Here's a look at this week's hottest culinary happenings:

New specials

All Day Brunch Taco Menu at Velvet Taco

Velvet Taco, 4819 Washington, 907 Westheimer, locations have rolled out brunch, with four new menu items available all day. Brunch tacos include the Chicken & Waffle with crisp chicken tenders, peppercorn gravy, green apple slaw, maple syrup, peppered bacon, red chili aioli and chives atop a waffle tortilla; the Bacon & Eggs with crisp tater tots, chili butter, smoked cheddar, charred poblano salsa and micro greens on a corn tortilla; the sweet and savory Monte Cristo on a signature French Toast flour tortilla; and the Steak & Eggs, which features crispy potatoes, sambal hollandaise, arugula, tomato, pickled fresno peppers, queso fresco and micro greens in a flour tortilla.

All month long

35th Anniversary Celebration at Backstreet Cafe

Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd, will celebrate its 35th anniversary of food, drink and hospitality this month, and as part of the anniversary celebrations, it will be offering some incredible pours all October long. The iconic Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne (2009) will be priced at $35 per glass (or $175 per bottle), available any time, day or night, in honor of the 35th anniversary. During lunch and brunch, guest can enjoy a menu of $3.50 cocktails featuring seven brands representing the restaurant’s core family of spirits, such as Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Glenfiddich Scotch, Hendrick’s Gin, El Tesoro Tequila, Plantation Rum, Dripping Springs Vodka and Campari. And on Saturday, October 13, Hendrick’s Gin will be on-site giving out Hendrick's Gin Suitcase Mini Cocktails made in the super cool Dandy’s Suitcase from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

All week long

Oktoberfest Beers & Boards at Bowl & Barrel

Bowl & Barrel, 797 Sorella, is celebrating Oktoberfest with beer, sausages and more beer, offering Beers & Boards through Sunday, October 7. The interchangeable options include poblano cheese links, East Texas style hot links, klobase pork and beef sausage, and country style smoked sausage, plus beers including Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen, Samuel Adams, Saint Arnold and Real Ale.

Monday through Saturday

20th Anniversary Menu at Bistro Provence

Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, is celebrating its 20th anniversary by returning a menu of dishes introduced when the restaurant opened – and at the same prices. Among the dishes are vegetable and basil ‘Provence Soup’ ($5.50); fresh mussels stuffed with garlic and parsley butter ($5.95); Mediterranean pizza ($8.50); tripe in a tomato, sweet red bell pepper, onion and garlic sauce ($9.95); grilled Atlantic salmon ($14); and Provence-style lamb chop ($19.50). The main courses will be served with the original Guy’s ‘Bistro’ potato, a roasted potato with bearnaise sauce and the classic, fresh-baked Provence bread, which is still served today. The specials will be available for dinner only in addition to the regular menu.

Wednesday, October 3

Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway, is hosting an Agave and Enchilada Tour Dinner with Casamigos Tequila. During the festive six-course dinner, guests will be serve eight different enchiladas along with six different tequilas, served neat or as a cocktail. Highlights include Enchiladas Del Mar Crab paired with Casamigos Mezcal, Enchiladas de Carne (chicken and pork) paired with Casamigos Añejo, and tres leches paired with a White Oaxacan cocktail. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 4

Tasting and book-signing at Reserve 101

From 6:30 to 9 p.m., Reserve 101, 1201 Caroline, will host Brooklyn-based author Aaron Goldfarb for a one-night-only tasting of select Reserve 101 private barrel whiskies and signing of Goldfarb’s new book, Hacking Whiskey. Reserve 101 owner and whiskey expert Mike Raymond will pour from private barrels, available exclusively at Reserve 101, from distillers like Balcones, Stranahan’s, Whistle Pig, and Maker’s Mark. Tickets are $50 and include tastings and a signed copy of the book. Space is limited. 

Thursday through Sunday

The Original Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Celebrating 52 years, The Original Greek Festival will take place at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum, beginning Thursday and running all weekend long. Expect cultural music and dancing, Greek wines, shopping opportunity, and plenty of authentic Greek eats, including favorites like souvlaki, gyros, dolmades, pastitsio, spanakopita, loukoumades and baklava. The festival runs Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 at the gate (free before 3 p.m. on Friday).

Karbachtoberfest at Karbach Brewery

Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach, continues its annual German festival, Karbachtoberfest, open to the public on Thursdays through Sundays through October 7. Guests can expect live music, stein hoisting competitions, keg tappings, Karbachtoberfest on tap, German-style eats, and plenty of fun. Admission to the music tent is $10 on Thursdays and Fridays and $20 on Saturdays. Sundays are family days, offering kid-friendly activities like face-painting (Sundays are also Kar-bark-toberfest, so feel free to bring the pup). 

Friday through Sunday

King’s Oktoberfest at King’s Biergarten

King's Oktoberfest kicks off at King’s Biergarten, 1329 East Broadway (followed by a celebration on Friday, October 19 through Sunday, October 21 at King’s BierHaus, 2044 East T C Jester). Party goers can expect special events like the Bavarian Strongman Competition, arm wrestling, Oktoberfest photobooths, a beer pong competition, live bands, and adult carnival games from Bavarian bull riding and jousting to a celebrity dunking booth. Of course, there will also be a variety of wursts, smoked ribs, eight-hour roasted turkey legs, German chocolate cake and biers. General admission tickets are $10 for single day pass, $20 for a weekend pass, and $30 for the “Oktoberfester” double weekend pass. A portion of proceeds from this year’s Oktoberfest festivities will benefit The Sitter Foundation, which was launched shortly after Hurricane Harvey and supports families who have experienced sudden tragedies.

Saturday, October 6

Booze Bazaar at The Cottonmouth Club

The Cottonmouth Club, 108 Main Street, will host its monthly Booze Bazaar from 2 to 6 p.m. The monthly tasting extravaganza features world-renowned spirits professionals, an array of fine spirits from around the world, rockstar mixologists and community gathering in the name of delectable libations. Booths will feature some of the finest spirits from around the globe, poured by experts who will explain their character and history, as well as roving spirits professionals to tell the tales of the drams. Ticket prices are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.

Saturday and Sunday

Oktoberfest at Saint Arnold Brewery

Saint Arnold Brewery, 2000 Lyons, will host it’s annual Oktoberfest on two days, right in the German-style Saint Arnold Beer Hall. Dress up for the chance to be crowned King or Queen of Oktoberfest, dance to live polka, feast on a special German dinner, and take advantage of the full lineup of beers on tap (which you’ll be able to enjoy from the commemorative Oktoberfest glass boot). Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $50 each day, including admission, beer, dinner and the Oktoberfest boot. Space is limited.

Sunday, October 7

Depressed Cake Shop at Silver Street Studios

Chef Jody Stevens of jodycakes is collaborating with women’s health advocates I'll Have What She's Having for the sixth annual Depressed Cake Shop Houston, held at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards, from noon to 4 p.m. The free-to-attend event showcases somber gray confections donated by home bakers as well as local celebrity pastry chefs, all in the name of raising awareness of common medical illnesses: depression and anxiety. The Depressed Cake Shop is the first event in a weeklong initiative called #Wellweek, where local eateries, bars and coffee shops will feature mocktails and 'Depressed Desserts' to promote discussion about mental health issues and chip away at the stigma associated with such illnesses.

Sunday Supper: moonGARDEN at The Grove

The Grove, 1611 Lamar, is continuing its Sunday Supper series with a special dinner on the deck overlooking Discovery Green's enchanting moonGARDEN installation, held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dinner is $100 per person and includes wine pairings, a welcome cocktail, valet and gratuity. Seating is limited.

Chefs in the Field at Hope Farms

The Recipe for Success Foundation will be hosting a Chefs in the Field – A Pig Roast at Hope Farms, 10401 Scott, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Guests can celebrate fall's bounty, beginning with cocktails in the Chefs' Garden followed by a harvest dinner in the Gathering Barn, where notable Houston chefs Erin O'Leary Stewart, Tommy Laczynski, Mayank Istwal and Shivek Suri will present their multi-course meal crafted from the bounty of Hope Farms' fields and local makers. A selection of matched wines and St. Arnold's Beer will complement the meal. Tickets are $75 for cocktails and hors d’ Oeuvres or $250 for cocktails and three-course dinner.