This week in gluttony

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

Kick of the unofficial start of summer with a barbecue class.

Photo courtesy of BrisketU

This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and there’s a backyard barbecuing class to kick off the season. Also plan to sip and stroll a popular Dallas district during an annual wine walk, try a newly release summer-themed seltzer from a local brewery, and explore exotic flavors during an Asian-themed night market. Finally, cheers to an iconic winemaker’s 100th birthday during a complimentary wine tasting.

Thursday, May 25

Vive La France Wine Tasting at Terroir
East Dallas wine shop is hosting a wine-tasting event featuring labels from some of the top regions of France, presented by Michael Flynn of Dionysus Imports. Wines poured will include Domaine de Fondreche Ventoux Blanc and Ventoux Rouge, from Rhone Valley Vineyards; Bernard Defaix Bourgogne Aligote Burgundy; Mourchon Siguret Cote du Rhone from Rhone Valley; and Chateaux Franc Patarabet Saint-Emilion Granc Cru, Bordeaux. It's a free event from 5-7 pm. RSVP to Andrew@terroirdallas.com.

Bishop Arts Wine Walk
Sip, stroll, and shopBishop Arts District during this evening wine walk. The $25 ticket (plus tax) includes a logo wine glass and wine pours and promos at more than two dozen participating restaurants and retailers. Participants include Dude, Sweet Chocolate, Oddfellows, and Revelers Hall. The event will run from 6-9 pm.

Saturday, May 27

La Pachanga Chef Pop-Up & Tiger’s Blood Release Party at Texas Ale Project
The Dallas brewery will celebrate the release of its latest seltzer with a pop-up party. The summer-themed Tiger’s Blood TAPWTR is brewed with strawberry, coconut, and watermelon. Try it paired with dishes by several local food vendors, including Sweet-Stack, Rev’s Grilled Cheese, and Mayan & More Vegano Mexicano. There’ll be music all day, too. The event will run from 12-5 pm.

Grgich Hills Wine Tasting at Central Market
The gourmet grocer will celebrate the 100^th birthday of Mike Grgich, the legendary California winemaker who established Grgich Hills Estate and is recognized for putting Napa Valley on the wine world’s map back in the 1970s. Visit starting at 12 noon for a complimentary tasting featuring Grgich’s wines, including a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Chardonnay, and a Sauvignon Blanc. The tasting will be available at all Central Market stores.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Night Market Block Party
The second annual event will be held at Krio Asian-Inspired Cajun in Bishop Arts and will feature 30 local food and artisan vendors. General admission is free and allows for a la carte food and beverage purchases. Or purchase a “Fastpass” for $75 (plus a small fee) and get five food tickets and two drink tickets along with a pass to skip any lines. Proceeds from Fastpass sales will benefit Make-A-Wish North Texas. The event will run from 5-10 pm.

Sunday, May 28

Brisket U at Pegasus City Brewery
Officially kick off backyard barbecuing season with this brisket-smoking class. Both newbies and experienced grillers will learn from accomplished pitmasters on the art of smoking brisket, from selecting the beef to properly slicing the end product. The class will be held from 12-3 pm at Pegasus City Brewery and is $89.

wine beer barbecue news-you-can-eat

Deep Ellum News

Mexican 'vibe' restaurant from California to open in Deep Ellum Dallas

Mama Por Dios

A buzzy concept from California is coming to Dallas: Mama Por Dios, a Mexican restaurant chain known for its vibe, will open its first location in Texas in Deep Ellum in the Epic development at 2525 Elm St., taking over the former La Neta space, which shuttered in May.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in early to mid-January.

Mama Por Dios was founded in Southern California in 2020 by chef Misael Guerrero, who famously got his start selling Mexican sushi out of his garage.

Since those early days, he's gone on to form a restaurant empire called Emme Group, with concepts that include Los Amores de Julia, El Rincon de Los Dolidos, and Culichi Town, a lower-priced chain known for Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi & seafood, which has a local presence: It opened a location in Mesquite in 2022.

Mama Por Dios — which translates to "Mother of God" — describes itself as modern Mexican, offering a unique blend of steakhouse, sushi bar, and seafood. The menu includes favorites like tacos and enchiladas, alongside luxe dishes like lobster with spaghetti, lobster enchiladas, and a surf & turf featuring a lobster tail balanced atop a skirt steak. Prices range from $18 for birria tacos to $48 for a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

But they also have a showy side that includes flamboyant presentations such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp which come strung on clothespins; or the trompito al pastor, served on a personal spit, as well as servers who walk around with shots while dancing with patrons.

There's a Gold Burger for $65 featuring Prime beef on a brioche bun garnished with 24k gold leaf, and a similarly gilded tomahawk steak for $400 that brings to mind the good old days of Salt Bae. Decor is swanky with low lighting, and there'll be a serious brunch offering on weekends.

Cocktails such as the Al Agua Pato — served in a mini bathtub with a rubber ducky — are made for Instagram. They offer margarita and mezcalita flights with flavors such as mango, tamarindo, and strawberry, and intriguing sips like Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail with Licor 43, espresso, and 43 different fruit, citrus, aromatic, and herbal ingredients.

There’s also a $20 per-person minimum spend, and the menu comes with a warning that everything is cooked to order — meaning some dishes may take 30 to 40 minutes. For many diners, waiting will surely be part of the experience.

deep-ellum tex-mex openings