This Week in Gluttony

82-cent cocktails fuel this roundup of Dallas’ best food and drink events

Just as one of the biggest food holidays recedes into memory, it's time to get back out there for This Week in Gluttony. From festive gingerbread house-decorating classes to multiple wine events and even a party featuring dirt-cheap cocktails, there is no shortage of food-and-drink fun.

Wednesday, December 2

Holiday Mini Tour Kickoff Party at Old Chicago
This celebration showcases the taproom’s 12 new, limited-time-only holiday beers. Sip on Texas beers like Lakewood's Holiday Bonus and Martin House's Sugar and Spice while playing games, winning prizes, and eating pizza. The fun starts at 7 pm.

Wine and Chocolate Pairing at Messina Hof Grapevine Winery
Enjoy decadent wine and chocolate pairings at this fun event that takes place the first Wednesday of each month. This happy hour event starts at 5 pm and costs $20 a person. Make reservations by calling 817-442-8463.

PlumpJack and Cade Estate Wine Dinner at Lark on the Park
Chefs Melody Bishop and Dennis Kelley pair an exquisite five-course menu with wines from the Napa boutique wineries. Courses include caña de cabra, pepper crusted yellowfin tuna, braised shortribs, grilled wagyu NY strip, and more. The dinner is $165 and starts at 7 pm. For reservations, call 214-855-5275.

Thursday, December 3

Valrhona Chocolate and Vineyard Brands Wine Dinner at Abacus
This unique dinner features six chocolate-inspired courses from Chef Kent Rathbun and team, and to up the decadence, each course will also be paired with chocolate and wine. Joining the Abacus team will be Carmen Cantu from Valrhona and Todd Ruback from Vineyard Brands, as they discuss their chocolates and wines with attendees. Dinner starts at 6:30 pm and costs $175. Reservations are required by contacting Stephanie Conder at 214-520-0151.

Saturday, December 5

Repeal Day Celebration at Victor Tangos
In honor of the 82nd anniversary of the 21st amendment ratification, this Henderson hot spot is offering 82-cent cocktails from 5-7 pm (or until the booze runs out). Cocktails on the menu include the Sazerac, Income Tax, and Hemingway Daiquiri. And, in true Victor Tangos form, Rum Cognac Punch will be flowing.

Checkered Past Winery Grand Opening
Come celebrate the opening of Dallas' latest winery. Starting at 4 pm, enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and appetizers while supplies last. Guests can also score freebies and win raffle prizes. DJ Mark Ridlen and ska band Boss Riot are providing the entertainment.

Gingerbread House Decorating Class at Whole Foods Plano
Get in the Christmas spirit by decorating your ideal gingerbread house with friends and family. This class includes the gingerbread house, candy, and icing along with a bakery team member on hand to answer any questions. Tickets are $30 and the fun starts at noon.

Sunday, December 6

Sunday School at Hotel ZaZa
This is the last Sunday School brunch of the year and the perfect place to let off a little post-Thanksgiving steam. There is always champagne, delicious food, and dancing on tables (really). Brunch costs $75 a person and starts a noon. To reserve your spot, call 214-550-9500.

Celebrate Repeal Day by sipping 82-cent cocktails at Victor Tangos from 5-7 pm on December 5.

Photo courtesy of Victor Tangos

Celebrate Repeal Day by sipping 82-cent cocktails at Victor Tangos from 5-7 pm on December 5.

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Taking the field

Dak Prescott-backed Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux kicks off in Wylie

Photo courtesy of Walk-Ons

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is opening in Wylie on August 10.

A Louisiana sports bar chain that counts Cowboys QB Dak Prescott as a partner continues to build its fan base in Dallas-Fort Worth: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is set to open a new location in Wylie on Monday, August 10.

Announced earlier this year, the restaurant is at 906 FM 544, near the intersection of Highway 78 and FM 544. The opening marks the chain's 20th Texas location and its second operating restaurant in the DFW area.

Founded in Baton Rouge in 2003 by former LSU basketball "walk-ons" Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, Walk-On's has grown to more than 80 locations nationwide. The company is co-owned by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (an Austin native), and franchise partners include Prescott, along with former NFL player Derrick Brooks, and college football coach Dabo Swinney.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux Wylie The new Walk-On's is at 906 FM 544, Wylie.Photo courtesy of Walk-On's

The menu is centered on seafood and classic Louisiana dishes: fried seafood platters, pastas, burgers, sandwiches, po'boys, fried oysters, gumbo, fried alligator, and boudin balls. Prices range from $10 to $20.

Starters include waffle cheese fries, fried pickles, boneless wings, cheeseburger sliders, spinach-artichoke dip, and venison nachos. They have a bread pudding made with Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

There's also a plentiful selection of beers on tap, plus margaritas and other crafty-ish cocktails.

The Wylie restaurant is owned by franchisee Cooper Thomson, who says the community made the city an appealing place to expand.

"I am thrilled to expand Walk-On's presence in Dallas, and particularly in the community of Wylie," Thomson says in a release. "To be a part of the growth in this area - to serve families and be a place where little league teams celebrate and football fans cheer on their team - is such a special opportunity."

Although Walk-On's has been in the DFW market since pre-pandemic times, Wylie will be its second restaurant in DFW open currently, joining a location at Grandscape in The Colony. Earlier Dallas-area locations in Irving and Arlington have closed, although the company has previously said it plans to reopen the Arlington restaurant at a new location.

The Wylie restaurant features a sports bar with dozens of TVs, a large outdoor patio, and a family-friendly dining room designed for game-day crowds.

Grand opening festivities will kick off at 10:30 am on Monday, August 10, with a ceremony featuring Walk-On's founder Brandon Landry, franchise owner Cooper Thomson, Wylie Mayor Matthew Porter, city officials, and representatives from Wylie High School and Wylie East High School.

The celebration will include donations to the two schools' athletic departments, followed by a ribbon-cutting at 10:45 am. Doors open to the public at 11 am, and the first 100 guests to dine will have a chance to win free Walk-On's for a year.

Walk-On's will be the second sports bar concept with celebrity cred to open in DFW within a few days' time. Shark Club, from Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi, opened Friday, August 7 in Northlake.

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