This Week in Gluttony

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

Beastro features the finest area restaurants stationed throughout the zoo.

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Zoo

The Fort Worth Zoo’s annual after-hours tasting event should be on every local foodie's calendar; the award-winning attraction knows how to throw a “wild” party in more ways than one. (If you go, forego the heels for comfy shoes as a trek through the park is required.) It’s also a week for two new cocktail events — one, a competition, and the other, a series of pop-ups. Finally, set your alarm clock early Saturday morning for a royal wedding watch party at a local British restaurant.

Thursday, May 17

Rosé in May at Cadillac Wines
The car dealership wine bar promises a rosé wonderland for those who dream in shades of pink. Guests will learn about the complexities of the blush-colored beverage with a tasting and pairing of light bites. Reservations are $35 per person, and the event begins at 6 pm. (A credit card is required to reserve your spot.)

Cocktail Series at Amon Carter Museum of American Art
For the next three Thursdays, the renowned museum will serve as a cool pop-up bar, where patrons can listen to live music, sip on a craft cocktail, and enjoy views of downtown Fort Worth. The mixologists from Thompson’s Bookstore will be on hand this Thursday, followed by Righteous Foods on May 24 and The Usual on May 31. The event will run from 6-8 pm, and in addition to the drinks, there’ll be food truck fare for purchase. Admission is free.

Friday, May 18

Wines of Mendoza, Argentina: A Seated Tasting with Pairings at Grand Cru Wine Bar & Boutique
It’s time for another tasting at the popular West Magnolia Avenue wine bar, and there’ll be two seatings to choose from — 6 and 8 pm. Latin-inspired bites to be paired with robust Argentinian wines include guacamole tostadas, skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, and lamb sausage-stuffed puff pastry. Seats are $40, and gratuity is not included.

Beastro
Feed your inner animal at the Fort Worth Zoo’s annual tasting event, which takes patrons all over the park after hours for delicious dishes, open bars, and live music. Participating restaurants this year (there are more than three dozen) include B&B Butchers & Restaurant, FunkyTown Donuts, Heim Barbecue, and HG Sply Co. General admission tickets are $110 and the party starts at 8 pm.

Saturday, May 19

Royal Wedding Watch Party at The Londoner Colleyville
Royal family fans have had this date marked on their calendar since Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle would tie the knot. In these parts, the majestic matrimony will begin at 6 am. The Londoner will open early to serve hot tea, scones, clotted cream, and sausage rolls. Pre-party for the FA Cup final (to be held later that day) in British fashion.

Cliburn Cocktail Competition
Who’ll win the first-ever Cliburn cocktail gold medal? You’ll serve as a judge at this inaugural cocktail competition in the former Waters space at the corner of Crockett and Currie streets. Local amateur teams will compete using spirits like Milagro Tequila, Hendrick’s Gin, and Flor de Cana Rum. There’ll be live music, too. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. The event will run from 7-10 pm.

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Pop-Up News

Downtown Fort Worth pop-up Anna's Table serves tacos and tasty bites

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Anna's Table

A pop-up is doing tasty small bites and Mexican eats in downtown Fort Worth: Called Anna’s Table, it's a combination caterer and pop-up that sets up shop every weekend at Basic Bar at 904 Houston St., next door to Son of a Baker Pizzeria.

The location is no coincidence: Anna's Table founder is Anna Villegas, sister of Joshua Villegas, who opened Son of a Baker earlier this year.

Her pop-up is open on Friday and Saturday nights with a rotating selection of tacos and small bites. A typical menu might include a Mini Iron Skillet Mac & Cheese, Jalapeño Poppers, Fried Chicken Skins, Mozz Blocks, and Tater Tots.

She frequently offers a 3-for-$15 deal so that customers can create a little mix-and-match meal with, say, a burger slider, fried mozzarella, and shrimp cocktail mini tostadas.

Anna is a longtime caterer and chef, who is mostly self-taught.

“I started out in my kitchen, realized I had a knack for cooking, and went to YouTube University to learn some of the skills,” she says.

Her pop-up has caught the attention of former NFL player and chef-owner of Not Just Q BBQ David Hawthorne, who introduced her to an idol: Aaron Sanchez from MasterChef.

"David FaceTimed him from my pop-up and Aaron answered," Anna says. "David introduced me as 'an up-and-coming chef in Fort Worth.' It was a really cool experience."

For her catering business, she schedules one or two events per month such as weddings and quinceañeras.

"I love having one thing to focus on for two weeks — I like to cook and come up with all the concepts," she says.

When she started her pop-up in 2023, she was helped by Joshua; she now returns the favor at Son of a Baker. While she is not slinging pies, she creates most of the sauces, such as a recent tzatziki yogurt sauce for a Greek pizza.

"I really look up to my brother,” Anna says. “He's doing the everyday in and outs of a business. And family is the backbone to everything we do."

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