This week in gluttony

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Steak at Al Biernat's restaurant in Dallas

Steak and wine are on the menu this week.

Al Biernat's Facebook

First and foremost, friendly reminder that Mother’s Day is this Sunday. (You’ll find the list for Mother’s Day dining here.) But there are multiple opportunities to treat Mom (or other loved ones, or yourself) all week long. Tasty events range from a $21 popcorn and beer pairing to a $300 multicourse whiskey tasting. Save room for fresh gnocchi, Wagyu and wine, and a festival dedicated to local craft beer.

Tuesday, May 9

Garrison Brothers Distillery Bartender Face-Off at Local Yocal BBQ and Grill
Local bartenders will go head-to-head to create the best Garrison Brothers bourbon cocktail during this tasting event in historic downtown McKinney. Taking place at the Local Yocal BBQ and Grill, the event will welcome Garrison Brothers co-founder Charlie Garrison as one of the competition judges. Tickets are $50 and include three exclusive cocktail samples, Garrison Brothers tastings, bites and passed appetizers, live music, raffle prizes, and valet parking. Doors open at 6 pm and the cocktail competition begins at 7 pm.

Wednesday, May 10

Omakase at Kessaku featuring Glenfiddich Yozakura
An exclusive unveiling of Glenfiddich Single Malt Whiskey’s limited edition 29 year-old Grand Yozakura will take place during this multicourse tasting event. The spirit is the first-ever single malt to be finished in rare Japanese Awamori casks. A selection of sake and cocktails also will be offered. Reservations are $300, plus tax and gratuity, and the event begins at 6 pm.

Thursday, May 11

Icons of Eataly at Eataly Dallas
This month’s Icons of Eataly restaurant takeover features gnocchi al pesto Genovese, a pillowy potato gnocchi with fresh pesto Genovese pasta that’s well suited for the start of summer. Enjoy fresh gnocchi-making demonstrations and the chance to make your own pesto during this evening event at La Pizza & La Pasta, one of Eataly’s restaurants. The evening will include live music and freshly cracked wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The featured gnocchi dish will be $30 and the event will run from 5-10 pm.

Robert Mondavi Wine Dinner at Al Biernat’s North
Partake in a variety of wines from Robert Mondavi paired with four courses during this dinner at Al Biernet’s North location. Menu highlights include Wagyu beef and lamb meatballs paired with Pinot Noir and center cut filet mignon paired with Cabernet. Dinner is $195, plus tax and gratuity. Arrive for a reception with passed appetizers at 6:30 pm followed by dinner at 7 pm.

Wagyu and Wine at Fodo de Chao
All locations of the South American-inspired steakhouse will offer at side-by-side tasting of bone-in ribeye and Wagy ribeye paired with Fogo’s Trilogy Wines, which include two red blends and a malbec. The $45 price also includes hors d’oeuvres like Brazilian empanadas and bacon-wrapped chicken. Reservations may be made starting at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, May 13

Raclette + Wine Tasting at Trova Wine + Market
On the eve of Mother's Day, treat mom to complimentary Raclette cheese, paired with wines from Mayfield Selections, poured by Kelsey Collins Keener. Don't miss out on roasted potatoes, onions, cornichons, and prosciutto topped with melted Raclette cheese. And of course, wine. Reservations are recommended (make them on Open Table), but walk-ins are also welcome. 1-4 pm.

Beer + Popcorn Pairing at TUPPS Brewery
The downtown McKinney brewery will partner with neighbor Mom & Popcorn for a unique pairing. Try five flavors of gourmet popcorn paired with five different craft beers. Popcorn varieties include sea salt with cracked pepper, chili con queso, pizza, loaded potato, and classic caramel. Tickets for pairings are $21 and will be available at staggered times of 12 pm, 2 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm. There’ll also be live music from 1-4 pm.

Strassen Beerfest DFW 2023
More than 30 local breweries will participate in this annual German-themed tasting event, set to take place at Texas Live! in Arlington. Guests can partake in multiple food stations, drinking games, and music. Tickets start at $25 for entry and three pints of beer along with a stein. The event, which starts at 2 pm, is 21-and-up, but dogs are welcome.

dinner chefs news-you-can-eat

Quonset Hut News

Familiar names take over Quonset hut for new Far-Out Dallas bar

Yelp

Wriggly Tin is now Far-Out Dallas

There's a new Dallas restaurant and bar coming to everyone's favorite Quonset hut: Called Far-Out, it'll take over the space at 1906 E. Haskell Ave. in East Dallas that was previously home to Wriggly Tin, with a grand opening slated for 2025.

Founders Caroline and James Lee are calling it Far-Out & La Hermana Cerveceria and promise that a culinary adventure awaits.

"After months of creative brainstorming and a bit of furniture rearranging, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new pioneering concept that will open its doors in 2025," the duo says. "Introducing Far-Out & La Hermana Cerveceria, a dynamic new restaurant and brewery born from the collaboration of industry veterans."

The team includes some beloved East Dallas names:

Marc Cassel of The Green Room and 20 Feet Seafood Joint
Christopher Jeffers of Bolsa and Smoke
Stephanie Houston, the trailblazing first Latina Production distillery owner in America

Also joining the team is Bar Director Adam Mercado, whose resume includes stints at Billy Can Can and Brass Ram.

Marcado will crafting a unique beverage program, with support from mixologist Brian McCullough. Together, they will create what the founders call "unforgettable drink experiences to complement our delicious culinary offerings."

Wriggly Tin opened in November 2023 as an ultra-hip pizza and craft beer spot inside a renovated Quonset hut near Dallas' Fair Park — a former Cajun fried turkey place which they gave doting makeover with custom plaster walls and art objects from around the world. They replaced one whole side of the hut with glass for sunsets and created a spacious outdoor patio in front.

They earned two nomination in CultureMap's 2024 Tastemaker Awards, one for Best Bar and another for Best Patio.

Alas, the original founders, who'd previously owned Small Brewpub in Oak Cliff, parted ways shortly after it opened. And the bar closed down in September 2024, for what they called "internal changes."

Now the hut is back: The new Far-Out bar is already up and running a few days a week. In the coming days, they will offer updates and sneak peeks as they gear up for the opening of their kitchen.

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