All Week Long
Garlic Fest at Central Market
There's another festival at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, and this one's all about garlic. The First Annual Garlic Fest will feature special garlic varieties, foods, recipes and tidbits spread throughout the store. Maybe you've wanted to try French pink garlic? Check. How about black garlic chocolate cupcakes? Done. Garlic ice cream? Central Market has that, too. Satisfy your garlic curiosity this week at Central Market, and rest assured that there will be absolutely no vampires anywhere near the store for a while, at least.
Dessert for the Dogs at Tony Mandola's
When you buy a dessert this month at Tony Mandola's, 1212 Waugh, Tony will give $1 to BARC, the City of Houston animal shelter. As if that weren't incentive enough to spend a meal at the creole and Italian restaurant, you'll also get $10 off every bottle of wine this month. These two deals might be dangerous for your sweet tooth, but they're certainly a source of hope for a pet in need.
Monday, September 21
Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser Dinner
A fifth of the food costs from this three-course French meal at Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, will go to Northwest Habitat for Humanity Women Build Project, which helps teams of women build homes for single mothers in the Houston community. Wine is not included in the $38 reservation price, but select wines will be specially discounted for the event. Reserve your tickets here. 7 p.m.
Tuesday, September 22
French Wine Dinner at Bistro Provence
This wine dinner at Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, features wines from the Domaine Rouge-Bleu winery in Provence, including a few Côtes du Rhône and vin de pays varieties. The five courses of French fare include octopus provençale, beef cheeks, cheeses from Houston Dairymaids and a chocolate dessert. A representative from French Country Wines will be there to introduce each of the five wines. Make your reservation by calling 713-827-8008. 7 p.m., $65
Wednesday, September 23
Bonjour Fall at La Madeleine (added 9/21 10:15 p.m.)
When you visit any La Madeleine location today, you can get a free butter croissant just for saying "Bonjour, Fall!" Check out the new, seasonally appropriate pumpkin cookie while you're there.
Piedmont Wine Dinner at The Tasting Room
Marco Pinna, Attillo Ghisolfi's import and export director for North America, will present the wines featured during this dinner at The Tasting Room, 818 Town and Country Boulevard. Chef Shay will prepare traditional Italian fare to pair with the featured Ghisolfi wines. Visit The Tasting Room website for more information and to reserve your tickets. 7 p.m., $79
Thursday, September 24
Paws for a Cause Party at Ouisie's
Finally, a dinner where you can bring your little dog, too! Ouisie's Table at 3939 San Felipe is hosting an outdoor party with food, drink and activities for you and your pooch. A portion of the proceeds from this patio party will go to AniMeals on Wheels, the branch of Meals on Wheels that brings pet food to the furry companions of seniors in the program. Check out the full list of featured vendors here. Tickets are $75 per person, and you can purchase them by calling 713-528-2264. 6:30 p.m.
Friday, September 25
Float 'n' Flick Film Screening
Starting at 5 p.m., head over to the Hotel Derek, 2525 West Loop South, for a showing of Dirty Dancing on the movie wall next to the pool. While you're there, you can sample the Revolve Kitchen + Bar summer menu, which includes fruity cocktails and local craft brews to end your workweek right. The screening will begin shortly after sunset, and pool space is limited, so make your reservation by calling 713-297-4327. Tickets are $25 per couple and include popcorn, two drinks and towel service.
Food and Films Series at Quattro
As part of the Friday night cinematic series at Quattro, 1300 Lamar, you can see a film and get a five-course feast for $79, or $145 per couple. This week's feature is Apollo 13. Beverages are extra, but beverage packages will be offered each evening. Reservations are required, and you can make them by calling 713-276-4700. 7 p.m.
Stand-Up Comedy at MKT BAR
Every Friday until the end of October, you can find BETA Bracket's stand-up competition at MKT BAR in Phoenicia, 1001 Austin, and, as part of the audience, you can help select the winners. Ten local comedians (or people who think they're comedians) will perform in a five-minute round, then the competition will be thinned out to a ten-, then a 20-minute set, and the winners go home with lots of money. As in, the top prize is $3,000. Admission is free, and you can enjoy MKT BAR provisions while you laugh. 10 p.m.
Saturday, September 26
Ready Houston Preparedness Kit Chef's Challenge
The annual chef's challenge hosted by Ready Houston lets top-notch chefs show off their skills by creating a gourmet dish out of the nonperishables from a standard disaster preparedness kit. This year's competitors are chefs Patti Alvarez-Burdette of Holley's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Patrick Feges of Southern Goods, Carlos Rodriguez of Landry's, Martin Weaver of Kuu Restaurant and Ja'Nel Witt, winner of Hell's Kitchen Season 11. The winner gets a trophy for his or her restaurant and the title of "Houston's Most Prepared Chef." The contest is at Market Square Park, 301 Milam, and is free and open to the public. 1 to 3 p.m.
Greentoberfest Beer Festival
GreenStreet, located at 1201 Fannin, is hosting this festival that features craft beers, foodie fare, live music, games and a Samuel Adams stein-hoisting competition. Vendors include Houston favorites Saint Arnold and Karbach. A ticket will get you two drink tickets as well as food, and all of the proceeds will go to Young Texans Against Cancer, a cause we can all drink to. You can purchase tickets on the GreenStreet website. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., $25 YTAC members, $30 general public
Street Side Tasting at MAX's
This wine tasting merges the finer things with street style; you can check out 25 different wines and sundry small bites alongside live music and graffiti artists at MAX's Wine Dive, 4720 Washington. MAX"s is keeping the event mostly a surprise, but you can find some clues on the Facebook event. Purchase tickets by calling 713-880-8737. 2 to 5 p.m., $25 in advance, $35 at the door
POSTPONED Sake Class at Kata Robata (updated 9/22 3:49 p.m.)
This sake class has been postponed, and we will let you know its new date when that is released..
BARC Fundraiser at Tony Mandola's
Saint Arnold brews will be featured at this outdoor beer-and-bites benefit for the City of Houston's BARC animal shelter; $1 from every ticket will be donated to BARC, and guests can make donations at the event. It's also a kickoff party for the new dog-friendly patio at Tony Mandola's, 1212 Waugh. The food stations include mini smoked brisket enchiladas, decadent lobster pizza and coconut cream pie, each of which features its own Saint Arnold beer pairing. Ale Wagger, anyone? Make your reservation by calling 713-528-3474. 4 to 7 p.m., $35
The Breakfast Klub Anniversary Pop-Up Dinner
Marcus Davis of The Breakfast Klub, 3711 Travis, is putting on this pop-up dinner to celebrate the upcoming Signature Kafe, a very similar concept around the corner from the Klub at 3722 Main. The dinner will be held in the new space. Michelle Wallace is the featured chef, and the fare will be all Southern classics, such as fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, braised short ribs and, of course, sweet biskits with roasted peaches and vanilla ice cream. Get your tickets here. 7 p.m., $92
