It’s The Pet Issue, so of course we’re happy to hear that chef Chris Ward will hold a charity cooking class on Aug. 16, with proceeds benefiting a wonderful nonprofit: GALT, the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas. The class, at The Mercury, takes place from 2–5 p.m. and costs $60 ($100 for VIP seating) … and it’s all for a great cause.
Speaking of dogs, Samson’s Gourmet Hot Dogs on Oak Lawn has expanded its menu, with mashed potatoes and a mac & cheese bar as add-ons, plus some chipotle chili sauce and pepper-hummus bratwurst. That joins chef/ owner Troy Gardner’s already delightful fare, including a vegan weiner, which I have nicknamed a veg-iner. You’re welcome.
Design District hot-spot FT33 is really bringing attention to Dallas’ food scene. Its chef, Matt McCallister, was recently on the cover of Food & Wine magazine as one of the top chefs in the country, and reservations fill up quickly. If you wanna check it out, though, you might want to try a one-night-only wine dinner on Aug. 4 celebrating the Australian black truffle season. (The Perigord-style underground mushrooms don’t just appeal to pigs, but to dogs, pictured above.) McCallister will prepare a special five-course menu of truff-ed out dishes like scallops with black truffle and chives, and local Waygu with black truffle and heirloom garlic. And how about foie gras and truffle eclair with white chocolate for dessert? Seating starts at 6 p.m. and the price is $115/person (add $55 for wine pairing). Call 214-741-2629 for reservations.
Reservations also started this week for DFW Restaurant Week. Among the participating restaurants for the specially-priced meals (with a portion of proceeds benefiting the North Texas Book Bank) are faves Al Biernat’s, Belly & Trumpet, Eddie V’s, Grace, The Grape, Javier’s, Meso Maya, Pyramid, Salum, Stampede 66, Stephan Pyles and Tillman’s Roadhouse. Pick your seats soon! The week starts on Aug. 11.
Tickets also went on sale this week for the Flying Saucer’s Texas BeerFeast, which wil take place in Fort Worth in Sundance Square on Oct. 11 and in Dallas on Lake Ray Hubbard on Oct. 18. More than 40 craft brews will be offered. Get tickets at BeerFeast2014.com.
Alamo Drafthouse will open another North Texas location in The Cedars south of Downtown. The concept, which shows movies and serves food, will open mid-2015 in the South Side on Lamar complex.
Scotch & Sausage, a modern-day sausage grill and biergarten from chef Trevor Bell, will open July 24 on Oak Lawn, offering beers and more than 100 whiskey options.
Cantina Laredo rolled out some new menu items this week, including costillas (slow-roasted short rib) tortas and tacos, as well as a pollo mango mole.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 18, 2014.