This week in gluttony

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

Komodo Dallas has launched Omakase Nights on Tuesdays.

Photo courtesy of Komodo Dallas

It's a week full of festive pairing events, including wine and cookies, tequila and tamales, and bloody Marys and brunch. Make note of a new weekly omakase night, then hone your holiday cooking skills during a Christmas dinner cooking class by week's end.

Tuesday, December 17

Omakase Nights at Komodo Dallas
The Asian restaurant and bar has launched Omakase Nights, held every Tuesday, featuring three different menus priced at $48, $65, and $95. Highlights include creations like the crudo tasting box, salmon tacos, premium nigiri, toro caviar hand rolls, and lobster crispy rice. The offerings are available from 5-10 pm.

Wine & Mary’s Mountain Cookie Pairing at Lone Star Winery
The McKinney winery will host a pairing event featuring local Mary’s Mountain Cookies paired with festive holiday wines. The $42 price, plus tax and a small fee, includes five tasting pours paired with five different cookies. The tasting will begin at 7 pm. Can’t make it Tuesday? Plan for the Saturday pairing at 11:30 am.

Thursday, December 19

Tequila & Tamales: Masterclass at Little Daisy
The lead mixologists at Little Daisy, the French American bistro at the Thompson Dallas, will guide guests through a tequila tasting experience while the Thompson’s exec-chef team gives a lesson on making tamales from scratch. The $125 price includes tamales to take home. Class begins at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, December 21

Brunch with Santa at Thompson Dallas
As part of Thompson Dallas’ 12 Days of Christmas festivities, adults are invited to sip wine and champagne while the little ones explore the festive hot chocolate bar during this brunch with Santa. The $60 price ($20 for children) includes a mimosa bar, bloody Mary bar, and michelada bar. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots and bringing an unwrapped toy is encouraged. Brunch will run from 10 am-3 pm Saturday and Sunday.

A Holiday Dinner at Central Market Cooking School Plano
Amid all of Central Market Plano’s festive classes this week, which include make-and-take Buche de noel, sugar cookies, chocolate bark and truffles, and gingerbread houses, is this hands-on lesson covering an elegant holiday dinner. Participants will make blue cheese souffles with mixed greens, roasted prime rib of beef with pink and green peppercorn crust and red wine pan sauce, creamy Swiss chard gratin with Parmigiano-Reggiano, butter roasted herbed fingerling potatoes, and chocolate and peppermint tart. Class is $105 and will run from 6:30-9 pm.

Family Friendly Christmas Lights & Treats Tour
Among the many Dallas-area holiday light tours presented by operator Dallas by Chocolate is this event for the whole family. Guests can view holiday lights in sweet style on the private heated motorcoach, taste treats from premier local dessert venues, and relax as the lively tour host showcases some of Dallas' most spectacular holiday displays. The tour - which focuses on Park Cities neighborhoods - will highlight a cool Santa House, a unicorn house, and more surprises in the Park Cities. It embarks at 4:30 pm and tickets are $43-$56; free for children 3 and under.

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Big Burger Deal

New owner takes over Texas burger chain Hopdoddy with eye on growth

Hopdoddy/Facebook

It sounds like growth is coming for Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

Austin-born chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar is now under new ownership. Founders Table Restaurant Group has acquired the burger business and aims to apply its "robust non-traditional licensing program" as it grows, a press release says.

Hopdoddy was founded in 2010 and now has 47 locations across the U.S., including more than 30 in Texas and three in Dallas. It combines a fast-casual atmosphere with a gourmet ethos, serving burgers piled high with specialty ingredients like goat cheese, roasted tomatoes instead of slices, habaneros, and a variety of sauces. Non-beef patties are another specialty, including chicken, ahi tuna, and vegetable patties.

Founders Table has more than 200 restaurants across 18 states in its portfolio. Those include Protein Bar & Kitchen, Chopt, Dos Toros, and Field Trip. According to a press release, each of its brands emphasizes regional development.

Restaurant Business reported that the company would "continue to target non-traditional venues, including healthcare, education and transportation centers." That could mean that diners can expect to see more Hopdoddy locations in non-traditional spaces. The release does confirm that the acquisition means growth is coming.

"Hopdoddy is a standout brand with all the ingredients we look for: a differentiated concept, passionate guest loyalty, and a commitment to quality that resonates across markets," says Founders Table CEO Nick Marsh in the release. "We strongly believe in the power of the Founder's Table platform to accelerate growth, and this partnership marks an exciting step forward as we help Hopdoddy scale thoughtfully while staying true to the guest experience at the heart of the brand.”

Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler will transition to an advisory role, ending 10 years in the top position. In February of this year, Chandler told Restaurant Business that he hoped to 14-16 new locations per year sometime after 2029. At the time, the brand was owned by private equity firm L Catterton. Harrington Park Advisors advised Hopdoddy on the transition.

Kenny Jett, formerly VP of operations, will become Hopdoddy's president.

"I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand what makes this brand so special — from our incredible team members to the loyal guests who support us every day," says Jett in the release. "I'm honored to step into this role and excited to build on the strong foundation we've created as we continue growing the brand."

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