If you’ve ever seen a pastry that looks like a caramel-crusted croissant and wondered what it is, there’s a good chance you were staring at a kouign‑amann (pronounced “queen‑ah‑mahn”). This rich, flaky treat comes from a very unlikely origin story — and has quietly become one of the most talked-about pastries in cities like Dallas.
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If you think Disneyland is just rides and fireworks, think again. This place is a full-on theme park for your taste buds, and 2026 is no exception. Let’s start sweet: Dole Whip. That pineapple soft-serve is tangy, icy, and somehow magic in a cup. Grab one at the Tiki Juice Bar or Tropical Hideaway and try not to wear it. Spoiler: you’ll probably fail.
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The Crossbuck Supper Club turns the classic smokehouse on its head, offering a monthly five-course dining experience that’s as thoughtful as it is indulgent. Each evening is a carefully curated journey through the kitchen’s creativity, where slow-smoked meats and seasonal ingredients are transformed into dishes you won’t see on the regular menu.
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If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to spend an entire day cocooned in heat, water, massage, and food, Spa Castle is where that curiosity becomes reality. It’s not just a spa—it’s a sprawling, all-day retreat where every choice is yours: which sauna to try, how long to soak, which treatment to book, and what Korean comfort food to eat in between. The recent remodel has made the experience smoother and brighter, but the essence remains the same: a slightly chaotic, utterly indulgent playground for your body, where time slows, muscles relax, and the only agenda is your own. A general admission day pass gets you in from opening to close—about $65 on weekdays and $80 on weekends for adults, with lower rates for teens and discounted entry for hotel guests.
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Oasis Café has been feeding Dallas for decades, and it shows in the way the menu reads and the way the food arrives at the table. This is a breakfast-and-lunch café that knows its audience and cooks for it without hesitation. There’s no reinvention here, no trend chasing—just a steady rhythm of plates coming out of the kitchen the same way they always have, which is exactly what keeps the place full.
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Oak & Stone, the elevated American restaurant known for bold flavors, genuine hospitality, and its self-pour tap wall experience, will make its Texas debut in McKinney in Spring 2026. The restaurant will be located at 8575 W. University Drive, Suite 150, McKinney, TX, welcoming guests for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
Founded in Florida as part of the Artistry Restaurants family, Oak & Stone was built on a simple belief: people don’t just come to eat – they come to have an experience. The brand offers an elevated yet approachable dining experience where guests are invited to slow down and connect while enjoying housemade dishes and a robust drink program.
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Food festivals can be joyful, strange, reverent, and occasionally a little unhinged—but at their best, they reveal how deeply a single ingredient can shape a community’s identity. Around the world, people gather not just to eat, but to honor the crops, animals, and culinary traditions that have sustained them for centuries. These celebrations transform ordinary ingredients into symbols of pride, creativity, and heritage. From parades held in a guinea pig’s honor to dangerous hill chases after runaway cheese, these festivals show how food can be playful, ceremonial, and even heroic. Each one tells a story of the land, the climate, and the people who have built their culture around what grows—or walks—on it.
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The Stewpot’s 18th annual Soup’s On Luncheon and Art Show, presented by H-E-B/Central Market, takes place Monday, February 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Thompson Dallas. The event is co-chaired by Cory and Shane Bowen and Ashley and Danny Ellis, with Dale Petroskey, CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber, as honorary chair.
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