All Week

Houston Restaurant Weeks Continue

Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you probably already know it is Houston Restaurant Weeks. (And, if you have been living under rock somewhere, who are we to judge?) Check the website for hundreds of reasonably priced, multi-course meals. No less than $4 per meal benefits the Houston Food Bank. Also, take a look at our guides for navigating the overwhelming number of good options, including top picks, all the new restaurants participating for the first time and surprising vegetarian menus. (By the way, add Quattro to our list of top HRW picks, as we had a phenomenal dinner there last week.)

Fundraising Week For Rothko Chapel at Cuchara

Spend $35 on any food and drink this week at Cuchara, 214 Fairview, and it will generate a donation of $5 from today through Sunday, August 14 for Rothko Chapel.

Twentieth Anniversary Menu at Reginelli’s Pizzeria

New Orleans-based Reginelli’s Pizzeria, 12389 Kingsride, has grown to 20 locations across Louisiana and Texas over the past 20 years and are marking the occasion with a special menu. It includes crab boil-marinated burrata on bruschetta with a ragu of corn, oyster mushrooms, roasted garlic and andouille, as well as Figgin’ Pizza with fresh figs, prosciutto, ricotta and fontina. The pizza is baked then finished with arugula and aged berry balsamic.

Monday, August 8

“Pulling The Cork” Class At l’Alliance Française

This is an ideal class for people who are just getting into wine and need to know core principles. At l’Alliance Française, 427 Lovett, Spec’s fine wine buyer Bear Dalton will discuss the theory behind tasting, drinking and enjoying wine. Of course, that would be no fun without actual wine. Well, no worries there, as there will be 12 different ones to enjoy — we mean “practice” with. The class covers red, white, sparkling and dessert wines. Topics include what to look for when tasting, pairing wine and food, serving, and storage temperatures, types of wine glasses and, as the class name indicates, pulling the cork (which can be a little tricky sometimes). Class starts at 7 p.m. The cost is $50 if paid by cash or check, and $52.63 if paid by credit card. Purchase tickets by calling Susan at 713-854-7855.

MAAL Wine Dinner at Killen’s Steakhouse

Starting at 7 p.m. at Killen’s Steakhouse, 6424 West Broadway, winemaker Alfredo Mero of MAAL Wines in Mendoza, Argentina, will discuss his products during a five-course wine dinner. The 2014 Imposible Malbec will be served alongside smoked pork cheeks with fig-scented white grits, summer greens, marrow and quince pork jus; as well as a vertical flight of three years of the Pacencia Malbec along with Durham Ranch hangar steak with duck fat fried truffle fingerling potatoes, roasted ramp chimichurri and a duck egg. The cost is $125 per person plus tax and gratuity. Call 281-485-0844 to reserve.

Tuesday, August 9

Ceviche Night At Brasil

For one night only, Alejandro Betancourt and Masaru Fukuda of Pacha Private Chefs & Catering are transforming the patio at Brasil, 2604 Dunlavy, into a cevicheria. Dishes include an upscale version of the trendiest dish of summer 2016, salmon poke, elevated with avocado, mango, mint, dehydrated seaweed salad and sesame, as well as traditional Peruvian ceviche with an in-season white fish selection, leche de tigre, aji limo, red onions, cilantro, choclo, cancha (types of dried Peruvian corn) and sweet potato. Seasonal beers and other drinks will also be available.

Wednesday, August 10

Spanish and Portuguese Wine and Food Tasting at Rainbow Lodge

Rainbow Lodge wine director Marc Borel just returned from a trip to the Iberian Peninsula and is ready to share his newfound knowledge with a wine tasting — with food pairings — from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The pairings include Altano Vinhas Tinto with Portuguese tortilla and green olive salsa verde and CVNE Cune Crianza Tempranillo from Rioja with chicken and chorizo paella. The cost is $35 and includes wine, food, tax and service. Reserve a spot with a credit card by calling 713-861-8666.

Pizza, Wine and Chocolate at Hot Toppings

Attendees of this event at Hot Toppings, 7705 Westheimer, will get to select a six-inch pizza with their choice of toppings and taste a selection of wines for only $20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets include eight wine samples. The lucky first 15 participants will also get a free box of chocolates from local chocolatier Cacao & Cardamom. First come, first served. Must be 21 or older to participate in the wine tasting.

8th Wonder Brewery Dinner at Stoked Tacos & Tequila

This is the third event in the “Taps N’ Tacos” beer pairing series at Stoked Tacos & Tequila, 2416 Brazos. This one features 8th Wonder Brewery. The cost of the four-course dinner is $40 plus tax and gratuity. Dishes featured include a Maine lobster taco paired with 8th Wonder Intellectuale beer and crispy braised pork berry taco alongside 8th Wonder Astro Turf. Tickets are limited, so email [email protected] for reservations.

Thursday, August 11

Eureka Heights Tap Takeover At Hughie’s

Try the beers of one of Houston’s newest breweries, Eureka Heights, at Hughie’s, 1802 West 18th, which is receiving some of the first kegs. Four beers will be on tap: Houston Space Train, an IPA; Buckle Bunny, a cream ale; Mostly Harmless, a pale Kölsch made with Citra hops; and Moo Caliente, a milk stout brewed with cinnamon and Cayenne.


Friday, August 12

Cocktails and Barbecue at Johnny’s Gold Brick

The El Topo truck will serve barbecue while the bartenders at Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale, select cocktails, beer and spirit pairings to go with the food. The event is first-come, first-served and runs from 5 to 10 p.m. (or until the food is all gone, whichever comes first). Johnny’s Gold Brick asks that you kindly RSVP at its Facebook page so that El Topo has an idea as to how much food to prepare.


Eureka Heights Growler Night At Jugs

As a new local brewery, Eureka Heights is certainly working hard to get the word out. This Friday night, Jugs, 3109 South Shepherd, will have every beer from Eureka Heights available from 6 to 9 p.m. to “taste, partake and take home growler-style,” according to Jugs owner Steve Barron. Plan to bring a nice, clean growler (or three), or buy one from Jugs.

Grand Finale “Chef Series” Dinner at Vic & Anthony’s

Every year, Landry’s features a series of multi-course, chef-driven dinners at each of its Signature Group Houston restaurants (called the “Chef Series,” appropriately enough) and the grand finale, as usual, is at Vic & Anthony’s, 1510 Texas. Guests will be greeted with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music before diving into an eight-course dinner with wine pairings prepared by ten of the Signature Group executive chefs. The courses include charred octopus by Jason Cole of Brenner’s Steakhouse, and ras el hanout spiced quail by chef Luis Rubio of La Griglia. Enjoy the ease of simply crashing across the street at the Westin Houston Downtown after dinner for $129 plus tax by mentioning the “friends and family” offer. The cost of the dinner is $150 per person, or $135 for Landry’s Select Club members. Call 713-228-1111 for dinner reservations and for the special lodging offer at the Westin Houston.

Sunday, August 14

Sweet Sixteenth Birthday Party at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Believe it or not, the downtown Houston location of Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 705 Main, is 16 years old. So, it's hosting a “sweet” party that features not only interesting and rare beers but also birthday cake from Fluff Bake Bar and beer floats from Cloud 10 Creamery. The festivities start at noon.