This Week in Houston Food Events: French Wines and Beertails

All Month Long

Houston Restaurant Weeks

Don't forget that this fundraiser is in full-swing all month and into September! Not sure where to go to celebrate? Check out our list of new Houston restaurants that are participating in this year's Houston Restaurant Weeks.

French Wine Summer-Cleaning Sale

Do you have a hankering for some very unique French wines? You'd better head over to French Country Wines this month as they prepare their storerooms for new fall wine shipments. They've got many single bottles whose brethren have all been sold, as well as sample bottles that will be uncorked during their weekly Saturday tastings at noon. You can also go to tastings on Wednesday nights at 5 p.m. Visit the website to know what's on sale and what's being sampled each week. 2433 Bartlett.

Wednesday, August 5

National Oyster Day at Tony Mandola's

Go to Tony Mandola's to celebrate this half-shell holiday with $1 oysters and 16 ounce draft beer pours for $5, which Mandola is keen to celebrate because his first restaurant was Tony Mandola's Blue Oyster Bar. Visit the website for reservations. 1212 Waugh; business hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sundown at The Grove has Beer and Bites

Every Wednesday between now and September 9, you can find beer flights from various craft breweries and custom cuisine to pair with the brews at The Grove. Brewmasters will be there to mingle with you, and DJ Sun will provide tunes. There will be giveaways, including tickets from presenting sponsor Southwest Airlines. This week's featured brewery is Cider Night. Reservations are recommended, which you can make via The Grove website, and you can get season tickets for $250 per person or $450 per couple. 1611 Lamar, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. $20

Landry's Chef Series Continues

This week's chef series dinner from Landry's is at McCormick & Schmick's, so you know it's going to feature some serious seafood. Chefs Andrew Oliver, David Hernandez and Matthew Lundberg will be preparing, presenting and chatting with you over this six-course spread, which includes seafood campechana, pork belly and shrimp pho and gelato with pecan brittle. The dinner comes complete with wine pairings, and it's the last chef's dinner before the grand finale next week, so make your reservations by calling 713-840-7900. 1151 Uptown Park, 7p.m. $95

The Bird and The Bear Cocktail Dinner

This five-course dinner at The Bird and The Bear focuses on not only wonderful food but the popular newcomer to the cocktail seen: the beertail! Cocktails made with beer, that is. Each course-paired cocktail at this dinner will be crafted from Texas beer, such as the Prickly Mojito, made with Shiner Prickly Pear. The menu includes prosciutto-wrapped grilled peaches, cheddar and beer soup and pretzel-crusted pork chop. Call 713-528-2473 for reservations. 2810 Westheimer, 7 p.m. $55

Thursday, August 6

South of France Wine Dinner at Charivari

Bear Dalton, Spec's wine buyer extraordinaire, is hosting this themed dinner at Charivari to celebrate the South of France with Chef Johann Schuster. The menu includes cantaloupe with country ham, bouillabaisse Marseillaise, and roasted leg of lamb with ratatouille. Plus, there's going to be a whole lot of French wine. Make your reservations via email or by calling 713-854-7855. 2521 Bagby, 7 p.m.

Thursday Pop-Up at Glitter

This week's pop-up dinner at Glitter Karaoke features chef Justin Turner of Bernie's Burger Bus, that delicious truck known for the kindergarteners, the substitute and other adorable burger names. Go see what he's whipping up at 2621 Milam, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Quattro Offers Food, Parking for Concertgoers

If you're going to the Outcry Tour or Marco Antonio Solis (on August 7) at the Toyota Center, you might consider going to Quattro at the Four Seasons beforehand. Chef Maurizio Ferrarese has a summer menu just for you, with a two-course meal, wine after the concert, and free parking. If you know anything about Houston, you know that the free parking offer alone is practically irresistible— then there's the amazing food! Be sure to make reservations first by calling 713-276-4700. 1300 Lamar.

Friday, August 7

International Beer Day at Songkran

You can try a variety of international beers at Songkran Thai Kitchen for just $3 each during happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Maybe you want a traditional Thai beer? Check out Singha, made in Bangkok in traditional German style. What about Belgian beer? They've got that, too, Leffe Brune, a dark ale with a roasted malt flavor. 1101 Uptown Park and 2258 Texas Drive in Sugar Land.

Friday Night Movies at Quattro

This is the first week of Quattro's new Friday night cinema series, and it's starting with a bang. You can see the Rocky Horror Picture Show and get a five-course feast for $79, or $145 per couple. Beverages are extra, but beverage packages will be offered each evening. Reservations are required, and you can make them by calling 713-276-4700. 1300 Lamar, 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 8

Karbach at Tony Mandola's

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., you can test-drive some of Karbach's most popular beers alongside delicious light pairings from Tony Mandola's, such as Love Street with lobster sliders, Hopadillo with barbecue brisket, Staycation with baked oysters... Need we say more? There will also be live jazz to accompany your taste buds' celebration. Make reservations by calling 713-528-3474. 1212 Waugh. $35