Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings:
On Wednesday, September 26, Ramen Tatsu-Ya, 1722 California, will once again collaborate with TRUTH BBQ’s Leonard Botello IV on a special bowl of ramen, available from 5 p.m. until sold out at the ramen shop. The Smoked Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen is composed of pit-smoked shoyu, a slab of brisket, ajitama and menma, made with Ramen Tatsu-Ya’s signature, 70-hour tonkotsu broth. Show up early, get in line and you'll be treated to a complimentary 8th Wonder Brewing beer, while supplies last.
The 34th Annual Caesar Salad Competition will take place on Thursday, September 27 at the Hilton University of Houston, 4450 University, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.The event will feature 20 of the area’s top chefs offering twists on the classic dish alongside wine and beers and a silent auction. Tickets can be purchased through PayPal for $40 per person.
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, is hosting a Smith Story Wine Dinner on Thursday, September 27 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Guests can enjoy dishes such as razor clam boil, tasso belly and boudin blanc, lamb cassoulet and poached pear and Creole cream cheese galette alongside wines from the family-owned California cellars. Cost is $146.14 per person including tax.
On Friday, September 28 from 5:30 p.m., guests are invited to join Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Downtown, 1200 McKinney, as its sommeliers highlight some of the best Pinot Noirs around today alongside bites like pheasant rollatini, Texas Wagyu osso buco and wild mushroom tart. Selections include wines from the classic Pinot Noir regions of Burgundy and Sonoma, plus a few under-the-radar producers. Cost is $75 per guest. Call 713-658-1995 or book online.
Our bottomless brunch event, The Morning After, is coming up on Saturday, September 29. Held at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the event will feature endless brunch bites from more than 25 Houston-area restaurants, including brunch favorites from Max’s Wine Dive and Bosscat Kitchen & Libations to Snooze and Peña’s Donuts & Diner, plus cocktail and beer sampling and boozy juice and bubbly bars. Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 day of) for general admission and $65 in advance ($75 day of) for VIP.
The team behind the Tamale Festival Houston have announced TacoWorld, a family-friendly taco festival held at Guadalupe Plaza Park, 2311 Runnels, on Saturday, September 29 from noon to 10 p.m. Guests can expect DJs, pop-up shows, cooking demos, a best taco competition, and plenty of Mexican eats. General admission tickets are $10 pre-sale ($15 at the gate) and $95 for VIP, including a free taco buffet from 2 to 5 p.m., non-alcoholic beverages, and access to the Dollar Bill Bar featuring boozy beverages for just a buck. Value passes are $29 pre-sale and include event admission, a TacoWorld koozie, and four drink tickets valid for margaritas, beer or soda (not available day of).
The annual Southern Smoke Festival and MS Society fundraiser will be held outside Blacksmith and The Hay Merchant at 1018 Westheimer, 1100 Westheimer and 1415 California on Sunday, September 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. (3 p.m. for VIP). Ten visiting chefs hailing from all over the country will join to represent some of the best restaurants and barbecue in the nation, including Aaron Franklin, Daniela Soto-Innes, and local stars like Chris Shepherd and the HOUBBQ Collective. Launched in 2015 to support the MS Society in honor of Shepherd’s friend and former sommelier Antonio Gianola, the Southern Smoke Foundation has expanded to include a year-round emergency assistance fund for people in the food and beverage industry, inspired by the success of last year’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Tickets are $200 for general admission, $350 VIP (includes early entrance and VIP lounges), and $1,000 Super VIP (only 20 tickets sold, includes a culinary tour with the chefs on Friday night, September 28).