All Week Long
Choose Cheddar at Central Market
Until October 27, you can find specialty cheddar cheeses, cheddar items and cheddar recipes throughout Central Market at 3815 Westheimer. There will be international cheeses, cheddar pairing recommendations and new mac 'n' cheese samples around the store. If you're sharp, you'll take advantage of this slightly cheesy opportunity.
Zac Brown Band at Killen's Barbeue
The New 93Q is holding a contest from Monday until Wednesday that could land you a spot to see the Zac Brown Band at Killen's Barbecue, 3613 East Broadway, on November 5. When you hear a song by the Zac Brown Band on 92.9 FM between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., be caller No. 9 to the station, 713-390-5000, to get your place at that dinner and concert.
Tuesday, October 27
Jim Beam Tasting at Reserve 101
At 6:30 p.m., you can join Adam Harris, a National Bourbon Ambassador for Beam Suntory, for a tasting of Jim Beam Harvest Collection whiskies at Reserve 101, 1201 Caroline. These six varieties of Jim Beam combine craft whiskey-making with tradition to create styles like whole rolled oat, high rye and brown rice.The proceeds from your $20 ticket will go to Lucky Dog Rescue, and you can purchase your tickets on the website.
Bordeaux Dinner at Mockingbird
This Bordeaux-only dinner features five wines from France and Spain paired with five courses, including portobello mushrooms with prosciutto and mozzarella, prime beef fillet with parsnip puree and poached pear with bleu cheese fondue. You can find all of this at Mockingbird Bistro, 1985 Welch, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner at 7 p.m. Reservations are $150, and you can make them by calling 713-533-0200.
Georges Escoffier Birthday Dinner at Bistro Provence
This famous French chef was born in 1846 and, before his death in 1935, became known as the king of chefs and chef of kings. In honor of his legacy, Bistro Provence, at 13616 Memorial, is hosting a fabulously French birthday dinner at 7 p.m., and the special guests will include Genevieve Guy, owner of the bistro, executive chef Cedric Vernin and Emilie Boisson of the Domaine du Père Caboche winery in France. The menu includes wild mushroom feuilleté with onion béchamel, stuffed lamb shoulder and a so-called "poached pear in a sock." Reservations are required, which you can make by calling 713-827-8008, and the cost is $80. (Hint: You can also find Boisson at French Country Wines, 2433 Bartlett, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday for a free tasting of Domaine du Père Caboche wines.)
Only The Good Die Young Wine Dinner
This wine dinner at MAX's Wine Dive, 4720 Washington, was inspired by the 27 club — rock stars who died at the age of 27, that is. This five-course meal with wine pairings was inspired by five of the most popular members of the club: Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse. Rock star costumes are encouraged, and you can reserve your tickets for $89 on Eventbrite. Dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28
National Chocolate Day
For this incredibly important holiday, you can (and should) indulge your sweet tooth at MAX's Wine Dive, 4720 Washington, with a Goo Goo Pie, an Oreo crust with chocolate peanut butter mousse, boozy peanut caramel sauce, homemade marshmallows and Ritz crumbles. Alternatively, check out the Impossible Cake at Añejo, 1180 Uptown Park, which is a chocolate cake and flan combo topped with cajeta and spicy candied pecans. Cacao and Cardamom at 5000 Westheimer will have specially discounted, limited-edition Halloween chocolates for the occasion, and La Madeleine cafes will have free mini chocolate strawberry tarts all day long.
Iron Horse Wine Dinner at Four Seasons
This dinner-meets-tasting-meets-tour kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with appetizers, after which the group will venture to the Four Season's pool area for scapece, then to the kitchen of Quattro for another course and finally a luxury suite for the last two courses. Wine pairings from Iron Horse Vineyards accompany each course, and the owner of the vineyard will join diners to introduce the wines. The Four Seasons is located at 1300 Lamar, and you can make reservations by calling 713-276-4700. Cost is $95.
DaVinci Wine Dinner at Grotto
Filippo Volpi, brand ambassador for DaVinci wines, will host this wine dinner at 7 p.m. at Grotto Ristorante, 4715 Westheimer, which will include seafood ravioli with roasted leek sauce, grilled lamb chops with porcini risotto and ricotta-filled dark chocolate mousse. Each of the five courses will be paired with a DaVinci wine introduced by Volpi. Reservations are $75, and you can make them by calling 713-622-3663.
Friday, October 30
Día de los Muertos Tequila Dinner
Find your best cocktail-attire Day of the Dead costume and head over to Arnaldo Richards' Picos, 3601 Kirby, for a four-course dinner featuring Milagro tequilas, including the new Milagro Single Barrel Picos Reserve Reposado. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., and the dinner will be at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are $99, and you can make them by calling 832-831-9940.
Stand-Up Comedy at MKT BAR
Every Friday until the end of October, you can find the BETA Bracket stand-up comedy 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, October 31
Halloween Freebies
If you bring your costumed child to any Pollo Tropical at any time today, he or she will get a free meal for showing holiday spirit (pun intended). Similarly, kids in costume will get a free milkshake at both JerryBuilt Homegrown Burgers locations with the purchase of a kid's meal.
Vom Fass's Birthday Bash (RESCHEDULED due to weather concerns)
Hallow's Even Fall Festival at Revival
You can find an entire Halloween festival at Revival Market, 550 Heights, including live music, a costume contest, a pumpkin carving contest, games and face painting for the wee ones and hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and sweets from Revival. Your $35 ticket gets you food and drink, and the kids get in for $10. The event starts at 5 p.m., and you can find a more detailed calendar of festivities on the Facebook page.
Halloween Celebration at TABLE
This party, sponsored by Veuve Clicquot and Roca Patrón, starts at 6 p.m. at TABLE, 1800 Post Oak. There will be a costume contest, live music, prizes and free cocktails and light fare from the sponsors. Equally as good is the free valet parking. You can RSVP by calling 713-439-1000.
Get Your Ghoul On at MKT Bar
Party the night away at MKT Bar, 1001 Austin, with free bites and beverages available for purchase, a costume contest, live music and more. Creepy treats include squash tarts, creepy crostini, veggie stuffed mushrooms and pulled pork sliders, which are included with the $12 entry fee, and the party will go from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Get your tickets online.
Sunday, November 1
TMBBQ Fest
If you're willing to drive to Austin, you can check out the Texas Monthly barbecue festival at 1 p.m. at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside. This annual festival showcases 50 outstanding barbecue joints from across the state, and attendees can sample goods from each, as well as sweets from sundry featured dessert eateries. There will be alcohol available for purchase, as well as live music. You can find more information and purchase tickets on the TMBBQ Fest website. Tickets are $80 general admission, $145 V.I.P. and $10 for children under five.
Blues and Brews at Brenner's
Every Sunday evening between now and November 29, you can catch live blues music on the patio at Brenner's on the Bayou, 1 Birdsall, plus featured cocktails and brews, such as $5 Stella Artois, $6 Cazadores Reposado margaritas and more. Small bites will also be available. For information, call 713-868-4444. Must be 21 or older. 3 to 6 p.m.
