This Week in Gluttony

These are the 5 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Denali Flavors is giving away 10,000 free scoops of Mayfield Moose Tracks Ice Cream starting at 11 am on Tuesday, July 11, at Pegasus Plaza.

Photo courtesy of Denali Flavors

On the agenda this week you'll find ice cream, cheese, and wine. What more do you need in life? How about a beloved neighborhood tradition celebrating the French National Day that heavily features — you guessed it — cheese and wine? Perfect.

Tuesday, July 11

10,000 Scoops Challenge at Pegasus Plaza
Denali Flavors, developers of Moose Tracks Ice Cream, presents this delicious philanthropy challenge to the people of Dallas. Ten thousand scoops of Mayfield Moose Tracks Ice Cream will be served as part of the challenge and, for each scoop served, Moose Tracks will donate $1 to the Salvation Army on behalf of Mayfield Creamery in an effort to raise $10,000 for local programs. The event starts at 11 am.

Thursday, July 13

Northwest Cheese and Wine at Scardello Artisan Cheese
The Northwest has a bounty of great cheese and fantastic wine. Get a feel for the terroir of Washington and Oregon as you taste loads of cheeses paired with wines from this beautiful and verdant part of the country. If you want to sit with other attendees, be sure to put their names in thespecial instructions section during checkout. Tickets are $40, and the class starts at 7 pm.

Friday, July 14

Bastille on Bishop at Bishop Arts District
Enjoy an evening full of entertainment, food, wine, petanque, and wonderful people to celebrate the beautiful country of France and its traditions. Oak Cliff was the original settlement of the French colony called La Reunion, and the neighborhood has picked up the mantle with great pride and love for the French culture. Tickets start at $25 and include a souvenir wine glass and two tokens that can be exchanged for food and drink. The event kicks off at 6 pm.

Wine 101: So You Think You Can Taste? at Pappas Bros Steakhouse
Challenge your palate with this seated tasting that features classic varietals and teaches how to identify them through blind tasting. Following the blind tasting, Master Sommelier Barbara Werley pairs differently raised and aged Prime cuts of beef with myriad styles of wine. Tickets are $95, and the event begins at 6 pm. For reservations, call 214-366-2000.

Saturday, July 15

Local Artisan Market at Highland Park Village
Farm-sourced produce, artisan goods, games, and live entertainment for the entire family are on display at Highland Park Village’s market. Happening the third Saturday of each month through December, this market has everything from kolaches to flowers to handcrafted soaps. Participating vendors include Avant Garden, The Tot, Kessler Pie Co., Texas Olive Ranch, White Rock Soap Gallery, and more. The seasonal open-air market runs from 8:30 am to 1 pm.

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Dessert News

Dessert shop from Top Chef Fabio Viviani closes Dallas location

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A celebrity chef dessert concept has departed Dallas-Fort Worth: Jars by Fabio Viviani, a small fast-casual chain specializing in desserts in jars, has closed its two DFW area locations including one at 3610 Greenville Ave.

The concept was devised by Top Chef alumnus Fabio Viviani, a native of Italy who was a contestant in 2008. He founded Jars in 2021 as a gourmet quick-serve dessert concept serving an assortment of classic desserts from around the world in a single-serve jar. The first location opened in Chicago's West Loop in February 2023.

Dallas opened in May 2024, following the first DFW location which opened in Fort Worth in January 2024.

The menu rotated through more than 100 recipes, featuring classics such as cherry cheesecake, birthday cake, and even gluten free options. Popular flavors in DFW included banana cream pie and Oreo.

The concept was brought to DFW by husband-and-wife Jason and Tejal Wible; they closed the locations at the end of January 2025.

"We're a little sad, but in the end, it didn't take off," Tejal says. "People got jazzed when we first opened but business steadily dropped off."

In addition to the namesick specialty, they also offered soft-serve ice cream, with toppings such as cake pieces and Fruity Pebbles, or in milkshakes in flavors such as strawberry shortcake, banana cream pie, cookies & cream, and red velvet cheesecake.

But it's possible that people didn't see past the "jars."

Nonetheless, she says it was "a happy place" that drew fun customers. "It was a feelgood place and I think that was my favorite part," she says.

The DFW closures leave five locations of Jars still open, but no need to sob for Fabio — he is involved in at least two dozen other restaurant concepts. Busy guy!

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