This Week in Gluttony

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

Enjoy a Ben Milam whiskey tasting at one of three locations on December 11.

Photo courtesy of Ben Milam Whiskey

Christmas is just two weeks away. How does the time fly so quickly? Let's celebrate (or manage our anxiety) by drinking all the whiskey and inhaling all the cheese. There's plenty of it this week.

Tuesday, December 11

Ben Milam Whiskey Good Tidings Tour
Marsha Milam and whiskey expert Heather Greene are spreading holiday cheer via Ben Milam bourbon cocktails and pies. The duo will travel in their 1964 Ford F100 pickup truck, decked out in funky holiday decor, swapping stories, sharing pecan pies made with Ben Milam bourbon, and serving holiday craft cocktails also made with Milam’s own whiskey brand. First stop is Eureka! at 3 pm, followed by The Mitchell at 6 pm, and wrapping up at Katy Trail Ice House at 7 pm. Admission is free.

Wednesday, December 12

Night Local Market + Christmas Celebration at Highland Park Village
Mix and mingle at one of the most beautiful shopping centers in Dallas from 5-9 pm. Shop food and gift vendors, take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a live performance by traditional carolers. There will also be face painters, a Ferris wheel, and balloon artists for the kiddos.

High Tea in the Hall at Hall of State at Fair Park
Celebrate the holidays with a traditional afternoon tea in the Great Hall, plus informal modeling of 1930s-era fashion from Texas Vintage Society. Guests can also view the exhibit "Toys Through the Decades." There is one seating on December 12 and two seatings on December 13. The December 13 event includes visits with Santa from 5-6 pm and access to the Fair Park "Holiday Delights" official tree lighting even at 6 pm. Tickets start at $30 and seatings are at 2:30 and 4 pm.

Thursday, December 13

200th Anniversary of Champagne Billecart-Salmon at Bullion
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the renowned champagne house Billecart-Salmon, Chef/Owner Bruno Davaillon has created a special four-course dinner. Courses include Pomme de Terre et Caviar, L’Oeuf, Ravioli de Homard, and Le Faisan. Tickets are $245 and the evening kicks off at 5:30 pm. To reserve your spot, call 972-698-4250.

Cheese 101 at Scardello Artisan Cheese
Nibble your way through the different cheese types by experiencing comparative tastings of cheese and out-of-the-ordinary items that will help you focus on the distinct flavors of each cheese type. Of course, soothing libations will be provided in the relaxing atmosphere of the shop, too. Tickets are $40 and the event kicks off at 7 pm.

Saturday, December 15

Cupcake-tennial at Kookie Haven
Celebrate one year of being back in business with free cupcakes. The family-owned bakery has brought love and light to Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff after relocating from Mesquite. The bakery has amassed a loyal following of Dallas foodies and dessert aficionados, and to show their appreciation for the support, they are offering free cupcakes from 11 am-1 pm while supplies last.

desserts holidays cocktails news-you-can-eat dinner

Omakase News

Downtown Dallas restaurant Sauvage expands with new dining twist

Sauvage

A downtown Dallas restaurant famous for its multi-course tasting experience is letting its hair down: Sauvage, the high-end mom-and-pop restaurant near the Statler Dallas hotel, has a new dining option that gives a smaller, more casual taste.

The restaurant opened in September with a set menu featuring 16 to 18 courses — wild game, seafood, vegetables, and dessert — all cooked via grill and smoker.

While 16 courses might sound like a lot, the courses are mostly small bites. However, owners Casey and Amy LaRue received feedback from diners wanting a smaller option.

"We were getting a ton of messages from guests who want to stop by just to try one dish, a bite, or a specific pairing without committing to the full tasting — so we built something for exactly that," Casey says.

They've introduced a new three-course "Cocktails & Bites hour" featuring three dishes, each paired with its own cocktail, served from 5–6 pm on weekdays.

Last week’s menu consisted of:

dry-aged red snapper crudo with La Chinola Way, a cocktail featuring passionfruit, mezcal, lime, and ginger
foie gras & truffle on house-baked croissant with Pendennis Club, a gin sour with apricot liqueur bitters
jerk-spiced shrimp with Clarified Paper Plane, a bourbon cocktail with Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice

The new offering continues their pattern of pairing courses with cocktails rather than wine — an approach they've embraced since opening. "Limiting pairings to wine can get boring — it so often ends up being one expensive red after another," Casey says.

You can make a reservation on Tock, or just walk in and grab a seat.

Caviar
They've also added a new version of their classic menu: no caviar.

"Some love having caviar integrated into the menu, but others prefer to skip it, whether for taste or dietary reasons, but still want the full value of the experience," Casey says. "With such a small counter, this put us in a strange position: do we give everyone caviar whether they want it or not, or do we remove it entirely and lose a core part of our menu?"

Thus, a new menu without caviar, priced at $195, with an optional caviar course available for those who want it for $245.

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