in 1974 in in Pleasant Grove; and Slow Bone, the acclaimed barbecue restaurant from beloved chef Jeffery Hobbs.

Barbecue is one of the most popular cuisines featured on Diners Drive-ins, and Dives, along with restaurants that specialize in quirky over-the-top dishes. The show favors independently-owned restaurants that offer a good bargain, and that also have "legs" — places that have been open for a minimum of two years and display the ability to handle the business side of ownership, since the show does not want to recommend a place only to have it close.

“Triple-D” has been airing on The Food Network since 2006 and has spotlighted at least 1,000 kitchens in all 50 states. Getting featured on the show has an incomparably beneficial effect because the episodes go into reruns and bring restaurants subsequent waves of business.

A story about the behind-the-scenes reveals their selection process, including suggestions from restaurateurs who've appeared on the show previously. They avoid places that’ve already been on TV, and seek out places where the food is made from scratch.

Post-pandemic, DD&D has been on the rebound, with a renewed intensity in tapings in cities such as San Antonio, where sandwich shop Ro-Ho Pork & Bread will appear an episode on Friday, December 6.

About two dozen restaurants around DFW have been featured including Afrah, Avila's, Cane Rosso, Chef Point, CrushCraft Thai Street Eats, Fred's Texas Cafe, Jamaica Gates Caribbean Cuisine, Louie's, Maple & Motor, Nora Restaurant and Bar, One90 Smoked Meats, Original Chop House Burger, Pecan Lodge, Pepe & Mito's, Prince Lebanese Grill, Tacos Mariachi, Taste of Europe, Tutta's Pizza, Twisted Root Burger, and Whistle Britches — nearly all still open.

Meanwhile, Guy is guaranteed to be found at Spec’s at 9500 N. Central Expressway #200, where he'll do his meet & greet and bottle-signing on Saturday, December 7 from 6:30-7:30 pm.

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