Things To Do

This Week in Houston Food Events: An Island Wine Festival and Kolache-Fueled Back-to-School Special [UPDATED]

HISD faculty can get a special Back-to-School at Kolache Shoppe this week.
HISD faculty can get a special Back-to-School at Kolache Shoppe this week. Photo by Becca Wright
Here's a look at this week's hottest culinary happenings:

All week long

Houston Restaurant Weeks

Houston Restaurant Weeks will run now through Monday, September 4, celebrating its 20th anniversary and achievement of raising a whopping 18.8 million dollars for the Houston Food Bank in its two-decade run (with hopes to reach the $20 million milestone this year). Over 365 local restaurants are participating this year, including returning heavy-hitters like Brennan’s, B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Hugo’s and Rainbow Lodge, plus newbies including Eau Tour, Money Cat and Mimo.

National Sandwich Month at Twisted Grilled Cheese

Twisted Grilled Cheese, 5555 Washington, 24811 Katy Freeway, is closing out National Sandwich Month with The Smokehouse Brisket for $10 all week long.

Monday–Friday

HISD Back-to-School Special at Kolache Shoppe

Kolache Shoppe is honoring all area teachers and school staff with 15 percent off their checks during HISD’s first week back to school, Monday, August 28, through Friday, September 1. Present a valid school district ID to receive the discount.

Wednesday, August 30

Oyster and Wine Deal at Golfstrømmen

Every Wednesday during the month of August, standout Gulf and neo-Nordic seafood spot Golfstrømmen, 401 Franklin, will give guests who purchase a bottle of wine one free dozen of chef’s choice oysters.

Thursday, August 31

NOSH Culinary Showcase

Hosted by Black Restaurant Week, this is the sixth annual culinary showcase featuring Houston’s Black chefs, caterers, and bartenders ath Shell Energy Stadium, 2200 Texas. Dive into the African diaspora and tantalize your taste buds with flavors of African, African-American, and Caribbean cuisine. enjoy bites from Chefdeliceous, CJ’s Masterpiece, Pre’O, Jamaica Pon Di Road, Mo’ Better Brews, Creole Kitchen, The Smoke and more. Check out the General Admission. $60-$75.


All weekend long

Galveston Island Wine Festival at Moody Gardens

The Galveston Island Wine Festival returns and expands with a new location at Moody Gardens, held from September 1–3. Highlights include a Seven on Seven Seafood Extravaganza on Friday, Saturday’s Penguins & Pinot: Grand Tasting at the Aquarium Pyramid, a Freedom Stories and Bourbon Tasting salute to the military on Sunday, and a whole bunch more.

International Bacon Day Fundraiser at Snooze A.M. Eatery

Snooze A.M. Eatery is celebrating International Bacon Day with a full week of specials and community giving. From August 31 through September 6, all Snooze locations will serve over-the-top specials, with 20 percent of proceeds (up to $35,000) going to World Central Kitchen and its mission to provide meals in response to humanitarian and climate crises around the globe. Bacon Day Specials include Elvis-inspired Graceland Pancakes with fresh banana slices, peanut butter cream, caramel sauce, whipped butter and lots of smoky chopped bacon; Bloody with Bacon, Habanero Pork Belly Benny and more.

Sunday, September 30

Reggae Brunch at La Grange

La Grange, 2517 Ralph, will host Reggae Brunch with DEM beginning at 11 a.m. with live music starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free and guests can enjoy $15 mimosa carafes.

New and ongoing specials

Fresh Corn Tamales at Hugo’s

The seasonal favorite fresh corn tamales are returning to Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer, beginning Friday, September 1 and available through September. Made with fresh corn masa, they come two to an order with tomatillo-serrano salsa, crema fresca and housemade queso fresco for $12.

Hatch Chili Miso Returns to Ramen Tatsu-Ya

Fans can stop by Ramen Tatsu-Ya, 1722 California, through mid-September to catch a returning fan–favorite, Hatch Chili Miso. The rich, smoky ramen dish features fried chashu pork alongside hatch chile in three formats: wok-fried, powdered and infused into the broth. 
KEEP THE HOUSTON PRESS FREE... Since we started the Houston Press, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Houston, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
Brooke Viggiano is a contributing writer who is always looking to share Houston's coolest and tastiest happenings with the Houston Press readers.
Contact: Brooke Viggiano