This week in gluttony

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

There's Halloween and then there's Howl-o-ween.

Photo by @kirkthefloof

This week is for the dogs. There are two tasty events on the list where canines are the star guests. (Owners are also welcome.) Folks can also savor fair food from atop a sky-high Dallas landmark, partake in a two-day outdoor wine and music festival (the weather looks perfect for this), or indulge in a five-course dinner with a featured guest chef from Savannah.

Wednesday, October 13

Black, White and The Grey Book Tour Dinner
Chef Mashama Bailey of The Grey restaurant in Savannah, Georgia and co-owner John O. Morisano will visit Meridian for a book tour event paired with a five-course dinner. A copy of the duo’s new cookbook, Black, White and The Grey, is included in the $125 per person price. Menu highlights include wood-fired carrot salad, Caruru (Brazilian okra stew) and braised oxtail. A welcome cocktail is included, and wine pairings are available for $55. Seating times run from 5 to 8:30 pm.

Thursday, October 14

Drag Bingo Hosted by BLEACH at Canvas Hotel
Head over to the Canvas Hotel Dallas for a classic game of bingo and a refreshing glass of bubbly, alongside an unforgettable performance and fun prizes. Hosted by Dallas’ own beloved BLEACH, who was named one of the best drag shows in Dallas, the event lasts from 7-9 pm at the hotel's ground floor restaurant, Chefs Palette. Tickets are $10 and include one glass of champagne (food may be ordered separately).

Friday, October 15

Fair in the Air at Reunion Tower
Fair food faves will be served atop the Reunion Tower during this second annual event. Go for corn dogs (in several varieties), cotton candy, funnel cakes and fried Oreos paired with 360-degree sky-high views. Tickets are $18 per person, plus the cost of food and beverages. The event will run 4-9 pm.

Saturday, October 16

Howl-O-Ween Brunch at Ellie’s
The Hall Arts Hotel in the Dallas Arts District will host a fur-baby-friendly brunch on the terrace of Ellie’s, its restaurant and lounge. There’ll be a canine costume contest at 12 pm with a chance to win Ellie’s gift cards and hotel staycations, as well as new fall menu items and cocktails. The brunch will take place from 11 am to 2 pm. Reservations are highly encouraged.

Fifth Annual McKinney Wine & Music Festival
Taking place at Towne Lake Park near historic downtown McKinney, the two-day festival will feature 30 local and national wineries, live music, and food vendors. Bring a blanket to sit and sip in front of one of two concerts stages. Tickets are $30 for 10 wine tastings or $40 for 20. Or go VIP ($100 for Saturday, $55 for Sunday), which includes 20 tasting tickets and access to the VIP tent where there’ll be a private tasting bar and apps from Two Skillets Catering. The festival runs 12-7 pm on Saturday and 12-5 pm on Sunday.

Woofstock Dallas at MUTTS Canine Cantina
UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled to October 27. The Dallas dog park and outdoor bar will transform into a music festival featuring Rahr & Sons Brewing Company, bands, and vendors during this all-day event. Bring four-legged friends and peruse the dog-friendly artisan products (including dog floral crowns) while sipping featured Rahr craft beer. The event begins at noon and live music will run from 12:30-7 pm. A day pass starts at $8.95.

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Where to Drink

Where to drink in Dallas right now: 5 happy hours for September

Esco Dallas

The best-tasting drinks are blue.

It's time for the September installment of Where to Drink, our monthly column on the best places for cocktails and more. We're looking at our favorite theme — best happy hours — and have found five places taking it seriously in all the far reaches of Dallas: from Frisco to Wylie to downtown Dallas, even to the Park Cities, because they need a drink discount, too.

Here's where to drink in Dallas right now:

Ainsworth
Elevated sports bar at the Shops at Legacy has a weekday happy hour from 11 am-7 pm. And on Fridays, they add two extra hours of joy with an extended happy hour from 11 am-9 pm. Drink specials include $4 drafts, $5 wells, $7 house wines, and $8 signature cocktails. Select appetizers are $5, such as chips & salsa, spinach dip, and mozzerella sticks. The Friday dining deals include $7 flatbreads.

Casa Mia
Frisco Mexican restaurant has a daily happy hour from 4-7 pm with discounts on frozen and rocks margaritas, draft, and bottle beers. Select drinks are $4-$6.50, including house margaritas, exotic flavor margaritas, and domestic and imported beer. There are also deals on bites, including $6.50 tacos and $7.50 nachos and quesadillas.

Esco Dallas
Buzzy tapas restaurant in downtown Dallas from rapper 2Chainz has rotating happy hour specials Tuesday-Friday from 4-7 pm. Tuesdays are $3 well shots and $10 for three tacos. Wednesdays feature $5 wine by the glass, plus rum drinks and shots. Thursdays feature $7 Crown Royal and Dusse drinks. Friday, it's $9 Casamigos drinks.

Ferah Smokehouse
Wylie smokehouse and family-owned concept has a new daily happy hour from 3-6 pm, with an amazing array of items all priced at $4. Here's all the things you can get for $4: mojitos, margaritas, Moscow mules, cosmos, and house cocktails; plus brisket mac & cheese balls, meatballs, creamy elotes, and queso.

Half Shells
Snider Plaza, where Half Shells resides, is under renovation, so the Half Shells is compensating with weekday specials from 3-6 pm, including oysters for $2.50, shrimp nachos for $8, shrimp & crab queso for $8, and a cheeseburger for $10. Drink specials include $6 glasses of house wine, $2 off other glasses of wine, $6 Gold Margarita, and $6 wells. Mondays is happy hour all day.