This week in gluttony

These are the 7 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Bastille Day calls for Champagne.

Photo by Becca Wright

Bastille Day — the French National Day commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789 — falls on Wednesday this week, and Dallas is here for it. Many restaurants are celebrating with French-inspired dishes, drinks, live music, and in one district, a street party. There’s also a beer and wine pairing, specials for National Daiquiri Day, and a “yappy hour” where the pups are invited, too.

Wednesday, July 14

Bastille Day at Mercat Bistro
The Parisian-inspired eatery in the Harwood District will celebrate the French holiday with a dessert special and festive drink. Stop by for berry pound cake ($10), made with mixed berries to represent the colors of the French flag, and sparkling peach lemonade ($12), poured with brut, fresh peach puree, peach vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, 7 am-2:30 pm, and dinner, 4-9 pm.

Bastille Day at The Adolphus Hotel
Celebrate the French holiday with classic high tea in The French Room of the downtown hotel. The menu includes three courses, including tea sandwiches, scones, and French pastries served with loose leaf teas, and live musicians will serenade. Feeling luxe? Choose the option to add Champagne and caviar. Tea is served between 11 am and 2 pm Wednesday-Sunday, and reservations are required.

Bastille on Bishop
The annual festival in the heart of the Bishop Arts District celebrates the French holiday with wine, food, and even a little dancing in the street. General admission is $25 and includes a branded wine glass and two tokens redeemable for beer or wine. Or splurge on Cabaret & Cocktails at House of Dirt. The $100 ticket gets the wine glass and two tokens, but also grants admission to House of Dirt for a cocktail competition. Event-goers receive a wristband good for 12 cocktail samples, light bites, and a cabaret-style variety show. Bastille on Bishop will run from 5 to 10 pm.

Yappy Hour at Hall Arts Hotel
Furry friends are welcome to this outdoor happy hour planned especially for dogs and their people. Located in the Urban Garden of the sleek downtown hotel, the event will feature live music and pet portraits by Gonzo Tails. The $30 ticket includes two cocktails, light bites, and complimentary valet parking; plus 10 percent will be donated to SPCA of Texas. Yappy hour runs from 5 to 7 pm.

Thursday, July 15

Tour de France: An Evening at The French Room
No bike required for this Tour de France. Tour the wine regions of Loire, Burgundy, and Rhone via a tasting inside The French Room of The Adolphus Hotel that will highlight the best of French wine. The $68 ticket price (plus tax and fees) includes six wines, a charcuterie station, passed canapes, and live music. The event will run from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Sunday, July 18

Two Penny Beer and Wineshark Food and Beverage Pairings at Reunion Tower
As part of Reunion Tower's Summer Sunday Sipping Series, this week’s educational tasting event covers pairing food with both beer and wine. Guests will receive three small plates, each served with one complementary wine and one beer. A cicerone and sommelier will talk through the selections. Tickets are $75, and the event will run from 5 to 7 pm.

Monday, July 19

Daqs and Dogs at The Exchange Hall
The Exchange Hall is hosting a sweet celebration for National Daiquiri Day. Double Tap, the downstairs bar, will feature the HuiHui Daiquiri made with rum, lime, and sugar; the frozen Liliko’l Daiquiri made with rum, passionfruit, and a black sugar rim; and the Boozy Dole Whip soft serve topped with aged rum and pineapple compote. All cocktails will be $7. Bobber’s Burgers & Whips will feature the Rum Dog hot dog, made with Luscher’s Red Hots and fresh pineapple salsa. The specials will be available 5-7 pm.

news-you-can-eat holidays cocktails wine

Breakfast News

Denny's sibling Keke's Breakfast Cafe comes to Dallas, first in Texas

Keke's

Keke's breakfast

An intriguing new breakfast option is coming to Dallas: It's called Keke's Breakfast Cafe, and it's a fast-growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch chain that will make a big Texas debut with five new cafes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The first will open at 7700 W Northwest Hwy. #600, in the former A Pea in a Pod space next to Tom Thumb in the Lincoln Park center, across from NorthPark. According to a release, it'll open on December 10.

Keke’s was founded by two brothers in 2006 who couldn't find a quality breakfast spot like the one they loved back home in Philadelphia. ("Keke" comes from a combination of the first syllables of the founders' names, Keith and Kevin.) Their vision: a better version of an American cafe focused on fresh, quality ingredients, abundant portions, cleanliness, and fast, friendly service.

In 2022, they were acquired by Denny's, but Keke’s operates independently from Denny’s, with its own development and marketing.

Keke's menu highlights include a "Create Your Own" omelet and their signature "Florida Pancakes" which come topped with fruit: strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. There's oatmeal; yogurt with granola; and a scrambler bowl — like a bowl version of an omelet with eggs, vegetables, home fries, and toast.

Seven waffle options include chocolate chip, strawberry, and chicken & waffles; and an assortment of stuffed French toasts come with cream cheese and choice of filling such as apple-cinnamon and banana-caramel-pecan.

The lunch menu has panini including their signature Cheese Steak Panini, plus sandwiches, wraps, and salads including the Carolina Chicken Salad which has fried or grilled chicken strips, iceberg lettuce tomato, pecans, cheddar, and bacon in honey mustard dressing.

The Texas expansion marks another milestone in Keke's growth story, following launches in Tennessee, Colorado, and California, with additional locations planned in Georgia and Nevada.

"Every new market we enter becomes part of our extended family," says Keke’s Breakfast Cafe President David Schmidt. "We're not just opening restaurants – we're joining communities. The enthusiasm we've seen from guests in our new locations has been extraordinary, and we're confident Texans will find something special in Keke's combination of generous portions, quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality."

Four other locations will open in the DFW area over the coming months as follows:

Fort Worth: Victory Shops at Heritage Trace, 9821 N Fwy. #120
Fort Worth: Trinity Commons, 3000 S. Hulen St.
Grand Prairie: Epic Towne Crossing, 1020 Mayfield Rd. #630
McKinney: West Grove, 8885 W University Dr.

"Texas's bold spirit and legendary hospitality make it the perfect home for Keke's," says Keke's Director of Marketing Jenna Law. "We believe in doing breakfast the right way – abundant portions, premium ingredients, and service that makes you feel like family."

breakfast brunch openings