The chefs-turned-cover models and other restaurateurs featured in this edition embody the essence of our vibrant food scene.
Inspired by the 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually,” the cover image and accompanying listings highlight talented chefs who celebrate the themes of love and cuisine. This esteemed group of local culinary luminaries is set to host an array of events this weekend, coinciding with Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Saturday this year, adding an extra layer of anticipation.
Whether you prefer a cozy evening at home or an extravagant staycation, these chefs’ establishments, along with many others, offer enticing options to consider. Additionally, readers who stick around until the end will find details on an exciting contest for a chance to win dinner and a movie, courtesy of the Weekly.
A Quiet Night In
Are you on the hunt for that trendy heart-shaped box of tacos that has been making waves on social media? Local spots have you covered. Los Guapos (2708 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-877-0008) is offering a special that includes six tacos of your choice, chips and queso, and two drinks for $30. Limited quantities are available, so it’s wise to call ahead to place your order. Tacos el 24, with three locations in Arlington and one in Grand Prairie, also has a $28 option. Check out TacosEl24.com for the nearest location.
Enchiladas Ole has recently relocated to the Near Southside (1208 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-751-5556). Diners can savor Chef Mary Patino Perez’s “Mexican done better” or items from her Holy Que Texican Bar-B-Q menu. For this weekend, consider Mary’s Family Meals for takeout. For $69.99, you can feed 4-6 people with 12 enchiladas or tacos, accompanied by rice, beans, chips, and salsa, or arroz con pollo (grilled chicken over rice), also served with chips, salsa, and queso. More information is available at EnchiladasOle.com.
Kick off your festivities early with a pasta-making class at iL Modo (714 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-415-0144) on Thursday. Attendees will leave with a recipe card for crafting Heart-Shaped Ravioli at home. The class starts with a glass of bubbly and includes hands-on instruction from the culinary team. Tickets are priced at $80 per person, available at ow.ly/bARK50Y4UEO.
Drew’s Place (5701 Curzon Av, Fort Worth, 817-476-1857), a beloved soul food restaurant, is offering a sweet takeout deal for Valentine’s Day, but act quickly. You can order 12 chocolate-covered strawberries for $35 or six for $20, each with a complimentary custom message. To place an order, text “ORDER” to 817-988-8440 by Wednesday, February 11, for pickup on Friday or Saturday. Be sure to check back next week for more on Drew’s in our annual Black History Month issue.
Keep It Casual
Rex’s Bar & Grill (1501 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-968-7397) offers a versatile atmosphere that can be as laid-back or sophisticated as you desire. From Friday to Sunday, enjoy a curated dinner for two for $99. The first course features two jumbo Maryland crab cakes with mustard sauce and citrus slaw, followed by a sumptuous Surg & Turf, consisting of two 5-ounce glazed beef filets, crab-stuffed jumbo shrimp, Yukon mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus. Reserve your table at RexsFTW.com.
For a romantic, candlelit dinner in a cozy diner setting, Tom’s Burgers & Grill (1530 N Cooper St, Arlington, 817-459-9000) is hosting a special event this Saturday. For $110 per couple, enjoy ribeye steaks with shrimp, loaded baked potatoes, and salads, plus a shared slice of triple-layer chocolate cake. Each couple will also receive two complimentary beers or glasses of wine. Reservations are recommended.
Fancy, Don’t Let Me Down
The teams at Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine and Waters are gearing up for a bustling weekend, although they are doing so without their renowned owner, Chef Jon Bonnell, who is currently recovering from cancer treatment. We wish him a swift recovery, as he is not only a talented chef but also a remarkable individual.
Bonnell’s (4259 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth, 817-738-5489) is offering a dine-in Valentine’s meal for $150 per couple, which includes honey-nut squash bisque, braised lamb shank with green-chile cheese grits, étouffée, and a decadent chocolate ganache cake with cherries.
At Cafe Americana (403 E Main St, Arlington, 682-270-0041), Chef Wendy Felix will present a four-course meal on Friday and Saturday for $125 per person. Guests will be greeted with a welcome cocktail, the First Kiss Prosecco, featuring elderflower, lemon, and rose petals, alongside a non-alcoholic hibiscus-and-ginger sparkling mint soda. The appetizer course offers options like crab cake or a spring vegetable and mushroom tart. Entrée choices include Chilean sea bass, an 8-ounce filet, or morel-and-truffle risotto. Dessert options consist of a dark chocolate-and-strawberry love bomb or panna cotta. Book your table at CafeAmericanaTX.com/reservations.
Clay Pigeon Food & Drink (2731 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 817-882-8065) is featuring a Valentine’s prix-fixe menu on Saturday for $110 per person, including seasonal soup or salad, your choice of ribeye, braised short rib, or scallops, and dessert. Reservations can be made at ClayPigeonFD.com.
While Saturday reservations at Ellerbe Fine Foods (1501 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-926-3663) are fully booked, Friday still has availability for their exquisite four-course Valentine’s menu priced at $120 per person. The meal begins with an amuse-bouche of housemade profiterole, followed by your choice of smoked tomato bisque or a winter lettuce-and-feta salad. For the entrée, selections include seared mahi mahi with roasted cauliflower and sautéed winter greens or a red wine-braised Texas Wagyu short rib, concluding with a housemade Dubai chocolate cake. Call to reserve your spot.
Magdalena’s, the family-owned catering and event company led by Chef Juan Rodriguez, is known for its monthly Magdalena’s Supper Club (502 Grand Av, Fort Worth, 817-740-8085), which features a unique menu each time. This February, the dinner is themed around “Like Water for Chocolate.” Amor en la Cocina, scheduled for 7 PM on Saturday, will offer a welcome cocktail, chocolate and caviar tarts, lobster carpaccio, quail medallions in rose petal sauce, carnitas rolls, dry-aged picaña, and a heart-shaped Mexican hot chocolate mousse for $105 per person. Reservations can be made at MagdalenasTX.com.
Chef Richard Sandoval is adding a Latin-fusion flair to his Valentine’s event at Toro Toro (200 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-975-9895) on Saturday from 5 PM to 10 PM. The three-course dinner is priced at $94 per person and features an heirloom beet salad, choice of Wagyu, halibut, or prawn entrée, and a red velvet tres leches dessert, along with à la carte options. Reserve your table at ToroToroFortWorth.com/valentines-day.
Stay for Awhile
In addition to the pasta class on Thursday, iL Modo will be hosting a romantic dinner all weekend. From Friday to Sunday, Chef Irine Garza will present an Italian-inspired Valentine’s menu, designed for lingering conversations and shared experiences. The meal begins with mixed greens topped with marinated strawberries, whipped goat cheese, and candied pecans, followed by delicate lobster ravioli finished in a rich lobster coulis. The evening culminates with a shared dark-chocolate molten cake paired with chocolate or vanilla gelato.
iL Modo is conveniently located within the Kimpton Harper Hotel (714 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-332-7200), making it easy to extend your evening into a delightful overnight stay. Restaurant reservations can be made by calling 817-415-0144. For those looking to enjoy a weekend getaway, current offers can be found at TheHarperFortWorth.com/hotel-deals.
Another option for a staycation is the Sandford House Inn & Spa (506 N Center St, Arlington, 817-861-2129), where Chef David Pacheco serves contemporary American cuisine at Restaurant506 (817-801-5541). Nestled in a charming historic neighborhood near AT&T Stadium and just north of Downtown Arlington, this bed-and-breakfast is
