This Week in Gluttony

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Combine cocktails and sushi with Japanese flower arranging at Kessaku this week.

Kessaku

Lots of holiday events this week as Santa makes multiple brunch appearances, gathering intel on who’s naughty and nice. There’s also holiday cheer to be had in the form of a holiday wine walk, ugly Christmas sweater shindig, a doughnut tasting, and tamale party. Definitely check out Saturday, December 9, as it's a huge day for foodie events.

Tuesday, December 5

Old Forester Repeal Day Dinner at Whiskey Cake Plano
Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the end of Prohibition with a four-course dinner featuring the oldest bourbon in the U.S. Menu items include seared pork belly, crispy fig burrata, mesquite-smoked shrimp and grits, and white chocolate bourbon bread pudding with bourbon-soaked cherries. Dinner will be paired with Old Forester whiskey served neat and in cocktails. The price is $120, plus tax and gratuity, and dinner begins at 7 pm.

Wednesday, December 6

Ugly Sweater Party at Punch Bowl Social
The Deep Ellum entertainment destination will host a holiday party with complimentary play (up to one hour), including bowling, karaoke, ping pong, and more. Wear your ugliest (or cutest) Christmas sweater, or shop from the sweater pop-up now on-site through December 24. While there enjoy libations like Yule Shoot Your Eye Out made with bourbon and spiced tea, and Not Ovaltine made with hot chocolate and candy canes. Admission is free and the party will run from 6:30–9:30 pm.

Holiday Doughnut Omakase at Detour Doughnuts
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this four-course doughnut tasting featuring Christmas-themed creations by chef Jinny Cho, founder of Detour Doughnuts. Varieties will include cranberry orange, chocolate with peppermint bark and pomegranate, gingerbread cheesecake, and a 24K gold garnished concoction inspired by the Ferrero Rocher hazelnut-stuffed chocolates. Tickets are $70, plus tax and a small fee. The omakase (which means “I’ll leave it up to you,” in Japanese) begins at 7 pm.

Saturday, December 9

Caffeine Crawl
Caffeine Crawl is a nationally organized guided tour of independent caffeine spots where attendees get a sample drink, plus a backstage time with owners and baristas. Participating shops include Berni Bean, Civil Pour, JuJu's Coffee, Noble Coyote, Davis Street/Oak Cliff Coffee, Opening Bell, Sugar & Sage, and White Rhino. There are 3 different routes: Route 1 has 5 stops and runs from 9:30am-1:20 pm, for $36.50. Route 2 has 4 stops and runs from 9:30 am-12:35 pm, for $31.50. Route 3 has 3 stops and runs from 12:30 am-2:50 pm, for $26.50. Size uy tickets online; size is limited.

Tamales Day at Dallas Farmers Market
It’s officially tamale season and the Dallas Farmers Market is ready to celebrate. Visit for more tamale varieties you can shake a husk at, from traditional and vegan to banana leaf-wrapped and dessert. The big sale goes on from 9 am–5 pm, but word is tamales sell out every year, so arrive early. Bonus: Santa will be on-site from 11 am–3 pm.

Santa Brunch at The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa
Frisco hotel will host Santa for a ticketed brunch, which comes with a full buffet along with cookie decorating, gingerbread house building, and photos with the big guy himself. Tickets $45 for adults and $35 for kids 3–12. Seating times are from 10 am–12 pm, and the brunch will also be held on Saturday, December 16 and Saturday, December 23.

12 Wines of Christmas Wine Walk
Like a scene from a real-life Hallmark movie, historic downtown McKinney will come alive with lights and wine flights. Sip and shop while sampling 12 wines from Lone Star Cellars, to be distributed at more than 20 boutiques on the square. Complete your wine passport and return to Santa’s Wine Workshop (back at Lone Star Cellars) for a bonus taste. Tickets are $30 (plus tax and a small fee) and include a wine glass, glass lanyard, and passport guide. Or pay $45 and get three bonus wines. Check in at either 12 pm or 2:30 pm, or anytime all day with the VIP ticket. The event will run until 6 pm.

Brunch with Santa at Hall Arts Hotel
Enjoy a brunch buffet in the gallery of this downtown Dallas hotel featuring a hot cocoa bar, a mimosa bar, and time with jolly ol’ St. Nick. There’ll also be holiday crafts, music, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas by Santa himself. The $50 price ($30 for children 3-12) includes a service fee, and brunch will run from 12:30–2 pm.

Tipsy Ikebana at Kessaku
Ikebana is the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers, and Kessaku will host a class combined with cocktails, sushi, and 360-degree sky-high views. The class will include hands-on instruction and a finished product to take home. Tickets are $200, plus tax and gratuity, and the class will run from 1–3 pm.

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Hummus News

Upscale Mediterranean restaurant to open in Centrum Dallas building

Babel

A new upscale Mediterranean concept from a familiar Dallas name is coming to the Centrum building: Called Babel, it's a project from veteran restaurateur Mo Kamal, and it'll open at at 3180 Welborn St., in the former Steel restaurant, which closed a few months ago after many years in that space.

According to a release, it'll open in late November.

Babel will be rooted in generations of family tradition and inspired by the unique flavors of Lebanon, which is surely the best Middle Eastern cuisine of all. It'll build on the success of Kamal's popular restaurant Open Sesame — capturing the essence of Lebanese hospitality.

Open Sesame has been open since 2017, and has become a go-to for excellent Lebanese food with pita sandwiches and dishes such as kafta, which is ground beef with onions and parsley.

Babel promises to be its upscale sibling, with a more profoundly personal touch.

“Dallas has been missing a culturally authentic, upscale Mediterranean restaurant,” Kamal says in a statement. “With Babel, I wanted to create something that feels personal — a place that honors my family’s recipes, Lebanon’s rich culinary heritage and an elevated experience that guests will appreciate. Every detail, from the food to the atmosphere to the service, will tell that story.”

Details on the menu are still scant but the kitchen will be led by chef Zeina Kamal, Mo's sister, who will bring authentic Lebanese recipes passed down through generations.

She'll combine traditional spices and techniques with a refined presentation — featuring tastes from Beirut to Marrakesh including mezze, grilled meats, seafood, and vegetarian dishes.

Designed as a modern Babylonian retreat, Babel's interiors will feature soft curves, flowing drapery, and a warm neutral palette, evoking the beauty and the Mediterranean coast.

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