I’m loving Central Market’s celebration of Argentinian wine, culture and food going on now through May 25th.  Central Market is showcasing the food, wine, and culture of Argentina with special classes, celebrity chefs, and a variety of other events.

Check out the prepared foods area for a whole section dedicated to Argentinian goodies.  The Tartas, similar to a quiche, and Empanadas I sampled over the weekend were delicious.  They also are featuring meats topped with generous portions of chimicuhurri sauce.  The wine section features a nice selection of Malbecs and other Argentinian wines.  Also look for Yerba Mate tea and the special gourds Argentinians use to sip on this special tea known for its healthy properties.

The Central Market website lists the daily events highlighting Argentinian culture.  Tuesday May 18 from 10AM – 7PM they will host a mini San Telmo market featuring Argentinian crafts and gifts.  The original San Telmo market takes place every Sunday in Buenos Aires in the San Telmo district and is a gathering place for tourists and locals alike.

Later that evening Francis Mallman, famed South American chef and TV host, provides a rare opportunity for an intimate view on his cooking philosophy and cuisine.  Discover the different varieties of grilling and sample dishes from his cookbook, Cooking with Fire.

On Wednesday May 19th Central Market presents a Picada or a happy hour.  The Picada will feature an Argentine wine maker, Tango Dancers, a commemorative wine glass, meats and cheeses from Argentina, and Argentine appetizers.  Wednsesday’s Picada takes place from 6:30-8:30PM with Gonsalvo Bertelsen from Finaca El Origen.  $30 per person.

These are just a few highlights, take a look at the Central Market Event calender and Cooking School calender for all the other events and classes.

Photo of San Telmo Market courtesy of Wes and Rebecca Frierson.

Friday April 23, 2010

Lola’s 6th
The Good Show Live Music Series
Record Hop, Dove Hunter, and Bridges and Blinking Lights
Doors Open at 8PM, show starts at 10OM, $8 cover
The Good Show Live Music Series brings us a stellar line-up once again. Record Hop, Dove Hunter, and Bridges and Blinking Lights are going to tear it up my friends! If you’ve been hibernating all winter come out and enjoy some great local music. 2736 West 6th Street Fort Worth.

Saturday April 24, 2010

Prairie Fest 10AM – 8PM
Prairie Fest takes place in the Tandy Hills Natural Area on the East side of Fort Worth. Here you will find 160 acres of untouched prairie land, nice hiking trails, a great view of the Fort Worth skyline, and beautiful springtime wildflowers.

Take a tour of the wildflowers with native plant experts from 10AM- 3PM. There will also be a plein air art competition. Music and children’s activities. Check out the Prairie Fest website for all the details. I’m looking forward to the Brave Combo performance at 6PM. Refreshments will be provided by: Potager, Longoria’s BBQ, Chadra Mezza, Rahr and Sons, New Belgium Brewing Co, Fuzzy’s, Times Ten Cellars, and Dons Dawgs.

Sunday April 25, 2010

The New Public Market Fundraiser at Lola’s 6th 2PM – 12AM
Stefan Prigmore
Darrin Kobitech & Clint Niosi
Gonzy Trevino & special guests
800 Mile Monday
Johnny Nitzinger
James Nored
Josh Weathers Band
The New Public Market is holding a fundraiser at Lola’s on Sunday. To find out a little bit more about the New Public Market and their plans check out their Facebook information page. You can also check out the event page.

Friday November 13, 2009

Glass on the Tracks 7:00PM
Vetro Art Glass Studio – Grapevine
701 S. Main Street #103

Main Street in Grapevine is such a quaint little spot, tucked in with antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants you’ll find an amazing glass blowing studio called Vetro. Vetro is located right next to the train station on Main Street Grapevine. They have a glass blowing studio and offer live demonstrations on a regular basis, check their website for hours.

On Friday they will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary and hold their annual “Truth or Consequences” auction. At 7:30PM they begin an auction of their glass art pieces. First the item is offered to someone selected from a drawing, they are asked a question and if they answer correctly they win the item. If they get the question wrong the glass art piece is then immediately up for auction, if the item does not fetch a bid that exceeds the reserve price within 30 seconds the glass piece is then smashed to bits. It’s quite a thrilling process when a piece is “saved” and when it’s lost to meet its fate with the concrete.

Arrive early to register and participate in this fun event. The event costs $5 per raffle ticket. Print out a sheet from their Facebook fanpage and get $10 worth of free raffle tickets. Live music, wine, and food will add to the festivities.

There are plenty of spots to eat and drink nearby on Main Street. South Prairie Oyster Bar, Big Fish, Tolbert’s and Esparza’s along with several wine bars that include Into the Glass, Su Vino, Tastings, and D’Vine Wine

Friday November 13 – Sunday November 15, 2009

Fort Worth Greek Festival
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
2020 N.W. 21st Street
Its time for Fort Worth’s annual celebration of Greek food and culture. Check the website for all the details. If you’ve got any sort of a hankering for some gyros head on over to this bluffside church on the Northside of town. Look for other Greek favorites such as moussaka, lamb, and spanokopita, the full menu can be found on their website.

Friday October 9 and Saturday October 10

Musicarte
10AM – 11PM Free

This Festival takes place in Sundance Square and celebrates Latin culture through its music, dance, art, and food. Performance schedules can be found on the website.The Mercado de las Americas features artists from around the world, so visit the booths of this juried fine arts and crafts exhibition.

The Pueblo de las America’s promises to be a gastronomical feast featuring food from Ocho Rios Jamaican and Caribean Grill, embargo, Qdoba Grill, and Cantina Laredo Mexican Grill. The menus include jerk seasoned meats, empanadas, carnitas, tacos al pastor, and tortas cubanas. Beer will also be available to accompany the festival food. Bring the kids and stop by the Fiesta Kids Zone for arts, crafts, and games. Also join local artist Jo Dufo in painting a collaborative mural.

Friday October 9 and Saturday October 10

Bistro Lightcatcher Restaurant Round-up
Bistro Lightcatcher Winery showcases Texas ingredients to pair with their Texan wine made on site with Texas grapes. The menu features Texas ingredients such as Texas 1015 onions, gulf shrimp and oysters, check out the website for all the details. Restaurant Round-up is sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture and part of the proceeds of this event benefit The Tarrant Area Food Bank. 6925 Confederate Park Rd/FM 1886
Fort Worth, Texas 76108

Friday October 9, Saturday October 10, and Sunday October 11

Mid-Cities Greek Festival
11AM – 10PM, 11AM – 4PM Sunday
Opa! Fall means it’s time for the annual Mid-Cities Greek Festival. The pastoral grounds of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Euless make the perfect backdrop for enjoying delicious Greek food and cultural performances.

Check out the website for all the menu details. I’m craving the comforting goodness of Pastitsio and Moussaka but spanokopita, gyros and other Greek favorites are on the menu as well. The food is plentiful and you will NOT leave hungry. 303 Cullum Drive, Euless TX.

Wow! So much is going on this weekend. Hopefully, the predicted rain will not put a damper on things, so to speak.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Jazz by the Boulevard, $5
Camp Bowie Inc. has put together an impressive roster of musicians to entertain Fort Worth all weekend long: George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Chris Botti, and the Blind Boys of Alabama among many others. Check the website for the full schedule of performers. Can I just say I’m more than a little excited about George Clinton performing. Look for the Cooking Carnivale which promises demos by local chefs. If you’re bringing the kiddos there is a children’s area to keep them entertained. Specially selected art vendors will also be there.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Zestfest 2009
If you like things hot and spicy then you will want to make it to Will Rogers Memorial Center this weekend. This fiery event hosted by Chili Pepper Magazine will be full of chef demos, live music, contests, and plenty of spicy samples. Look for the GO TEXAN booths to sample regional goodies.

Saturday September 12
Fall Gallery Night 2009
Check out my Gallery Night Guide here for my gallery picks and eats close to the galleries.

Saturday April 25
4th Annual Fort Worth Prairie Fest 10AM – 8PM
From the website:
“An outdoor festival to celebrate our connection to the natural world through Music, Art, Dance, Environmental Stewardship & Wildflower Tours.”

On the heels of Earth Day this is a great event to attend to learn about this unique natural area in Fort Worth.  There will be wildflower walks that begin at 10AM and continue until 4:30PM on the half hour.  Don’t miss the Prairie Grass tour with John Snowden at 11AM and 1PM.

Food and drink vendors include Fuzzy’s Tacos, Chadra Mezza, Longoria’s BBQ, Don’s Dawgs, Flying Pig Pie and Pints, Rahr and Sons, and Times Ten Cellars.

Artspace 111 will also be hosting a Plein Air Paint Out.  Over 20 local artists will be painting “en plein air” which is fancy French for painting in the outdoors.  These works will be available for purchase through a silent auction.

A children’s area will also be set up puppets, drumming, crafts, music, and games.

Saturday April 25
Funky Finds Spring Fling 10AM – 6PM

This event sounds right up my alley.  Check out what’s going on in the indie craft scene in Tarrant county.  Artists, crafters, and designers come show their wares to the Will Rogers Memorial Center (between the Sheep Barn and Cattle Barn #1 – don’t get the location confused with the regular Cattle Barn #1 Flea Market).  It’s like Etsy comes to you!

Chips, Nachos, Hot Dogs, and Salads will be sold.  Closeby restaurants include Montgomery Street Cafe (practically across the street from Cattle Barn #1) for downhome diner eats,  The Jazz Cafe (also on Montgomery) for Greek fare, and the Railhead (also on Montgomery) for yummy BBQ and beers.

Saturday April 25
Opening Night of The Fort Worth Opera Festival.  The opera Carmen opens.  The Ballet Folklorico will give a special performance in the lobby during intermission (only for opening night).  Ferre, Grace, Taverna, Mi Cocina, and Zambrano’s are nearby dining options before the show.  Bistro Louise also has a specially priced Opera Festival menu for $35.  Tickets from $21 – $159.

April 24 – 26
Art in the Square
Another arts festival!  This one is in Southlake.  This festival is not as large as the Main Street Arts Festival in Fort Worth, but there is still plenty to see.  Check the Art in the Square Website for all the details.

Lot’s of stuff going on in Fort Worth this weekend.

Friday April 17
Longhorn Saloon
Starlight Mints w/ Dove Hunter, Burning Hotels, and Crash that Took me
Don’t know what they put in the water in Norman Oklahoma that breeds such deliciously strange pop music but the Starlight Mints will bring it to the Longhorn on Friday.  My local faves Dove Hunter opens along with Burning Hotels, and Crash that Took me. 121 W. Exchange Avenue.

April 16-19
Main Street Arts Festival
This is the biggest festival in Fort Worth and one of my favorites.  Stroll through downtown while enjoying the art of all the selected participants.  If you’re looking to purchase a piece the Main Street Arts Festival website has an artist gallery section where you can preview items.  The kids can stay entertained in the Main Street Creates area of the festival.  There are many musical acts booked so check the official website.

And of course no festival is complete without some festival food.  In addition to standard festival food The Crawfish connection will be providing jambalaya, gumbo, beans and rice, Island Noodles will be providingYaki-soba wok fried noodles, The Reata serves up tenderloin tamales (MY FAVORITE!!), chicken soft tacos, and dutch apple crisp.  Desert options include funnel cake and custard -yum.  Food is bought on a coupon system, but you can now buy coupons online.  Check the website for all the details.

Saturday April 18, 11AM – 5PM
Grapevine Annual Blessing of the Vines and New Vintage Wine & Gallery Trail
If vino is more your vibe head on to Grapevine for the Annual Blessing of the Vines and New Vintage Wine & Gallery Trail.  The blessing of the Vines occurs on April 18 from 11AM – 12PM at Delaney Vineyards.  $45 gets you a wine passport that will offer you a chance to visit all the wineries, sample the wine and some food, and listen to some live music.  Shuttle service is provided.  More information is on the Grapevine TX website.  There was a jazz wine train but that is fully booked already.

Saturday April 18
Modern ’til Midnight 6PM- Midnight , $15 (free for members)
3200 Darnell Street
Enjoy The Modern after hours!  Listen to music by the George McCullum trio (6PM – 8PM) and DJ GoGoWend (8PM – 10PM) in the beautiful main lobby of the Modern.  The sculpture garden provides the most unique venue to catch music by Dan Deacon & Ensemble, also featured are the haunting sounds of Fight Bite, Future Islands and Teeth Mountain.  Cafe Modern’s full menu service is available from 6PM- 9PM, the coffee bar will serve until 11:30PM.

There will also be a special screening of St. Nick at 8PM presented by The Lone Star Film Society.  Local filmmakers David Lowery and James M. Johnston (also exec chef at Spiral Diner) have a homecoming for the film after premiering to sold out crowds at SXSW and receiving the AFI Dallas Grand Jury Prize in Texas Film.  The film was shot almost entirely in Fort Worth.  Lead actress Savanna Sears and James M. Johnston will be in attendance.

Today is Texas Independence Day! I started the festivities early by judging a Chili Cook-Off at The Ginger Man last Saturday.  The Ginger Man hosted a Texas Independence Day Celebration & Chili Cook-Off benefiting Kids who Care on Saturday February 28th.  Local bands The Great American Novel, and one of my favorites Dovehunter  provided some great music.  The Kids Who Care gave a cute performance as well.

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Texas and being a Texan than beer and chili.  12 teams participated in the cook-off and started cooking at 11AM that morning to make some amazing chili.

The judging panel consisted of Louis Sheppard (local chef and Panther City Bandit band member, Tony Diaz (The Good Show producer and Goodwin band member), and me (local food blogger).  Once the containers of chili started stacking up at the judges table it looked as if we had taken on a dare or were part of a food eating contest.  We were given our scoring sheets where we scored each chili sample on a scale of 1-10 for aroma, color, taste, consistency, and bite.  We briefly discussed what makes good chili and decided it’s truly a matter of personal preference, this became especially clear once the tasting started.

I was stumped on what beer to order drink with the 12 containers of chili that awaited my tasting and was recommended a Franconia Lager (from McKinney TX) which was absolutely perfect.  I enjoyed every bowl of chili I sampled and my hat’s off to all the folks who worked so hard.  As the tasting and scoring went on I found that I want a chili that’s not too chunky and not too fine, the meat should be tender, beans are alright if it’s super spicy or if the beans stay firm, and an unexpected flavor twist or a slow burn is always welcome.

Some chili stood out more than others.  One of my favorites had hints of cinnamon and I could see myself devouring bowls of it on a cold day.  Another one grew more addicting with each bite as the heat kicked in.  Other interesting touches I tasted were peppers which I recognized from my mom’s Mexican cooking, large chunks of meat, shredded brisket, and tomatoes.  I’m now inspired to come up with my own chili recipe.  We judged truly according to our preferences because we found big differences in our scores as we compared notes at the end and even we were surprised at the winning results.

If you can’t score yourself a bowl of chili in celebration of Texas Independence Day – Tex Mex, or any other form of meat should do just fine.  Don’t forget to wash it all down with some Texas beer and cheers to being Texan!

Greek Festival
November 7-9, 2008
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
2020 N.W. 21st Street, Fort Worth
Friday and Saturday 10AM – 10PM, Sunday 11AM – 3PM, Free admission (food is purchased with festival tokens,$1/token)

Still going strong after 41 years, the annual Fort Worth Greek Festival is this weekend at St. Demetrios on the North Side of Fort Worth.  Greek gastronomy and cultural events welcomes festivalgoers.  The menu features a lunch service (10 tokens) from 11AM – 2:30PM, dinner service (15 tokens) is from 5PM – 9PM, and a la carte items are available at any time after 11AM.  Keep the festival going at home with an assortment of frozen foods available to go, such as a moussaka, pastistio, spanakopita, and dolmathes.

Bud Kennedy reports over at the Star T about the festival featuring a flaming Saganaki, and no he’s not talking about your gay Greek friend (not that there’s anything wrong with that).  The flaming Saganaki is drumroll Greek fried cheese, commence salivating…now.

If you can’t make it over to the festivities at St. Demetrios this weekend, never fear.  Visit some of the great Greek eateries in the area next time you’re out.

George’s Specialty Foods
4424 White Settlement Rd
Fort Worth, TX 76114
(817) 737-0414
My personal pick is George’s Specialty Foods way down White Settlement Road.  George’s is a Greek specialty foods store that also serves up Greek to go fare.  A few tables are available for dine in.

Jazz Cafe
2504 Montgomery St
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 737-0043
This cute spot on Montgomery street serves up Greek fare in a slightly ramshackle but charming environment.  Their vegetable sandwich is my favorite thing there, not Greek but still good.  On the weekends they also feature Jazz and a Sunday Brunch.

Scampi’s Mediterranean Cafe
1057 W Magnolia Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 927-1887
Scampi’s is a wonderful hybrid of Greek and Italian cuisine on Magnolia, and I’m a fan.  And it’s BYOB, which saves some dinero.

Greek House
2426 Forest Park Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76110
(817) 921-1473
Nestled on Forest Park the Greek House provides yummy Greek fare.  Though I’ve only gotten take out from here, they have plenty of tables for dining.  My only complaint is that it seems a tad more expensive than it should be for what you’re getting.

Saturday October 11
11AM – 10PM
Sunday October 12
11AM – 4PM

St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
303 Cullum Drive
Free admission, dishes range from $3 – $10

Get your Greek on.  Greek goodies including  gyros, baklava, and assorted other dishes will be available.  There will also be dance performances, activities for kids, and tours of the church.