NOVEMBER

Nov. 6

PRAISE THE LAKE

The fourth annual Praise the Lake fundraiser includes a brunch, Bloody Mary bar and silent auction. Members of the Booker T. Washington High School choir will perform at the event, held from noon-3 p.m. White Rock Lake Filter Building, 2810 White Rock Road, 214.725.9300, whiterocklakefoundation.org, $100

Nov. 6

NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY

Several independent businesses are participating in the Smoke’n Craft’n Fest, held from 1-6 p.m. Enjoy free food from OneNinety meats, browse craft tents by artists at Makers Connect and sample beer from local brewers at this free event. Lake Plaza shopping center, E. Northwest Highway and Easton Road, 972.803.8890, free

Nov. 6

TEXAS CHILI FEST

Listen to Americana and country music while taste-testing chili from several North Texas chefs. Other food options, vendors and interactive games also are included.

Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., 214.824.9933, texaschilifestival.com, $15-$58

Nov. 12

RUNNING WILD

Bryan Adams High School’s fourth annual Cougars Running Wild 5k and 1-mile fun run kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Event proceeds will go toward school projects that the district is unable to fully fund.

Bryan Adams High School, 2101 Millmar, 972.502.4900, dallasisd.org/bryandams, $10-$35

Nov. 18

‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’

Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy pay a visit to the stage for Dallas Children’s Theater’s rendition of the beloved kid’s movie. The performance is recommended for children ages 5 and older. Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman St., 214.978.0110, dct.org, $23-$30

Nov. 18-20

ART MART

The three-day event showcases work of local artists in a plethora of styles from painting and photography to jewelry and pottery. Founded in 2003, Art Mart benefits the nonprofit Friends of the Bath House Cultural Center.

Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive, 214.675.6573, dallasculture.org, free ragincrab.com

AMBIANCE: Family friendly sports bar PRICE RANGE: $15-$50

HOURS: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; FridaySaturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

DID YOU KNOW: The patio is dog friendly and has misters to keep Fido cool

RAGIN’ CRAB

For several years, the site was a hookah hipster hangout known as Kush, but in January the smoky stench was replaced by a salty brine when Ragin’ Crab opened its doors. With a menu built around big Cajun flavors and freshly flown in seafood, it offers a little taste of Louisiana on Lowest Greenville.

“You’ll savor the flavor for a long time, that’s what I want,” says owner Steve Sohn. “No shallow flavors.”

Sohn has spent nine years on the Dallas restaurant scene and is also the proprietor of Hibashi Teppan Grill in Far North Dallas by the Galleria. He says he was inspired to open Ragin’ Crab when he saw the popularity of Cajun flavors in Dallas, but his signature spice comes with an unusual Asian twist.

“It’s a fusion of flavors,” Sohn explains. “It’s something different than what everyone else does.”

And standing out is important — Greenville Avenue is littered with Cajun joints from Shuck ‘n Jive to not one but two Dodie’s. Ragin’ Cajun is hoping to carve out a niche with a mixture of family establishment and sports bar — somewhere you can watch the game but wouldn’t be afraid to take the kids. The cocktail list includes Bourbon Street favorites like a super boozy Hurricane, alongside popular Texas beer brands like Deep Ellum Brewery and Revolver.

The menu is stacked with Southern staples. Start with a vodka oyster shooter, a hot cup of gumbo or a sweet plate of hushpuppies. Crab, of course, is king and comes five different ways: classic Louisiana, lemon pepper, garlic, garlic butter, Cajun or the house blend known as “Ragin’ Bang” that includes three levels of heat. All shellfish is sold at daily market price. Crab options include king, Dungeness, snow and sometimes blue depending on the season, flown in fresh from Alaska, San Francisco, Boston and Maryland.

“To me, personally, snow crab is the best because it has juicy and sweet crab flavors,” Sohn suggests.

—EMILY CHARRIER