This Week in Gluttony

Drink in the holiday goodness at the best food events in Dallas this week

Well, you survived Thanksgiving and consumed more turkey than you ever thought possible. But now it’s time to get in the Christmas spirit. This week is full of holiday-themed food events, from hot cider to gingerbread houses to an entire market filled with holiday treats.

We even found a cooking class devoted to not eating terribly over the holidays. And of course there are always wine dinners.

Tuesday, December 2

Holiday Wine Experience with Jean-Charles Boisset at Dallas Arboretum’s DeGolyer Estate
Boisset Collection proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset hosts a night of wine appreciation, with selections flown in from Boisset’s collection of wineries — Raymond Vineyards, DeLoach Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, Bouchard Aîné & Fils and the JCB collection of fine wines — paired with gourmet dishes. As a special holiday treat, guests can also tour the lush gardens and be among the first to experience the 12 Days of Christmas exhibition. The event lasts from 6:30-10 pm, and tickets are $80. Buy them online.

Wrath Wine Dinner at Canary By Gorji
Canary By Gorji and Wrath Wines are teaming up for a four-course dinner prepared by Gorji himself. Wrath managing director Claire Marlin discusses the characteristics of each wine and the winemaking process. Fifteen percent of proceeds from the event goes to Laidley’s Ladies Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping under-funded families receive excellent breast cancer care. Dinner is $125 and starts promptly at 6:30 pm. Pre-payment is required by calling 972-503-7080.

Thursday, December 4

To V or Not to V: Holiday Cooking Classes at Roots Juices
You don’t have to gain weight and feel like a turkey just because it’s time to party. If you yearn to eat healthier over the holidays, join experienced chefs and teachers Kathryn and Sherry, who provide two versions of traditional dinners: plant-based or animal-based. Learn to cook a healthy meal that will please everyone in your household. The class is $50, and you can order reserve your spot online.

Friday, December 5

Wassail Fest at Downtown Denton Square
Wassail is a fancy name for hot cider, and you can check out versions at participating merchant locations around the historic downtown Denton Courthouse on the Square and beyond. Tasting takes place during the Holiday Lighting Festival on Friday and continues through Saturday. Merchant participation varies depending on the day, but the wassail tasting is free for all ages. On Saturday, also enjoy live music. The fun kicks off at 5 pm on Friday and 2 pm on Saturday. Get more info here.

Saturday, December 6

Gingerbread House Workshop at Whole Foods Park Lane
Join the Whole Foods bakery team for their annual gingerbread house workshop that yields festive, tasty and edible mini houses. Class fee includes one pre-assembled house, icing and edible embellishments to decorate your creation. Multiple children may decorate one house. The event lasts from 10 am-noon, and you can reserve your spot online for $25. The class is limited in size, so act fast.

White Rock Local Market Holiday Extravaganza at Lakeside Baptist Church
Expect market staples like Bisous Bisous Patisserie, EMA Baking, Just Pie, Michele’s Marshmallows, Mom’s Buns Bakery, Village Baking Company, Empire Baking Company, Wackym’s Kitchen, Haute Sweet, Brazos Valley Cheese, Gold Rush Mustard, In a Pickle Foods, Molli Cooking Sauces, Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters and more. Also enjoy live entertainment, with music by the David Burris Group.

Head to downtown Denton for the Wassail Festival on December 5 and 6.

Photo courtesy of Denton Main Street Association

Head to downtown Denton for the Wassail Festival on December 5 and 6.

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Tiki Time

Dallas tiki bar Swizzle to close on Greenville Ave after 5 years

Photo courtesy of Swizzle

Swizzle cocktails

Dallas' temple of tiki is closing: Swizzle, the fun and trendy tiki bar at 1802 Greenville Ave. will close its doors after five years.

According to a post from owners Marty Reyes and Jen Ann Tonic, their last day will be July 19. However, they plan to keep the tiki party going via pop-ups and catering events.

"The brick and mortar may be closing but Swizzle isn’t going anywhere," the couple says. "We have been operating as Swizzle for 10 years and we don’t plan on stopping now. It started out as a pop-up and will continue as a pop-up and catering company. We will be moving forward with food and cocktail catering for parties, business events, lunches, weddings, holiday parties and everything in between."

"If your heart is breaking, try to imagine how we feel," they say.

As to why they are closing now, they said, "think of a reason, or ten, they are probably all correct," but attributed it mostly to the struggles that small businesses are facing right now.

"We have worked tirelessly to change this course against the waves of circumstance beating down on us and our incredible staff. We have all gone through more than y’all will ever hear about, because our struggles are not what escapism is about," they said. "Our goal was to bring you the best tiki experience we could dream of and I think we did just that."

"Take a good look around at your favorite small businesses and support them as much as possible, nothing is getting easier for them. They need you now more than ever," their post said.

The couple opened the bar in 2020, after already having built a tiki buzz via a series of Polynesian-style pop-ups called Swizzle Luau Lounge, which they debuted in 2016, serving mai tais and other tropical treasures.

Tiki was on an upward trend when they opened but it was also right at the beginning of the pandemic — a bad time for any business to launch.

Nonetheless, they've helped build a DFW tiki community over the last 10 years and thanked their followers for their support.

"We got to see this dream come true, not everyone can say that they did that, and you have been there beside us the whole time. Thank you for everything!" they said.

They'll be hosting and attending events, including the Tales of the Cocktail competition in New Orleans on July 22, as well as hosting their annual Dallas Tiki Week they've been bringing to DFW since 2017.

Meanwhile they will be hosting a "Tiki Takedown Sale" on June 15 at 11 am.

"If there is a piece of art, a tiki, a Witco or a particular barrel that you have had your eye on and if you would love to take a piece of Dallas history home with you, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!," their post says "We will be selling everything until the last day we are open. This is just your first opportunity. We have a lot of events planned from now until the last day. So come out, show some love, tell us your favorite stories and get to Swizzlin!"

closings nightlife