The Trinity River will glow a little brighter this November 13 as Fort Worth\u2019s most\u00a0anticipated\u00a0culinary street fair returns \u2014 and this year,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0promising more than just bites. The Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation\u2019s third annual Night Market at The Shack at Panther Island Pavilion will transform the riverfront into a sensory playground of sizzling\u00a0trompo\u00a0tacos, vegan Mexican fare, Lao & Thai street eats, inventive beignets, and cocktails that dance on the tongue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNight Market is such a joyful evening,\u201d says Julie Eastman, executive director of FWFWF. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0the kind of event where you come with a group of friends and end up running into even more \u2014 everyone gathering over great food, creative cocktails, and music by the river. The cocktail challenge adds an energy of friendly rivalry, bringing out the\u00a0very best\u00a0in our mixologist purveyors. This event really reflects what makes Fort Worth\u2019s food and hospitality community so special \u2014 togetherness, flavorful bites, and a whole lot of fun!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
For guests, that togetherness translates into culinary exploration. The lineup this year is a mix of returning favorites and bold newcomers. Marcus Kopplin will\u00a0showcase\u00a0his Duchess at The Nobleman, already one of the city\u2019s most talked-about fine dining spots. Ossy Avila debuts his AT&T Stadium-famous\u00a0trompo\u00a0negro concept Knight Out, while\u00a0Belenty\u2019s\u00a0Love Mexican Vegan Restaurant, ZAAP Kitchen Lao & Thai Street Eats, and Los\u00a0Guapos\u00a0Mexican Street Food ensure\u00a0unique global\u00a0flavors in every bite. Sweet endings come courtesy of Dusty Biscuit Beignets by Trey Smith, and Natasha Salas\u2019\u00a0Pantry on Magnolia promises pantry-perfect creativity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
But as the chefs heat up the grill, the cocktail scene is preparing its own fireworks. Zach Marshall, beverage director at Whistling Catering Co. and currently at Magdalena, is bringing a desert-inspired mezcal creation called the\u00a0\u201cWestland\u00a0Mirage.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a smoky mezcal,\u201d he says, describing the drink\u2019s desert roots. \u201cI\u2019m\u00a0using Napoleon mezcal, prickly pear puree, rosemary, a little jalapeno, pineapple, lime, and\u00a0a poblano-cocoa\u00a0nib syrup. The rosemary-jalapeno tincture adds a little kick at the end \u2014 a bite that hits\u00a0just right.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The process of crafting the Mirage was both inventive and iterative.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been playing with it for three weeks,\u201d Marshall says. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0about getting all the flavors to come out in the right order. We tested it in Magdalena\u2019s kitchen, with our garden out back, making different syrups and experimenting with herbs. By the time the market comes around,\u00a0it\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0pretty much locked\u00a0in \u2014 a\u00a0really fun, people-friendly cocktail.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Veteran mixologist Jason Pollard of The Usual is also returning with a complex creation,\u00a0\u201cSavor the\u00a0Aisle.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got\u00a0a miso\u00a0syrup, lemon\u00a0Maraschino\u00a0liqueur,\u00a0Romana Amono,\u00a0Bounty spiced rum, and\u00a0Luxardo\u00a0Chamomile Bitters,\u201d\u00a0he explains. \u201cEach sip evolves \u2014 floral, umami, herbal bitterness \u2014 it\u2019s like a little flavor journey in a glass.\u201d Pollard, who has\u00a0participated\u00a0in the Night Market since its early iterations,\u00a0offers sage advice for newcomers: \u201cModeration is key. There are so many drinks to taste \u2014 you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have to finish\u00a0every one. Pace yourself, enjoy it, and get home safely.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind the culinary and cocktail magic, Night Market serves a greater purpose. Every ticket sold fuels the Foundation\u2019s scholarships, grants, and entrepreneurial programs, nurturing Fort\u00a0Worth\u2019s\u00a0next generation of hospitality leaders. With DJ Jason Esquire spinning, riverside vistas, and a bustle of friends, families, and flavor-seekers, the Night Market promises a vibrant, indulgent, and downright festive evening.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Pollard sums it up, \u201cWe love to support Fort Worth Food and Wine\u00a0Festival, and we love that they’re showcasing bartenders as well as chefs.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Participating Chefs This year\u2019s culinary lineup features both first-time participants and returning favorites,\u00a0including<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n Participating Mixologists Spirit Sponsors: LALO Tequila, Blackland Distillery, La\u00a0Pulga\u00a0Spirits, Acre Distilling Co., Maison Ferrand, Devil’s Grin Gin, TX Whiskey, Estancia\u00a0Raicilla, La\u00a0Gritona\u00a0Reposado, Aspen Vodka.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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