This Week's Food Events

These are the 7 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Ida Claire red white & blue

dallas.culturemap.com

Independence Day arrives this week and there's plenty of tasty events to celebrate. Watch a fireworks display with a frozen concoction in hand, partake in a patriotic dinner special, or devour hot dog-topped chili cheese fries all weekend long. Ready for the holidays instead? There's a Christmas in July pop-up just for you.

Tuesday, July 2

Christmas in July at Harvest Hall
European-inspired food hall connected to Hotel Vin in Grapevine will launch its second annual Christmas in July pop-up at the Holly Jolly Bar. Taking place inside Third Rail, the hall’s live entertainment venue, the pop-up will feature Christmas-inspired cocktails, including the Peppermint Bark Martini and Santa on the Beach. The pop-up will run through July 31.

Thursday, July 4

Hot Diggity Dog Days of Summer at On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen
Replacing the Dallas brewery’s usual Taco Thursday Fiesta is a four-day weekend of Independence Day-inspired specials. On the menu: beef hot dog with choice of fixings; Fourth of July loaded fries with chili, shredded cheese, diced onions, sliced jalapeño peppers, and topped with a hot dog; and a giant cookie ice cream sandwich drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce. The menu specials will run through Thursday-Sunday.

Kaboom Town Block Party at Ida Claire
Southern-inspired restaurant will host a watch party for Addison’s 39th annual Kaboom Town fireworks show featuring a backyard barbecue menu, frozen flights, outdoor games, and DJ music. Tickets for VIP table seating are $50 and include valet parking and a $25 food and beverage credit. General admission is $10 at the gate. The party starts at 7 pm with the fireworks display set for 9:30 pm.

Waterproof 4th of July Swim Pool Party
Rooftop lounge above The Statler in downtown Dallas is hosting a 4th of July party with music, grilled hot dogs and burgers, and a refreshing night swim with the best views of the city’s fireworks. Party starts at 5 pm. Admission is $15 or $100 for VIP experience with table or cabana; ladies who join before 6:30 pm enter for free. Reserve online.

Friday, July 5

McRae’s Anniversary
East Dallas American bistro will celebrate its first anniversary with a patriotic prix fixe menu. The dinner special includes choice of appetizer, soup, or salad, and choice of beef tournedos, salmon meuniere, or lemon caper chicken for an entrée. Priced at $39, the deal is good Friday through Sunday.

Saturday, July 6

Dallas Farmers Market Watermelon Celebration
Farmers market in downtown Dallas will host tastings of Texas watermelon at 2 pm in the Shed, plus DIY handcrafted watermelon prints at 11 am on July 6-7. Live music from 11 am-3 pm.

Hands-On Cheesemaking Class at The Mozzarella Company
Make fresh ricotta, queso Oaxaca, and mozzarella balls during this hands-on class that will end with a wine and cheese pairing. The class also includes a behind-the-scenes tour of The Mozzarella Company. Class is $85 and will run from 12-2 pm and again at 3–5 pm.

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Smoothie News

Healthy smoothie chain from the Northeast makes Dallas-area debut

Fresh Monkee

Fresh Monkee smoothies

A smoothie chain from the Northeast has landed in Dallas-Fort Worth: Called Fresh Monkee, it's a chain from Connecticut that made its DFW debut in Richardson at 3501 Custer Pkwy. #119, in the Custer Creek shopping center, where it opened July 1.

Fresh Monkee was founded by entrepreneur Judy Flynn in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 2014. It has since expanded to 20 locations across 15 states. Four locations are planned for Texas, including Austin and Houston. The Richardson location is from franchisees Anam and Omer Nawab.

In a release, Flynn notes that many smoothie places rely on sugary fruit blends and "strange" powders.

"Most juice bars strip away the fiber from fruits and veggies, which is essential for a healthy gut and feeling satisfied," Flynn says in a press release. "I was convinced we could do better."

Their menu includes 30 varieties: fruit smoothies, green smoothies, chocolate smoothies, and coffee smoothies, with seasonal flavors such as the summer-ready watermelon strawberry limeade shake.

Notable options include:

Chunkee Monkee — milk, chocolate or vanilla protein powder, banana, and peanut butter
Filthy Monkee — milk, chocolate protein powder, brownie protein bar, and peanut butter
Coffee Buzz — milk, a splash of cream, chocolate protein powder, coffee cubes, vanilla extract, and Stevia
Orange Cream — milk, orange juice, vanilla protein, and a whole orange
Maui Colada — coconut milk, orange juice, vanilla protein, unsweetened coconut shreds, pineapple, and mango

They also carry a protein ball snack with peanut butter, oat flour, chocolate whey protein, and maple syrup, rolled in coconut oil and chocolate chips.

Each location has indoor seating, including couches and tables, but they're mainly a to-go concept.

Another pair of franchisees, Clarence Gadapati and Karuna Annavajjala, are opening a location in Arlington, at 5904 S. Cooper St. #120, in the Sublett Corners center, where it will open in August.

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