This Week in Gluttony

These are the 5 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

Cookie dough and beer. This is not a dream.

Cowtown Brewing Co.

The flavors of fall are upon us in the form of pumpkin, salted caramel, pot pies, and roasted game hen. There are two brewery pop-up pairings — one with pies and one with (be still, our hearts) cookie dough — and two elaborate wine dinners. (One will honor women in the local restaurant industry for a good cause.) It’s also time for one of Fort Worth’s most popular festivals, where flaming cheese and folk dancing draw hundreds.

Wednesday, November 7

CenterStage at the Fort Worth Club
The Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival is celebrating the talented women in the local restaurant industry with a fine dining event featuring only female chefs. Dishes will come from Bria Downey of Clay Pigeon Food & Drink, Callie Salls of Meyer & Sage, Denise Shavandy of Café Modern, and more. The dinner, which takes place at the Fort Worth Club, will honor local cookbook author and wine expert Renie Steves with a lifetime achievement award. Seats are $250 per person and the event begins at 6 pm. Proceeds benefit the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival Foundation.

Thursday, November 8

Sweet Lucy’s Pies Taproom Pop-Up
Sweet Lucy’s Pies will visit Wild Acre Brewing Co. for a sweet and savory collaboration. Baker Lindsey Lawing will serve slices of pumpkin and salted caramel chocolate pies along with Buffalo chicken pot pies and pulled pork turnovers. Pints and pies will be sold a la carte. The pop-up will run from 5-8 pm or until sell-out.

Friday, November 9

Fort Worth Greek Festival
It’s the 51st anniversary of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church festival, which draws hundreds each year for authentic Greek dishes like pastitsio (ground beef and macaroni casserole), moussaka (eggplant layered with ground beef, potatoes, and zucchini), gyro sandwiches, and baklava. There’s also live Greek music, folk dancing, and frozen entrees and baked goods to go. The festival runs through Sunday and food and drinks (including beer and wine) are purchased through tokens. Admission is $1.

Cakebread Wine Dinner at Fixe Southern House
Two kinds of Chardonnay along with Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and a red blend are the wines that will be served at this multicourse dinner celebrating the popular Napa winery. Menu highlights include black mustard crab cakes, grilled Cornish hen, beef tenderloin, and cast iron skillet apple pie. Reservations are $150 per person, and the cost includes tax and gratuity. Dinner starts at 6 pm.

Saturday, November 10

Craft Beer & Cookie Dough Pairing at Cowtown Brewing Company
Dreams do come through. Sample luscious edible cookie dough from Doughlicious Grapevine paired with craft beer from the brand new Cowtown Brewing Company, which just opened in downtown Fort Worth. Pairings come three for $15 or five for $22. The pairings will be available all day from 11 am-11 pm or until sell-out.

news-you-can-eat wine craft-beer

FroYo News

Fro-yo chain Orange Leaf makes Azle debut in time for the holidays

Photo courtesy of Orange Leaf

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A new frozen yogurt shop is bringing chilly delights to Azle: Called Orange Leaf, it’s a self-service fro-yo concept opening a new location at 828 Boyd Rd. #102, in a former chicken wing space.

According to a release, it will open on December 7.

Orange Leaf was founded in Oklahoma in 2008 and is known for its frozen yogurt, smoothies, shakes, superfood bowls, cake in a cup, and fro-yo cake.

They boast 12 flavors of yogurt, some distinctive such as toasted marshmallow, white chocolate strawberry, and birthday cake. As is often the case with self-serve shops, their machines are set up with two adjacent flavors so you can do a combo swirl. Toppings comprise more than 30 options, including fruit, cereals, nuts, boba, gummies, and cheesecake bites.

A cup of frozen yogurt goes for $8.

Bringing the chain to Azle are husband-and-wife Mike and Yvonne Higby. Mike is a retired Air Force veteran, and Yvonne was previously a paraprofessional for preschoolers in the Azle Independent School District.

According to a release, they chose to invest in Orange Leaf because they enjoyed the items as a treat with their two sons and wanted to connect with the community.

“I spent years in food service before joining the military, both of which allowed me the opportunity to connect with people, provide the best quality products and services and become a strong leader," says Mike in a statement. "The lessons learned along the way encouraged me to make a choice to take control of my life, which led me to entrepreneurship”

Orange Leaf is one of the brands under the portfolio of Brix Holdings, the Dallas-based restaurant franchise company. Sherif Mityas, CEO of Brix Holdings, shared excitement over the the couple leading the Azle opening.

“We’re confident that with their combined years of experience serving the nation and their community, they will provide an experience to their guests filled with care, passion and dedication,” says Mityas in a statement. “As we open our final Orange Leaf location for 2024, we are proud of our franchise partners and are eagerly looking ahead to the success of Orange Leaf Azle and many more locations to come in the new year.”

The opening of the new Azle store brings the chain to a total of 25 stores in Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, Spring, and Lake Worth. There are more than 60 locations across the nation.