This week in gluttony

Wine dinners, Russians and four kinds of chili: The best food and drink events in Dallas this week

If one of your resolutions is to drink more wine, we've got you covered this week. But say your resolution is to be more adventurous in your cuisine. Well, you're also in luck, because we've got a Mediterranean feast at Samar, a Russian winter festival and a chili fest with four types. Let's dig in.

Wednesday, January 23

Maharaja’s Feast at Samar by Stephan Pyles
Enjoy a shared-plate, four-course meal with dishes such as cashew crusted lamb kebab, short rib dum cook, saffron salmon tikka kebab and spinach pakora for $35 per person. Act quickly, as there were fewer that 12 spots left for their 9:15 pm seating when we called to inquire. For reservations, call 214-922-9922.

Merriman Wine Dinner at TJ’s Seafood
Enjoy paired dishes like seafood paella and rose from Oregon’s Merriman Winery beginning at 7 pm. For $85 you are treated to a five-course meal, and each dish is selected by chef Scott Hoffner to match one of Merriman’s award-winning wines. RSVP at 214-219-3474.

Thursday, January 24

A Sampling From Burgundy at The Grape
Chef de cuisine Danyele McPherson prepares a three-course tasting menu to highlight wines from Burgundy in The Grape’s first Come As You Are wine dinner of the year. For $48, you get a relaxed dinner and a one-on-one wine expert consulting at each table. Reservations are available from 5:30-9 pm and can be made at 214-828-1981 or online.

Friday, January 25

Russian Winter Festival at Hôtel St. Germain
Sure, the weather's nice and warm right now, but by Friday, it could be cold again. Enjoy the infused vodka shots outside before moving indoors for a five-course meal with Russian dishes such as blinis with smoked salmon, piroshky and orange chicken Kiev. The evening includes artwork from St. Petersbrug’s Hermitage Museum and Russian party and card games. The food and fun starts at 7 pm on January 25 and 26 and is $75 per person. For reservations, call 214-871-2516.

Saturday, January 26

Chili Pa Looza at the Holy Grail Pub
It’s safe to say that people have strong opinions on chili. We’ll abstain from sharing our preferences, but the Holy Grail Pub is hosting its second annual cook-off with four different varieties: smoked brisket chili, Indian spiced chicken, seven bean and green chile pork shoulder. We have opinions about several of those just reading them, but we’re chili snobs. Reach your own conclusions from noon to 9 pm.

Monday, January 28

Italian Wine Maker of the Year John Matta at Max’s Wine Dive
Four-time recipient of the Italian Wine Maker of the Year award, John Matta of Castello Vicchiomaggio, will be at Max’s at 7 pm for a complimentary tasting of his Ripa Delle More and Vigna La Prima. The evening includes pairings with Italian cheeses.

January Wine and Food Dinner at Sevy’s Grill
Sevy’s serves wines from Amici Cellars of Napa Valley in a four-course menu that includes dishes such as salt-crusted striped bass with fennel and green olive slaw and beef tenderloin filet with creamed spinach. White wine reception begins at 6:30 pm; dinner starts at 7. It is $69 per person and reservations can be made at 214-265-7389 or by email.

People can be very adamant that they know the right way to cook chili, but they're only right if they follow our grandfather's recipe.

unspecified

School Cafeteria News

Unusual new restaurant in Lewisville summons Korean school cafeteria

Andrea Young/AsianGrub in DFDUB

F&F on the Go

An adorable restaurant that serves up a Korean school lunch has opened in Lewisville: Called F&F On The Go, it's at 2405 S. Stemmons Fwy. #201, on the second floor of Korean specialty Zion Market, where it specializes in Geupshik — a Korean custom that refers to the homestyle lunch meals provided by schools or companies.

At F&F, you get a pre-set meal, served in a stainless steel tray with compartments for the different courses. You make two choices: black or white rice and your protein, from choices such as Beef Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Spicy Squid, and Salmon Steak.

Everey meal comes with the banchan, or Korean side dishes, which the restaurant rotates daily — there's usually a salad and kim chi — plus a classic Japanese yogurt drink called “Yakult."

For $14.99, you get an authentic, yet approachable taste of Korean comfort food, says co-founder Eric Song.

“It’s a unique concept in DFW that blends Korean and Japanese flavors with a nostalgic touch,” Song says.

F&F On The Go is part of the growing Fast and Furious brand, which launched in Irving in 2013, where Song is head of operations and brand development. Their first concept was F&F Japanese Grill, a fast-casual hibachi restaurant featuring Korean and Japanese fusion cuisine which now has locations in Addison, Plano, Frisco, and Greenville Avenue.

In 2016, they expanded with a food truck, F&F Express, which makes K-style bowls.

With F&F On The Go, Song wanted to create a casual, but high-quality dining experience inspired by the nostalgic Korean school lunch style.

The presentation was designed to bring a touch of nostalgia, yet be appealing to diners unfamiliar with the style or dishes. The counter and seating area have a clean finish while capturing the essence of a Korean school cafeteria. The word “Geupshik” (급식) in Korean literally means "school meal" or "lunch service."

The restaurant is in a multicultural area north of the Sam Rayburn Tollway in Lewisville — surrounded by sushi restaurants and Korean street food stores.

“We chose the location based on strong community presence and growing demand for Asian comfort food in the area,” Song says.

openings