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Saturday, May 3 | 11AM–3PM
Fort Worth, get ready— The Kentucky Derby is taking over Emilia’s, The Circle Bar, and our patio for a high-spirited, fashion-forward celebration. With live music, chef-curated displays, whisky tasting, and the Kentucky Derby broadcast live, this is more than brunch—it’s the party of the season.
Celebrate in true Southern style with bold, seasonal bites like Mini Biscuits with Benton’s Country Ham, Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Avocado Green Goddess, and East Coast Oysters with Pomegranate Mignonette. Don’t miss sweet finishes like Woodford Bourbon Pecan Pies, Banana Pudding with Nilla Wafers, and Grilled Peach Cobbler with Brown Butter Crumble.
Sip on Mint Juleps and Oaks Lily cocktails while mixing and mingling through every corner of the space. Woodford Reserve joins the celebration as our official sponsor, offering exclusive beverage specials and hosting a Best Hat Contest—with a grand prize of an overnight stay at The Crescent Hotel, a 2025 Woodford Reserve Derby bottle, and dinner for two at Emilia’s.
Put on your Derby best and join us for an unforgettable afternoon of flavor, fashion, and fun.
Tickets are $100 per person, including brunch, a welcome glass of champagne and one Mint Julep. Additional cocktails available for purchase.
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Veldhuizen Cheddar Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
Crescent Classic Deviled Eggs
Black Eyed Pea Bruschetta
Mini Biscuits with Benton’s Country Ham and Bread & Butter Pickles
Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Avocado Green Goddess
Benedictine Tea Sandwiches
Spring Sugar Snap Pea-Pasta Salad
Hearth Roasted Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts
Creamy New Potato Salad, Whole Grain Mustard
East Coast Oysters with Pomegranate & Black Pepper Mignonette
Spice Poached Jumbo Shrimp, Chipotle Cocktail Sauce
Classic Smoked Salmon with Bagel Chips
Woodford Bourbon & Texas Pecan Pies
Banana Pudding, Nilla Wafers
Official Derby Peanut Pralines
Grilled Peach Cobbler, Brown Butter Crumble
Saturday, May 17 | 7:00pm | The Blue Room
Join us for an extraordinary evening in The Blue Room at The Crescent Hotel, celebrating the release of Cowtown Comfort—the new cookbook from acclaimed Fort Worth food writer and CultureMap contributor Celestina Blok. This one-night-only experience brings the pages of the book to life with an unforgettable multi-course dinner, where each dish is crafted and presented by the chefs who define Fort Worth’s culinary identity.
Meet the Chefs
Chef Preston Paine
Executive Chef, The Crescent Hotel
Recently named 2024 Chef of the Year, Chef Preston Paine leads the culinary vision at Emilia’s and The Blue Room. Known for his precise technique and elevated comfort cuisine, he’s preparing Fresh Pasta with Blistered Sungold Tomato Sauce—a vibrant, seasonal showcase of his signature style that brings summer’s best to the plate with simplicity and finesse.
Chef Blaine Staniford
Executive Chef, Grace and 61 Osteria
One of Fort Worth’s most celebrated chefs, Blaine Staniford’s culinary journey has taken him from the kitchens of Marcus Samuelsson and Michael Mina to national acclaim. A graduate of the CIA in Hyde Park and a multi-award-winning talent, he brings his signature blend of refined technique and playful creativity to the evening with his take on Toad in the Hole. This buttery, brioche-based version is elevated with a luxurious white truffle vinaigrette, adding the kind of unexpected decadence for which Chef Staniford is known.
Kari Crowe-Seher
Founder, MELT Ice Creams
An ultramarathon runner and creative entrepreneur, Kari turned her passion for joy into a Fort Worth institution. Her shop’s ethos—“We serve happy ice cream”—comes to life in her dessert course: “Howdy, Peach!” Baked Texas. A Fort Worth twist on the classic Baked Alaska, it features Kari’s signature Peach Ice Cream (as seen in Cowtown Comfort) in a crisp tart shell, wrapped in fluffy housemade meringue and torched to golden perfection.
Also featuring:
A signature Salted Pecan Old Fashioned from Blackland Distillery, crafted exclusively for this event. A Fort Worth spin on a bourbon classic from a local distillery that’s popular for its lineup of innovative spirits. The result is a pecan-infused, brown sugar-kissed cocktail that’s balanced with spice from traditional rye whiskey. A pinch of salt pulls it all together.
Tickets: $175 per person
Includes:
– A chef-guided, seated multi-course dinner
– A signed copy of Cowtown Comfort
– Personal meet-and-greet opportunities with Celestina Blok and all featured chefs
Celestina Blok will open the evening with stories from Fort Worth’s rich food history and the inspiration behind the book. This is more than a dinner—it’s a tribute to the people and flavors that define Fort Worth. Seats are limited.
Reserve a TicketThis April, experience the elegance of Madame Butterfly, a specialty cocktail at The Circle Bar inspired by the beauty of nature and crafted in support of conservation efforts. In partnership with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 10% of proceeds from every Madame Butterfly cocktail helps benefit the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, contributing to vital conservation efforts, research, and the care of a 120-acre natural treasure at the heart of our city.
Madame Butterfly | $20
Butterfly Tea Flower Infused Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice
Elevate your pre-game with an exclusive reserved section in The Circle Bar for up to six (6) people for two (2) hours. Enjoy delectable appetizers upon arrival: Dozen Oysters, Portobello and Asparagus “Fries,” Spiced Marcona Almonds, Marinated Olives, Parmesan & Rosemary Fries, and a Charcuterie Board. Savor two TCU inspired specialty cocktails per person and relax with round-trip transportation to and from Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Limited availability.
Reservations available for each TCU home game:
– Sept 13: Abilene Christian
– Sept 20: SMU
– Oct 4: Colorado
– Oct 18: Baylor
– Nov 8: Iowa State
– Nov 29: Cincinnati
Contact: info@thecrescenthotelfw.com to reserve your exclusive gameday experience at The Circle Bar!
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