Quarter Acre's 'Drifter Dinner' Series Returns This Fall, With Michelin-Star Lineup

This fall, Lower Greenville fine-dining outlet Quarter Acre is launching Season 2 of the “Drifter Dinner” series. It’s the latest programming experiment by chef Toby Archibald, who recently debuted a long-awaited tasting menu at the restaurant.

The Drifter Dinner series began in August 2024. The concept centers around Archibald collaborating with an aesthetically different chef over an eight-course dinner, with the two taking turns alternating dishes. Four chefs participated in the series, spread out over four dates in four months.

A portion of the proceeds from the series is donated to Tiniest Texans, an initiative from Baylor Scott & White that supports families with micro-preemie babies, who were born significantly early and require intensive care. Archibald’s daughter, Francesca, was born nine weeks early in 2022 and received care from the Baylor team.

The series kicks off on Aug. 8, with a collaboration between Archibald and Misti Norris, the James Beard-nominated chef behind East Dallas’ Petra & The Beast, which closed at the end of last year. In the meantime, Norris has remained busy in the Dallas food scene, operating her signature pop-up “Rainbow Cat” out of Saint Valentine cocktail bar. Last month, she joined patio bar Far Out as culinary director. Norris is the only Dallasite to be featured on this year’s Drifter Dinner series.

The following month, chef Rodrigo Rivera-Rio from Monterrey, Mexico, joins Archibald in the kitchen. He operates the Michelin-starred Koli Cocina de Origin with his two brothers. On Sept. 5, he’s set to bring his distinct take on Norteña cuisine to Quarter Acre, named for the northern region of Mexico. Rio’s evening will also feature a tequila pairing from Reserva de la Familia from Jose Cuervo.

On Oct. 3, Kevin Fink visits Quarter Acre. The Austin-based chef and restaurateur owns six restaurants and has experience working at the iconic French Laundry in Napa Valley.

On Nov. 7, Michelin-starred Costa Rican chef Byron Gomez, known for his global fusion menu at the Michelin-starred BRUTØ in Denver, closes the series.

Tickets to the Drifter Dinner series will be on sale June 24, available individually for $275 a seat. On June 10, season passes to all four dinners go on sale for $1,000, excluding tax and gratuity. It’s certainly bougie, but for the foodie with money to spend, you’ll be hard pressed to find an event of this prestige right in Dallas’ backyard.