This Week in Gluttony

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Free pizza is one of the perks of this week's food events.

dallas.culturemap.com

This week in Dallas food events has a varied menu: fancy wine dinners, free pizza, wine, and bourbon, and a Saturday morning that comes with a partial solar eclipse (viewing glasses included). Save room for an all-day vegan festival in Addison.

Monday, October 9

Mr. Black Espresso Martini Fest 2023
More than a dozen DFW bars and restaurants are participating in this week-long festival, which will highlight the classic espresso martini. Sponsored by Mr. Black coffee liqueur, the event will showcase different variations of the cocktail along with innovative cold brew creations. Participating venues include Leela’s Wine Bar, Fitzgerald’s in Fort Worth, Thirsty Lion, and more. Look for specials to run through Sunday.

Wednesday, October 11

Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Wine Dinner at Mercat Bistro
Harwood District French restaurant will feature wines from the prestigious Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte winery in France during this multi-course pairing dinner. Hear from winery general manager Ludovic Fradin while indulging in strip loin, Texas quail, and seared scallops. The dinner is $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 7 pm.

Bucking Bull Bourbon Tasting at Bourbon & Banter
Enjoy a complimentary tasting of Bucking Bull Bourbon hosted by brand ambassador Eric Nelson, star of the hit TV series 1883. The event will take place at Bourbon & Banter inside The Statler hotel from 8–11 pm. Those who RSVP in advance will also receive a complimentary specialty cocktail at the event.

Thursday, October 12

Dough Bro’s Grand Opening in Plano
Italian kitchen will celebrate the opening of its third location in Plano (1914 Preston Rd.) with free pizza and wine. Visit from 6–9 pm for a complimentary cheese pizza paired with a free glass of wine, while supplies last. Dough Bro’s, which has locations in Dallas and Bedford, is known for its lengthy menu of apps like pizza fries and bruschetta, and entrees like chicken parmesan, baked ziti, calzones, wings, and more.

Taste of the Trolley
To be held at the Fashion Industry Gallery in downtown Dallas (and not on an actual trolley), this tasting event features bites from restaurants located along the M-Line Trolley route. Nearly a dozen participants this year include Mexican Sugar, Sixty Vines, and Malai Kitchen. The fundraising event, which will benefit the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, will also include live music and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $125 per person and the event will run from 6-10 pm.

Friday, October 13

The French Room Italian Wine Dinner
Foie gras ravioli, crispy duck confit, and prosciutto-wrapped veal medallions are just a few of the highlights from this five-course wine pairing dinner to be held in The French Room at The Adolphus hotel. Indulge and be educated by guest speaker and wine expert Fillipo Lapides, who’s been featured on wine podcasts including Uncorked Corner. Dinner is $180 per person, plus tax and a service fee, and begins at 6 pm. Parking is included.

Saturday, October 14

Solar Eclipse Brunch at The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa
There’s a partial solar eclipse happening Saturday morning, and The Westin Stonebriar is ready to celebrate. Enjoy a brunch buffet on the patio complete with themed mocktails and cocktails along with moon pies, Starburst candy, Milky Way bars, and Mars bars. Menu items will include omelet stations, smoked salmon, and grazing tables. The $29.99 per person price, plus tax, includes solar glasses for eclipse viewing. Pricing for kids 2–5 is $8.99 and kids 5-18 is $17.99. The brunch will run from 6:30–10:30 am.

Vegandale
Addison Circle Park will host more than 100 vegan-friendly vendors during this touring vegan festival, which will run from 11 am–8 pm. Ticket prices range from $10 to $16, depending on what time you enter; it's $10 if you enter after 4 pm. The price includes at least 10 free tasting samples. Pay $25 and get two drink tickets, too. The event will also feature art, live music, and performances.

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Skewer News

Vila Brazil to bring affordable Brazilian steakhouse to Cedar Hill

Photo courtesy of Vila Brazil

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A Brazilian steakhouse known for its low-for-steak prices is coming to Garland: Called Vila Brazil, it's part of a small local chain and will open in Cedar Hill, at 305 W. RM Rd. 1382 #316, in the former Crab & Bar space, in late 2025.

Vila Brazil was founded by restaurateur Roberto de Sa, who opened the first location in Irving in 2011, as a home-grown rendition of churrascaria-type restaurants such as Fogo de Chao. A second location opened in Garland in 2024.

According to co-owner Gabriel de Sa, the Cedar Hill location will feature the same menu, including rotating chef specials at the buffet.

Vila Brazil features a lower-cost version of churrascaria, a Brazilian style of serving cuts of grilled meat from giant skewers onto diners’ plates. They offer eight cuts of meat including picanha steak, sirloin, chicken, lamb, and pork.

There’s also a salad bar buffet featuring rice, salads, vegetables, and Brazilian-inspired dishes such as cheese bread rolls and cinnamon-grilled pineapple.

Weekday lunch is $25 and dinner is $40 daily. For the buffet only, it’s $18-$21.

They own other restaurants including VB's steakhouse in Arlington and Casa Pollastro, a Brazilian-Italian concept in North Dallas. But Gabriel says they take a different approach with Vila Brazil than some of the other more expensive churrascaria restaurants in town.

"Instead we offer homemade food at an affordable price with great quality and flavor,” he says. "Our guests on average visit our store three times a month — much more frequently than your typical churrascaria."

The Cedar Hill location will be fairly large, in a 6,528 square-foot space, with an approachable casual dining atmosphere.

“We choose the Cedar Hill community for the same reason we opened in Garland, to serve an underserved community,” Gabriel says. “A fusion between a fast casual buffet and a Brazilian Churrascaria Vila Brazil is accessible to all members of the community with high value.”

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