Monday, May 11

This is a good time to go over some weekly Monday specials all at bars and restaurants by the Clumsy Butcher group: 

Monday Burger Special at The Hay Merchant

It’s worth a reminder that two burgers and two cans of Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.’s 1836 beer are only $18.36 at The Hay Merchant on Mondays. 1100 Westheimer.

Half Off Mezcals at The Pastry War

Crazy or not? You be the judge. All mezcals are half-off on Mondays, every Monday, at The Pastry War. 310 Main. 

Oyster Special at Julep

Similar to the above Monday specials, Julep sells oysters from open to close on Mondays for just a buck. Good luck deciding on all of these Monday specials or just do a bar crawl. 1919 Washington.

Tuesday, May 12

A Chance To Say Farewell to Chef Randy Evans

Chef Randy Evans (formerly of Haven) is leaving to take a cushy corporate restaurant director job at H-E-B, so take this opportunity to either say “Godspeed” or give him a bunch of crap for leaving us. He’s leaving us with a parting gift of some special menu items at all JCI Grill locations. You can meet him at the Clay Road location today and get a signed copy of his cookbook from his Brennan’s of Houston days, The Kitchen Table. Be one of the first 10 people to buy a “Funky Dog” (his customer Hill Country-inspired hot dog creation) and you will in fact get a copy of his cookbook for free. We’re going to miss you, Chef. 4320 West Sam Houston Parkway. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Happy 42 Year Anniversary to Ouises’ Table!

Today is the 42nd anniversary of Ouisie’s Table. Can you believe it? To celebrate, the restaurant is having a one-time revival of their original dishes and prices from 1973. Enjoy Cornish game hens stuffed with cornbread dressing and sides for $6; cold chicken breasts in aspic with rice, salad and sliced vegetables for $4.25; or two big mushrooms stuffed with crab and shrimp with sides for $5.25. Take that, Inflation! Reservations are recommended. Call 713-528-2264. 3939 San Felipe.

Tiki Tuesday at The Nightingale Room

Do you remember Tiki Tuesdays at Anvil Bar & Refuge? Me neither, although I know I attended several. Anyway, jog your fuzzy memory at a different bar from the same people, The Nightingale Room. Tiki mugs and little umbrellas make cocktails taste better. 308 Main. 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Wednesday, May 13

Eleven-Eight-Nine-Ten Bordeaux Dinner

No, this isn’t some special code sequence from an episode of Lost. It’s a fun look at Bordeaux wine with Spec’s fine wine buyer Bear Dalton paired with the food stylings of chef Johann Schuster. Start with Champagne (why would you start with anything else?) then taste two 2011 Sauternes, 2008 red wines, 2009 wines, and then 2010 wines with dessert. Now all those numbers make sense. The food served includes Zabuton (Flat Iron) Steak with Beef Marrow Butter and Roasted Potatoes and a Swiss Chocolate-Chipoltle Tart for dessert. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is. Yes, you need to make reservations. Call Susan at 713-854-7855. 7 p.m. 2521 Bagby. $180 cash or check.

Thursday, May 14

Updated: 5/11/15, 10:29 a.m.

Girl’s Pint Out at Flying Saucer Downtown

Ladies (and people who love them) will want to drop by Flying Saucer for a night featuring beers from New Belgium Brewing Co. Cans will be $3 all day. At 6 p.m., a cask of New Belgium’s latest offering in the Lips of Faith series, Pear Ginger, will be tapped, followed at 7 p.m. by a tapping of New Belgium Loves Leopold. There will also be some mixology to check out as the bartenders whip up some cocktails with the Pear Ginger beer. 705 Main.

FREE Guest Bartender Series At Yellow Rose Distilling

Well, this is a new development. Yellow Rose Distilling has waived what was already a nominal entry fee for this event, so there’s really no excuse to not go unless you’re some kind of teetotaler. The series is wrapping up in two weeks, so go check out the cocktail stylings of Faith Guajardo of Canyon Creek Bar & Grill tonight. She’ll create a special $6 signature cocktail that features Yellow Rose’s whiskeys. The series runs through May and leads up to a competition on May 28 where each featured mixologist will compete to win donations to their favorite local charity. 1224 North Post Oak. 4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 16

The Houston Press BrewFest

Is there a better way for a beer lover to spend the afternoon than at BrewFest? It’s the fourth year of this shindig and it will feature over 100 beers. Here are just a few of the participating breweries: 8th Wonder Brewery, Alaskan Brewing Co., Freetail Brewing Co., Karbach Brewing Co., Real Ale Brewing Co., Squatters, Texas Beer Refinery and Woodchuck Hard Cider. There will also be live music from John Curry, Nathan Quick and Paper Street Soap Co. Noshes will be provided by Bernie’s Burger Bus, Doughmaker Doughnuts, Houston Barbecue Company, Raising Cane’s and The House. If you’re lucky enough to have scored VIP tickets, you’ll get to enjoy food from Habanera & the Gringo and Ragu & Pesto as well. Visit this link for tickets. It’s $10 cheaper than buying them at the door and there’s no guarantee this won’t sell out by the time you get there. 3 to 7 p.m. 1500 Silver Street.

11th Annual Empty Bowls Houston

Sponsored by Whole Foods and benefitting the Houston Food Bank, this event at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft helps feed not only attendees, but the people of Houston for whom hunger is a fact of daily life. A simple lunch of soup and bread is served until it runs out and guests will also be able to select one of over 1,000 bowls donated by Houston area ceramists and craft artists. Enjoy live music and artist demonstrations throughout the day. Visit this link for more information. 4848 Main. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $25 minimum donation.

Updated: 5/11/15, 10:41 a.m.

Houston Culinary Tour: “Whiskey Wheels”

Good news: the Houston Culinary Tours are getting a fresh new start in conjunction with jitney service, The Wave. The first one is an educational whiskey tour with Leslie Ross, bar director for the Treadsack group. (Their businesses include Johnny’s Gold Brick, D&T Drive Inn and Down House.) The tour starts at Johnny’s Gold Brick, where Ross will talk about whiskey and serve attendees her Opal Basil Smash cocktail. From there, ride The Wave to local distilleries Whitmeyer’s and Yellow Rose. Everyone will then return to Johnny’s, where they will be welcome to stick around and “test their knowledge.” Here’s a link to buy tickets. Meet at 2518 Yale. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. $75. 

Updated: 5/11/15, 9:05 a.m.

Great Taste Of The Heights

This all-volunteer event benefits the All Saints Catholic Community and features tastings from restaurants in The Heights. Just a few of the participating restaurants include Good Dog Houston, Mascalzone, Urban Eats, BB’s and Benji’s. There will be live entertainment for the duration, but tasting hours from from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit this link for more information and to buy tickets. They’re $10 cheaper online than at the door. 215 East 10th. 5 to 10 p.m. $25 online; $35 at the door.

Dinner Before The New Kids On The Block Concert At Quattro At Four Seasons

Quattro is having another of its clever pre-concert dinners that include free parking within walking distance of Toyota Center. Dinner options are for either one or two courses and there’s a to-go dessert add-on for $8. For the “one course,” choose between potato gnocchi with Akaushi meatballs or seafood Cioppino stew. (There are some extra goodies involved.) For the two-course, select the Rebecca Creek Braised Short Ribs with heirloom carrots or lightly smoked, roasted Verlasso salmon, diver scallops and baby beets. You’re even entitled to a free glass of wine at the Lobby Bar after the concert. Just show your concert ticket stub and dinner receipt. It hardly makes sense to dine anywhere else if you’re going to the show. Reservations are required. Call 713-276-4700 to make one. 1300 Lamar. $29 or $32 plus tax and gratuity.

Sunday, May 17

Updated 5/11/15, 10:19 a.m.

Fourth Annual Party For Pups At Ladybird’s

This is Ana Strauss’s fourth year to hold a fundraiser for pups on her birthday and it’s open to the public. This year, she’s raising money for Unity For A Solution, an organization looking to put a stop to Houston’s massive pet overpopulation and euthanasia problem. The dog- and kid-friendly event features a Pixel Party Photobooths for taking free pics with your pups and food from the chefs behind forthcoming Southern Goods. House music is provided by DJ Mishka, there’s a silent auction and raffle drawings. Get your dog’s nails trimmed while you’re there—Angel Pets Houston will be present to clip them for only $5. Visit this link for tickets or to make a donation. 5519 Allen. 1 to 5 p.m.

The Buffbrew “Invitational”

Why not have a golf-themed invitational at a brewery? Well, they’re making up for the lack of a golf course with a golf simulator. But really, people want beer. VIP ticket holders also get in 30 minutes early. There will be a food truck onsite to take care of those hungries. The guest who is deemed to have the wackiest golf close will win a basket full of surprises—probably not scorpions. Visit this link for tickets and more info. 21 and up only, because beer. 2 to 6 p.m. $45 to $30.

This article appears in May 7-13, 2015.