This week in gluttony

These are the 5 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Start Easter weekend with a caffeinated coffee walk in downtown McKinney.

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Easter arrives this week (find our list of best brunch options here) but there are other tasty events on the calendar first. On the list: a Waco-based whiskey dinner, sangria dinner, tequila dinner, and with a Texas-sized barbecue tailgate party ahead of World Series-champion Texas Rangers' opening day. Regroup by Saturday with a caffeinated coffee walk in downtown McKinney.

Wednesday, March 27

Balcones Whisky Dinner at Knife Plano
The Plano steakhouse owned by John Tesar (who also just opened Knife Italian inside The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas), will host a four-course pairing dinner featuring Waco-based Balcones Distilling. Menu items will include octopus carpaccio, “angry mussels,” prime rib, and an espresso-infused chocolate dessert. A different whiskey will be paired with each course. The dinner is $150, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 6:30 pm.

Sangria Dinner at Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Four different sangrias (rose, peach, classic red, and blackberry) will be served with three courses during this spring-inspired pairing dinner at the Italian chain. Menu items include shrimp and ricotta focaccia, spring salad with wood-grilled scallops, chicken Bordeaux with goat cheese and cherries, and mixed berry olive oil cake. The dinner is $65, plus tax and gratuity, and will be served both Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30 pm. Carrabba’s has locations in Hurst, Dallas, and Plano.

Thursday, March 28

Opening Day at Live! by Loews
The World Series-champion Texas Rangers will kick off baseball season with their home opener against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at 6:35 pm, and Live! by Loews Hotel is ready to celebrate. Fans can pregame at the Clover Club Lawn with a Texas barbecue tailgate party. There’ll be yard games, live music, and menu items like brisket sandwiches ($20 with a side), brisket hot dogs ($16 with a side), and barbecue plates ($32 for two meats, two sides).They'll also be pouring beer, seltzers, and tequila. The festivities will run from 12-6 pm, with live music and performances from 3- 5 pm.

Insolito Tequila Dinner at Black Agave Cocina y Cantina
The new “Mex-Mex” restaurant located on Mercer Boardwalk in Farmers Branch will host a four-course tequila dinner featuring Insolito Tequila. Menu items will include ahi tuna tostadas, short rib tablitas, chicken milanesa, and Texas churros. A different tequila cocktail will be paired with each course using Insolito blanco, reposadao, and anejo. Reservations are $60, plus tax and gratuity, and the dinner begins at 7 pm.

Saturday, March 30

Downtown McKinney Spring Coffee Hop
Have some caffeinated fun this Saturday in historic downtown McKinney during this walking coffee “hop” experience. The $35 ticket includes coffee tastings at five different stops along with a pie tasting at Emporium Pies. Bring the kids because each destination will offer a complimentary – and caffeine-free – egg hunt for little ones. Save room for a bonus stop at Cocktail Creamery. Start times are 8 am, 9 am, or 10 am and the event will run until 1 pm.

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Tex-Mex News

Dallas Tex-Mex Mi Cocina closes Houston outlet after less than 2 years

Kevin Marple

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Dallas' favorite Tex-Mex Mi Cocina has closed its only restaurant in Houston. According to a note on their website, the chain closed the location at 4410 Westheimer Rd. on Thursday, March 20.

The note expressed thanks to customers, stating that "As we wrap up operations at this location, we want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who dined with us and to our incredible team who brought the Mi Cocina experience to life."

Mi Cocina opened the location in November 2023. It was the company’s third attempt at establishing a foothold in Houston, following a Memorial location that opened in 2004 and a Woodlands outpost that opened in 2011.

Prior to the opening, Edgar Guevara, president and CEO of Mi Cocina parent company M Crowd Restaurant Group, told CultureMap that the company felt confident that the third time would be a charm.

“I don’t know what happened with the past openings we had in Houston. I think when you’re going into a market you want to pick someplace that’s similar to where you operate,” Guevara said at the time. “I happen to like the location we’re in. That’s why we landed there. It was data driven and then there were similarities to what we do in Dallas.”

A Dallas staple for more than 30 years, Mi Cocina is known for its upscale Tex-Mex fare and the Mambo Taxi, a frozen margarita with a swirl of sangria. Signature items include the brisket tacos, Mama’s tacos, and the Rico salad that’s topped with sliced chicken fajitas.

The closure leaves the chain with 24 locations, 23 of which are in the DFW area; there is also a location in Tulsa.

Mi Cocina did not respond to a request for comment.

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