This Week in Gluttony

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

Head out to Carrollton for a tour of Parks Coffee on August 10.

Photo by: The PR Collaborative

Wine. Beer. Cocktails. And even coffee. When a week's food events lineup includes all of these super sips, you know it is going to be a good one. Also, learn to make plant-based back-to-school snacks for kiddos, attend a boozy festival at Globe Life Park, or take a tour of the city's finest barbecue joints.

Tuesday, August 6

Plant-Based Cooking Class at Nature's Plate
This cooking demonstration allows attendees to learn about the unique ingredients and specific recipes involved in making delicious plant-based snacks. The menu includes chocolate chip snack bars, hummus, chocolate pudding, chocolate fruit sauce, popsicles with no added sugar, and more. Tickets are $65, and the class, which takes place at their Lake Highlands kitchen, starts at 6 pm.

Wednesday, August 7

First Taste Wines-Day at Cool River Cafe Irving
The first Wednesday of each month, guests can sample five wines selected by the restaurant’s wine director paired with hand-passed hors d’oeuvres. The favored wine wins a place on the Cool River Cafe menu for the following month. Tickets are $20, and the tasting kicks off at 5 pm. Call 972-871-8881 for more information on reserving your spot.

Saturday, August 10

All-Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival at Globe Life Park
This inaugural event features craft beer, wine, and cocktail brands from around the world in addition to live music, games, product samples, food vendors, and more. Tickets include a glass for sampling, a voucher for two tickets to a 2019 Rangers home game, and a photo in the Rangers dugout. Tickets start at $39.95, and there are two sessions — noon to 4:30 pm and 6:30-11 pm.

Dallas' Best BBQ and Brewery Tour at Four Corners Brewing Company
Jump on a tour bus at Four Corners to sample the city's best barbecue and enjoy some ice cold beers in the process. More details on specific samplings will come after tickets are purchased; however, one stop includes barbecue voted "Best BBQ in Dallas" by the pitmasters themselves. Tickets are $64, and the tour starts at 10:30 am.

Parks Coffee Roastery Tour at Parks Coffee Carrollton
This one-hour tour gives coffee lovers a special look into the entire roasting process. The tour explores how the coffee goes from farm to cup and includes a “cupping” (tasting) of select single-origin coffees paired with delicious pastries. Tickets are $10, and the tour starts at 10 am.

A Dinner with the Queens of Dallas at Pink Magnolia
Join chef Blythe and her family for late night "naughty" bites to go with your cocktails and drag queens. This show features some of the best entertainers in the Dallas drag game and is offering entertainment at both 7 pm and 10 pm. Tickets are $50 and include the show, bites, and two drink tickets.

Monday, August 12

Sangria Dinner at Stampede 66 by Stephan Pyles in Allen
Join chefs Stephan Pyles and Stuart Race at their monthly pairing dinner, where Messina Hof Winery and house-made sangria will take center stage. Courses include baked brie, steamed mussels, fried calamari, grilled flank steak, and grilled summer fruits. Tickets are $65, and dinner starts at 6:30 pm. To make your reservation, call 469-675-0800.

craft-beer cocktails wine news-you-can-eat barbecue

School Cafeteria News

Unusual new restaurant in Lewisville summons Korean school cafeteria

Andrea Young/AsianGrub in DFDUB

F&F on the Go

An adorable restaurant that serves up a Korean school lunch has opened in Lewisville: Called F&F On The Go, it's at 2405 S. Stemmons Fwy. #201, on the second floor of Korean specialty Zion Market, where it specializes in Geupshik — a Korean custom that refers to the homestyle lunch meals provided by schools or companies.

At F&F, you get a pre-set meal, served in a stainless steel tray with compartments for the different courses. You make two choices: black or white rice and your protein, from choices such as Beef Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Spicy Squid, and Salmon Steak.

Everey meal comes with the banchan, or Korean side dishes, which the restaurant rotates daily — there's usually a salad and kim chi — plus a classic Japanese yogurt drink called “Yakult."

For $14.99, you get an authentic, yet approachable taste of Korean comfort food, says co-founder Eric Song.

“It’s a unique concept in DFW that blends Korean and Japanese flavors with a nostalgic touch,” Song says.

F&F On The Go is part of the growing Fast and Furious brand, which launched in Irving in 2013, where Song is head of operations and brand development. Their first concept was F&F Japanese Grill, a fast-casual hibachi restaurant featuring Korean and Japanese fusion cuisine which now has locations in Addison, Plano, Frisco, and Greenville Avenue.

In 2016, they expanded with a food truck, F&F Express, which makes K-style bowls.

With F&F On The Go, Song wanted to create a casual, but high-quality dining experience inspired by the nostalgic Korean school lunch style.

The presentation was designed to bring a touch of nostalgia, yet be appealing to diners unfamiliar with the style or dishes. The counter and seating area have a clean finish while capturing the essence of a Korean school cafeteria. The word “Geupshik” (급식) in Korean literally means "school meal" or "lunch service."

The restaurant is in a multicultural area north of the Sam Rayburn Tollway in Lewisville — surrounded by sushi restaurants and Korean street food stores.

“We chose the location based on strong community presence and growing demand for Asian comfort food in the area,” Song says.

openings