This week in gluttony

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

Cheers to mimosas this week.

Courtesy photo

It’s fitting that Texas Independence Day arrives this week as events feature multiple tastes of the Lone Star State. Think brisket, Texas whiskey, locally made pickles, and new Fort Worth-based canned craft cocktails. Gather a group of friends for a mimosa festival with a buffet by week’s end.

Thursday, March 2

Bourbon & Bite Pairings at Restaurant 506
The boutique Arlington restaurant inside The Sanford House Inn & Spa will host a multicourse tasting menu featuring cocktails made with Woodford Reserve. Highlights include crusted New York strip with bacon jam, smoked salmon, pecan crusted pork loin, and three different dessert bites. Tickets are $85 per person, plus tax and a small fee, and the tasting will run from 5:30-7:30 pm.

TX Whiskey Celebrates Texas Independence Day
Boot shining, barbecue, tacos, live music, and of course, whiskey, will all be on tap for this Texas Independence Day celebration at Whiskey Ranch. TX Whiskey will also debut its limited-edition Texas flag bottle that will come with complimentary engraving. Tickets are $10 per person and includes your first cocktail. Stay for the armadillo races, too. The party will run from 6-9 pm.

Saturday, March 4

Mimosa Fest at Texas Live
Go on a mimosa tour inside Arlington’s Texas Live entertainment complex. The $50 VIP admission ticket includes five mimosas of your choice (different venues will have different varieties), a pair of party sunglasses, and entry to an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. Or pay $20 for three mimosas and no buffet. There’ll also be live music, DJs, and prize giveaways. Doors open at 11 am.

St. Patrick’s Pickle Palooza at Best Maid Pickle Emporium
Have a “dill-licious” time during this all-day pickle party at Best Maid’s flagship store in the Near Southside. There’ll be complimentary pickle tastings, Martin House Brewing Company pickle beer sampling, and a chance to meet the Best Maid mascot Smiley. Also purchase pickle-infused dishes from the Not Just Q food truck. The event will run from 11:30 am-5 pm.

Palo Pinto Craft Cocktails Launch Party at Martin House Brewing Company
The Riverside brewery known for its creative lineup of seasonal craft beers will launch a brand of craft cocktails with a party. Collectively called Palo Pinto, the malt-based cocktails will debut with two flavors: Bloody Mary and Moscow Mule. Try both with live music, food trucks, and craft vendors on Saturday from 12-5 pm. Wristbands are $15 and cover four beers or craft cocktails and a Palo Pinto souvenir pint glass. Palo Pinto will be available on draft or in four-packs to go.

Sunday, March 5

BrisketU at Hop & Sting Brewing Co.
Take a class in the art of smoking brisket at this Grapevine brewery. Participants will learn about choosing cuts, trimming, selecting wood, managing a fire, timing, and properly slicing the end product. The three-hour class is $119 per person and will run from 11 am-2 pm.

Mimosa Fest at Texas Live St. Patrick’s Pickle Palooza at Best Maid Pickle Emporium TX Whiskey Celebrates Texas Independence Day news-you-can-eat

In Today's Bun News

Fun Asian restaurant in Fort Worth smashes together burgers and ramen

Sumo Smash

Cute buns at Sumo Smash

A restaurant combining two buzzy food groups — burgers and Asian fare — has just opened in north Fort Worth: Called Sumo Smash, it’s an innovative mash-up of smash burgers and ramen, all under one roof at Presidio Towne Crossing, in the former Char’d space at 8901 Tehama Ridge Pkwy. #137.

Founder Binh Ngyuen says they opened in September. He previously owned a poke concept called Poke Stop, which he opened in 2017 with Dat Bui of My Lan Vietnamese. He sold his share in that restaurant to turn his attention to Sumo Smash.

"The concept was inspired by a friend who wanted to do smash burgers, and I have experience in ramen," Nguyen says. "We decided to put the two together."

On the burger side, there are half a dozen options, most featuring 5-ounce Angus beef patties, served on a buttered hamburger bun and topped with fun Asian and foodie ingredients such as:

Sumo Pro topped with fried mozzarella cheese stick, potato crisp, and onion ring
Tokyo Lights, topped with pork belly, fried egg, spinach, tomato, onion strings, and enoki mushrooms

There's also a mushroom burger and veggie burger made with Beyond Meat, done classic style with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and vegan mayo.

Other sandwiches include a half dozen sliders, served on fluffy, white steamed bao buns including soft-shell crab and lemon pepper tofu; and sandwiches on baguettes including shrimp katsu and a Korean peppersteak with Hellman's mayo, no less.

Five varieties of ramen include spicy miso; black garlic tonkotsu; and yuzu shio, a vegetarian option in a clear salt base broth with tomato, mushrooms, and corn.

They even offer chicken tenders, a Cobb salad, and roti wraps in choice of chicken, beef, or tofu. Their fries are curly fries, and you can get them in a loaded-style dish called Sumo fries topped with crumbled beef, American cheese, and a fried egg. Prices range from $5 for a bao slider to $15 for a bowl of ramen.

Sumo Smash serves no alcohol but they do have a huge selection of shakes in 16 options such as vanilla Oreo, pumpkin spice, strawberry & cream, sea salt caramel, and matcha.

Nguyen has so far done little marketing — his Instagram page has yet to see a post — but diners in the area have already discovered this fun mixed-up fusion place.