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    Two-night before Christmas

    Santa Claus comes to Dallas for festive holiday-themed Two x Two First Look party

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Oct 13, 2022 | 10:00 am

    'Twas the 81st day before Christmas and all through Rachofsky House, bartenders were stirring, and Santa took selfies on a couch. Art works were hung from the walls with care, in hopes that big auction bids soon would be there.

    Dallas’ most stylish art party of fall became its most festive, as the 2022 Two x Two First Look preview party and fundraiser donned a merry-and-bright holiday theme on Thursday, October 6. Per tradition, it was hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon, along with Two x Two director Melissa Ireland.

    There was also no mistaking who this year’s sponsor was — Neiman Marcus. The Rachofsky House was wrapped with a giant red ribbon and bow and adorned with a lit-up Neiman Marcus logo. As one guest walked up to the house, she exclaimed, “It looks just like the catalog!” Added her companion, “... and the department store!”

    Figure skaters, outfitted in designer looks from Neiman’s, glided around an ice rink erected for the evening. Bartenders shook up Belvedere Vodka “Claus-mopolitans” served in martini glasses festooned with jingle bells. And that was before anyone even stepped inside.

    First Look, of course, is the first chance for Dallas’ biggest art patrons to view the works that will be up for auction at the glamorous and exclusive Two x Two Gala, which takes place at the Rachofsky House on October 22. Two x Two for AIDS and Art is the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. Since its inception, Two x Two has raised over $100 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art.

    The 131 pieces up for grabs in the forthcoming auction were displayed around three floors of the house, guarded by security personnel so any wayward glasses of wine never came too close. Featured artists included Rashid Johnson, Sheree Hovsepian, Rafael Delacruz, Alex Israel, Nir Hod, Rafa Macarron, and Tunji Adeniyi-Jones. (View the full catalog here.)

    Known as a high-energy evening, the First Look party is also the rare event that brings together local artists and gallerists with philanthropists and movers-and-shakers in the worlds of fashion and design — along with Dallasites (and some Fort Worthians, too) who just want to attend a super fun party.

    Under a backyard tent that felt like a snowglobe, guests could pose for pics on Santa’s lap, mug for the camera in an interactive photo booth, and groove to beats by DJ RomiQ. Spirited games kept attendees moving around the room, vying to win prizes from Neiman Marcus. They could guess the number of candy canes in a jar, knock down a tower of NM-gift wrapped boxes with a baseball, or toss a ping-pong ball into wreaths in the swimming pool.

    Todd Fiscus’ Todd Events designed and executed the “winter wonderland” setting that included festively-lit trees, animatronic polar bears, candy cane striped accents, chandeliers dripping with icicles, and yes, gently falling “snow.”

    Of course, no party is complete without an array of noshes that would keep Santa patting his belly. Among the offerings, both passed and in stations beyond the swimming pool, were Neiman Marcus-Inspired Popover with Goiabada Butter from Meridian; Grilled Trumpet Mushrooms, Hummus and Marinated Eggplant from Anise; Charred Pork Belly Tacos from La Mina; and Tarte Tropezienne, Pumpkin Chiboust and Pepita Streusel from Doughregarde’s Bake Shop.

    Among the 450 revelers were Abigail and Fred Perpall, Brady and Megan Wood, James Cagle, Natalie Bond Bloomingdale, Bridget and Alexis Barbier-Mueller, Christian Munoz and Jordan Jones Munoz, David Liu, Rae Liu, Michael Fountas, Derek and Christen Wilson, Jessica Nowitzki, Robyn Sills, Eric and Sheryl Maas, Jacqueline Sewell, William Atkinson, Geoffroy Van Raemdonck, Alvise Orsini, Jennifer and John Eagle, Karla McKinley, Leisa Street, Ashley Gilroy Wein, Sarah Calodney, Katie Mullen, Marjon Zabihi Henderson, Vito Cammisano, Kara Goss, Jennifer Karol, Reed Robertson , Madison Chase, Evita Tezeno, Maxine Trowbridge, Joyce Goss, Leigh Anne and Dave Clark, Vito Cammisano, Kara Goss, Jennifer Karol, Reed Allen, Nancy Lamb, Stefanie Tsen Ward, Ryan Ross, Mary McGreevy, Brandon Kennedy, Joshua King, Terri Provencal, Teresa Moeller, Max Clark, Sharon Lee Clark, Annika Cail, Ethan Carter Jones, and many more.

    Two x Two First Look 2022
      

    Photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture

    The artworks were hung on the walls with care.

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    Tastemaker Awards

    Tastemaker Awards party salutes the best in Dallas restaurants in 2025

    Teresa Gubbins
    May 5, 2025 | 7:59 pm
    Dallas Tastemaker Awards
    Ashley Gongora
    Dallas Tastemaker Awards

    Foodies from all across Dallas showed up for the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, celebrating Dallas' top restaurants, bars, and chefs who've led the local dining scene most in the past year.

    After months of buildup, the winners were revealed at an awards ceremony and tasting event on on Thursday, May 1 at the Astoria Event Venue in Irving.

    The presentation of the awards was the pinnacle in a night of food and drink, in which more than a dozen nominated chefs and restaurants served up delicious bites, while bartenders crafted cocktails incorporating spirits from event sponsors including: Still Austin Whiskey and Hornitos Tequila, along with Pennsyvania-based Yuengling Beer, who served their traditional lager as well as Flight, their light lager.

    There were specialty cocktails from Silent Pool Gin (English G&T), Hornitos Tequila (Hornitos Paloma, ranch water, and neat), Reyka Vodka (Reyka espresso martini and cucumber martini), and Still Austin Whiskey (Still Austin old fashioned, plus neat pours of Straight and Cask Strength Bourbon and Rye Whiskey).

    Alcohol-free options included the Honey Berry Fizz from Punch Bowl Social, the Cucumber Garden mocktail from Seedlip, and an irresistible pistachio espresso martini from Ritual Zero Proof.

    Saratoga Spring Water kept everyone hydrated, and also dispensed goody bags containing a box of chocolates, notepad & pen, wine key, key chain, and bottle of water to the nominees. Brioche Gourmet handed out rich bread items to all attendees.

    The tastiest plates of the night included Chicken kofta meatballs from Goodwins, Peking duck wraps and spicy tuna cones from Komodo, Salmon bowl box and sesame rice noodles from Loro (served in a cool take-out box), rigatoni Genovese from Perch Bistro, pimento cheese and Benton's country ham sandwiches from The Porch, and pineapple char siu pulled pork baos from Scout at the Statler.

    Favorite sweet options included strawberry matcha and pink champagne macarons from Ollio Patisserie, and a medley of treats from LA 57 that included mini almond croissants, mini cannoli, and mini cajeta empanadas. Caffeine fans were rewarded with honey lavender cold brew from Well Grounded Coffee and iced coffee from Whataburger.

    After all that eating and drinking, it was time for the awards, delivered by charming emcee Mark Schechtman. For weeks leading up to the event, we published a special editorial series that highlighted nominees in nine categories. Winners were chosen by a panel of local food and beverage experts — except for the category of Best New Restaurant, which was voted on by readers in a bracket-style competition online.

    Dallas Tastemaker Awards
      

    Ashley Gongora

    Dallas Tastemaker Awards

    These winners were announced and presented with glass trophies, as the crowd enthusiastically cheered for each one:

    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Roman Murphy, Perch Bistro
    • Pastry Chef of the Year: Ryan Stipp, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: The Porch
    • Bar of the Year: Columbian Country Club
    • Best Coffee Shop: Merit Coffee
    • Best Eatertainment: Chicken N Pickle
    • Best New Restaurant: Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge
    • Chef of the Year: Jeff Bekavac, Goodwins
    • Restaurant of the Year: Mister Charles

    A portion of the proceeds benefited Harvest Project Food Rescue, an indigenous led environmental nonprofit fighting food insecurity by redirecting surplus produce to DFW communities each week.

    ________________________

    Hungry to be a part of it all next year? You can read about all the winners here, and we'll see you in 2026. The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by The Yuengling Company, Brioche Gourmet, Still Austin Whiskey, Hornitos, Whataburger, Reyka Vodka, Silent Pool Gin, and PicMe Events. A portion of the proceeds benefitted our nonprofit partner, Harvest Project Food Rescue.

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