Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
All week long
Halloween Specials
Houston restaurants and bars are celebrating spooky season with wicked good treats, boo-zy bashes and costume parties, creepy cocktail pop-ups and more. Take a look at this year’s Halloween Food and Drink Guide to join the fun.
Thursday, October 24
OpenTable x Ben’s Friends at Navy Blue
Navy Blue, 2445 Times, will join OpenTable and nonprofit Ben’s Friends to host the second installment of the OpenTable x Ben’s Friends dinner series, which aims to raise awareness and funds, and expand access to resources and assistance for those who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. Chefs Aaron Bludorn and Jerrod Zifchak of Navy Blue and Philip Speer of Comedor in Austin will offer a four-course seated dinner paired with curated “no-buzz” beverage pairings. The menu includes highlights from both Comedor and Navy Blue, with dishes such as Gulf Crab Tostada, Amberjack Crudo and Lobster Ravioli. Tickets are $80 per person.
12th Anniversary Wine Dinner at Etoile Cuisine et Bar
Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park, will host a very special 12th Anniversary Wine Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 24. Chef Philippe Verpiand will feature four courses, withf lobster, foie gras, roasted rack of lamb and more alongside cherry-picked wines. Cost is $124 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required by calling 832-668-5808.
Thursday–Sunday
Five-Course Wine Dinner at The Audrey
The Audrey, 9595 Six Pines, is offering a special, five-course wine dinner featuring Rivero González, a family-owned winery from the Valley of Parras, Coahuila, Mexico. Highlights include soft poached egg with parmesan cream and caviar, maine lobster roll with truffle taco chips, petite filet with agave glazed brussels and more. five-course dinner costs $120 per person (plus tax and gratuity).
Friday–Saturday
Champagne Day Specials at Mutiny Wine Room
Mutiny Wine Room, 1124 Usener, invites all champagne lovers to indulge in an elevated dining experience in honor of International Champagne Day. Indulge in a perfectly crisp glass of Charles Orban Carte Noir Champagne, paired with Mutiny’s signature savory hushpuppies for $39; or enjoy one ounce of Osetra Noir Caviar served chilled straight from the tin with classic accouterments such as blinis, fresh potato chips, egg, shallot, and more, and pair i with your favorite bottle of Champagne for $95.
Saturday, October 26
Monte Carlo Massacre at Brasserie 19
Glitz, glamour and macabre are on full display at the annual Halloween fete at Brasserie 19, 1962 West Gray, held from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. This year’s theme is Monte Carlo Massacre, featuring a costume contest, photo moments, drinks specials in partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Moet Hennessy and Bacardi, live DJ beats, burlesque, crowd roaming magicians and casino gambling. On Sunday, October 27, guests are invited to recover at its Le Spectale de Merde Halloween brunch from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., featuring a featuring a Rocky Horror Picture Show theme, live music, and drink specials.
Halloween Costume Party at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House
Pier 6, 113 6th, is throwing another epic Halloween bash, with the themed costume party falling on Saturday, October 26. Reservations are strongly encouraged and guests are invited to get into the spirit with spooky decor, food and drink specials, candy for kiddos, plenty of live entertainment and more.
Bollywood Burnout at Musaafer
Musaafer, 5115 Westheimer, invites guests to celebrate Diwali with an immersive cultural experience with late-night dancing and more at its “Bollywood Burnout,” beginning at 10 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday
50th Anniversary Texas Renaissance Festival
Back for its 50th anniversary, the Texas Renaissance Festival brings folks a medieval celebration of food and drink, shopping and entertainment, and enchanted fun. This weekend invites festival goers to enjoy an All Hallows Eve theme, alongside festival eats from turkey legs and mead to a two-hour dinner theatre King’s Feast, plus special beer collabs with Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Karbach Brewing Co.
All month long
Authentic Japanese Sushi Showcase
The Japan Rice Export Association and the Japan Farmed Fish Export Association are partnering with five local restaurants throughout October to showcase the superior quality of fish and rice sourced directly from Japan. Aya Sushi, KA Sushi, NEO, Izakaya Ten and Kira will offer limited-time, special menus featuring Japanese rice, buri (yellowtail) and madai (red sea bream) October 1–31.
Drink Out for the Dome
The Astrodome Conservancy is partnering with bars across Houston to raise awareness and funds towards ensuring the iconic structure’s future as a one-of-a-kind destination at the heart of NRG Park. Locals are encouraged to Drink Out for the Dome by sipping on specially created Dome-themed adult beverages at a number of local hotspots, with $1 from each drink purchased supporting the Astrodome Conservancy.
Two Dine for $99 at Brennan’s of Houston
Brennan’s, 3300 Smith, welcomes back its Two Dine for $99 offer throughout October, offering a three-course lunch or dinner for two people for $99. The menu includes a selection of haute Texas-Creole classics, from Snapping Turtle Soup and Shrimp Remoulade to a Petite Filet and Bananas Foster. “Wine Guy” Rich Carter has curated a wine list to complement, with bottles starting at $30.
Hurricane Milton Relief at MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails
In support of Hurricane Milton disaster relief effort, for every latte sold at MAVEN at Thompson, 1717 Allen, through the end of October, Rex Hospitality will donate $1 to the American Red Cross in Central Florida.
New and ongoing specials
Diwali at Musaafer
Musaafer, 5115 Westheimer, invites the community to celebrate Diwali, aka the festival of lights, offering a special menu from October 18–November 1. Created by chef Mayank Istwal, the feast showcases elevated renditions of classic dishes throughout India’s vibrant regions alongside festive sweets and artisanal cocktails infused with flavors of saffron, cardamom and rose.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
