This week in gluttony

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Dover Sole Meuniere will be served for Bastille Day at Villa Azur.

Photo courtesy of Villa Azur

Bastille Day — a French holiday marking the fall of the Bastille in Paris on July 14, 1789 — lands on Thursday this week, and many establishments are celebrating with French-inspired bites, beverages, and festivities. There’s also a chance to engage in some cocktails and conversations at a chic hotel pool and try out uncommon ramen from two visiting Nashville chefs. Also, beat the heat with a summer cocktail series kick-off party.

Monday, July 11

Uncommon Ramen at Uchibā
The July installment of Uncommon Ramen, a monthly collaboration at Uchibā featuring innovative chefs from around the country, will host two chefs from Nashville. Gracie Nguyen and Chad Newton of East Side Bahn Mi will work with Uchibā chef Rhonda McCullar on two special dishes: BBH Ramen made with pork belly roll, shrimp, and pork meatballs, tonkotsu broth, sun noodles, and toasted chili-garlic-lemongrass crisp; and the Shrimp Skewer dish made with chili crisp butter served with a lime wedge. The dishes will be available from 5-10 pm or while supplies last. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Wednesday, July 13

Bonne Fete Nationale Tea at The French Room
The French Room inside The Adolphus hotel will host a five-day celebration of Bastille Day with a special afternoon tea. Running Wednesday through Sunday (note that reservations are going fast), Bonne Fete Nationale Tea will feature a French twist on the typical tea menu. The event is $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and includes two courses of sandwiches with tea pairings, a glass of bubbly, and French sweets.

Cocktails & Conversation at The Pool Club at Virgin Hotels Dallas
The chic downtown hotel is combining arts and culture with poolside sips during this new twice-monthly evening event. A different Dallas-based tastemaker, retailer, or entertainer will be featured as a special guest to spark conversation. The event is free with a reservation, which includes access to the popular pool deck. The event will be held July 13 and 20 from 5-8 pm.

Thursday, July 14

All Things French at Villa Azur
The France-inspired culinary and entertainment destination inside the W Hotel will celebrate Bastille Day with a festive "dinner party" of a la carte menu items. Themed “All Things French,” the event will feature can-can dancers, patriotic décor, and costumes, along with an a la carte menu of classic French dishes. Patrons can expect baked French goat cheese, Dover sole prepared tableside in traditional fashion, and French ravioles with truffle cream and shaved truffle. Reservations are encouraged.

Bastille Day at Melt Ice Creams
Visit the Bishop Arts location of the Fort Worth-based gourmet ice cream shop for a Bastille Day special featuring Bisous Bisous Patisserie. Bisous’ signature macaron shells will be served in sandwich form stuffed with Melt’s custom Salted Caramel Honey — which is mixed with pieces Bisous’ buttery croissants. The scrumptious special will be served starting at 5 pm for $6.50.

Bastille Day at Mercat Bistro
The Harwood District European bistro will offer a three-course special to celebrate Bastille Day. Menu highlights include mushroom onion tart; entrée choice of bouillabaisse, duck confit, or steak frites; and crepes Suzette. The dinner is $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity, with the option to add wine pairings for $30. Reservations begin at 5 pm.

Bastille on Bishop
This evening street festival in the heart of the Bishop Arts District celebrates Oak Cliff’s unique French roots with festive food, drinks, and live music. Taking place from 5-10 pm, the party is free, but tickets must be purchased to receive tokens for beverages. General admission is $35 for a branded wine glass and two tokens for beer or wine. Or go VIP for $60 and get two drink tokens plus a wristband good for six cocktail competition samples.

Summer Distillery Series Kick-Off Party at Terra
Four local distilleries — Desert Door, Balcones, Lalo, and Treaty Oak — will be featured in new custom craft cocktails at Terra, Eataly’s popular rooftop restaurant. Mixologists will update the cocktails every two weeks until September 15. To kick off the summer series, Terra will host a party where guests can indulge in unlimited cocktails paired with light bites and live music. Tickets are $75 per person and the party will run from 5:30-8:30 pm.

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outta this world

Cowboys superfan launches pizzeria with Tex-Mex twist in Dallas food hall

Photo courtesy of Starboy's

Check out the cheese pull on Starboy's birria pizza.

A new pizza restaurant is slinging a variety of innovative pies in the Dallas Medical District: Called Starboy’s Pizzeria, the new shop is part of Food Nation Cinco Cocinas, the eclectic food hall at 4711 Maple Ave. The food hall was created by Ray Quintanilla and legendary restaurateur and "Godfather of Dallas Tex-Mex" Mico Rodriguez, who died earlier this month at age 68.

John Flores, an IT professional and self-proclaimed Dallas Cowboys super-fan, created Starboy’s Pizzeria, which is now open in the former Sal’s Pizza and Restaurant space. Friends call Flores by the nickname "Starboy," which combines his love for the Cowboys and his fascination with NASA and space, he explains.

Flores met Quintanilla and Rodriguez while hosting karaoke at Mico’s Bar, another food hall occupant. When Sal’s closed earlier this year, they saw an opportunity to fill the void with a refreshed pizza concept.

“It is because of Mico that I even thought about starting this project: he was part of this, he was always happy, and we really hit it off, so I miss him,” Flores says.

Starboy's Pizzeria joins Mico’s Bar, Picazo Sushi and Poke, Wing City, and JJ’s Cafe, which opened a location in the food hall earlier this year.

Lupe Ibarra, a chef from the closed Sal’s Pizza with 25 years of experience, stayed on at Starboy's to continue perfecting traditional recipes while creating signature new ones tied to Flores’ Mexican heritage.

The result of the collaboration is a menu that includes traditional favorites alongside creative pies with a Mexican-inspired twist like the Pizza Birria (resembling the flavor profile of popular birria tacos), elotero, chicken fajitas, and pastor, among more than 15 specialty offerings.

Flores' passion for the Cowboys is especially evident in several unique creations:

Cry Eagles Cry: Inspired by the Philly cheesesteak, topped with beef, green peppers, onions, and mozzarella.
Starboy’s Classic (Blue): Red sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, sausage, and fresh arugula.
Starboy’s Classic (Silver): White sauce, chicken, mushrooms, onions, arugula, mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze.
Cowboy: Brisket, onions, barbecue sauce, and smoked gouda.

Starboy's 16-inch pizzas range from $14-$25, with individual slices priced around $4. The menu also features sub sandwiches, pastas with a variety of sauces, and chicken Parmesan, all under $14.

To cater to the busy medical, residential, and retail crowds nearby, Starboy's offers lunch deals for under $12, which include pasta and garlic knots or a slice of pizza and a salad, complete with a drink.

Flores explains that his heritage and his mother’s influence serve as the primary driving force behind his new venture.

“My mom would always host family gatherings. She always fed people, and I got that from her. I like to see smiles on people’s faces from the things I do,” he says. “I have big dreams for this place. I want us to be part of the community and give back.”

Flores remains involved with karaoke at Mico’s Bar and is focused on driving traffic to the entire complex. He hosts Cowboys watch parties, while his adult children — Nathan, Natalie, and Amy — assist with social media, website management, and overall promotion for Starboy’s.

“When people try our pizzas for the first time, their eyes light up, so we know we are on the right track,” Flores says.

Starboy’s Pizzeria is open daily from 11 am-10 pm.

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This week in gluttony

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

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