Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
Wednesday, December 11
Santa Claus at Buttermilk Baby
Buttermilk Baby, 600 North Shepherd, invites folks to a special visit from Santa Claus, whose sleigh is guided by the sparkle of a disco ball and pulled by unicorns, from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests can try the new lineup of limited-time holiday treats, including the White Mocha Peppermint Frappe and an Eggnog Boozy Shake, and a hot chocolate stand complete with pink marshmallows.
Wine & Dine XIV at JลชN
The guest chef dinner series Wine & Dine is back at JลชN, 420 East 20th, is bringing together two incredible talents: Houstonia and Top Chef alum Michelle Wallace and Texas winemaker Jackie van Sant Downes. The collaborative four-course tasting menu weaves Wallaceโs southern pitmaster background and her time spent studying abroad in China with Henryโs Chinese heritage and Evelynโs El Salvadorian and Mexican background. Highlights include crab with mango and capers, wild game with avocado and collard greens, barbacoa with leeks and mushrooms, and goat cheese with citrus and Aleppo chili. Each course will be paired with Jaclynn Renรฉe wines. Cost is $165/per person for the pairing and $110/per person for dinner only.
Cรณdigo 1530 Tequila Dinner at Hugoโs
Hugoโs, 1600 Westheimer, will host a Cรณdigo 1530 Tequila Dinner, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. and followed by a seated dinner at 6:30. Guests can enjoy premium tequila paired with chef Hugo and Ruben Ortegaโs special four-course menu, with highlights including charred yellowfin tuna with serrano, mint and blood orange; beef barbacoa taquito with refritos and avocado-tomatillo salsa; seared duck leg with sweet potato purรฉe, Brussels sprouts and fig mole; and a bomba de chocolate dessert. Tickets are $130 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Thursday, December 12
Wine Dinner at Marvinoโs Italian Steakhouse
Marvinoโs Italian Steakhouse, 24002 Northwest Freeway, invites guests for an evening of exceptional food and fine wine at 7 p.m. Highlights include stuffed portobello mushroom paired with Olema Pinot Noir, fscallop and shrimp risotto with Olema Reserve Chardonnay, filet mignon in rich red wine reduction paired with Amici Cabernet Sauvignon, and a pumpkin roulade paired with Olema Brut Crรฉmant de Loire. Cost is for $99++ per person and reservations are required. Call 832-220-7200. The special menu will also be available for take-out orders.
Saturday, December 14
The Nutcracker Gingerbread Tea at Toro Toro
Toro Toro, 1300 Lamar, will host its festive holiday tea experience from noon to 2 p.m., featuring an assortment of specialty coffees and teas, housemade pastries, sparkling wine, gingerbread houses to decorate, and a very special visit from cast members of Houston Balletโs The Nutcracker. Reservations are $110 per person, including complimentary valet parking.
Brunch with Santa at Tavola
Tavola, 1800 Post Oak, will host a special brunch with Santa Brunch, featuring its full brunch menu and a kids menu alongside exciting activities for the kiddos, including $38 gingerbread house kits, a Santa meet-and-greet photo opportunity, and Santa reading classic Italian holiday stories, including La Befana, the tale of Italyโs Christmas witch. Reservations are available via OpenTable or by phone with a $55 per child deposit.
Raclette Party at Montrose Cheese & Wine
Experience the aprรจs-ski-style life at Montrose Cheese & Wine, 1618 Westheimer, as it hosts another Raclette Party on the patio. Enjoy the melty cheese atop roasted potatoes, sliced baguette, salami, cornichons and fancy mustard from 1 to 5 p.m. or until the cheese runs out. No advanced reservations needed.
Sound & Color Dinner with Chef Dawn Burrell and Vocalist Vanessa Hill
Celebrate the season with a multi-sensory experience and multi-course dinner from chef Dawn Burrell โ think milk braised beef cheek in peanut curry broth, fish adn rice grits in coconut milk, chocolate velvet mousse with beet red velvet cake and more โ alongside soulful holiday classic cover songs by Vanessa Hill. The one-night-only celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. followed by dinner service at 7. Tickets are $190 per person and the location will be revealed upon ticket purchase.
Sunday, December 15
Family Holiday Night at Backstreet Cafe
From 6 to 8 p.m., Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd, will transform into a holiday wonderland for a special Family Holiday Night with Santa. Expect Victorian Carolers and photos with Santa on the patio amongst festive dรฉcor and twinkling Christmas lights, an a la carte dinner menu and a three-course kids menu for $20 per child.
New and ongoing specials
Holiday Pop-Up Bars
Rocking over-the-top nostalgic decor, spirited drinks, and all the holiday cheer, check out Houston’s Most Magical Holiday Cocktail Pop-Ups.
Santa Brunches around Houston
Houston offers plenty of cheerful spots where you can brunch, snap photos with Santa, and make magical memories with your loved ones this holdiay season. Find the details in our guide to the Best Santa Brunches in Houston.
Local Sweets for Holiday Gifting
Check out our guide to the Best Holiday Sweets to Gift in Houston to find local shops offering everything from decadent artisan chocolates and nostalgic fruitcakes to decorated cookies, buttery pralines, and locally crafted confections.
Tamale Season
From savory pork and mushroom-filled to sweet corn tamales by the dozen and half-dozen, check out our guide to find The Tastiest Holiday Tamales in Houston.
Lebanon Crisis Relief Fundraiser
Rallied by Craft Pita, Houston-area Lebanese-owned restaurants have united to support relief efforts for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, raising funds to benefit the Lebanese Red Cross and provide essential aid to displaced individuals, including clothing, food, and bedding. The participating restaurants โ Craft Pita, Maryโz Mediterranean Cuisine, Weโre Dough Bakery, Suzieโs Pastry Shoppe, Flo Paris Baker, Arpiโs Phoenicia Deli and Cedars Bakeryย โ invite guests to add a $4 donation to their meal at the end of checkout, with 100 percent of the funds raised donated directly to the Lebanese Red Cross.
This article appears in Jan 1 โ Dec 31, 2024.
