This Week in Gluttony

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

Shrimp cocktail, Dallas College

dallas.culturemap.com

Festival season has arrived and there's a big one happening this weekend that's making its first appearance in Dallas. Meanwhile, a gourmet grocer has launched its own pasta line and is hosting cooking classes to celebrate. Also on the list, an anniversary beer pairing dinner, a Wagyu steak dinner, and album release party with themed cocktails and bracelet-making - if you know, you know.

Wednesday, April 17

Hands-On Pasta Making Class at Eataly
Eataly has launched its first-ever pasta line, and now through April 28 the Italian gourmet grocer will celebrate with special menu items at its on-site restaurant, La Pizza & La Pasta, and hands-on classes. The one on April 17 will focus on spaghetti chitarra, a variety of egg pasta with square edges. The $85 ticket includes a glass of Italian wine while cooking and a second glass to enjoy with the final product, including dessert. Class begins at 6 pm.

Cowboy Wagyu Dinner at Knife Steakhouse Plano
The team at John Tesar’s Michelin-starred steakhouse in Plano will showcase the versatility of Texas-grown Wagyu beef during this multi-course dinner. Offerings will include oxtail stuffed pasta, beef tartare, and classic New York strip. Dinner is $165 plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, April 18

Agave Tasting Table at Hugo's Invitados
Indulge in a guided tour of agave spirits, featuring diverse, top-shelf tequilas and chef-crafted hors d'oeuvres. Seating is limited. Tickets are $65, and it starts at 6:30 pm.

Friday, April 19

FoodieLand Night Market
Touted as the West Coast’s largest food festival, the open-air event inspired by the night markets of Asia is making its first appearance in Dallas. Set to take place at Fair Park, the three-day festival will feature more than 170 vendors from across the country along with live entertainment. Tickets are $7 (children five and under get in free) and the event will run Friday from 3–10 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 1–10 pm. Note that tickets are sold online only.

Taylor Swift Album Release Party at Henry’s Majestic
The Dallas destination for dinner, drinks, and live music is calling all Swifties to celebrate the release of the pop star’s latest album. Listen to The Tortured Poets Department straight through starting at 4 pm while sipping on song-themed cocktails, mocktails, and food specials. There’ll also be live band karaoke, photo ops, and bracelet-making. The fun will run through 10 pm.

Saturday, April 20

Halo Pizzeria One Year Anniversary
New York-style pizzeria in Frisco will celebrate their anniversary with an event for the community that includes $2 slices of cheese pizza, $5 beers (draft/can), $4 house Chardonnay or Cabernet, plus face painting, balloon artists, and giveaways to thank customers for their support. It'll take place from 11 am-3 pm.

Sunday, April 21

Manhattan Project Beer Dinner at Meddlesome Moth
Manhattan Project Beer Co. founders Karl and Misty Sanford will be on-hand for this five-course dinner at Meddlesome Moth, which is celebrating its 14th anniversary. Eight different beers will be paired with dishes like braised short rib, peach arugula salad, and a pork belly flight. Tickets are $105 including tax and gratuity, and dinner begins at 5:30 pm.

Bits and Bites at the Dallas Arboretum
Culinary students from Dallas College will work alongside Dallas chefs to prep and serve more than 18,000 small plates during this tasting event at the Dallas Arboretum. Participating restaurants include Café Momentum, SER Steak + Spirits, Asian Mint, and more. Proceeds from the $85 general admission ticket will benefit the Dallas College Foundation, which provides student scholarships. Or go VIP for $250 and get early entry at 5:15 pm, a private tasting area with a four-course small plate experience, and VIP parking. General admission entry is 6 pm.

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Smoothie News

Healthy smoothie chain from the Northeast makes Dallas-area debut

Fresh Monkee

Fresh Monkee smoothies

A smoothie chain from the Northeast has landed in Dallas-Fort Worth: Called Fresh Monkee, it's a chain from Connecticut that made its DFW debut in Richardson at 3501 Custer Pkwy. #119, in the Custer Creek shopping center, where it opened July 1.

Fresh Monkee was founded by entrepreneur Judy Flynn in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 2014. It has since expanded to 20 locations across 15 states. Four locations are planned for Texas, including Austin and Houston. The Richardson location is from franchisees Anam and Omer Nawab.

In a release, Flynn notes that many smoothie places rely on sugary fruit blends and "strange" powders.

"Most juice bars strip away the fiber from fruits and veggies, which is essential for a healthy gut and feeling satisfied," Flynn says in a press release. "I was convinced we could do better."

Their menu includes 30 varieties: fruit smoothies, green smoothies, chocolate smoothies, and coffee smoothies, with seasonal flavors such as the summer-ready watermelon strawberry limeade shake.

Notable options include:

Chunkee Monkee — milk, chocolate or vanilla protein powder, banana, and peanut butter
Filthy Monkee — milk, chocolate protein powder, brownie protein bar, and peanut butter
Coffee Buzz — milk, a splash of cream, chocolate protein powder, coffee cubes, vanilla extract, and Stevia
Orange Cream — milk, orange juice, vanilla protein, and a whole orange
Maui Colada — coconut milk, orange juice, vanilla protein, unsweetened coconut shreds, pineapple, and mango

They also carry a protein ball snack with peanut butter, oat flour, chocolate whey protein, and maple syrup, rolled in coconut oil and chocolate chips.

Each location has indoor seating, including couches and tables, but they're mainly a to-go concept.

Another pair of franchisees, Clarence Gadapati and Karuna Annavajjala, are opening a location in Arlington, at 5904 S. Cooper St. #120, in the Sublett Corners center, where it will open in August.

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