Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, your weekly serving of Dallas’ restaurant, bar, and culinary happenings. From buzzy openings and chef moves to can’t-miss events, menu debuts, and industry news, here’s everything you need to know about the city’s dining scene this week.
The 411
Red: Italian officially debuted on August 20 on the Square in Denton following a brief soft-opening period. The concept brings modern Italian, wine, beer, and cocktails in the basement space below Ruby Rodeo. Make a reservation for a table in the cozy space (walk-ins are also welcomed), then enjoy stuffed mushrooms, lasagna, chicken marsala, and osso buco-style lamb.
After a successful launch at NorthPark Center, Canadian import Joey opens a second area location on Maple Avenue Thursday, September 10. Reserve a table to enjoy signature items, such as Korean fried cauliflower, spicy crab dip, or something from the “Steak &” menu, which lets you choose between sushi, lobster spaghetti, or raviolo bianco to accompany your beef. The Adult Snack Packs during happy hour are a fun option, with pairings, such as an espresso martini with truffle fries, or a Joey cheeseburger and wine or beer.
Happenings
Dallas Farmers Market hosts Community Day on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watch chef demos and listen to live music, then shop and dine your way through the stalls and restaurants at the Shed, all while supporting local farmers and learning about sustainable agriculture practices from nonprofit organizations in attendance.
Just a few blocks away at Dallas City Hall, the 4th annual Viva Dallas Mexican Independence Festival with fine spirits and beers, Mexican street food, plus mariachis, bandas, arts and crafts, and a procession to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. The free event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 12.
High above Downtown, Monarch is hosting a one-afternoon, walk-around wine tasting. The Taste the List event on Saturday, September 12 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. features eight stations, each showcasing a bottle from the 49th-floor restaurant’s 2,500+ bottle list. The event will be led by the National Director of Wine, Amy Mundwiler, and Head Sommelier, Andrew Bentz. Light bites will also be included in the $125 ticket price.
Patrón Tequila presents the Irving Margarita Festival on Saturday, September 12 from noon to 6 p.m. that promises the “largest drink samples allowed by law.” That’s right. The $43-$50 ticket gets guests 10 margarita samples (3.5 ounces each), served over ice by bartenders from some of Irving’s top restaurants. Vote for your favorite, purchase raffle tickets for a lavish trip to Mexico, and get your hands on tasty food from a variety of street food vendors.
Celebrate Pride in September, one week ahead of the city’s second LGBTQ+ celebration of the year, Pride in Dallas, with a special Pride Royale drag brunch at Ivy Tavern. On Saturday, September 12, doors open at 11 a.m. for a noon show and tickets are $23, with 40% of proceeds going to Pride in Dallas. Order food and drinks a la carte from a special lunch menu and be sure to bring your portable fans and cash tips to best enjoy the patio experience.
On the Menu
Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar launches its Game Day Bundle Tuesday, September 8. The to-go-only option is $129 and features 20 smoked wings, a dozen pulled pork sliders, a pint of smoked shishito queso, plus family-size edamame and corn fritters to make any watching party hassle-free so you can catch all the action.
Howdy, eh? Canada meets Big Tex from Tuesday, September 8 to Sunday, October 18 at Maple Leaf Diner with their own food and beverage creations inspired by the State Fair of Texas. Usual suspects include fried pickles and fried Oreos, but branch out for a Buffalo Fried Cheese Curd 5-Cheese Grilled Cheese, a Carnival Burger made with a beef patty, a fried block of cheddar cheese, and a corn dog skewering the bun like Excalibur’s sword. To drink, choose from a cotton candy mimosa, maple bacon iced latte, or a churros-and-cream soda.
Buzz & Bustle in the Village welcomes fall flavors with additions across its food and beverage menus. Buzz & Bustle is known for their housemade syrups, and this year they’ve added fig syrup, which you’ll find in the Notorious F.I.G. topped with mascarpone cold foam and a honey drizzle. Or, try the maple brown butter syrup in the Canadian, made with espresso or matcha, milk, and a dash of cinnamon. Pumpkin spice makes an appearance alongside a steeped-in-house Spiced Pear Cider. Food options include pumpkin cream cheese muffins, orange-cranberry scones, and the Harvest Salad with kale, roasted sweet potato, apple, goat cheese, pepitas, dried cranberries, and candied pecans—all tossed in a scratch-made apple cider dressing.
STK Steakhouse kicks off fall on Wednesday, September 9 with a seasonal menu featuring pumpkin ravioli and crab, King crab scampi, crab-stuffed shrimp, with pumpkin espresso martinis and pumpkin spice margaritas to quench your thirst. For dessert? You guessed it—pumpkin pie.
Gorji Restaurant, the intimate, romantic, no-tipping, child-free, prix-fixe establishment in North Dallas, changes its menu weekly. September is Mediterranean Wine Harvest Month at the bistro and chef Gorji is incorporating different grapes, ingredients from the vine, and wine reductions with many dishes across four courses. This weekend’s offerings (September 10-12) include a live-trapped Texas wild boar tenderloin with Gorgonzola, red onions, mushrooms, sour cherry sauce, and gnocchi; and rainbow trout with yogurt, kalamata olives, sumac, basil, and fried elephant garlic.
If you’ve never dunked a hot, crispy chicken tender into a cup of creamy queso, it’s a sinfully amazing combination of flavors. Golden Chick has figured out that tasty little secret with the release of Tex-Mex Tender combos, starring a new queso dipping sauce. Get it as a dip with Spicy Golden Tenders as part of a combo with a side, to accompany battered fries, or as part of a Tex-Mex Family Meal with 10 tenders, three cups of queso, two orders of queso fries, three jalapeños, and three rolls for $26.99.
The Dirdie Birdie Fort Worth has launched game-day specials to enjoy no matter which team you’re cheering for. Specials include purple Riff Ram Ritas in honor of neighboring TCU, Lone Star and house shot combos, beer buckets, and six-packs of Birdie Wings in your choice of six sauces and dry rubs. Book the private room with its own dedicated big screen for a watch party where you can get as loud as you like.
Over at Black Sheep Coffee, treat yourself to fall-inspired beverages and treats, including the pumpkin spice cold brew latte with cold foam, a maple and pecan açai bowl, salted caramel and macadamia matcha latte (hot or iced), and the launch of Hojicha, a roasted Japanese green tea
Jeni’s Ice Creams gets into the autumnal state of mind with fall-inspired flavors. Beyond pumpkin (which is delicious), try flavor combos across a variety of ice creams and other desserts, including pear and almond, hazelnut and bittersweet chocolate, and miso and butterscotch.
