Upcoming Houston Food Events: Carb Up for the Marathon

The famed Momofuku Ssäm Bar is taking over Underbelly, 1100 Westheimer, on Sunday, January 31; and you can expect the tickets to fly when they go on sale this Monday, January 11 at underbellyhouston.com. Since chef Chris Shepherd introduced some of Underbelly’s iconic dishes — Korean braised goat and dumplings, cha ca style whole fish, vinegar pie — to the NYC restaurant for a One Night Only Dinner Series back in October, Ssäm Bar's executive chef, Matthew Rudofker, is returning the favor. No word yet on which dishes Rudofker will decide to bring to Houston, but there's no doubt the dinner will be an incredible experience. Country hams, raw bar items and off cuts are staples, and the restaurant is known for its Bo Ssäm pork shoulder and whole rotisserie duck. Tickets are $135 per person, plus tax and gratuity and include a multi-course meal served family-style with beverage pairings.

Join Edible Earth Resources as you learn to Grow & Eat at Beaver’s, 2310 Decatur, on Tuesday, January 12 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Alongside herbal cocktails and appetizers from the Beaver’s crew, guests will learn tips and tricks on how to sustainably grow herbs from expert gardener Dany Millikin. Tickets are $50 per person. 

On Friday, January 15, Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, will be hosting a Preserving Citrus Cooking Class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn how to preserve the wide variety of citrus available at this time of year as culinary instructor and award-winning cookbook author Cathy Barrow guides you through the process, from canning to creating a citrus-infused feast perfect for entertaining. Learn how to prepare dishes such as Vietnamese duck breast in salty bergamot caramel sauce, and citrus curds that can be frozen and turned into lemon curd squares on shortbread crust. Class cost is $65. 

To help runners and their supporters carb up for the Houston Marathon, Laurenzo's, 4412 Washington, will be offering a complimentary house or Caesar salad with the purchase of any of its pasta dishes on Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18.

Big Eyed Fish, 908 Henderson, will also be getting in on the Marathon action by offering its signature linguine shrimp pasta for $18 (regularly $23) to runners and their friends on Saturday, January 17. Diners can substitute chicken or sausage for the shrimp if desired.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons, will host the 6th Annual Valentines for Veterans event on Monday, January 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event combines local beer, local food and caring Houstonians to craft Valentines and raise money for those who have served the country. Valentines created at the event will be distributed to Houston-area veterans and mailed to individual veterans around the country. The public can submit the address of a veteran to receive a valentine via a form on the organization's website, valentinesforsoldiers.com. This year’s Valentines for Veterans event will include a bake sale, raffle, crafts and two of Houston's best food trucks — Blood Brothers BBQ and Taco Nuts (who are generously donating 5 percent of their proceeds). Cost of admission for the event is $10, with $5 of each ticket going directly to the partner organization. 

Pass & Provisions, 807 Taft, will host its first beer dinner of 2016 with local legend Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold on Monday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. The extravagant six-course feast will be paired alongside Bishop's Barrel 12, Icon Red, Bishops Barrel 11, Divine Reserve 14, Divine Reserve 13 and Bishop's Barrel 1. Tickets are $75. Call 713-628-9020 to purchase.