Festivals top the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Eataly will host its first Pizza Fest this week.

Eataly

April arrives this week, and there's no fooling that festival season is in full swing. Of the three festivals happening this week, one is a brand new pizza party featuring more than 30 pizzeria pros from around DFW.

Tuesday, April 1

Peirano Estate “The Other Wine” Dinner at McRae’s American Bistro & Cocktails
The East Dallas eclectic dining destination will host a four-course pairing dinner featuring California’s Peirano Estate Vineyards. There’ll be popcorn chicken salad, espresso cured pork belly, pistachio crusted venison tenderloin, and s’mores cheesecake with blackberry reduction. Dinner is $75 plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 6:30 pm.

Friday, April 4

4th Annual Tea for Recovery
This lunchtime high tea service will benefit the Dallas 24 Hour Club, an organization that supports those in recovery from addiction. Individual tickets are $200 and the tea will take place at the Dallas Woman’s Forum. Check-in begins at 11:30 am with tea to be served at noon.

The Village at Main Street Fest
Plan for a fun Friday during this evening outdoor festival featuring bites and beverages in the beer garden at The Village Dallas. The free event will also boast live music and local artisans. Bites will come from restaurants like Over Under, Sandy Pickle, and Buzz and Bustle. The party will run from 5–9 pm.

Saturday, April 5

Patron Tequila Presents the Dallas Margarita Festival
Sample some of Dallas’ best margaritas during this all-day festival to be held at Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ. Tickets start at $35 and include samples from at least 10 margarita booths along with DJ music and access to street food, frozen drinks, and a beer garden. The event will run from 12–6 pm.

Kids Baking Class with Ruby Baking Co.
Rockwall-based allergen-friendly bakery, whose founder Chelsea Gannon is nominated for Best Pastry Chef in the 2025 Tastemaker Awards, will host its first kids baking class. Recommended for kids 7 and up, the class will teach participants how to make a mini cake and a half-dozen cupcakes. Ingredients will be allergen-free, including gluten, tree nut, dairy, egg, sesame, and dye. Class is $75 and will run from 4–5:30 pm.

Sunday, April 6

Eataly Pizza Fest
Eataly will host its first-ever pizza festival on Sunday, bringing together more than 30 DFW pizza spots for one big party. Participants include Cane Rosso, Jet’s Pizza, Urban Crust, and Doughbird, along with special guest and James Beard Award winner Chris Bianco for a special meet-and greet seminar. There are two event timeslots: 11 am – 2:30 pm and 4–7 pm. Tickets ($65) include Italian wines and local beers or go VIP for $125 and get early entry, access to complimentary cocktail bars, desserts, and VIP lounge areas.

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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

Festivals top the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Deep Ellum News

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