Eating and drinking events in Dallas-Fort Worth, September 10-16

by Teresa Gubbins

Watters Creek in Allen is throwing a party on Thursday night, while Fort Worth's Will Rogers Weekend will host the zestiest weekend ever.

The week's top picks:

Thursday

Taste of Watters Creek 2009

Allen's very own urban village hosts music plus samples from restaurants on site, including Brio Tuscan Grille, Crú, Grimaldi’s, Market Street, Mi Cocina, Paciugo, P.F. Chang’s, Terra Café, The Cheesecake Factory, Woodlands Grill, Potbelly Sandwich Works, The Blue Fish and Village Burger Bar.

Friday

Wine Tasting: "Zinner’s Repent"

Hmm, with a name like "Zinner's Repent," whaddya suppose they'll be pouring? A-ha -- the Zinfandel! With hors d'oeuvres. Wines featured include 2006 Neal Family Vineyards, 2003 Ottimino "Von Weidlich Vineyard" from the Russian River Valley, 2002 Vineyard 29 "Aida" from Napa, 2004 Spencer Roloson "Madder Lake Vineyard," 2003 Unti Dry Creek Valley, 2006 Ridge "Lytton Springs," and 2003 Rusden "Chookshed" from South Australia.

Saturday

Zestfest 2009

The ultimate party for bold and flavorful food enthusiasts is hosted by Chile Pepper Magazine in Fort Worth, with chef cooking demos, live music, contests, and, of course, thousands of bold food samples. They're calling it the zestiest weekend of the year, and who are we to disagree.

Tuesday

Chicken Fried Pride

Mingle with Central 214's Executive Chef Blythe Beck, star of the upcoming reality show The Naughty Kitchen with Chef Blythe Beck and enjoy chicken-fried Blythe Bites, Sweet Tea'tos signature drinks, DJ, and Trailer Park Entertainment.

Ridge Vineyards wine dinner

Roasted monkfish with oranges, fennel, & hazelnuts; lamb with grilled vegetable Israeli couscous & tomato chimichurri; beef short rib with horseradish turnip gratin; chocolate zinfandel cake with white-chocolate ganache & honey Chambord brittle. Ooooh.