This Week In Gluttony

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

We aren't ones to pick favorite food events, but given this week's surprisingly low temperature forecast, it seems like an ideal time to sip rosé, eat lobster, and pretend like you live in the Northeast. Ya know, before it's 100 degrees again next week.

Wednesday, August 17

Legal Draft Beer Co. Dinner at CiboDivino Marketplace
Chef Ryan Olmos partners with this new Arlington brewery for an exciting pairings dinner in North Oak Cliff. Courses include 44 Farms beef-bacon BLT, lime-grilled shrimp flatbread, grilled vegetable sausage, spicy tuna and avocado stacks, and sirloin and wild mushroom dip. Guests also receive a complimentary Legal Draft Beer Company Pint Glass. Tickets are $55 and dinner starts at 6 pm.

Thursday, August 18

La Cie en Rosé Special Tasting Dinner at Dallas Fish Market
Executive chef Richard Triptow joins forces with DRG Concepts wine and spirits director George Calderon for a special night of tasting Dallas's favorite summer wine. Bites include yellowtail, salmon crudo, redfish, and seared scallops. The rosé selection includes Bieler Père et Fils, Torres, Le Grand Courtâge, Masseria Li Veli, and Elysis. Tickets are $50 and the wine starts to flow at 6:30 pm.

Beer and Cheese Pairing at Texas Ale Project
This laid-back class begins at 6:30 pm with an introductory pint to get the evening started on a fun note. At 7 pm, the good times really begin when guests get four beers paired with eight cheeses. "Cheese Guru" Tyler educates you on the cheese, while the founders of Texas Ale Project handle all the beer knowledge. Tickets are $35, not including the bartender tips.

Friday, August 19

3rd Fridays Salado Whiskey Reception at Texas Spice (Omni Dallas Hotel)
This reception-style event features food stations that are each accompanied by a specialty cocktail. Stations include smoked, country-fried, gulf, and sweet treats. The event costs $55 and kicks off at 7 pm. Space is limited to 60 people, and reservations can be made by calling 214-979-4529.

Saturday, August 20

Pop-Up Art Show at Viridian Farmers Market
The work of nearly a dozen local artists complements farm-fresh produce and artisanal delicacies in this exciting hybrid event. Paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted items will be available for viewing and purchase. Live music is being provided by Tony Ray, and Pokey O’s Tarrant County food truck is scheduled to make an appearance with cookies and ice cream for purchase. Admission is free, and the market lasts from 8 am to noon.

Sunday, August 21

New England Lobster Bake at Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill
Head to Plano for this special New England lobster bake for two for $100. The bake includes two 1.5 pound lobsters, 1 pound of Prince Edward Island mussels, a dozen little neck clams, red potatoes, corn, and house salads. Advanced reservations are recommended by calling 972-473-2722. You can also choose to order the lobster bake to-go.

The Texas Ale Project is hosting a beer and cheese pairing event on Thursday, August 18.

Texas Ale Project/Facebook

The Texas Ale Project is hosting a beer and cheese pairing event on Thursday, August 18.

where-to-eat

Global flavors

New Afghan street food restaurant Flaming Bites fires up in Carrollton

A look at the variety of dishes served at Flaming Bites, located on Webb Chapel Road in Carrollton.

Photo courtesy of Flaming Bites.

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A new fast-casual restaurant with Afghan roots and global influences has opened in Carrollton. Called Flaming Bites, the restaurant focuses on fresh street food showcasing Mediterranean and South-Central Asian flavors.

The new concept comes from business partners and longtime friends Masihullah Samadi and Rafiullah Esmati. Originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, the duo moved to the U.S. a few years ago, bringing with them years of restaurant experience in both Afghanistan and Turkey.

They set out to open a restaurant that reflected their upbringing and culinary background, centering on Afghan cuisine while drawing inspiration from around the globe. The resulting menu blends familiar flavors from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Mexico, and America. Spices such as cumin, paprika, and turmeric take center stage.

The name "Flaming Bites" is a nod to the restaurant's open grill and signature meats.

"The flame is always on when you come in, and we will have your food ready in less than ten minutes," Samadi says.

All meats served are 100 percent halal, adhering to Islamic dietary laws that emphasize clean handling, animal health, and humane practices.

The individual gyro options at Flaming Bites include grilled halal meat and fresh vegetables.Photo courtesy of Flaming Bites

The menu features chicken, lamb, beef, falafel, and fish served as gyros, platters, kebabs, and salads. For classic comfort fare, there's also a lineup of hamburgers, smash burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteaks, sandwiches, sliders, Cajun chicken tenders, and wings.

Customers also can customize their own plates using fresh ingredients displayed at the counter, along with a variety of house sauces, including white tzatziki, hot sauce, salsa verde, BBQ, honey mustard, mango habanero, honey BBQ, and ranch.

Desserts range from traditional baklava and gulab jamun (sweet, deep-fried dough balls) to churros and an assortment of cakes, including tres leches, Oreo, carrot, and red velvet.

Designed to serve both local residents and daytime workers in the busy Carrollton area, most menu items are priced between $8 and $12. The restaurant offers dine-in and takeout.

Flaming Bites, at 1002 Webb Chapel Rd., is currently open daily from 10 am-12 midnight, with plans to add a third shift until 3 or 4 am to cater to late-night workers from nearby businesses.

carrollton openings