This week in gluttony

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Urban Seafood takes patrons on a road trip around America for seafood and wine.

Photo courtesy of Urban Seafood

It’s a week to treat yourself – caviar, poolside cocktails, free iced tea, and tequila are all on the list. Also, break out the holiday flair because Christmas in July is here.

Tuesday, July 18

Caviar Dinner at Monarch
An exclusive five-course dinner at the downtown Dallas restaurant will feature caviar in every bite. Menu highlights include Wagyu tartare with black truffle and caviar, and scallop and uni beurre blanc with elite reserve Osetra caviar. Fine sake and wine will be paired with each course. Tickets are $350, plus tax and gratuity, and dinner begins at 6 pm.

Wednesday, July 19

The Joule Blonde Ale Launch at CBD Provisions
Manhattan Project Beer Co. (recently named CultureMap Tastemaker Awards' Brewery of the Year) has partnered with The Joule to launch The Joule Blonde Ale exclusively for its hotel restaurant, CBD Provisions. To celebrate, CBD Provisions will offer $3 draft pours of the new brew and complimentary bites from 5-7 pm. Or indulge in a burger pairing with the ale for $16, which comes with the Southern Juicy Lucy burger, made with 44 Farms beer, Swiss cheese, jalapenos, applewood smoked bacon, barbecue sauce, and a poppyseed bun topped with onion rings. The burger pairing is available all summer.

Thursday, July 20

Free Tea Day at McAlister’s Deli
The national sandwich chain will celebrate its 15th annual Free Tea Day by offering customers a free, 32-ounce iced tea all day long at all locations. Choose from sweet, unsweet, half-and-half, half tea-half lemonade, tea with one flavor shot, or the new limited-time flavor, PassionBerry. Limit one per person in-store and four per online or app order.

Friday, July 21

National Tequila Day at Mexican Test Kitchen
UPDATE 7-18-2022: Organizers have canceled this event.
Celebrate National Tequila Day a little early with a pop-up at West Village’s new upscale pop-up, Mexican Test Kitchen, led by chef Matt McCallister. Open for a short window from 5:30-8:30 pm, the pop-up will feature a sneak peek of what the concept will serve when fully opening later this year. Enjoy light bites like mini enchilada bowls, mini caramelized mushroom sopes, and chilled corn soup shooters with shrimp elote relish along with $1 margaritas, $1 tequila shots, and live music. It's located at 3699 McKinney Ave., #307.

Saturday, July 22

Christmas in July at Isla & Co.
The weather outside is frightful. But that’s not stopping this Australian-inspired Bishops Arts restaurant from getting into the Christmas spirit – Aussie style. Celebrate Christmas in July with a traditional Aussie family-style Christmas lunch including Australian wine and beer, outdoor games, DJ music, and a visit from Santa himself. The holiday party is $110 ($39 for kids) and also includes welcome bites and an open bar. Wear something Christmas-themed for a chance to win prizes. The event will run from 3-7 pm.

Sunburn Lounge Pool Party with 818 Tequila at Canvas Hotel Dallas
Dallas hotel pool parties are on trend this summer with their bumping DJ music, pretty cocktails, and pretty people-watching. The Canvas Hotel Dallas is jumping on board with a rooftop soiree featuring Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila. (But alas, Kendall won’t be present.) Purchase the 818 Summer Vacation cocktail and get a free bottle of Vacation Sunscreen (while supplies last). The partnership is one of only seven happening across the country, and the only one in Texas and the South. Tickets are $35 in advance, or $50 at the door.

Monday, July 24

National Tequila Day at Cantina Laredo
Create your own tequila flight at Cantina Laredo. For $15, guests can choose any three anejo, reposado, or joven tequilas, or any mezcal to build their own personalized tasting flight. Take your time, as there are more than 40 tequilas and mezcals to choose from. The tasting experience will be offered at Cantina Laredo locations in Addison and Frisco.

Tequila & Tacos at Omni PGA Frisco Resort
Sip and stroll The Monument Realty PGA District at the brand new hotel resort in Frisco while sampling Casamigos cocktails, including margaritas, ranch waters, and more. Tickets start at $50 and include 10 tequila cocktail tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. Or pay $65 and get a taco plate, too. The event will run from 6-8:30 pm.

Road Trip Wine Dinner at Urban Seafood
Take a tasty trip around the country without leaving Plano. Urban Seafood will host a four-course wine pairing dinner featuring dishes and wines from around the US. Tickets are $75, plus tax and gratuity, and dinner begins at 6:30 pm.

cocktails beer news-you-can-eat

Greek Food News

Ivy Tavern team to open divine new Dallas restaurant-bar inspired by Greece

Photo by Laura Spalding

A glass of wine over the Aegean Sea in Greece.

A veteran hospitality team is opening a new hang: Called Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge, it'll be a restaurant and lounge highlighting Greek cuisine and will open at 5757 W. Lovers Ln. #101, famous as the home to the former City Cafe.

Nikki was created by Lisa and Tom Georgalis, who own The Ivy Tavern, and incorporates their favorite family recipes as well as unexpected dishes not commonly served in Greek restaurants in the U.S.

According to a release, it'll open in early 2024, and the day cannot come soon enough.

Named for Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, Nikki will serve as an upscale modern bistro and lounge where guests can grab pre- or post-dinner drinks, or stay for the night. The couple say they've been concepting this for more than seven years but got the push after their son survived a traumatic near-fatal accident.

"We felt an immense sense of victory in our son surviving the accident and when the perfect location was presented to us we took it as a sign that it was time to finally bring our concept to life," they say.

Lisa Georgalis learned to cook from her Greek in-laws where she learned and perfected traditional techniques and recipes.

“Most importantly, I also came to learn that Greek cooking is an art form, an event, and a delight not just for the palate. It should strike all five senses too," she says.

Leading the culinary team will be executive chef Blake Andress, a Dallas native who's worked in prestigious kitchens such as Mister Charles and The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. His goal will be to use seasonal and natural ingredients while celebrating authentic cuisine and culinary traditions.

"There’s something so powerful about food that allows us to connect with others, not only in our own backyards but across the globe," he says. "Our goal with the menu at Nikki is to expose guests to flavors and presentations they’ve never experienced while also offering inventive takes on authentic Greek fare. On the menu you’ll see inspiration from all regions of Greece including the islands, coastal mainland towns, and interior regions of the country.”

Tom describes the lounge as having "a socializing atmosphere in an environment reminiscent of popular '90s social spots such as 8.0 and Star Canyon."

Nikki will offer an abbreviated late night lounge menu and entertainment on weekends with the option to hold private events as well.

Design is by Ricardo Torres of Estudio Ricardo Torres with an elevated, modern, and chic vibe that veers away from the stereotypical Mediterranean blue-and-white only Greek restaurant decor.

Instead, the palette will offer varying shades of blue, green, terracotta, yellow, and cream. The space will boast special ceiling treatments, 18th century natural stone floors in the vestibule imported from an estate in Athens, and custom lighting and furnishings.

Nikki will be open Monday through Saturday for early evening and dinner. The lounge will stay open for late night drinks and bites on Friday and Saturdays. Complimentary valet parking will be available.

openings

This week in gluttony

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

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Greek Food News

Ivy Tavern team to open divine new Dallas restaurant-bar inspired by Greece