Monday, February 1
Great American Pie Month
All month long, you'll find classic American-style pies around town to celebrate this scrumptious holiday.
Mark's American Cuisine at 1658 Westheimer will have a new pie every week, such as shaker lemon, bourbon pecan and blackberry lime, as well as suggested wine pairings for each.
2013 (Mostly) Cru Classé Bordeaux Tasting
Join Spec's from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom at the
Rice Hotel, 909 Texas, for a tasting of more than 55 wines from the 2013 vintage, most of which will be Cru Classé Bordeaux. More than 30 château owners, directors and winemakers will be in attendance to tell you all about their wine and what makes it stand out from the crowd of bordeaux wines. Bread and cheese will be served during the tasting, and the cost is $80 per person. Call 713-854-7855 to make reservations.
Tuesday, February 2
Terroir Part 4: Malbec
Head over to
13 celsius, 3000 Caroline, to experience a special flight of five malbecs from five different countries. The wine bar's staff will be on hand to explain the differences between the production processes of the wines, and especially how the grapes' distinct growing environments affect the wines. You'll find the malbec flight available for $25 from 5 to 8 p.m., and the wines from the flight will be available in bottles for purchase at special retail prices. Reservations are not required.
British Tastes and French Wine, presented by Rienzi
Learn how England influenced France and its wine regions with this four-course dinner at 6:45 p.m. at
Rienzi, 1406 Kirby. The fare will be prepared by chef Richard Knight of Hunky Dory, with wine pairings selected and presented by Travis Hinkle, beverage director of Hunky Dory. Hinkle will lead attendees on a journey through the history of winemaking from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment, and the dishes will include curried goat
samosa and a salmagundi of soused oysters. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased
through the MFAH website.
Wednesday, February 3
Wine Dinner for the Lupus Foundation
Chef Antoine Ware of
Harold's, 350 West 19th, is a lupus survivor himself, so it's easy to understand why he's hosting a fundraiser dinner for the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. The dinner kicks off at 6 p.m. with passed appetizers and champagne, then courses will include
coq au vin, blackened fish with collard greens and bread pudding. Seats are $125 each and include wine pairings.
Reserve a spot via the Harold's website.
Jarvis Estate Wine Dinner at BRIX
Will Jarvis of Jarvis Estate Wines in the Napa Valley will present this five-course dinner at 6:30 p.m. at
BRIX Wine Cellars, 110 Vintage Park, which will showcase a variety of the wines from his family winery, including chardonnay, merlot and cabernet franc. The food will include tomato gazpacho with strawberry jelly and crab, as well as squab with watermelon licorice, fennel candy and blackberry dust. Reservations are $120 per person and
can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, February 5
Libertrio NYC at Canopy
This Brazillian-style jazz group is made up of a violinist, a bassist, a percussionist and a pianist who specialize in tango and
choro music, and they will be performing a live concert accompanied by a five-course meal at
Canopy Restaurant, 3939 Montrose. There's an opening reception at 6:30 p.m., and the dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Get your tickets online.
Saturday, February 6
French Country Wines in Old Town Spring
Join Brian Cox from French Country Wines as he brings some of the store's hard-to-find wares to
Why Not Envy Me?, a boutique at 317 Gentry in Old Town Spring. The boutique has its own wine room where this free tasting will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Shoppers will also be able to purchase bottles of the six different French wines they will taste, while supplies last. For more details, call 281-528-9868. If you don't want to drive out to Old Town Spring,
French Country Wines will also have its weekly, free Saturday wine tasting from noon to 6 p.m. at 2433 Bartlett, which is also a celebration of the store's nine years in business.
Playing with Chocolate at Central Market
Chocoholics, rejoice!
Central Market's cooking school, located within the grocery at 3815 Westheimer, presents this class taught by Alice Medrich, an award-winning cookbook author and pastry chef. The class will teach you about baking with chocolate, including substitutions and which kind of chocolate is best for the dessert you're making. In the 5 p.m. class, you'll make DIY rocky road; grilled chocolate sandwiches with sea salt; milk chocolate pretzel baskets; and spice-dusted chocolate brownie cookies. Cost is $70 per person, and
you can reserve your spot on the Central Market website.
Sunday, February 7
Super Bowl Sunday
Need some ideas for where to watch the Super Bowl and get some special game-day food and drink deals? Stay tuned for our 2016 Super Bowl dining guide. If you're hosting your own party, be sure to check out the guide for to-go specials as well.