Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
All week long
Sandoitchi pop-up at Noragami
Dallas’ Sandoitchi is bringing its wildly popular sandos to Noragami, 2715 Bissonnet, now through Friday, January 25. Pop in for lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and enjoy a konbini-style sando crafted flavors like classic katsu, wagyu, tamago and more, plus Japanese small bites and drinks. The sandos start at $11 and the special service is walk-ins only.
Monday, January 13
High Society Dinner at Sushi on Post Oak
8th Wonder’s next High Society Dinner will take place at Sushi on Post Oak, 2025 Post Oak, beginning with a welcome beverage at 6 p.m. followed by a six-course Japanese course meal paired with cannabis-infused beverages (30 mg total) at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $135 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and also include a a small goody bag to-go.
Tuesday, January 14
Hot Pastrami Day at Kenny & Ziggy’s
Kenny & Ziggy’s, 1743 Post Oak, pays homage to one of the delicatessen world’s most popular creations – the hot pastrami sandwich. Fans can enjoy its enormous Triple Decker Hot Pastrami Sandwich with coleslaw and Russian dressing all day for $26.95, available for take home or dining in.
Duckhorn Vineyards Wine Dinner at Carrabba’s
Carrabba’s hosts its first wine dinner of the year, a four-course pairing event featuring the exceptional wines of Duckhorn Vineyards. Highlights include fennel sausage arancini with Duckhorn Sauvigon Blanc, wood-grilled shrimp fra diavolo with Goldeneye Pinot Noir, sirloin, wood-grilled with Mr. C’s Grill Baste paired with Postmark Cabernet, and chocolate panna cotta with Decot Merlot. The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and cost is $60++ per person.
Wednesday, January 15
Bordeaux at the Ballpark at Daikin Park
Wine enthusiasts can enjoy a one-of-a-kind tasting experience, Bordeaux at the Ballpark, held at Daikin Park, formerly Minute Maid Park, from 6 to 9 p.m. Hosted by Spec’s, the event features the release of the highly acclaimed 2022 Vintage, with many famed Chateau owners pouring from Super Second Growths wines and beyond. Tickets are $175 for GA and $250 for VIP.
Saturday, January 18
Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest in the Historic Strand District
The annual Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest is going down in Galveston’s Historic Strand District, held at the intersection of 23rd and Strand. The full day experience features a 5K fun run, cornhole tournament, Strand merchant walkabout, margarita competition, and the main events, an indoor beer tasting and chili cookoff with the opportunity to sample all the chili you can comfortably handle. Tickets are $16 for chili tasting and $43 for the beer fest.
Dolly Day at Truck Yard
Truck Yard, 2118 Lamar, will be having a hootin’ good time as its celebrates Dolly Day, inviting folks to enjoy Dolly-themed drinks all day long, snap photos with a Dolly impersonator from 5 to 9 p.m., join the Best Dolly & Jolene Lookalike Contest at 7 p.m., and enjoy Dolly Parton covers and more live music throughout the day.
Pre-Marathon Carb-Load at Toro Toro
Houston Marathon runners are invited to fuel u with a Pre-Marathon Carb-Load at Toro Toro, 1300 Lamar. The all-you-can-eat carb-load meal will start with a Kale and Quinoa Salad station; followed by a Pasta station featuring Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta, One Pot Sausage Pasta, and Creamy Rotini Grilled Chicken Pasta (with vegetarian versions of each). The special menu is available from 5 to 9 p.m. for $55 per person.
Saturday-Sunday
Weekend Brunch at Doves
New boutique dining destination Doves, 3101 Main, invites guests to its decadent weekend brunch, blending Southern-inspired dishes with contemporary global influences. Go for Crab Cake Salmon Benedict, Tempura Dixie Peach French Toast, Crispy Catfish & Grits, Oxtail Hash and more alongside signature mimosas, bellinis, espresso martinis and the house specialty, The Dove. Brunch is available at Doves from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sunday, January 19
Houston Marathon Specials
Marathon spectators and guests of Four Seasons are invited to visit Bayou & Bean‘s Bistro Pop-Up at Four Seasons Hotel Houston, 1300 Lamar, opening at 6:30 a.m. on race day and featuring specialty coffees and juices, breakfast tacos and pastries, as well as dog treats and water bowls for four-legged friends.
Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill, 5529 Weslayan, will be hosting its annual Chevron Marathon Watch Party on race day from 8 to 10 a.m. in the parking lot. Located on the marathon’s mile marker 12.5, Skeeter’s will feature live music, plus Bloody Marys and breakfast tacos available for purchase while guests cheer on the racers.
The downtown location of Tenfold Coffee, 1550 Lamar, will open at 4:30 a.m. on race day, featuring a 10 percent discount for all race staff and volunteers; and a special electrolyte drink for runners. A coffee cart will also be set up outside serving drip coffee, cold brew, and hot chocolate. Additionally, marathon runners can stop by Tenfold’s downtown or Heights location – as well as Paper Co. Cafe – with their race medal anytime during the week after the race to receive a BOGO promo valid for all coffee beverage offerings.
All month long
Dine Out Rice Village
Rice Village and Southern Smoke Foundation have teamed up for an exclusive dining experience Dine Out Rice Village this month. Throughout January, participating Rice Village restaurants — D’Amico’s, Duck n Bao, Hamsa, Milton’s and Navy Blue — are offering prix-fixe menus or featured items, with a portion of proceeds benefiting SSF. Dig into salatim and skewers at modern Israeli steakhouse Hamsa, chargrilled oysters and chicken parm at Milton’s, and more.
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. Each meal includes one bottle or four glasses of select wines. Additional wines are available for a discount.
Galveston Restaurant Week
Galveston Restaurant Week returns to the island, 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 will be priced $10 – $40.
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.
New and ongoing specials
Monthly Tasting Menu Series: Veracruz at Caracol
Caracol, 2200 Post Oak, debuts its monthly tasting menu series inspired by the country’s coastal states, starting with Veracruz, the Gulf of Mexico region is known for its vibrant cuisine blending European, Afro-Cuban and indigenous influences. Now through February 8, guests can enjoy a four-course menu for $70 per person, with optional beverage pairings for $30. Highlights include Vuelve a la Vida seafood cocktail, Mero en Chilpachole grouper with blue crab broth, Pato en Mole de Xico duck leg, and Plátanitos Flameados rum-flambeed bananas.
