Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
Tuesday, November 14
Outdoor Cooking Series at Eight Row
Eight Row Flint, 1039 Yale, continues its Outdoor Cooking Series with char-grilled chicken wings from Agricole sous chef Marcelo Garcia, plus pies by the slice from Fluff Bake Bar’s Rebecca Masson. The wings will be tossed in a traditional wing sauce, served with a celery, radish and blue cheese salad, with plates priced at $15. Pie slices ($4) will be sold separately while they last. This week, Masson will be featuring bourbon chocolate pecan and mountain rose apple; and guests can expect the chicken wings and pies to return on Tuesday, November 21, with Dutch apple and pumpkin varieties. Food specials begin at 5 p.m.
Fried Chicken Throwdown at Field & Tides
Field & Tides, 705 East 11th, will be hosting a Fried Chicken Throwdown from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will pit F&T’s Travis Lenig against former Feast and Hunky-Dory chef Richard Knight. Guests can pay $30 and receive two pieces of each chef’s fried chicken and one complimentary beer or cocktail, with proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.
Wednesday, November 15
Holiday Tamale Stand Opens at Arnaldo Richards Pico’s
As part of an annual tradition, Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, 3601 Kirby, has announced its new holiday tamale menu; and this year, customers can expect six new favorites along with the traditional tamales oaxaqueños (filled with pork in red chili, chicken in green chili, portobello mushroom and cuitlacoche or chicken in black mole). The new menu will boast several sweet and savory options, such as the tamales norteños (wild mushroom and huitlacoche), two different pork belly chicharrones, strawberry (fresh chopped strawberries tossed in a white corn masa), and two different dulce de leche tamales. As with every year, the tamales will be available by the dozen ($18-36) or half-dozen ($9-18). The drive-by tamale stand will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the restaurant’s parking lot on the corner of Kirby and Richmond, running through January 6 (excluding Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Guests can also pre-order tamales by calling 281-687-0410 and then drive by to pick up their freshly made orders.
Whiskey Wednesday at Izakaya
Izakaya, 318 Gray, will host an informal tasting class with one of Japan’s premiere whisky makers, Suntory, from 6 to 9 p.m. Participants will each get a flight of Suntory’s Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu 12 year, and Yamazaki 12 year as well as one Suntory Toki Highball and small bites including takoyaki, korubuta sausage and pork katsu. Cost is $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 713-527-8988.
Thursday, November 16
Beaujolais Party at Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella, is hosting its first annual Beaujolais Party, with Lyle Railsback from Kermit Lynch Imports, at 6:30 p.m. The young gamay wines, or Beaujolais Nouveau, are juicy, fruity party wines intended to be a post-harvest celebration of a job well done and an indicator of the vintage. Guests can expect a reception with the newest wine followed by paired dinner with a Beaujolais-inspired menu. Cost is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Bourbon Tasting at Third Coast
Third Coast, 6550 Bertner (sixth floor), will host the second tasting in its monthly tasting series, with this event exploring the vastly-different flavor profiles embodied by bourbon. Sommelier David Cook will guide guests in tasting three award-winning American bourbons, alongside bourbon-based cocktails and appetizers from chef Jon Buchanan. Tickets are $65.00 and the even runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Bubbles of the World Dinner at Ouisie’s Table
Ouisie’s Table, 3939 San Felipe, is bringing back its annual holiday tradition: the red dress named Miss Ruby. Celebrating its 22nd anniversary, Miss Ruby will be kicking off the season at a Bubbles of the World Dinner and a fundraising effort for Dress for Success. Guests can expect a seven-course meal with both locally and internationally-inspired dishes, each paired with a champagne or sparkling wine. All guests are strongly encouraged to wear red for the evening, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $89 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
Beaujolais Nouveau Dinner at Bistro Provence
Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial Drive, will be hosting its 2017 Beaujolais Nouveau Dinner beginning at 7 p.m. It begins with a tasting of the just-delivered new wine, followed by a formidable line-up of wines and courses — think oeuf en meurette (poached egg in red wine) and chicken stew with crawfish sauce. Reservations are required, and there is a $30 PayPal deposit to secure them. Cost for the dinner is $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call 713-827-8008.
Friday, November 17
Champagne Campaign tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Downtown
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Downtown, 1200 McKinney, is hosting its annual Champagne Campaign tasting beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Pappas Bros. wine team will guide guests through a range of 15 Champagne producers, highlighting some lesser known, but truly great grower producers in addition to some of the most highly regarded names in the region. Cost is $120 per guest plus tax and gratuity, including the tastings and a chef selection of hors d’oeuvres.
Emerald Absinthe Launch at Brasserie du Parc
From 7 to 11 p.m., Brasserie du Parc, 1440 Lamar, is teaming up with Bastrop’s Violet Crown Spirits to launch Emerald Absinthe, the first Texas-made absinthe created by the Derelict Airship Distillery of Bastrop. Guests are invited to don their showiest Parisian finery and party like its 1899, with the night showcasing absinthe cocktails created by beverage manager Kim Paul, sweet and savory nibbles by chef de cuisine Romain Mauger, herbaceous elixirs and performances by special guests. Cost is $35 per person in advance and $40 at the door.
Saturday, November 18
Houstonia Burger Bash at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park
The fourth annual Burger Bash takes place at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine, from noon to 5 p.m. Local eateries will face off and compete to take home the title of Houston’s Best Burger, with entries ranging from the luxurious to the down-home. Tickets are $20 to $70.
Le Dîner en Blanc
The 2017 edition of the international pop-up picnic, Le Dîner en Blanc — which launched nearly 30 years ago in Paris — is returning to Houston for the third year. Last year’s event occurred at the Minute Maid Park with around 1,300 guests, and this year’s event is expected to host 2,000 guests at a secret Houston location. Registration phases have been announced, so be sure to register or sign up for the waiting list if you want to attend.
This article appears in Nov 2-8, 2017.
