This week in gluttony

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

One fun festival lets you taste whiskey from nearly a dozen different distilleries.

Photo courtesy of Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival

As many schools are now back in session, fittingly, this week is all about tasty education. Events range from “Wine 101” and “Pitmaster University” to an informative Italian wine tasting class and a sushi-making class. There are also two festivals on the docket — one celebrating whiskey and an inaugural multi-day festival wine and food festival hosted by the Dallas Symphony. Let the learning begin and the whiskey flow.

Saturday, August 28

Pitmaster University Series at Oak’d BBQ
Learn the basics of barbecuing at this three-hour class led by Oak’d BBQ pitmaster Michael Lane. Participants will master selecting and trimming meat; controlling temps and timing; and perfecting rubs, seasoning, and marinades. The class comes with a “survival kit” with gear and swag, along with lunch and beer. Class is $225 per person and will run from 8-11 am.

Wine 101 at Neighborhood Cellar
The Bishop Arts wine bar and bottle shop has relaunched its Wine 101 classes. Next up on the schedule is a class all about natural wine. Participants will try four types along with snacks from Fount Board & Table. Class is $35 per person and will run from 12-1 pm.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Wine & Food Festival
The inaugural series of events will feature wine from around the world, champagnes, craft brews, local spirits, and tastes from celebrated Dallas restaurants. The biggest event of all is the Symphony of Flavors Grand Tasting, to be held at the Meyerson on Saturday from 12-3 pm. Participating restaurants include Malai Kitchen, Haywire Uptown, and Krio. Tickets are $98 per person. There’s also the Bubbles & Bites Champagne Brunch Tasting at the Meyerson at 11 am Sunday ($95 per person). Also plan for two educational Sunday afternoon seminars — one on Riedel wine glasses (Sunday at 1:30 pm, $125, includes a set of four glasses) and one on Chardonnay (4 pm, $89).

Dallas Summer Whiskey Tasting Festival
Taste whiskey from nearly a dozen different distilleries at Bottled Blonde in Deep Ellum. Tickets range from $50 per person for 15 tasting tickets to $75 for 20 tasting tickets, a bar bites buffet, and early entry. The event runs from 4-6 pm with entry available as early as 2:30 pm for premium ticketholders. Participating distilleries include Blackland Distillery, Three Chord Bourbon, and Traverse City Co.

Sip & Savor Wine Tasting at Eataly
The Italian culinary wonderland at NorthPark will host an educational wine tasting covering the Fruili-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Learn about different grape varietals and indulge in Italian small bites. Note that class registration closes two days before the event by noon. Class is $55 per person and begins at 6 pm.

Sunday, August 29

Ichi Ni San Sushi Class
Learn how to make sushi rolls and fold potstickers at this hands-on class hosted by the experts at Ichi Ni San and Second Floor at The Exchange Hall. A sake sampling will help wash everything down. The class is $100 per person and will run from 6-8 pm.

festivals barbecue news-you-can-eat wine

Sports bar goals

Shark Club sports bar from Dallas Stars owner suits up in Northlake

Photo courtesy of Shark Club

Shark Club burgers and beer.

A sports bar from the owner of the Dallas Stars is ready to make its debut in Northlake: Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill, the Canadian-born chain owned by Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi, will open at 13850 Chadwick Pkwy. inside the new Children's Health StarCenter Multisport complex.

Opening day is Friday, August 7, according to a release.

The restaurant is the brand's second U.S. location, following a Plano outpost that opened in 2019. It was first announced in 2025 as part of the massive youth sports complex in Northlake, a Denton County community about 40 miles northwest of Dallas.

According to the release, the 5,000-square-foot restaurant is designed to serve families, athletes, coaches, and sports fans visiting the Dallas Stars-affiliated sports complex. It features 37 televisions inside, plus additional TVs on an outdoor patio overlooking the pickleball courts.

Though specific menu details have not yet been revealed, diners can expect many of the dishes served at the Plano location, they say, with shareable appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, entrées, and cocktails, plus some location-specific additions. The Plano Shark Club serves globally-inspired dishes such as shishito peppers and butter chicken, alongside classic American bar food, bowls, salads, and pot roast.

Happy hour specials will be offered twice a day, Monday through Friday, from 3-7 pm and 10 pm-close.

Wings and nachos at Shark Club.Photo courtesy of Shark Club

“Sports have always had a unique ability to bring people together, but the most meaningful moments often happen before the game starts and long after the final whistle,” Gaglardi says in the release. “Our goal was to create a place where families, teams and fans can connect, celebrate and build traditions of their own. North Texas remains an important growth market for Shark Club, and we’re excited to continue building our presence here and across the U.S.”

The restaurant is part of the Children's Health StarCenter Multisport, a 225,000-square-foot facility that includes two sheets of ice for hockey, eight basketball courts that can convert into 16 volleyball courts, pickleball courts, and community programming. The complex is the newest addition to the Dallas Stars' growing StarCenter network.

Shark Club was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. Gaglardi also co-owns both the restaurant chain Moxies and the Craft Restaurant and Beer Market in Dallas' Preston Center.

Grand opening festivities on August 7 will begin at 4 pm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Metroport Chamber of Commerce, followed by dinner and happy hour.

Once it opens, Shark Club Northlake will be open daily: 11 am-11 pm Monday-Thursday, 11 am-12 am Friday, 10 am-12 am Saturday, and 10 am-11 pm Sunday.

openings dallas stars sports bar