Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
All week long
Galveston Restaurant Week
Galveston Restaurant Week returns to the island, kicking off Monday, January 6 and running through Sunday, February 2. Participating restaurants will feature discounted prix fixe menus in benefit of United Way of Galveston, Galveston’s Own Farmers Market’s community-based food programs and Family Service Center of Galveston County. Two or three-course dinners run $20 to $60, two-course lunches are $10 to $30, and brunches are $10 – $40.
Tuesday, January 7
Back to School Brunch at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House
Pier 6, 113 6th, invites parents to celebrate sending the kids back to school with a special brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to good eats, folks can salute the new year with bottomless mimosas. Call 281-339-1515 for reservations.
Wednesday, January 8
Craft Pita Cheeseburger Pita Collab at Burger Bodega
Burger Bodega, 4520 Washington, is teaming up with Craft Pita to bring back their special edition Cheeseburger Pita and some new specialty dishes, available from 11 a.m. until sell-out. The Cheeseburger Pita consists of a smashed kafta patty, akawi cheese, Lebanese pickles, grilled onions, and Harlem aioli sauce; and chefs Rafael Nasr and Abbas Dhanani are also serving a Sujuk Egg and Cheese Sandwich on a sesame bagel provided by Hot Bagel Shop with halal beef sausage, eggs, akawi cheese, and bodega sauce; and a Tahini Blondie Milkshake garnished with whipped cream and tahini blondie bits. All specialty menu items will be available for one day only.
Napa Valley Wine Tasting at Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella, continues its Monthly Wine Tasting series from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy a self-paced walk-around wine tasting featuring three premium wines, with this month’s focus on the grapes of Napa Valley. Tickets are $55.
All month long
Dry January Mocktails
From vibrant fruity infusions to bold herbal elixirs, check out our Dry January Guide to find local restaurants and bars offering zero-proof cocktails this month.
Wine & Dine for Two at Brennan’s of Houston
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, brings back its January Wine & Dine for Two promotion, offering a three-course menu for two, with wine included, featuring beloved Creole specialties for $119 at brunch/lunch and $159 at dinner. Prix-fixe selections include Snapping Turtle Soup, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Cheesecake, Wood-Grilled Filet Migno and dessert choices like Classic Creole Bread Pudding or Bananas Foster. Each meal includes one bottle or four glasses of select wines. Additional wines are available for a discount.
King’s Cake at Etoile Cuisine et Bar
At Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park, chef Philippe Verpiand is offering special Galette de Rois, available for pick up and take home with a selected bottle of French sparkling wine or by the slice to be enjoyed in the restaurant beginning Monday, January 6. Unlike the familiar cakes from New Orleans, this crown-shaped, original version from France is made of layers of puff pastry filled with a buttery, almond cream. Cakes will be available through January 31 with a bottle of NV Kramer Sparkling Wine for $55 plus tax and gratuity or $40 without the wine. Each whole cake feeds 6-8 people and orders must be made 24 hours in advance by calling 832-668-5808. Cost for a dine-in slice is $12.
Kolache of the Month at Kolache Shoppe
All three Houston-area Kolache Shoppe locations will feature Mardi Gras-inspired kolaches this month, available weekends, Thursday to Saturday at Greenway and Friday through Sunday at Pearland and Heights bakeries. Dig into a King Cake Kolache filled with sweetened cinnamon cream cheese and pecans and finished with almond-vanilla glaze and a dusting of colored sugar for $3 a pop; or go savory with a Sausage & Gravy Kolache for $3.95.
