The Houston Press is excited to announce our new signature event, Tacolandia, which will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine. The event will feature a massive but selective taco sampling ranging from urban contemporary to authentic street style and curated by former Houston Press writer, James Beard award-winning cook book author, restaurateur and all around taco maniac Robb Walsh. There will also be live music, cash bars with beer and cocktails, as well as awards for best tacos in various categories. Pre-sale tickets are available for purchase now through Sunday at 10 p.m. Use promo code TACOS15. Prices start at $25 for general admission (entry to event, unlimited food samples) and $65 for VIP (one-hour early entry at 3 p.m., unlimited food samples, access to VIP lounge with complimentary beer and cocktails, and access to VIP restrooms). Restaurants already committed to the event include El Real, Gerardo’s, Moderno Tacos & Tex Mex, Tacos A Go-Go, Chilosos Taco House, Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen and Los Tios, with more being added every day.
On Monday, August 24 at 7 p.m., Spec’s fine wine buyer Bear Dalton will be hosting Bordeaux By the Numbers at the Wine School at l’Alliance Française, 427 Lovett. The unique Bordeaux tasting will showcase three-vintage verticals from five of Dalton’s favorite chateaux: Cantemerle, Cantenac Brown, Gruaud Larose, Grand Puy Lacoste, and Calon Segur. Each chateau represents its appellation with great quality at fair, un-hyped pricing. The cost is $100 per person (cash or check) or $105.26 otherwise. To reserve your spot, contact Susan at 713-854-7855 or coburnsusan2@gmail.com.
On Thursday, August 27, Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale, invites you to an evening of trippy tunes and kaleidoscopic cocktails at “Escape: A Love Street Psychedelic Trip Out Night.” Sponsored by Karbach Brewing Company, prepare to move and groove to reverberating sounds as Bar Director Leslie Ross slings a special selection of mindaltering craft cocktails in what she’s calling the “Technicolor Pachyderm Popup.” The party kicks off at 8 p.m. Pi Pizza Truck will be serving up slices in the parking lot. This event is free and open to the public (21 and up).
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, will be hosting its next Date Night Cooking Class Friday, August 28. Each event includes reception hors d’oeuvres followed by a three-course cooking demonstration and dinner with wine or cocktail pairings from Wine Guys John Ramos and Jason Sherman and Bar Chef Richard Middleton. This next theme is “Learning the Ropes,” and will explore the dishes that inspired Chef Danny Trace while he was in culinary school and starting out in the kitchen at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. Indulge in Shrimp & Tasso Henican , Gulf Coast Seafood Courtbouillon, and Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé. Cost is $150 per couple, plus tax and gratuity.
On Sunday August 30 at 6:30 p.m., KUU, 947 Gessner, will be hosting special Sake + Sushi Sunday dinner, featuring a six-course omakase menu by artful executive chef Adison Lee. For this exquisite “chef’s choice,” the freshest seafood flown in from Japan’s Tsukiji Fish Market will be paired with local seasonal produce, accompanied by three courses of sake selected by expert sommelier Ricky Cheung. Cost is $80 per person excluding tax and gratuity. Limited seating. For reservations call 713-461-1688.
The 4th annual Go Pig or Go Home! chef throwdown will be held on Sunday, September 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 8th Wonder Brewery, 2202 Dallas. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste the chefs’ inspired creations as well as sample 8th Wonder Brewery’s delicious beers. There are more than 20 local chefs in the current lineup, including Bramble’s Randy Rucker and Pax Americana’s Adam Dorris, with even more expected to join in the fun. Pre-sale tickets to the event are on sale for $78 ($10 off) now through Tuesday, September 1. This event has sold out the past three years, so get tickets early to guarantee your spot.
This article appears in Aug 20-26, 2015.
