February is making up for a dull and dry January, with several Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, and Galentine's Day festivities coming in hot. Save room for a new supper club pop-up by week's end, along with an annual chili cook-off where guests get to judge.

Tuesday, February 13

Mardi Gras at Quarter Bar
The Uptown Dallas watering hole is named for the French Quarter itself, so a Mardi Gras party is surely in order here. The bar will offer themed decor, plenty of beads, and food specials like gumbo, crawfish etouffee, shrimp boil, and beignets. Don't miss the Hurricane Bar upstairs, featuring $6 Hurricanes that come with a souvenir glass. The party starts at 3 pm.

Valentine's Day Festa at Eataly
The Italian gourmet market will host a walk-around tasting event ideal for couples, girl groups, or folks simply looking to indulge 12 unique Italian dishes and endless wine. Stations will include caviar tartlets, truffle risotto, artisanal salumi and formaggi, chocolates, and more. Tickets are $65, and the party will run from 5-8 pm.

Mardi Gras at Aw Shucks
The local seafood chain and its sister restaurant, Big Shucks Oyster Bar, will celebrate Mardi Gras at all five locations - in Dallas, Richardson, Lewisville, and Frisco. There'll be live music from 5:30-9 pm, along with specials throughout the day, including $5 shrimp cocktail, $5 margs, $3 draft beer, and crawfish platter specials by the pound.

Mardi Gras at Ida Claire
The Addison restaurant will channel Bourbon Street vibes with a Mardi Gras party, including a Zydeco band, fortune teller, and optional prix-fixe Cajun menu. The $40 price includes choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Menu highlights include crawfish corn beignets, catfish etouffee, and king cake. The party will start at 4 pm.

Mardi Craw Party at The Rustic
The annual bash will bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to Dallas with Cajun-style fare, Crescent City-inspired drink specials, live music, face painting, stilt walkers, photo ops, beads, and more. Flor de Cana rum reps will provide free samples from 5-8 pm. Also enjoy frozen Hurricanes ($5 during happy hour from 3-6 pm), Swamp Things, and King Cake Old Fashioneds, along with food features like fried crawfish tails ($9.95), jambalaya ($16.95), and crawfish etouffee ($13.95). The Mississippi Bastard Project will play from 7-9 pm.

Galentine's Day at Waterproof
The Statler's rooftop lounge is calling all the single ladies for a Galentine's party. Enjoy a complimentary glass of Jon Bon Jovi's Hampton Water Rosé (for single gals only) and partake in a sweets-themed charcuterie board. There'll also be live entertainment and sunset views. The party will run from 5-8 pm and reservations are recommended.

Friday, February 16

McKinney Supper Club
Chef Noah Hester of Hamm's Meat + Market and his wife, Lacey, will debut monthly tasting experiences starting his week at Gather in downtown McKinney. The menu includes oysters, caviar, winter stone fruit salad, miso seabass, Wagyu steak, and more. Dinner is $200 per person and begins at 6 pm both Friday and Saturday night.

Saturday, February 17

TJ's Love Mussell Oyster Stout Celebration at Four Corners Brewing Co.
TJ's Seafood Market will visit the Dallas brewery for an oyster pairing pop-up. Prince Edward Island oysters will be sold for $36 a dozen; wash them down with Four Corners Oyster Stout for $5 a pint. Oysters will be served from 3-6 pm or until sell-out.

Sunday, February 18

12th Annual Chili Cookoff at Stan's Blue Note
Warm up at the Dallas dive bar with hot chili and cold beer. Guests may judge entries for a $10 fee, which comes with a ballot for voting plus a drink ticket for a draft beer. Or want to compete? Register for $25 ($30 the day of) for a chance to win cash prizes. The cook-off will run from 2-6 pm.