This week in gluttony

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

Waffles and ice cream are coming to Uptown.

Dolly Llama

End the month with a big taste of Texas this week, from a grocery store festival spotlighting Lone Star State products to a Sunday afternoon barbecue party. Also on the list is a bourbon pairing dinner, a dog-friendly sip-and-shop, and a vegan tour of Dallas. Don’t miss the grand opening of a new sweet treat destination that proves syrup isn’t the only way to top waffles.

Tuesday, May 24

Really Into Texas at Central Market
All locations of the gourmet grocer are spotlighting Texas by stocking shelves with products from the Lone Star State for a limited time. Locally sourced items include cheese, produce, flowers, meats and seafood as well as Texas-made snacks, sauces, wine, beer, and bakery favorites. Highlights include Dr Pepper ribs, brisket corn dip, Gulf oysters, Texas tomatoes, and buttermilk pecan pie. Special cooking classes teach participants to make Texas steakhouse dishes, Texas Czech kolaches, and more. The Really Into Texas event runs through May 31.

Thursday, May 26

Wine & Wag
Victory Park will once again transform into “Victory Bark” during the final spring installment of Wine & Wag, a weeknight dog-friendly sip-and-shop event. Bring your canine companion and enjoy wine and dog treats at multiple stops including Biago Wine and Spirits, Escapology, ViVi’s Victory Park, and more. Tickets are $15 and the event will run from 6-9 pm.

The Pour with Barrell Craft Spirits at Bourbon & Banter
The latest edition of The Pour — a series of spirit-pairing diners at The Statler’s underground speakeasy — will feature Kentucky’s Barrell Craft Spirits, known for its award-wining cask strength bourbons. Highlights from the three-course menu include pan-seared scallops with lychee brown butter, roasted beef tenderloin, and artisan cheeses with bourbon truffles. The pairing event is $150 per person, including tax and gratuity, and will run from 6-8 pm.

Saturday, May 28

The Dolly Llama Grand Opening
The Los Angeles-based waffle and ice cream chain will open its first Texas location in Uptown with a grand opening party. The first 100 guests get free T-shirts and other swag, and prizes will be given away all day. The new Dallas location is the first of many to open across the country this year, from Las Vegas to Florida. Popular menu items include the Hong Kong Bubble Waffle made with a batter that provides a crispy and custard-like texture. The location will open at 12 pm.

The Dallas Vegan Tour
Sample some of Dallas’ best vegan dishes — from apps to desserts — via a motorcoach during this afternoon culinary tour. Former editor of VegWorld magazine Courtney Garza McCullagh will co-lead the event, which is a mystery tour format that will reveal surprise stops. Tickets are $61 per person (plus tax and a small fee) and the tour will run from 12:30-4:30 pm

Sunday, May 29

Boots & BBQ Fest at Legacy Hall
Have a ball at Legacy Hall this Sunday with an all-day country music party paired with barbecue and beer. There’ll be live music by some of the area’s best tribute bands, including Still The One (Shania Twain), Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton), Straight Tequila Night (90s country), and King George (George Strait). Purchasing barbecue plates ($20) in advance is recommended. Plates include either brisket with jalapeño sausage, mac and cheese, rolls, and avocado slaw; or pork ribs, beans, and corn salad. Or go VIP with a balcony ticket ($65) that overlooks the Box Garden and includes a barbecue plate and complimentary brewery tours and whiskey sampling by Garrison Brothers and TX Whiskey. The party starts at noon.

news-you-can-eat openings vegan

Escargot News

New all-day French bistro in downtown Rockwall is all from scratch

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Belle View Bistro Rockwall

An all-day French bistro has made its debut in Rockwall: Called Belle Vie Bistro, it’s a new mom-and-pop in the charming historic downtown district, at 112 E. Rusk St., the former home of The Fatted Calf restaurant, where it opened its doors on November 12.

Belle Vie is from Luis and Iliana Marquez, a hard-working couple who also own Los Marquez, a popular taco--themed food-truck-turned-restaurant in Rockwall they first debuted in 2019. In May, the couple took over the former Fat Chicken space to open a brick and mortar location of Los Marquez, where they serve well-made Mexican food like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but also burgers & fries. They open for breakfast with breakfast tacos, and run a daily lunch special, often creative, always popular, such as birria ramen with choice of beef or lamb for $11.

But the couple had a bigger vision of creating a place where chef Luis could stretch and showcase his skills.

"Luis has a lot of culinary experience, and it’s something that he’s been putting aside,” Iliana says. “We were just waiting on the perfect time to bring this to life.”

"This is something exciting and new for us, it’s something that we always wanted to make,” Luis says.

Like Los Marquez, Belle Vie is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving classics like French onion soup, moules frites, escargot, and duck confit. There are also comforting and American dishes like spinach-artichoke dip, crab cakes, and fish & chips.

Lunch features Cobb salad, a French dip, and chicken & Brie panini, while an extended breakfast -- which runs from 7 am to 4 pm — includes pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict, beignets French toast, and crepes, plus pastries and breads made from scratch.

Mural on the wall at Belle Vie Bistro RockwallFacebook

The bakery counter is a delight, with eclairs, croissants, scones, fruit tarts, and cake slices in flavors like carrot cake and white chocolate raspberry. There's also a serious coffee program with espresso drinks such as lattes.

"We pride ourselves on making everything from scratch," the duo says. "Our bread—whether for sandwiches, paninis, hamburgers or anything listed on our menu is made fresh just for us by our incredibly talented pastry chef and baker. The same care goes into our pastries and desserts ensuring every bite is special and crafted with love."

The dining room is warm and cozy with dark wood chairs and plush booths and a full-wall mural depicting a street in Paris. They also have a full bar, with cocktails and beer on tap. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $9 for a Belgian waffle during breakfast to $45 for prime ribeye at dinner.

For now, they're not taking reservations — it's first come, first serve.

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