All Week Long

Anniversary Offerings at The Springbok

To celebrate its anniversary, The Springbok, 711 Main, will offer a special menu all week, including deviled eggs, the "Bushman's Platter" with chicken peri peri, bunny chow and hangar steak, and malva pudding. The dishes are family-style and will be served at dinner only.

Monday, July 18

Collaboration of Smoke

Wesley Jurena of Pappa Charlies Barbecue, Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ and chef Erin Smith are teaming up for this dinner, dubbed "Collaboration of Smoke," at 6:30 p.m. at Pappa Charlies Barbecue, 2012 Rusk. It's the third year for the event, which has transformed from an à la carte pop-up to a family-style, multi-course dinner. The fare includes smoked meatballs, Gulf shrimp and grits, smoked pork prime rib and apple cherry-glazed duck breast with Brussels sprouts. Tickets are $95 per person and also include beer and wine pairings, along with Smith's basil-marinated watermelon pound cake that helped her win the most recent episode of "Chopped."

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting

This free tasting features seven Italian extra virgin olive oils, including two organic options and five flavored oils. It's at 6:30 p.m. at Delicitaly, 9305 Spring Cypress in Spring, and owners Davide and Giulia will tell attendees about each oil and how to pair it with food. Attendees will also get 25 percent off all oils and vinegars after the class, as well as 10 percent off other products. The class is free, but reservations are required and can be made on Eventbrite.

Wicked Dinner of Oz

Celebrate the return of hit Broadway musical Wicked with this themed wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. at MAX's Wine Dive, 214 Fairview. There are four courses with wine pairings, and each wine will be available for retail purchase, too. It's a costume party, too, of course, so grab your Dorothy or Cowardly Lion costume and you might win the costume contest. Reservations are $65 per person and can be made by calling 713-528-9200.

Monday through Thursday

Presidential Convention Menu at Ouisie's

To celebrate the Republican National Convention, Ouisie's Table at 3939 San Felipe is offering a three-course, prix fixe menu of politically-themed dishes, such as the "Make America Grape Again" Waldorf salad, "Feel The Boarn" pasta with boar sausage and "Secretary of Steak" ribeye with twice-baked potato and green beans. The dinner is $25 per person, with wine pairings available for an additional $10, anytime during business hours.

Tuesday, July 19

Pre-National Tequila Day Dinner

Celebrate the fact that it's almost National Tequila Day with this 6 p.m., four-course dinner at Sylvia's Enchilada Parkway, 1140 Eldridge Parkway.  The fare includes ceviche, creamy corn soup and the South Texas mesquite grill with steak, quail and baby back ribs, while the drinks include a tequila tasting flight, paloma and spicy margarita. The dinner kicks off at 6 p.m. and costs $49.99 per person; reservations can be made by calling 832-230-3842.

Texas Treats Cooking Class

This 6:30 p.m. class at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, features classic Texas recipes like Gulf shrimp and crab cocktail, King Ranch chicken and strawberry shortcake. It costs $60 per person, and you can book your spot and view the full menu on the market's website.

Pork Cooking Class

Learn about pork ranching, butchering and how to choose the best cuts of pork, as well as how to cook it, during this 6:30 p.m. class at Well Done Cooking Classes, 2811 Airline. Attendees will also make tangy, smoky barbecue spare ribs, Jamaican jerk pulled pork with goat cheese, pork chops with cannellini beans and crispy skin pork belly. As always, the class is BYOB, and it costs $69 per person.  Book your spot on the Well Done website.

8th Wonder Beer Dinner at Hugo's

Experience the cuisine of Veracruz, Mexico alongside the brews of 8th Wonder Brewery at this 7 p.m. beer dinner at Hugo's, 1600 Westheimer. The menu includes blue crab soup and masa dumplings paired with Pharmhouse, seared Gulf snapper with green pumpkin seed sauce paired with Hopston, and roasted pork loin with peanut sauce and pork tamal paired with Alternate Universe. Cost is $70 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 713-524-7744.

Decimus Wine Tasting

Join Kelly Lynch of Decimus Winery, located in the Napa Valley, for a 7 p.m. wine tasting at Rouge Wine Bar, 1400 Eldridge Parkway. He'll bring a chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet to taste with paired cheeses, and there will be special retail discounts available, too. The tasting is free.

Wednesday, July 20

Sundown at The Grove : Firestone Walker

Each Wednesday this summer, The Grove, 1611 Lamar, will feature beers from a craft brewery alongside food pairings by chef de cuisine Ryan Williams. This week's featured brewery is Firestone Walker. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door. Season passes are also available for $250 per person or $450 per couple. The party runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Landry's Annual Chef Series: La Griglia

Each year, Landry's puts on a series of chef-hosted dinners at several of its Houston-area restaurants. Each features an elaborate prix fixe meal and the opportunity to meet the chef and discuss the food. This week's chef is Luis Rubio, and dinner will start at 7 p.m. at La Griglia, 2002 West Gray. The menu includes lobster-stuffed pasta, oven-roasted halibut and porterhouse fiorentina with mushrooms and spinach, all with wine pairings. The cost is $95 ($80 for Landry's Select Club members) and reservations can be made by calling 713-526-4700.

Taps 'N' Tacos at Stoked 

This four-course, 7 p.m. meal at Stoked Tacos & Tequila, 2416 Brazos, features– you guessed it– plenty of tacos and other Tex-Mex goodies, all paired with beers from Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. The menu includes green chile pork nachos with Maple Chile Jam Beer, braised mole short rib tacos with Ginger Bread Stout and hibiscus banana bread pudding with honey vanilla ice cream and Summer's Wit. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased via email.

Wednesday through Sunday

Conservatory's Grand Opening Bash

This week, Conservatory at 1010 Prairie is finally celebrating its existence with food and drink specials, a photo booth, unusual beer samples and more. Wednesday is "Not Another Pint Night" with Buffalo Bayou Brewery, and the theme is Christmas in July. There's a late-night DJ party on Friday night, and a poké pop-up dinner on Saturday at 6 p.m. Check out all of the details on the Facebook event.

Thursday, July 21

Free Tea Day at McAlister's

Everyone who visits a participating McAlister's Deli today can receive a complimentary glass of the restaurant's signature sweet iced tea. Also, the first 25 guests at each location will get a free T-shirt to commemorate Free Tea Day.

"Big Hero 6" & Sushi Workshop

Head over to the Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore, to watch a screening of "Big Hero 6," winner of the 2014 Academy Award for Best Animated Picture, followed by a sushi-making demonstration and class. Reservations range from free to $20 and can be made on the Asia Society website.

Current Events: Cheese Class

Fernando Moreno, owner and head cheesemonger of Pachi Pachi Valley Cheese, will lead this free cheese tasting class at 5 p.m. at CURRENT, 2 Waterway Square in The Westin. It's the first in a twice-monthly series called Current Events, which will feature different food and drink events. Moreno's cheeses are in Venezuelan and Spanish styles and are produced in Waco. The event is free, but reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 281-419-4300. 

Tip A Cop at Texas Roadhouse

The annual Tip A Cop Night at Texas Roadhouse gets police officers out of their uniforms and into aprons as they serve food to patrons in exchange for tips, which will go to Special Olympics Texas. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can participate at seven Houston-area locations: 124-B FM 1960 East, 13345 FM 1960 West, 20840 Katy Freeway, 23750 Highway 59 North, 3033 East Sam Houston Parkway, 24530 Tomball Parkway and 6615 Garth. 

Sushi Rolling Party

Want to learn how to make your own sushi rolls? Head over to Well Done Cooking Classes, 2811 Airline, for this 6:30 p.m., BYOB cooking class that will teach you how to make caterpillar rolls with salmon and avocado, dynamite rolls with crab and cream cheese, spicy tuna rolls with green onions and deep-fried volcano rolls with salmon. It's $69 per person, and you can book your spot on the Well Done website.

Wente Wine Dinner

Master sommelier Guy Stout will lead this wine tasting and dinner at Kris French Bistro, 7070 Allensby. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation accompanied by three appetizers and wines in the Crump Amphitheater at the Culinary Institute LeNôtre and continue with a four-course dinner in the bistro at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person, and you can reserve your spot by calling 713-358-5079.

Sharpen Your Knife Skills

Perfect your slicing and dicing during this 6:30 p.m. class at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, that's all about knives and how to use them. You'll learn how to select the best knives and how to use them to your advantage, from chopping to julienning. The food you cut in the class will become dinner. The class costs $60 per person, and you can book your spot on the Central Market website.

Beer Dinner at Pappas Bros.

During this 7 p.m. beer dinner at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, 5839 Westheimer, you can enjoy some of Saint Arnold Brewing Company's most sought-after beers, such as three varieties of Bishop's Barrel and two varieties of Divine Reserve, alongside some of Houston's most sought-after steak: Pappas Bros.' 44-day dry aged New York strip. The fare also includes a crab and lobster cake, chicken rollatini and molten chocolate ganache cake. Reservations are $115 per person and can be made by calling 713-780-7352.

Spanish Fest 2016

This evening-long party at Andalucia Tapas Restaurant & Bar, 1204 Caroline, celebrates Spanish food and culture with a whole roasted pig, a whole roasted lamb, bottomless paella, live music, flamenco dancing, art and raffle prizes. Tickets also include access to the buffet and two cocktails. The party goes from 8 p.m. to midnight, and you can purchase your tickets for $50 on Eventbrite.

Friday, July 22

July Pub Night at Saint Arnold Brewing Co.

From 5 to 9 p.m., Saint Arnold Brewing Company, at 2000 Lyons, will become a normal bar with better-than-normal offerings. Beer and cheese pairing flights will be available for $12 with cheese from Houston Dairymaids, and, of course, there will be plenty of other beer options to choose from, too. There's no cover and no reservations.

Ex-CRAB-Aganza Fridays

Every Friday in July, Brennan's of Houston, at 3300 Smith, is offering a five-course tasting menu of favorite crab dishes, including Louisiana blue crab bisque, soft-shell crab, blue crab cakes and blue crab fondue, anytime between 5:45 and 10 p.m. The dinner is $65 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 713-522-9711.

Three-Course Chicken Wellington Dinner

This 6:30 p.m. cooking class and three-course dinner at Well Done Cooking Classes, 2811 Airline, is all about chicken Wellington, or butterflied chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms, thyme, parsley and garlic, then wrapped in puff pastry and drizzled with sauce. It will be accompanied by caramelized leek and potato soup, seasonal grilled veggies and apple or peach cobbler à la mode. It's BYOB, or you can purchase alcohol there, and costs $79 per person. You can book your spot on the Well Done website, and please note that you should purchase tickets two at a time.

Friday and Saturday

A Midsummer Night's Bling at Prohibition Supperclub

On Fridays and Saturdays from now through September 24, you can find Terrible Enfants Theatre Co. and the Moonlight Dolls Burlesque Revue at Prohibition Supperclub and Bar, 1008 Prairie, for a glitzy variety show featuring singers, dancers and aerialists. The show is accompanied by a three-course prix fixe meal, which costs $45. Show tickets cost $22 to $65, and the performances are on Fridays at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., as well as Saturdays at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. 

Saturday, July 23

Frozen & Fruity Class

This 10:30 a.m. cooking class at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, is all about frozen, fruity desserts that you can make at home, as well as teaching you the techniques behind each recipe so that you can design your own flavors later. Attendees will make watermelon, ginger and lime granita, peach bellini sorbet, pineapple ice cream and banana gelato. The class is $60 per person, and reservations can be made online.

Cooking Techniques: Potatoes, Rice & Grains

Learn how to make perfect starch-based side dishes during this 1:30 p.m. class at Well Done Cooking Classes, 2811 Airline. The menu includes perfect parmesan, lemon and pea risotto, lemon curry basmati rice, crisp french fries, Greek-style roasted potatoes, quinoa pilaf and Moroccan-style dried fruit and honey couscous. The class is BYOB and $59 per person; you can make your reservation on the Well Done website.

Ceviche Cooking Class

Make your own ceviche in this 6:30 p.m. class at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, which will train you in the art of octopus and fruit ceviche, scallop ceviche, traditional Peruvian ceviche and Mexican-style shrimp ceviche. The class costs $65 per person, and you can reserve your spot on the Central Market website. 

Italian Comfort Foods Class

This 6:30 p.m. class at Well Done Cooking Classes, 2811 Airline, is all about Italian comfort food, including cantaloup, prosciutto and mozzarella salad, lasagna bolognese and blueberry lavender sorbet with limoncello. It's a date-night class, so please purchase your tickets in pairs. Cost is $79 per person, and tickets can be purchased online.

Stoked Tacos & Tequila Summer Luau

Grab your best (or worst) Hawaiian shirt and head over to Stoked Tacos & Tequila, 2416 Brazos, at 7 p.m. for an evening-long luau that features a pig roast, pop-up shops, a DJ and free leis. There are food and drink specials, too, of course, including suckling pig tacos for $4 and $7 Casamigas margaritas. Admission is free.

Sunday, July 24

Cooking Class with Randy Rucker

Learn some serious cooking skills during this 3 p.m. cooking class with chef Randy Rucker at Bramble, 2231 South Voss. You'll pick up tips from Rucker, then enjoy family-style supper for $65 per person. Call 832-819-0322 to book your spot.

Koreatown: A Dinner

Chef Chris Shepherd of Underbelly, 1100 Westheimer, is celebrating the release of Koreatown: A Cookbook with this 7 p.m. dinner, which features recipes from the book alongside Shepherd's own Korean-inspired dishes. Tickets are $125 and include a signed copy of the cookbook.