Buttermilk Baby, 600 North Shepherd, is serving a Backyard BBQ Burger as its June special. Priced at $12.99, the burger features a Wagyu beef patty topped with barbecue sauce, pepper jack cheese, crispy onion rings and pickles, drawing inspiration from classic summer cookouts.
Zanti Cucina Italiana, 1958 West Gray, will host a happy hour with Francesca Nonino, sixth-generation owner of Italy’s Nonino Distillatori, on Friday, June 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. in its Wine Cellar Room. Guests can sample Nonino cocktails including the Paper Plane and West Palm, enjoy bites such as charcuterie and truffle cheese ravioli, and hear about the history of the family-owned distillery in an intimate setting. Reservations are encouraged through OpenTable.
Spice Routes: The Cardamom Challenge takes place Sunday, June 7 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Ismaili Center Houston, 2323 Allen Parkway, bringing together more than a dozen chefs including Shawn Gawle, Suu Khin, Micah Rideout and Maham Qureshi to create tasting bites inspired by cardamom. The event combines a chef competition with art and architecture tours, a bazaar marketplace and the debut of the Center’s permanent art collection, with proceeds benefiting Urban Harvest. Tickets are $75 ($25 for kids age 2-12).
La Lucha, 1801 North Shepherd, is launching French Dip Fridays beginning June 12, with lunch service now starting at 11 a.m. every Friday. Available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the weekly special features two takes on the sandwich: an East Coast-style french dip with caramelized onions and melted cheese for $29, and a West Coast-style version with shaved beef and jus for $27.
The third annual Bludorn by the Sea returns to Hotel Lucine, 1002 Seawall, on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, with chef Aaron Bludorn serving two nights of four-course dinners at The Fancy. Reservations are available from 5 to 10 p.m. both nights, with dinner priced at $95 per person and an optional $75 wine pairing. Night one highlights include Chilled Shrimp and Rabbit Pierogies; while night two features things like Ora King Salmon Crudo and Wagyu Flat Iron Steak. A Navy Blue raw bar featuring oysters, aguachile and martinis will run in The Den from 4 to 7 p.m. each day on a walk-in basis. The weekend also includes a free Courtyard Party on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. with live music, a yakitori-style grill-out and food available for purchase.
On Sunday, June 14, Ouisie’s Table, 3939 San Felipe, will celebrate National Bourbon Day with a bourbon flight for $20 with the purchase of any entrée. Available all day, the flight includes 1.5-ounce pours of Elijah Craig, Hirsch Horizon and Basil Hayden’s, with additional bourbon options available upon request. The promotion arrives one week ahead of Father’s Day and is available during both lunch and dinner service.
