Pub Night @ Saint Arnold Brewery Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 2000 Lyons
Pub Night returns to Saint Arnold Brewery tonight featuring a newly released Bishop's Barrel No. 7, and cask-conditioned Amber Ale Dry Hopped with Liberty and Icon Green-Texas Common. Support the Houston Roller Derby during the Houston Roller Derby Power Hour from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.; a dollar from every pint sold during this allotted time will benefit the Houston Roller Derby. Remember, you must be 21 years or older to attend Pub Night, and there is no entry fee because the brewery will serve as a bar for the evening.
Vermeil Wine Dinner @ Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse Friday, 7 p.m. 1510 Texas
Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse will host a special guest tonight for its Vermeil Wine Dinner; tickets cost $150 per person. Former NFL head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams, Dick Vermeil, will be in attendance during the dinner to present six of his Vermeil wines served with six courses prepared by executive chef Carlos Rodriguez. The meal kicks off with a Sauvignon Blanc paired with gazpacho andalouse with pickled shrimp and crispy chorizo, along with Nancy's Camembert with pain de mie (sliced bread) and fig agrodolce (sweet and sour sauce). Other courses feature wines, such as the XXXIV Proprietary Red (a reference to Vermeil's Super Bowl win) served with slow-roasted sturgeon with caviar-onion congee (rice porridge), as well as a plate of carved Akaushi tenderloin topped with a port-mushroom reduction, served with smoked potato puree and roasted cauliflower paired with two Cabernets.
2nd Annual Spec's Fest @ Spec's Warehouse Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 2410 Smith
Stop by the Spec's Warehouse downtown during the 2nd Annual Spec's Fest on Saturday. The store will feature a variety of deli and gourmet food samples, and several Spec's experts will be on-hand to provide you with tips on pairing food with wine during this free festival. Turn your simple shopping trip into an enjoyable outing accompanied with live music, door prizes, and specials on wines and other products.
Evening on the Esplanade @ Navigation Boulevard Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Navigation Esplanade at Nagle Street
Come out to the Esplanade on Navigation Boulevard between Nagle Street and Delano Street for a taste of barbecue from pitmaster John Avila of the upcoming El Burro and The Bull. Some of the available barbecue dishes include brisket, smoked pork belly baked beans and pork ribs. Each meat plate is served with two sides of your choice; purchase a one-meat plate for $12, a two meat-plate for $14 or a three-meat plate for $16.
4th Annual Caribbean Rum Fest @ Jones Plaza Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. 600 Louisiana
National Rum Day is Saturday, August 16, so it's fitting to have the Caribbean Rum Fest this weekend. Purchase a one-day regular admission ticket by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 15, for $30, or $45 at the door; two-day admission tickets cost $30 or $90 respectively. Regular admission ticket holders receive four rum sample tickets for that day and one souvenir shot glass. Saturday sampling hours last from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., and again from 3 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.; Sunday sampling hours last from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. You can only have one sample at a time. Other events throughout the festival include a Jerk Food Contest, Best Cocktail Contest and a Cocktail Making Class.
