Gastrosleuth DFW

# 🎄 The Nutcracker Five‑Course Dinner

Tuesday, December 9th – Chef’s Home, Lakewood BYOB | $39.95 per person | Prepaid Admission Required
Step into the magic of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with a culinary journey through its enchanting scenes. Each course is paired with a suggested wine, and guests are invited to bring one bottle to share with their tablemates, enhancing the communal spirit of the evening.

Grab tickets here: The Nutcracker | Wednesdays Angels

## 🍴 Menu & Pairings

• Appetizer – “Toy Soldier Mushrooms” Cremini mushrooms stuffed with herbed goat cheese and breadcrumbs. Wine Pairing: Pinot Grigio Suggested Bottle: Italian Pinot Grigio
• Soup – “Snowflake Waltz” Parsnip & potato velouté with truffle oil drizzle. Wine Pairing: Chardonnay Suggested Bottle: California Chardonnay
• Salad – “Dance of the Flowers” Winter greens with candied pecans, pomegranate seeds, goat cheese, and floral vinaigrette. Wine Pairing: Rosé Suggested Bottle: Provençal Rosé
• Main Course – “Nutcracker’s Crown” Crown Roast of Pork with apple‑cranberry stuffing and rosemary jus. Wine Pairing: Zinfandel Suggested Bottle: California Zinfandel
• Vegetable Side – “Land of Sweets Garden” Roasted Brussels sprouts with hazelnuts and honey glaze. Wine Pairing: Gewürztraminer Suggested Bottle: Alsace Gewürztraminer
• Carb Side – “March of the Toy Soldiers” Wild rice pilaf with cranberries and herbs. Wine Pairing: Merlot Suggested Bottle: Washington State Merlot
• Dessert – “Sugar Plum Fairy” Plum & almond tart with spiced crème anglaise. Wine Pairing: Ruby Port Suggested Bottle: Ruby Port

## 🍷 Guest Experience

• BYOB Tradition: Each guest brings one bottle of the wine to share with their tablemates.
• Communal Tasting: Wines will “dance” with each course, creating a shared journey through the ballet.
• Cost: $39.95 per person, prepaid in advance of attendance.

Cheers, Chef Irvin, Richard George, Brad Kowalke, Rikida Starace, Amanda Teel, & Tiffany Teel.

## 🎄 A Global Christmas Feast

Hosted by Chef Irvin 📍 Lakewood | 🗓 Tuesday, December 16th | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.💰 $44.95 per person | 🍷 BYOB with communal wine sharing encouraged👥 Limited to 16 seats | First come, first served
Grab tickets here: A Global Christmas Feast | Wednesdays Angels

### 🥟 Appetizer: Italian Arancini with Truffle Aioli

Golden risotto balls filled with fontina cheese, lightly fried and served with a silky truffle aioli.

Suggested Wine Pairing: Prosecco – crisp bubbles cut through the richness and complement the earthy truffle.

### 🍲 Soup: Moroccan Harira

A soul-warming tomato-based soup with lentils, chickpeas, cinnamon, ginger, and fresh herbs. Served with a wedge of warm flatbread.

Suggested Wine Pairing: Grenache – spice and fruit notes echo the soup’s aromatic depth.

### 🥗 Salad: Nordic Beet & Citrus Salad

Roasted beets, orange segments, pickled red onions, and dill over arugula with a mustard-honey vinaigrette.

Suggested Wine Pairing: Dry Riesling – bright acidity balances the sweetness of beets and citrus.

### 🍽 Main Course: Greek Lamb Youvetsi

Tender lamb slow cooked with cinnamon, tomatoes, and orzo, finished with grated kefalotyri cheese.
Sides:

• Roasted Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt Sauce
• Crispy Lemon Potatoes with Oregano

Suggested Wine Pairing: Xinomavro or Cabernet Sauvignon – bold reds that match the depth of the lamb and spice.

### 🍰 Dessert: Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème

Silky dark chocolate custard infused with cinnamon and a hint of chili, topped with whipped cream and cacao nibs.

Suggested Wine Pairing: Ruby Port – rich and spiced to mirror the dessert’s bold flavors.

Cheers, Chef Irvin

## 🎩 “Come in, and know me better, man!”

You are warmly invited to an immersive Charles Dickens Feast hosted by Chef Irvin at his home in Lakewood on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This is a BYOB event. Tickets are $39.95 and must be purchased in advance. Gratuity is not included. Guests are welcome to make additional donations or tips during the evening to support the Soup Angel Fund, helping Chef Irvin feed families and pets in need.

Grab tickets here: The Charles Dicken Feast | Wednesdays Angels

### 🍽️ Five-Course Dickensian Menu

1. Chestnut & Oyster Tartlet Suggested pairing: Sparkling wine or Champagne
2. Mulligatawny Soup with Root Vegetables Suggested pairing: Dry Sherry or Madeira
3. Winter Greens with Pickled Walnuts & Stilton Suggested pairing: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc
4. Orange-Glazed Roast Duck with Sage & Onion Stuffing

• Served with Spiced Red Cabbage and Roasted Parsnips & Potatoes Suggested pairing: Pinot Noir or Burgundy

5. Traditional Figgy Pudding with Brandy Sauce Suggested pairing: Tawny Port or Brandy

### 🍷 Wine Sharing Tradition

To heighten the dining experience, please consider bringing one bottle of wine and share it with your table companions. This communal spirit reflects the generosity of the season and the conviviality of Dickens’ London.

## ✨ “God bless us, everyone!”