This Week in Gluttony

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

Ellerbe Fine Foods is hosting a celebration.

Ellerbe Fine Foods

This week, one of Fort Worth's first farm-to-table restaurants will kick off a celebration of throwback specials. Also on the list: a summer wine tasting, chance for free pizza, and a brisket smoking class. Save room for a whiskey cocktail and doughnut pairing, too.

Tuesday, June 4

Ellerbe Fine Foods 15th Anniversary Celebration
A pioneer in Fort Worth farm-to-table dining, Ellerbe Fine Foods will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a multi-day event. Visit June 4–8 for a throwback menu showcasing favorite dishes from the restaurant’s first year in business, wine specials with rollback pricing on select wines, and a complimentary toast with bubbly every evening. Ellerbe will also launch a Summer Sipping Series with educational classes in the coming weeks.

Wednesday, June 5

Mountain Mike’s Pizza Grand Opening
The Saginaw location of the pizza chain (6934 N. Blue Mound Rd.) will celebrate its grand opening with free pizza. The first 100 guests from 4–8 pm will receive a free mini pizza, plus one lucky guest will win free pizza for a year. There’ll also be kids’ activities, live music, and 30 percent of all sales will benefit Community Link, an organization that provides food, case management and mental health counseling to those in need in Northwest Tarrant County.

5-Course Aperture Wine Dinner at Don Artemio
Experience California-based Aperture Cellars wines paired with five courses at Don Artemio. Standout menu items include fried ceviche with striped bass, octopus, and shrimp, lamb t-bone, filet al carbon with pork chicharron-filled cannelloni, and deconstructed German cake. The dinner is $135 plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, June 6

Summer Wine Tasting at Wine Haus
The heat is on and Wine Haus has the perfect wines for keeping cool this summer. The featured wine tasting flight is $22 and comes with three pours, all certified organic. Visit anytime from 6–9 pm.

Friday, June 7

TX Whiskey’s National Doughnut Day Celebration with FunkyTown Donuts
Taking place at Whiskey Ranch, this doughnut and cocktail pairing is a collab between TX Whiskey, FunkyTown Donuts, Heim BBQ, and Melt Ice Creams. Pairings include a Pecan Old Fashioned with a barbecue glazed savory doughnut topped with Heim chopped brisket; a Strawberry Jalapeno Sour made with FunkyTown Donuts Strawberry Jalapeno Jam paired with a TX Whiskey infused strawberry glaze doughnut with bacon and strawberry-jalapeno mascarpone whip; and a TX Iced Mocha paired with a chocolate cake doughnut ice cream sandwich made with Melt’s TX Whiskey butter pecan ice cream. Tickets are $45 and the event runs from 6–9 pm.

Sunday, June 9

Pitmaster360 BBQ Class at Hop and Sting Brewing Co.
Smoke barbecue like a pro during this pitmaster class that will cover a 360-degree view of brisket, St. Louis ribs, and other seasonal items. Participants will learn fire management, wood selection, techniques, and will get take-home recipes. Class is $139 ($129 for additional participants) and will take place at Hop and Sting Brewing Co. in Grapevine from 12–3 pm.

Ramen News

Last chance to get ramen from acclaimed West 7th Fort Worth restaurant

Kintaro

Ramen and more from Kintaro Ramen

Fort Worth is losing some great ramen: Kintaro Ramen, the ramen shop on West Seventh Street from chef Jesus Garcia, will close for good on September 9.

News of the closure was posted on Facebook, with an expression of gratitude to customers.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Kintaro Ramen West 7th, effective September 9th, 2024," the post said. "We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has dined with us and supported us over the past four years. Your patronage has been the cornerstone of our success, and we truly appreciate each and every one of you."

The Fort Worth location was a spinoff of the original Kintaro that Garcia and partner Han Le opened in downtown Arlington in 2019. That location remains open.

"The Arlington location is still going strong, and will be our sole focus," Garcia says.

Garcia was the original owner of the Oni Ramen restaurants in Fort Worth and Dallas, which he debuted after making a name for himself as executive chef at Little Lilly Sushi and prior to that, at Sushi Yoko.

He initially opened the Fort Worth Kintaro as a ghost kitchen, doing delivery and take-out, before relocating the concept into the former Oni Ramen space at 2801 W. 7th St. (They also had a location in Farmers Branch which closed in 2022.)

The restaurant was acclaimed for its selection of broths, including miso, tonkotsu (pork), chintan (chicken), curry, and creamy cabbage broth; plus favorites like dumplings and steamed buns.

Garcia says business at the location "did okay" although they only really had one truly profitable year in 2018.

Simultaneously, they've been dealing with aging AC units that need to be replaced. Garcia's partners struck a deal with the landlord that required shutting down the location for an extended renovation. Garcia says he felt it was best to place his focus on Arlington for now.

Meanwhile, the closing note asked for job leads for their staff.

"As we approach our final days, we want to also address an important matter," it said. "Several of our dedicated employees will be seeking new opportunities. If you know of any openings at your restaurant or within your network, please reach out to us for a contact list of our talented team members. Your support in helping them find new positions would be greatly appreciated."

chefs closings