Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
All week long
Black Restaurant Week
Black Restaurant Week Houston runs now through Sunday, April 16, with more than 70 local businesses joining to celebrate the flavors of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine. Among this year’s participants are Fainmous BBQ, LA Burgers & Daiquiris, Houston This is It Soul Food, Dandelion Café, Trez Art & Wine Bar, STUFF’d Wings and Taste of Nigeria.
Ramadan specials at Burger Bodega
From now until the end of Ramadan (April 20), Burger Bodega, 4520 Washington, will serve two new limited menu items, available only as a post-sundown menu item from 7 p.m. until close.
Tuesday, April 4
Anniversary Crawfish Boil at LORO
Back in 2018, chef Tyson Cole of Uchi (and more) and chef Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbeque merged Asian and Texas cuisine together to create LORO; and at 2 p.m., all LORO locations will be celebrating with a special Crawfish Boil, beer tasting with local breweries, limited edition birthday merch and giveaways. Crawfish plates cost $18 and include a pound of crawfish, corn, potatoes and Thai sausage, with each location putting its own special spin on the special; and Houston, you can expect a Birria Style Boil “Super” Butter. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to MD Anderson Cancer Center to support patient care, research, education and prevention programs.
Wednesday, April 5
Spring Soiree at the scenic Blackwood Farms
With the new season, Musaafer will host its third annual Spring Soiree at the scenic Blackwood Farms, 27144 Rock Island, in Hempstead at 5:30 p.m. The multi-location dining experience offers a first taste the restaurant’s spring menu in an eight-course curated dinner with wine and cocktail pairings. Tickets are $375+.
Thursday, April 6
Amici Cellars Wine Tasting at MAX’s Wine Dive
MAX’s Wine Dive, 4720 Washington, will host a wine tasting with the luxury brand of Amici Cellars beginning at 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy a food and wine education experience featuring four small plates paired with eight wines from Amici Cellars. Cost is $45 per person and reservations are required to attend. Call 713-880-8737.
Thursday Seafood Boil Patio Parties at Pier 6
Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House, 113 6th, will be starting the weekend early with weekly Thursday night patio shindigs running through May 11. Expect a seafood boil, live music and drink specials, including $4 draft beers and frozens starting at 5 p.m.
WhistlePig Whiskey Dinner at Radio Milano
Radio Milano, 800 Sorella, invites guests to indulge in a three-course WhistlePig Whiskey Dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Whiskey fans can enjoy an amuse from the kitchen paired with 6-year Piggyback Rye Salted Caramel Manhattan, 12-year Old World Rye, and 15-year Estate Oak Rye; with dinner highlights including prawn and octopus mojo de ajo with candied pancetta potatoes and plantain chip; applewood smoked pork chop with celery root puree, roasted beets and baby squash and charred heirloom tomato relish; and tiramisu baked Alaska. Tickets are $95 per person, all-inclusive.
Friday, April 7
Fish Fridays
It’s officially the last Friday before Easter, and if you’re looking for meat-free options this Good Friday, just check out our Fish Fridays Lent Guide for the scoop on Houston restaurants offering fish sandwiches, seafood specials and more.
Saturday, April 8
Heads and Tails at 8th Wonder
8th Wonder Brewery, 2202 Dallas, will host its 7th Annual “Heads & Tails” event, beginning at noon and offering a day packed with entertainment including zydeco, brand new brews and hot boiled mudbugs from Clutch City Crawfish.
Easter at the Houston Farmers Market
The Houston Farmers Market, 2520 Airline, will host fun and free activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy for photos with the Easter bunny, plus face painting, a live DJ and more while shopping the market.
Saturday–Sunday
Brunch at J Bar M BBQ
J Bar M BBQ, 2201 Leeland, officially launched its new weekend brunch menu, now offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pop in for Texas BBQ-inspired breakfast dishes – think brisket chilaquiles and tacos, pulled pork eggs benny and fried chicken wings n’ waffle, alongside brunch cocktails and live music from local artists.
Sunday, April 9
Easter Brunch
From family-friendly brunch buffets to prix fixe affairs, check out our 2023 Houston Easter Sunday Brunch Guide to find the Houston restaurants offering classic brunch plates and morning cocktails, egg hunts, live jazz and more.
New and ongoing specials
Holiday treat offerings at Dessert Gallery
Whether you are celebrating Easter, Passover or Ramadan, Dessert Gallery, 3600 Kirby, has some special dessert offerings for you – including Easter butter cookies, cupcakes and cookie decorating kits; gluten-friendly Passover-style cookie boxes, mousse cake and cheesecake; and Ramadan and Eid butter cookies and petit fours.
Malaysian curry crawfish at Phat Eatery
Through April 16, Phat’s award-winning Malaysian curry crawfish are back as a daily seasonal special for dine-in and to-go. Peak season prices have dropped to $14 for two pounds or $30 for five, and snow crab legs, tossed in the same fragrant sauce, are also on offer at $25/cluster. All orders include boiled corn and potatoes.
“Point Break” Burger Battle at Rodeo Goat
Rodeo Goat, 2105 Dallas, has launched its latest burger battle—an ode to action packed surf film “Point Break”—available now through April 10 and featuring The Bodhi burger (beef and chorizo patty, blackened shrimp, muenster cheese, sautéed jalapeños and onion with Louisiana remoulade on a brioche bun; $14.49) versus the Johnny Utah (all beef patty, crab cake, sliced avocado, mango pico, cilantro and Fresno aioli on a brioche bun; $14.99). Pop by to eat and vote to help one of the burgers moves on to the next round. Those observing Lent Fridays can also try the Point Break burger, non-beef mash up of the Johnny Utah and Bodhi burgers ($14.99).
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2023.
