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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Tea News

New tea at Dallas' Mansion on Turtle Creek is seriously surreal

Mansion on Turtle Creek

Surreal desserts at Mansion on Turtle Creek

Dallas is a little tea crazy these days, but the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek has launched a new tea that stands out as truly surreal: Called the Surrealism Art Afternoon Tea, it's a limited-time immersive culinary experience timed to coincide with the International Surrealism Exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art, and it's open for reservations through March 22, 2026.

According to a release, the Surrealism Art Afternoon Tea transforms The Mansion’s regular afternoon tea into a dreamlike journey, starring a parade of whimsical desserts paired with organic teas and celebratory champagne.

Guests will begin with savory sandwiches, followed by scones and inspired pastries reimagined through Dalí and the surrealistic lens.

The menu is informed by three pastries inspired by surrealistic works of art — two of which take direct inspiration by iconic works of Salvador Dalí. Each pastry draws from the symbolism, whimsy, and surreal visual language of these masterpieces.

These desserts are the centerpieces of the experiencing, evoking dreamscapes that are surreal in form and flavor.

Highlights include:

The Queen of Hearts, inspired by Dalí’s “Playing Card” collection. At first glance it looks like a regular card, but with a closer look you can find an array of traditional and non-traditional symbols and colors.

This pastry features ruby peach jelly, almond sponge and glazed strawberry mousse on a red sable heart, garnished with chocolate decorations and an edible queen of hearts.

The Metamorphosis of Narcissus. Painted in 1937, The Metamorphosis of Narcissus is Dalí’s interpretation of the Greek myth. Focusing on the narcissus flower, which begins to blossom out of Dalí’s egg, the flower symbolizes new beginnings.

This cake is composed of a mango and passion fruit jelly, pistachio financier and vanilla mouse, dipped in passion fruit chocolate and garnished with sugar daffodil and chocolate leaves.

Butterfly Windmill. this surrealist-inspired creation reflects the butterfly as a timeless symbol of freedom, metamorphosis, and transformation, central themes within the Surrealist movement.

The pastry layers citrus crémeux, olive oil cake, and almond–hazelnut praline, encased in Manjari chocolate mousse, glazed, and dipped in yuzu chocolate. A delicate butterfly, crafted from chocolate and sugar, crowns the piece as a final tribute to its symbolism.

The tea is set in the historic 1925 Mansion Library, surrounded by stained‐glass windows in a 16th-century Italian Renaissance-inspired setting. Price is $95, or $115 with a glass of Bollinger Champagne. Reservations are available Saturday and Sunday from 12–2:30 p.m. and may be made on OpenTable.

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