Upcoming Houston Food Events: March Madness and a Burger You'll Want to Dip

Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings, from a Creole brunch and cooking demo to a beer lover's tasting class:

Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 4444 Westheimer, 5510 Morningside, has launched a new seasonal burger, the Doddy Dip ($12), available now through Tuesday, April 4. Inspired by the classic French Dip sandwich, the burger features an Angus beef patty topped with thinly sliced roast beef, horseradish mayo, caramelized onions and provolone cheese, all served alongside a cup of homemade au jus.

Now through Monday, April 3, Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen will be offering basketball fans March Madness specials. The Sweet Sixteen package includes two medium pizzas with one topping for $16, and the Final Four package gives customers a 15 percent discount on any size pizza with four toppings or more (available in-store and online for delivery).

On Saturday, March 25, beginning with a reception at 10:30 a.m., Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, will continue its 1967 celebration with a brunch cooking class demonstration and screening of the  documentary Ella Brennan: Commanding The Table. The menu will feature snapping turtle soup, eggs Sardou, speckled trout almondine and crepes Fitzgerald. Cost is $50 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) and includes the brunch and demo, plus up to three featured cocktails per guest. The screening is optional and will begin after the demo, around 1 p.m.

Beer nerds are invited to an IPA and Stout Style Class at Ritual, 602 Studewood, on Saturday, March 25 from 3 to 4 p.m. Delicious Concepts beverage director Peter Clifton will walk guests through the brewery process, define clear flavor profiles by style and help guests to identify those flavors. The class costs $20 and includes tastings and a special gift from a local brewery.

Helen Greek Food and Wine, 2429 Rice, will be hosting an exclusive wine dinner with Domaine Katsaros on Monday, March 27. The seven-course feast costs $125 per person and there are only 25 spots available. Special guest Evripidis Katsaros studied in Bordeaux and Burgundy and then trained at the acclaimed wineries of Domaine Roulot and Domaine Georges Roumier before returning to Greece to take over the family estate, Domaine Katsaros.

Enjoy an All-Tequila Dinner with Demetrio Premium at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway, on Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. The dinner will match four courses with tequila, with dishes including a corn tortilla topped with roasted pork and mole sauce, lump crab and corn soup, a grand sampling of South Texas mesquite grilled meats and tres leches. Drinks include a special tequila flight, two kinds of margaritas and a dessert tequila drink. Cost is $55 per person, plus tax and 20 person gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 713-334-7295.

The  restaurant lineup for the 15th Annual Houston Press Menu of Menus Extravaganza, to be held on Tuesday, April 4 at Silver Street Station, 2000 Edwards, just keeps getting better. More than 40 local spots will be offering tastings, including Charivari, Field & Tides, The Fish, Peli Peli Kitchen, Prestige Oyster and Radio Milano, alongside wine and cocktail samplings from 7 to 10 p.m. The event will also feature the 6th Annual Iron Fork Chef Competition, with this year’s face-off pitting Underbelly’s Gary Ly against Lyle Bento of Southern Goods. Tickets are $55 for general admission and include access, unlimited sampling an entertainment. VIP tickets are $95 and include early admission at 6 p.m.