Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
Tuesday, February 18
Grand Opening of Haii Keii
Immersive dining concept Haii Keii, 3300 Kirby, celebrates its grand opening in River Oaks, featuring modern pan-Asian fare and an outrageous design inspired by the neon-drenched futurism of 1982 science fiction film Blade Runner and the cinematic intensity of Kill Bill. Expect full drama, bold and imaginative and bites from Lobster Dumplings, Eel & Foie and Wagyu Flights to Nigiri, Sashimi and Maki.
Flights of Fancy at Eureka Heights Brewery
Houston beer hall opera company, HOPERA, is presenting Flights of Fancy (with Fancy Flights!), a free recital pairing music with local beers at Eureka Heights Brewery, 941 West 18th.
Friday–Sunday
Mardi Gras! Galveston
The Mardi Gras! Galveston celebrations are taking over the island, taking place each weekend from Friday, February 21 through Fat Tuesday, March 4. Expect weekend parades with millions of beads, lively concerts, balcony parties, and festive food and drink.
Saturday, February 22
National Margarita Day with H Town Restaurant Group Mexican concepts
Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi and Urbe will be celebrating National Margarita Day with marg specials. Get “The Greatest Margarita Ever Sold” for $18 (usually $29), featuring 25-year-aged Grand Marnier and wood-aged Anejo Tequila from Gran Centenario. House margaritas will also be available at all restaurants for just $10.
Appetizer Cooking Class at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
Owner Sylvia Casares is back in the classroom to show off the magic of her restaurants, kicking off her next round of scheduled Saturday classes (February22-June 14) with an Appetizers for Entertaining lesson at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 1140 Eldridge. Learn to make appetizer foods like flautas, chile con queso, avocado salsa and roasted tomato salsa. Call 832-230-3842 or reserve online. Cost is $70 per person.
Sunday, February 23
Chef Hugo Ortega x Chef Jason Ryczek Collaboration Dinner at Little’s Oyster Bar
Little’s Oyster Bar executive chef Jason Ryczek and JBFA Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega are hosting a collaboration dinner in celebration of their love of Houston. Held at Little’s Oyster Bar, 3001 South Shepherd, guests will enjoy a welcome reception starting at 6:30 p.m. with wine, a handcrafted specialty cocktail and hors d’oeuvres before indulging in a 7-course meal with an optional wine pairing, with features from Oyster & Caviar and Spanish Octopus to Gulf Grouper Bacalao and Central Texas Rack of Lamb. Tickets are $295 and a portion of proceeds will go to supporting the Houston Food Bank.
Flights of Fancy at Saint Arnold Brewery
HOPERA continues its Flights of Fancy (with Fancy Flights!) series, hosting a free recital pairing music with local beers at Saint Arnold, 2000 Lyons.
All week long
Eat Drink HTX
Running now through the end of the month, fan-favorite foodie event Eat Drink HTX returns. From the team behind Houston Restaurant Weeks, the casual dining experience features prix-fixe brunch, lunch, and dinner menus at a lower price point than HRW. This year’s lineup includes Be More Pacific, Cowboys & Indians, Duck N Bao, Kriti Kitchen, Pok Pok Po, Traveler’s Cart and more.
New and ongoing specials
Seasonal menus with Michelin recognition
Michelin-starred Le Jardinier, 5500 Main, debuts its winter menu, executive chef Felipe Botero’s cozy yet celebratory essence of the season. Dine on heirloom roasted beets with shaved Brussels sprouts, farro and winter citrus; warm foie gras in royal port reduction; red wine braised short ribs with parsnip fondant and grilled chicories; and Carolina gold rice risotto, featuring wild mushrooms, herb pistou and aged parmesan.
Michelin-recommended Late August, 4201 Main, has unveiled new menu items, showcasing sustainable ingredients from Lucille’s 1913 Farm curated by chef Sergio Hidalgo and chef Chris Williams. Check out new additions like the Gulf Oysters with mole crunch; Roasted Squash with coconut yogurt, pomegranate, and pecan crumble; and Seared Market Fish with shrimp creole stuffed tamal and mustard greens.
With a recent Michelin star under its belt, March,1624 Westheimer, has debuted its next menu journey, this time through the maritime melting pot of Venice. Indulge in dishes like Laguna de Venesia, featuring the bounty sea and prosecco grape vinaigrette; the Brudet, a smoky eel sauce paired with sea bass, cauliflower purée, and an eel croquette; and Lesso e Pearà, honoring traditional Veronese meat fare with A5-grade beef and a sauce featuring exotic peppercorns.
