All Month Long
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 it's certainly a source of hope for a pet in need.
All Week
15 Days of the Aztecs at Cuchara
You can learn a bit about Aztec mythology at 214 Fairview with
Cuchara's celebration of Aztec culture; this is the third such anniversary celebration. Every day this week, there are different food specials, each of which celebrates a different Aztec god or goddess, such as Coatlicue, the mother of the gods, and Xiutecuhtli, god of fire. Wednesday's special is 50 percent off agave products, and Sunday's is a brunch special from noon to 3 p.m. You can find updates about each day's offerings on
the Cuchara Facebook page.
Wednesday, September 9
Sundown at The Grove Has Beer and Bites
This is the last week that you can find beer flights from various craft breweries and custom cuisine to pair with the brews at
The Grove, 1611 Lamar. Brewmasters will be there to mingle with you, and DJ Sun will provide tunes. There will be giveaways, including tickets from presenting sponsor Southwest Airlines. This week's featured brewery is 8th Wonder. Reservations are recommended, and you can make them
via The Grove website. 5:30 to 8 p.m. $20
Friday, September 11
Patriot Day Discounts
In honor of our police, firefighters and military personnel, many Houston area restaurants are offering steep discounts to those groups all day long. If you wear a uniform to any
El Tiempo Cantina location or
Laurenzo's Restaurant at 4412 Washington, you'll get 50 percent off the price of your food. Uniformed officers will receive 15 percent off their meals at
Urban Eats, 3414 Washington, and off-duty personnel will get 10 percent off. Similarly,
Ula's Tex-Mex is offering a 20 percent discount to uniformed personnel or those with a photo I.D. proving their status. Note that all of these discounts only apply to food; drinks are still full price.
RhĂ´ne Valley Wine Tasting
Join sommeliers for an interactive tasting at
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, 5839 Westheimer, to sample more than a dozen wines from the Rhône Valley in France, each from a different winery. This valley is home of some familiar varieties, such as Syrah, as well as more unusual ones, such as Grenache and Mourvèdre. Call 713-780-7352 for reservations. 5:30 p.m. $95
Food and Films Series at Quattro
As part of the new 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 Sideways. 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.
Fired Up Houston
This night of food, games and fun at the
Fire Museum, 2403 Milam, is a fundraiser for Houston firefighters and the Fire Museum that will make even your stomach feel great about philanthropy; popular Houston chefs Maurizio Ferrarese and Hugo Ortega will be serving up Mexican and Italian street food, plus a hot sauce competition will spice up the evening. There will also be live entertainment and a raffle with hotel getaways and gift cards to popular Houston eateries. The
Four Seasons at 1300 Lamar
is offering a complimentary shuttle from the hotel at 6:30 p.m. Get your
tickets on Eventbrite here. 7 p.m. $125 general admission, $65 for firefighters and family members
Sunday, September 13
Afternoon Tea at The Tremont House
Galveston's
Tremont House at 2300 Mechanic is celebrating its 30th anniversary with afternoon tea, which includes salad, tea sandwiches, pastries and champagne. Harpist Andrea Fronk will provide background music for this sunlit party in the atrium, and you can try Earl Grey, Assam Black, Ceylon Black, chamomile, mint or rose tea. The tea alone is $40, or you can purchase a couples' overnight tea package for $196 per night. You can reserve a place at this dainty blast from the past on
The Tremont House website.