Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings:
Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair
Friday through Sunday
The 2017 Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair continues with tasting and learning experiences throughout the weekend. On Friday, don’t miss the ultimate Grand Tasting ($125), held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. This year, the popular Bartender’s Challenge will become part of The Grand Tasting, as three finalists mix craft cocktails using specific liquor requirements decided on by Hendrick’s Gin to be named the official cocktail of the event. On Saturday (3 to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), hit up all-you-can-indulge-in Sip & Stroll ($65 per day) at Constellation Field. For more information, check out our full scoop on the event.
Beer & BBQ Festival at Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen
Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.
4526 Research Forest
Chef Austin Simmons will be smoking up 650 pounds of meat for this beer and barbecue fest. Guests can also expect a lineup of more than 30 beers and live music from Ramon Torres. Admission is $25 (available for purchase day-of) and includes beer samples and a Hubbell & Hudson pint glass.
Midtown’s Easter Egg Pub Crawl at Irish Cowboy, Pub Fiction and 3rd Floor
Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m.
Irish Cowboy: 2300 Louisiana; Pub Fiction/3rd Floor: 2303 Smith
Getting in the Easter spirit, the trio of Midtown bars will be hiding Easter eggs for your egg-hunting pleasure; Find one and win a prize as you hop from Pub Fiction to 3rd Floor and finish up at Irish Cowboy. Tickets are $5 (online or at the door) and include a wristband and access to drink specials, with 100 percent of the ticket proceeds going to Autism Speaks.
Brenner’s Wine Fest at Brenner’s on the Bayou
Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m.
1 Birdsall
Brenner’s Spring Wine Fest invites guests to enjoy a day along the picturesque Buffalo Bayou, with live music and samples of small bites and award-winning wines from wineries including Hanh Winery, Deutsch Family Wines and Boisset Collection. Sip as you enjoy featured eats such as smoked suckling pig sliders from Brenner’s on the Bayou, mini lobster rolls from Brenner’s Steakhouse, quail tacos from Cadillac Bar and a Landry’s Signature Group dessert buffet. Tickets are $75 pre-sale ($85 day-of) for general admission and $135 for VIP.
Houston Barbecue Festival at NRG Park
Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Green lot
The fifth annual Houston Barbecue Festival returns, with unlimited samples from Houston’s best barbecue joints and pitmasters. This year’s lineup includes spots like Blood Bros. BBQ, Brooks’ Place BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, El Burro & the Bull, Killen’s Barbecue, Lenox Bar-B-Que, Louie Mueller Barbecue, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Tejas Chocolate Craftory and The Pit Room, just to name a few. Tickets start at $50 for general admission. Note that the first four festivals sold out before the day of the event.
This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2017.
