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
Bluebonnet & Thyme brought its Cajun-meets-Texan cuisine to Victory Park on Friday, September 11. Located in the former Dirty Bones space directly across from American Airlines Center, the new restaurant represents a mashup of chef Kendall Williams’ Louisiana and Texas roots for a decidedly southern experience. Menu highlights include golden fried hen with sweet creamed corn, a two-pound Gulf red snapper with dirty rice, seafood linguine packed with lobster, crab, and shrimp, plus warm, southern-style banana pudding for dessert. Weekend brunch features $30 bottomless mimosas and fluffy red velvet waffles.
If you’re in the mood for a fall road trip to the Texas Hill Country, October is a great time to consider. Texas Wine Month is happening October 1-31. Purchase an $85 Texas Wine Month Passport, to access complimentary tastings and discounts at more than 45 wineries around the region. To keep it closer to home, Grapevine offers visitors a variety of tasting opportunities and other events during the same 31-day celebration of wines made in the Lone Star State.
Leave your calendar open for spring/summer 2027 because you’ll want to keep an eye out for the opening of Charlie’s in the former Adelmo’s space at 5450 W. Lovers Ln., #225. The tiny new restaurant hails from Dallas restaurant legend Bob Sambol (Bob’s Steak & Chop House), Vandelay Companies partners Hunter Pond and Rick Dunlap (East Hampton Sandwich Co., D.L. Mack’s, Hudson House). The concept will feature 30 tables, and reservations will only be available the old-school way: by calling the restaurant’s landline. No details yet on the menu, but this undoubtedly will be a noteworthy addition to the dining landscape.
Happenings
Opa! Celebrate Oktoberfest at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium‘s three area locations. The festivities kicked off on Saturday, September 19 and run through Sunday, October 4. Enjoy numerous German, American, and local Oktoberfest brews on tap. Then on Saturday, October 3 at the Fort Worth location, attend a big Oktoberfest Party featuring live music, a stein-hoisting competition, German food specials, and prizes for the best-dressed guests to round out the day.
Clase Azul Tequila takes over the Blue Room at Emilia’s inside the Crescent Hotel Fort Worth on Wednesday, September 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. For $180 per person, you’ll be treated to an intimate, four-course dinner with tequila and mezcal pairings to enhance the flavors of both the food and spirit. Savor courses including scallop crudo paired with Clase Azul Tequila Gold, and smoked New York strip with guajillo agave sauce and Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero. Reservations are available via OpenTable.
On Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m., JW Steakhouse inside the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District welcomes Macallan for a pairing dinner. For $195 per person, guests will partake in a five-course menu carefully crafted to complement expressions from the Macallan lineup, including 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old, and the rare chance to sip the Macallan 25 Year Old. Valet parking is complimentary, and seats can be reserved on OpenTable.
If you missed the buzz, it’s National Honey Month. To commemorate the event, book a bee-themed cake decorating experience at SER Steak + Spirits on the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole. On Friday, September 25 at 5:30 p.m., Azucar Bakery pastry chefs will guide you through decorating your own mini butter pecan cake while noshing on chef-curated bites, a cheese tasting, as well as honey-inspired cocktails and zero-proof options. Oak Cliff Bee Company, the Hilton Anatole’s apiary partner, will be on hand to educate you on all things bees, too. Tickets are $85 per person.
On The Menu
Good news for those who procrastinated: Nobu Dallas has extended its $140 six-course Summer Tasting Menu through Sunday, October 4, giving diners a few more weeks to indulge. Signature creations include a caviar taco, seafood ceviche, a chef-curated sushi selection, and a Japanese New York strip. Partake in the special menu anytime up to an hour before closing. Reservations are available via OpenTable.
J. Rae’s kicks off football season with team-inspired cookies for fans of our local college and pro teams. Whether you’re rooting for TCU, SMU, or the Dallas Cowboys (or all three), you’ll find delicious ways to show your support. They’re perfect for tailgating and watch parties, so stock up before the next big game.
Sunny Street Café gets in on the pumpkin action this fall with a variety of limited-time specials to bring a little autumnal inspiration to your next brunch at its five DFW area restaurants. That means you can pop in for pumpkin spice donut holes, pumpkin chai cold brew, pumpkin roll muffins, pumpkin pancakes, and in non-pumpkin breaking news—and apple cider mimosa. As an added bonus, on National Pancake Day (Saturday, September 26), you can score a stack of regular buttermilk pancakes for only $5.
Rodeo Goat brings back its legendary Big Tex Burger, from Thursday, September 24-Sunday, October 18. The iconic burger features a beef patty topped with a chicken-fried mashed potato cake, crispy bacon, a fried onion ring, and chorizo gravy. Hint: You may want to share with a friend.
It’s almost State Fair of Texas time, and Crown Block is getting in on the action. From Friday, September 25 through Sunday, October 18, order elevated versions of Midway favorites, including Elote Wagyu Dogs dipped in signature Fletcher’s Corny Dog batter, or staples such as cotton candy, cinnamon churros, and deep-fried Oreos. There’s even a Cotton Candy Cowboy cocktail made with TX Whiskey, poured over real cotton candy. On Sunday, September 17, book a table for an exclusive State Fair-themed brunch featuring hot honey butter chicken biscuits, a Cowboy B.E.L.T., and southern fried chicken Benedict.
Mi Cocina has debuted new menu items, including the beloved Monkey Bar Queso, which was previously only available at, you guessed it, the Monkey Bar. The creamy queso blanco topped with chorizo, pico, and crispy fried onions has long been a guest favorite in the cocktail bar, and now it’s on the regular menu too. And for those times when you can’t decide between guac and queso, the new Los Dos offers you a cup of queso and a side of guacamole Mexicano on one plate.
