Dallas, October 21, 2025
News Summary
This week in Dallas features a lineup of food-centric events from book discussions and pop-up dinners to a multi-day festival celebrating culinary delights. Highlights include a visit from renowned chef Lidia Bastianich at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Shef F+W Festival hosted in Grand Prairie. Additionally, diners can enjoy a Dia de los Muertos pop-up and new restaurant openings, including the first Texas location of Pizza Guys. This diverse offering caters to various tastes and budgets, ensuring there’s something for everyone in the local dining scene.
Dallas — A busy week of food-focused events runs across the Dallas area from Tuesday, October 21 to Saturday, October 25, with pop-up dinners, a multi-day festival, celebrity chef appearances and new openings. Key highlights include a book event at the Dallas Museum of Art, a Dia de los Muertos pop-up in the Design District, the Shef F+W Festival in Grand Prairie, several Saturday dining pop-ups and the first Texas location of a national pizza chain.
Top events and where to go first
Tuesday, October 21: Tuesday, October 21: Lidia Bastianich will visit the Dallas Museum of Art for “Arts & Letters Live” to discuss her book “Lidia’s The Art of Pasta” at 7:30 PM; tickets cost $56.50 and include a hardcover copy of the book.
Thursday, October 23: Thursday, October 23: “Dia de los Muertos” pop-up at The Mexican in the Design District, with menu specials including lobster poblano bisque and Sugar Skull dessert; runs through November 2.
Friday, October 24: Friday, October 24: The “Shef F+W Festival,” hosted by MasterChef judge Tiffany Derry, featuring multiple events, top chefs, and ticket prices from $15 to $250; the festival takes place across Grand Prairie’s EpicCentral from Friday to Sunday.
Saturday’s packed lineup
Saturday, October 25: Bia Hoi Pop-Up at Malai Kitchen in Uptown, celebrating Northern Vietnamese street food culture with $1 Bia Hoi Rice Lager and snacks like fried egg tofu salad ($8) and coconut sea snail ($13), from 12-10 PM or until sell-out.
Saturday, October 25: The Dinner Party at Tru Plant-Based Kitchen in Carrollton, featuring a four-course vegan dinner starting at 5:30 PM; tickets are $80 or $130 for two.
Saturday, October 25: Oktoberfest at Windmills Craftworks in The Colony, with bratwurst, German beers, music, and activities; tickets cost $10 and the event runs from 12-8 PM.
New openings and recent changes
New pizza opening: Pizza Guys, a Sacramento-based chain known for gourmet pizza, opens its first Texas location in Plano on Saturday, October 18.
Recent restaurant news: Society Bakery has closed, Elaine’s Kitchen will close on October 18, Meridian at The Village will reopen on October 17, and Cavalli Pizza has reopened in McKinney with new ownership.
Seasonal menus and special collaborations
Several chains and local shops are rolling out fall items and limited collaborations this week. Lazy Dog Restaurants rolls out a fall menu with 15 new dishes and drinks. Sunny Street Cafe introduces pumpkin-inspired items. Kate Weiser Chocolate unveils a new fall collection centered on seasonal flavors. The Salty doughnut shop is partnering with Poppi soda for a limited-run menu from October 20-26.
Nationwide airline update: American Airlines launches a vegan egg scramble on select flights starting October 5.
Practical details and planning
Tickets and prices vary by event. The Lidia Bastianich appearance includes a hardcover book with the ticket. The Shef F+W Festival runs across multiple venues at Grand Prairie’s EpicCentral and lists tickets from $15 to $250 depending on the event. Several Saturday events use a first-come or sell-out model for limited items, so arriving early is recommended when items are advertised as available until sell-out.
What to expect in the coming days
This week combines single-night appearances, multi-day pop-ups and a weekend-long festival, offering options for different budgets and interests. Events include cultural celebrations, plant-based dining, seasonal menus and new openings that reflect ongoing shifts in the local dining scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Lidia Bastianich appearing in Dallas?
Tuesday, October 21: Lidia Bastianich will visit the Dallas Museum of Art for “Arts & Letters Live” to discuss her book “Lidia’s The Art of Pasta” at 7:30 PM; tickets cost $56.50 and include a hardcover copy of the book.
Where and when is the Dia de los Muertos pop-up?
Thursday, October 23: “Dia de los Muertos” pop-up at The Mexican in the Design District, with menu specials including lobster poblano bisque and Sugar Skull dessert; runs through November 2.
What is the schedule and cost range for the Shef F+W Festival?
Friday, October 24: The “Shef F+W Festival,” hosted by MasterChef judge Tiffany Derry, featuring multiple events, top chefs, and ticket prices from $15 to $250; the festival takes place across Grand Prairie’s EpicCentral from Friday to Sunday.
What are the Saturday events on October 25?
Saturday, October 25: Bia Hoi Pop-Up at Malai Kitchen in Uptown, celebrating Northern Vietnamese street food culture with $1 Bia Hoi Rice Lager and snacks like fried egg tofu salad ($8) and coconut sea snail ($13), from 12-10 PM or until sell-out.
Saturday, October 25: The Dinner Party at Tru Plant-Based Kitchen in Carrollton, featuring a four-course vegan dinner starting at 5:30 PM; tickets are $80 or $130 for two.
Saturday, October 25: Oktoberfest at Windmills Craftworks in The Colony, with bratwurst, German beers, music, and activities; tickets cost $10 and the event runs from 12-8 PM.
Which new restaurant opened recently in Texas?
Pizza Guys, a Sacramento-based chain known for gourmet pizza, opens its first Texas location in Plano on Saturday, October 18.
What recent restaurant status changes were reported?
Society Bakery has closed, Elaine’s Kitchen will close on October 18, Meridian at The Village will reopen on October 17, and Cavalli Pizza has reopened in McKinney with new ownership.
Are there any national food product changes to know about?
American Airlines launches a vegan egg scramble on select flights starting October 5.
Event and Feature Summary
| Feature | Date | Location | Notes / Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lidia Bastianich appearance | Tuesday, October 21 | Dallas Museum of Art | Tickets $56.50; includes hardcover book |
| Dia de los Muertos pop-up | Thursday, October 23 (runs through Nov 2) | The Mexican, Design District | Menu specials include lobster poblano bisque and Sugar Skull dessert |
| Shef F+W Festival | Friday, October 24 (Fri–Sun) | Grand Prairie’s EpicCentral | Tickets from $15 to $250 |
| Bia Hoi Pop-Up | Saturday, October 25 | Malai Kitchen, Uptown | $1 Bia Hoi Rice Lager; snacks priced $8–$13; 12–10 PM or until sell-out |
| The Dinner Party (vegan) | Saturday, October 25 | Tru Plant-Based Kitchen, Carrollton | Four-course dinner; tickets $80 or $130 for two; starts 5:30 PM |
| Oktoberfest | Saturday, October 25 | Windmills Craftworks, The Colony | Tickets $10; event runs 12–8 PM |
| Pizza Guys opening | Saturday, October 18 | Plano | First Texas location of Sacramento-based chain |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Shef Food + Wine Festival Returns to Grand Prairie
Hands-On Sushi Making Class in Carrollton
Record Crowd Attends Dallas Trinity FC Match Against Club América Femenil
Dallas DÃa de los Muertos Parade and Festival Announced
Discover the Charms of Grapevine, Texas
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Additional Resources
- Dallas CultureMap: Shef Fest Food Events
- Wikipedia: Food Festival
- Dallas CultureMap: Elaine’s Kitchen
- Google Search: Elaine’s Kitchen Dallas
- Dallas CultureMap: State Fair Finalists 2025
- Google Scholar: Food Festivals State Fair
- Dallas Observer: What to Eat and Drink This Weekend
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Event
- Dallas CultureMap: Centrale Italia
- Google News: Centrale Italia Dallas
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
