Guten appetit! A Texas gourmet grocer goes German this week for a two-week celebration of kultur and cuisine. It’s also time for the largest wine festival in the Southwest – the four-day fete kicks off Thursday. Find pumpkin beer three ways at a brewery’s fall festival this weekend, and save room for margaritas and a mariachi brunch come Sunday.
Tuesday, September 9
Dinner at The Seeker with Oma Leen’s
Stephenville’s destination for modern Texas cuisine led by two-time James Beard Award winner Stephan Pyles will host a collaborative dinner with Oma Leen’s chefs and owners, Austin and Shannon Odom, out of Hico. Highlights from the demo-style dinner include bay scallop crudo with pickled Texas peaches and aguachile, Texas axis venison with Bolognese, and pear ice cream with crème caramel and sauternes jelly. The dinner is $175, plus tax and gratuity, and includes wine pairings. Arrive by 5:30 pm.
Wednesday, September 10
Passport Germany at Central Market
Hold on to your lederhosen – Central Market is bringing a taste of Germany to Texas. For two weeks the gourmet grocer will transform all locations into a German wunderland featuring imported food and drink, in-store events, classes, free tastings, German live music, and more. Featured items will range from desserts, wine, beer, pretzels, and sausages to German-inspired chef-crafted dishes like schnitzel, käsespätzle, and sauerbraten. Classes at the Fort Worth store will cover everything from kaffee and kuchen (coffee and cake) and biergarten bites to building a brotzeit board and a guided Riesling tasting. Kick off the celebration with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, September 10 with live music, German beer and wine, and an exclusive menu from the outdoor airstream from 5–7 pm. (Central Market Southlake will host its kick-off at 9 am.) Passport Germany will run through September 23.
Tamber Bey Wine Dinner at Waters
Just a few tickets left for this multi-course pairing dinner at chef Jon Bonnell’s downtown Fort Worth seafood destination, featuring Napa Valley’s Tamber Bey Vineyards, recognized for their small-lot wines. Tickets are $160 plus tax and gratuity, and dinner begins at 6:30 pm.
Thursday, September 11
Grapefest
The largest wine festival in the Southwest returns for its 39th edition in downtown Grapevine. Running Thursday-Sunday, Grapefest offers endless wine tasting opportunities, a slew of street vendors, festival food, family-friendly activities from rides and crafts to grape stomps for kids, and live music on multiple stages all weekend long. GrapeFest opens at 11 am daily. Admission is free all day Thursday and on Friday until 5 pm. After that, adult tickets are $12 ($6 for 62-plus and children 6-12). Note that admission does not include tasting experiences, including the popular People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, which is $28 (in advance) and booked in 90-minute increments throughout the weekend.
Saturday, September 13
Pumpkin Fest at Martin House Brewing Company
Kick of fall at Martin House’s annual pumpkin party, featuring pumpkin beers (a blonde, spiced stout, and imperial boozy ale), pumpkin chunkin’, pumpkin pie eating contest, and plenty of pumpkin photo ops. There’ll also be live music by the Whiskey Boys and food from the Oh Balls! truck. Wristbands good for a souvenir pint glass and four pours are $20. Entry is free for kids and non-drinkers, and the party will run from 12–5 pm.
Tequila-Rita Festival at Fort Worth Botanic Garden
This after-hours party at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden will feature live music and cocktails by Fort Worth-backed La Pulga Tequila along with dishes by from Los Vaqueros, Gordo’s Mexican Cocina, and La Bandida Street Food. The $50 ticket price ($40 for members) includes unlimited beverages and bites, and the event will run from 8 pm–midnight.
Sunday, September 14
La Cabrona’s 1-Year Anniversary Celebration
Artisan Circle Mexican restaurant will mark its first birthday with a brunch-time party. Visit from 11 am–3 pm for mariachi music, La Pulga Tequila drink specials, face painting, a photo booth, and La Cabrona’s popular Monterrey-inspired, $35 Sunday brunch buffet.