This week in gluttony

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

Sushi at Arlington's Soy Cowboy.

Soy Cowboy

December has arrived and with it comes cooler temperatures and tasty holiday events. This week brings brunch with Santa, a sip-and-stroll night market, and a Christmas-inspired Shrek-themed party. Save room for a sushi and sake tasting at one of Tarrant County's hottest restaurants.

Wednesday, December 4

Caymus Wine Dinner at Italianni’s
It’s the Hurst Italian eatery’s final wine dinner of the year. Four courses will be paired with popular Caymus wines, with dishes like lobster and octopus salad, lamb lollipops, and prime rib. Dinner is $100, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 7 pm.

Thursday, December 5

Holiday Night Market at Central Market
O come all ye “tasteful” to the gourmet grocer’s village-inspired night market. Mingle through holiday bites, desserts, wine tastings, chef demos, and more. Tickets are $10 and include a reusable shopping bag plus a $10 off coupon for purchases of $50 or more. The event will run from 5-8 pm at all locations, including Fort Worth and Southlake.

TX Whiskey’s Repeal Day Celebration
On December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment – which banned the sale, distribution and consumption of alcohol – was repealed. Whiskey Ranch is ready to celebrate with Prohibition-era whiskey cocktails and music by the Andrew Skates Trio. Admission is $10 and includes a cocktail. The celebration will run from 6-9 pm.

Sushi & Sake 12-Course Chef’s Tasting Menu at Soy Cowboy
The splashy new Pan-Asian restaurant inside Loews Arlington Hotel will host an intimate 12-course sushi tasting menu paired with IWA Sake. There are only eight spots and tickets are $395, plus tax and gratuity. Dinner begins at 8 pm. Or go early for a mix-and-mingle reception from 6-8 pm featuring passed apps and premium IWA Sake. Those tickets are $85, plus tax and gratuity, and include a welcome cocktail upon arrival.

Saturday, December 7

Shrek the Halls at Martin House Brewing Company
Fans of the animated cult classic won’t want to miss Martin House’ first Shrek-themed event. There’ll be a release of Swamp Water – an eight percent ABV green apple sour – along with gingerbread cookies, a donkey, costume contest, and 2000s covers by a live band. Wristbands are $20 and good for a souvenir Shrek pint glass and four 12-ounce pours. The family-friendly event will run from 12-5 pm.

Sunday, December 8

Brunch with Santa at Cut & Bourbon
The Live! by Loews Arlington hotel steakhouse will kick off the Christmas season with a visit from the big guy in red for brunch. In addition to the a la carte menu of brunch favorites, like cinnamon brioche French toast, steak and eggs, and migas, the event will include a gingerbread cookie decorating station and photo ops with Santa. The brunch will run from 10:30 am-1:30 pm.

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Hot Dog News

Hot dog king Portillo's debuts new design at new location in Grapevine

Portillo's

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Chicago-style hot dog chain Portillo's is opening a new location in DFW, and it'll be the first of its kind for the chain. The restaurant is headed for Grapevine, at 460 W. SH-114, in the former Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, next door to Son of a Butcher, where it will open its doors on December 5.

According to a release, the location is the very first to feature the chain's "restaurant of the future" design comprising a smaller, more efficient footprint.

Most Portillo's are about 8,000 square feet (and some from the early days could go up to 10,000 square feet). The Grapevine location spans 6,250 square feet, with seating for up to 125 inside, and 40 on the patio. It will feature a Southwest Garage theme, and will also have their signature double drive-thru.

The menu will be the same: Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and two-layer chocolate cake.

Grapevine is not the only location in Texas to follow this new design: A similar location measuring 6,200 square feet is opening in Stafford, near Houston, as well.

Portillo's exteriorPortillo's

The driver with this smaller size is a greater emphasis on take-out and (probably) an effort not to pay so much rent.

Grapevine officials are enthusiastic about having the chain within city limits and what it says about the great city of Grapevine.

“The addition of Portillo’s to the more than 200 curated dining options in Grapevine is a testament to our city’s commitment to offering diverse and exceptional culinary experiences,” says Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate in a statement.

Portillo's made their first debut in DFW with a location at Grandscape in The Colony in January 2023.

The Illinois-based chain has six other locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Allen, Denton, and Mansfield. Grapevine will be the seventh to open. There are also plans to open a location in Grand Prairie.

Founder Dick Portillo opened the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in Illinois in 1963. There are now more than 90 locations across 10 states.

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