Build a Box of Chocolates

Dallas chocolatier Kate Weiser opens sweet pop-up shop for the holidays

Kate Weiser is selling her finely made confections, including chocolate holidayornaments, at her Hilton Anatole pop-up.
Photo courtesy of Kate Weiser
Kate Weiser pop-up shop is in the lobby of the Hilton Anatole.
Photo courtesy of Kate Weiser

Chocolatier Kate Weiser has yet to open her chocolate shop at Trinity Groves, but chocolate fiends fear not: She's selling her delectable, gorgeous goods in a holiday pop-up shop at the Hilton Anatole hotel.

Weiser, who honed her craft at Chocolate Secrets and whose work has been hailed as the "best chocolates made in Dallas," is setting up an eye-catching table in the lobby for holiday events leading up to Christmas, including the "date night" event on Friday, December 13, which is part of the Hilton's "Sparkle" installation. She'll be there from 4-10 pm.

"This is the only place you can go to choose your own assortment," Weiser says.

Weiser was approached by the hotel, who had already signed her up to create gifts for their corporate client.

"They said, 'We're doing this Sparkle celebration from November to January. What if we give you space in our lobby to do a pop-up?'" Weiser says. "My shop at Trinity Groves isn't open yet, and it seemed like a good way to make my chocolates available for the holiday."

The concept is a "build-a-box pop-up," Weiser says. "I bring about 14 of my favorite flavors out of my collection, and you can choose whatever you like," she says. "Or you can get a box of all Key lime pie, if that's what you want.

"If you buy my chocolates in other places like Ascension Coffee or Eatzi's, you'd get an assortment I'd put together. Right now, this is the only place you can go to choose your own assortment."

She's also selling her chocolate bars and some special confections, including holiday-themed molded figures and her stunning chocolate Christmas tree ornaments.

The dates on her future appearances are tentative and are based on whatever is happening at the hotel. You can keep track by following her updates on her Facebook page. In the hotel lobby, look for her by the staircase in the atrium, although you won't have to look hard. The stunning jewel-like colors and impeccable appearance of her chocolates, lined up in perfect rows, make her easy to find.

"Everyone that walks past my station stops dead in their tracks because of the bright colors," Weiser says. "They ask me, 'Are you selling marbles?'"

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Hot Dog News

Portillo's hot dog chain opens first airport shop in Dallas-Fort Worth

Portillo's

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Travelers taking flight can now get a hot dog: Portillo’s, the fast-casual chain from Chicago, is opening the first-ever Portillo’s airport location in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

The new location is one of two — along with another in The Villages, Florida — that will feature a new small, dine-in only format. It won't have the traditional drive-thru. Because there is no drive-thru at the airport, see. See what I'm saying.

Unlike traditional Portillo’s locations, the airport restaurant will feature a smaller, walk-up accessible footprint with multiple ordering touchpoints – including at the register, self-order kiosks, and order ahead for pick-up.

There will also be a variety of seating options accommodating more than 50 guests as well as a grab-and-go area — useful for travelers taking food on the plane, to their gate, or for leisurely meals during layovers or the unfortunate flight cancellation.

Portillo's partner for the DFW Airport location is PhaseNext Hospitality, whose president and CEO Roz Mallet says she is "thrilled to partner with Portillo's on this first airport location."

“As a fan of the culture, food, and history of Chicago, I have also been a longtime fan of Portillo’s,” Mallet says.

Guests can expect signature Portillo’s items like Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, and Portillo’s "famous" chocolate cake.

Hot dogs come in regular, chili cheese, Polish sausage, and Maxwell Street Polish sausage which has mustard and grilled onions.

Their Italian beef sandwich features thinly sliced roast beef served on French bread, which is then dipped in hot gravy. You can order it dipped with sweet or hot peppers and mozzarella.

Portillo's first entered the Dallas market with a location at the Grandscape development in The Colony in January 2023. They have seven other locations in DFW, in Allen, Arlington, Denton, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, and Mansfield.

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