If you were too slow to score tickets to DFW Restaurant Week's kick-off party, your week is not a total wash. There are plenty of legit food and drink events, ranging from a boozy oyster-eating opportunity to an exciting vegetarian wine dinner in Fort Worth to a porky pop-up in Oak Cliff.
Tuesday, August 5
National Oyster Day at Driftwood
Guests can enjoy four oysters paired with absinthe, mezcal, scotch, sherry or sake for just $15. Sit at the bar, eat your oysters and a bartender fills each empty shell with your drink of choice, giving your taste buds a one-of-a-kind experience. In addition, à la carte oysters are $1 each, including Kusshi, Duxbury, Barnstable and Misty Points. The specials last from 5-7 pm. Call 214-942-2530 for reservations.
Thursday, August 7
Vegetarian Wine Dinner at Grace
Using the freshest locally harvested produce, Grace chef Blaine Staniford prepares an eight-course vegetarian dinner highlighting the flavors of the Texas summer; five are paired with wines. Courses include frozen white gazpacho, Texas baby summer squash carpaccio, blistered heirloom tomatoes, Texas corn bisque and cauliflower steak. Cost is $65 per person for dinner only or $115 per person with wine pairings. All dishes can also be prepared vegan. Dinner starts at 6:30 pm. Call 817-877-3388 for reservations.
Porchetta Pop-Up at Oak Cliff Social Club
Lucia Dallas is on vacation this week, so Justin Holt and Michael Gibson are hosting a one-night pop-up at Oak Cliff Social Club. Holt is a pop-up veteran; he used to do ramen pop-ups at Oak Cliff venues such as Ten Bells Tavern. He and Gibson serve red wattle porchetta with salsa verde and pickles for $10 a plate. Dinner starts at 8 pm; Barefoot Hippies play at 8:30. No reservations are needed. Call 214-941-0298 for more info.
Friday, August 8
German Riesling Tasting with Kuby's Sausage at Wine Poste
Wine Poste is celebrating all things German in honor of Germany's World Cup victory. Tickets are $20 and include four Riesling tastings, sausage from Kuby's and music by Kraftwerk. The fun starts at 6 pm, and you can buy tickets online.
Monday, August 11
Seasonal Heirloom Summer Supper at Canary by Gorji
Heirloom tomatoes set the scene for presenting sustainable wild Pacific salmon and Texas wild boar tenderloin in a three-course dinner for $49. Produce experts from Whole Foods are available for discussion and questions about the delicious tomatoes they are providing. There is limited seating; reservations and pre-payment are required by calling 972-503-7080.
Slices for Supplies at Greenville Avenue Pizza Company
Customers who bring at least one school supply item receive one free slice of cheese pizza with one additional topping at this second annual event. The supplies go directly to the teachers at DISD's Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary. In addition to supplies, Greenville Avenue Pizza Company is collecting money to purchase supplies that teachers and students need at the beginning of the second semester of school. The event lasts from 5-8 pm.
Grace's Blaine Staniford is embracing all of Texas' fresh produce with his first vegetarian wine dinner on August 7.
The Cheese Lab offers creative twists on grilled cheese sandwiches. Photo courtesy of Cheese Lab 
BBQ Brisket Mac n Cheese Melty.Photo courtesy of Cheese Lab
Cheetos Ball.Photo courtesy of Cheese Lab