Monday, January 26
Bon Vivant Houston
This over-the-top dinner for charity means that a table of 10 guests at the Royal Sonesta gets their very own noteworthy Houston chef for a night. Here are just a few of the ones participating: Danny Trace from Brennan's, Richard Knight of upcoming Hunky Dory (formerly of Feast) and Oliviere Ciesielski of L'Olivier. Chef Bryan Caswell of Reef will also be there and is an event chair as well. Each chef will create and prepare a five-course dinner tableside. This event benefits The Youth Development Center, an after school academic program that addresses literacy and math development for low-performing students grades 1-6 in the Greater Fifth Ward. Call 713.686.4845 to arrange this rare opportunity. Table sponsorships may still be available. 6:30 p.m. $1000 per person.
Andes Café Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary In a Charitable Way
Today is the first day of a two week celebration that is dotted throughout with special events. From now until February 8, for every $35 spent on dinner, Andes Café will donate $7 to El Centro de Corazon and $25 it will donate $5. Check out the rest of this calendar for other events at Andes Cafe.
Free Bananas Foster For Dish Society's One-Year Anniversary
Time flies. Dish Society is already celebrating its one-year anniversary and customers get to join in the fun. Guests will get a free Bananas Foster dessert with a scoop of Amy's Ice Cream on the side. The offer runs through Saturday, January 31. 5740 San Felipe. Free with purchase.
Tuesday, January 27
Winemaker Dinner at Glass Wall
Brian Graham of 9.19 Wines (also known for his work at Ramian Estate and J. Garrett) is visiting for this five-course dinner. Dinner starts with Brown Butter Poached Lobster Waldorf Salad with 9.19 Deux Blancs. Check out the full menu here and call call 713.868.7930 for reservations. Two of the wine pairings are going to be complete surprises. 933A Studewood. 6:30 p.m. $125 plus tax and gratuity.
Revisiting Australian Wines
Remember when Shiraz was all the rage about a decade ago? Backstreet Café does, too. They're hosting a multicourse dinner to showcase Australian wines. A lot more than just Shiraz will be poured. The dinner will feature a wide range, including Riesling, Viognier and Grenanche and even includes a few "competitions" where one vineyard will be compared against another during the same course. The event kicks off with a reception with passed appetizers, and entrées include five spice-rubbed pork loin with bacon & onion marmalade over anise-scented creamed spinach paired with '10 Turkey Flat Grenache from Barossa Valley. 1103 South Shepherd. $110 plus tax and gratuity.
Brennan's Of Houston/Barbour Vineyards Wine Dinner
Vineyard manager Jim Barbour, owner of Barbour Vineyards in Napa Valley, is visiting Houston. One interesting fact about the vineyard is that it is sustainably farmed, maintained with little to no irrigation and typically produces 1.5 tons per acre. Chef Danny Trace of Brennan's of Houston is preparing a five-course wine dinner to pair with paired with Barbour selections from winemaker Celia Welch. Dishes include Hunter's Sorghum Roasted Duck with Hill Country quail, duck egg fried rice, Froberg Farm Satsumas, and Bulleit Old Fashion glaze paired with 2011 Barbour Cabernet. Buy tickets and check out the full menu here. 3300 Smith. $225 plus tax and gratuity.
Live Music and Happy Hour At Andes Cafe
The one-year anniversary continues with live music by Enrique Infante & Dejavu Latin Fusion Between 3 and 7 p.m., bottles of wine are 50% off and appetizers are discounted by $2. Imported beer is $3 and wines by-the-glass are $6. The live music is from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28
Updated: 1/26/15, 9:45 a.m. Sold out.
Black Truffle Dinner and Charity Auction at Amalfi
Owner and executive chef Giancarlo Ferrara is hosting a seven-course wine dinner featuring highly-prized, earthy Black Urbani truffles.The evening will also feature a special Black Urbani Truffle auction that benefits St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The winner gets a private dinner for six prepared by Ferrara himself, where he'll make dishes featuring the truffles won at the auction. The event is sponsored by Spec's, Stefano Farina and Urbani Truffles. Call 713-532-2201 for reservations. 6100 Westheimer, #140. $95
The Anniversary Celebration at Andes Cafe Continues
Tonight, live music is provided by local master saxophonist Andre Killian and the happy hour specials from Tuesday will be offered again (see above).
Thursday, January 29
VOM Fass Hosts Cooking Class With Entice With Spice Author Shubhra Ramineni, author of Indian cookbook Entice With Spice is dropping by gourmet vinegar and olive oil store VOM FASS to show guests how to make healthy, small plates. Dishes include Sweet and Spicy Butternut Squash on Crostini and are paired with heart-healthy wines and sweet Indian biscuits. Only 18 seats are available and the $25 ticket price INCLUDES a signed copy of Ramineni's book! Call 832-742-6100 for a reservation. 2424 Times. $25.
Tango At Andes Cafe
Andes Cafe continues its two-week long celebration of South American art and culture in honor of its one-year anniversary. Tango experts Mauro Marcones and Pablo Fernandez are in-the-house tonight from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Friday, January 30
Updated, 1/28/2015, 12:06 p.m.: Sold out!
Get A Preview of Gulf Coast Restaurant Bernardine's
It was a surprise when Treadsack, the group behind Downhouse, announced that instead of Foreign Correspondents openings next door to Richard Knight's Hunky Dory, it would be a new place called Bernardine's instead. (Don't worry: Foreign Correspondents is still opening elsewhere.) Well, here's a chance to see what that's all about. Lafayette-born chef Graham Laborde is previewing the menu as part of the Kipper Club dinner series. His culinary perspective runs the length of the Gulf coast, from from the oyster houses of Florida's Forgotten Coast to rural Louisiana. Complimentary beverage pairings by sommelier and beverage director Travis Hinkle will be provided. Guests will park at a designated location and be transported by The Wave shuttle buses to dinner. Buy tickets here. 9 p.m. $100 per person plus tax.
Free Croissant Day At La Madeleine
Most Houston-area La Madeleine locations are offering guests a free croissant to mark National Croissant Day. Click here for a list of participating locations.
Sunday, February 1
Big Time Barbecue At Saint Arnold Brewing Company This the perfect pregame activity before the Super Bowl festivities start at 5:30 p.m. Saint Arnold is calling this second annual barbeque event "Super Beef Sunday." They, along with Houston Barbeque Festival, are hosting two notables: Wayne Muller of Louie Muller Barbecue and Corkscrew BBQ. Attendees will receive a commemorative Saint Arnold Super Bowl Sunday glass. The event organizers recommend that guests get there no later than 12:30 to ensure there's still plenty of different types of smoked meat to try. Buy your tickets here. 2000 Lyons. $50. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(Look for an upcoming roundup of to-go options for Super Bowl Sunday)
