Join Helen Greek Food and Wine, 2429 Rice, for a special Greek Wine 101 class on Monday, November 30 at 7 p.m. Award-winning sommelier Evan Turner will guide you through a history of wine making in Greece and offer an overview of the regions and varietals as you taste seven exceptional Greek wines paired with unique mezze. The class costs $60 per person. RSVP to sharif@helengreekfoodandwine.com.
To commemorate turning 20 years old, benjy’s in the Village, 2424 Dunstan, will be running a two-week long special from Tuesday, December 1 through Tuesday, December 15. The restaurant will be offering dishes from their original menu at 1995 prices alongside specialty cocktails named after 1995 movies, an all ‘90s playlist, and throwback attire for the staff. Specials include a “surf ‘n turf” with szechuan-crusted steak, miso-marinated scallops, and wasabi mashed potatoes ($16) and a decadent “chocolate seduction” dessert made with dark chocolate grand manier truffle, white chocolate ganache, and milk chocolate sauce ($6).
Held on Tuesday, December 1 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Rice Village’s inaugural “Pour & Explore” charity shopping event will offer guests discounts and the chance to explore what’s new in-store at their favorite Rice Village retailers — along with light bites and wine flights from D’Amico’s, Baker Street Pub, Miss Saigon, 55 Bar, El Meson, Mi Luna, Starbucks, and Nice Winery. All event donations benefit the nearby Children’s Assessment Center. Donations for admission are $25 each and can be given on-site at the event or in advance at Nice Winery, 2901 West Sam Houston Parkway North, or through The Children’s Assessment Center website. Admission includes complimentary valet, located at the valet stand near Ann Taylor and Le Creuset on Kelvin. All attending guests will receive a gift bag with retailer offers, product samples and a take-home commemorative wine glass. Plus, pop artist Jon Garner will showcase his original works of pop art on reclaimed Texas wood.
For many Italian-American families, the holidays don’t start and Christmas doesn’t arrive until someone in someone’s kitchen makes stuffed artichokes. Beginning Friday, December 4 and for every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of December, D’Amico’s Italian Market Café, 5510 Morningside, will be offering their family-recipe stuffed artichokes for $10.95, promising everyone a taste of tradition.
Beginning Saturday, December 5 and continuing every Saturday through December 26, Four Seasons Hotel Houston, 1300 Lamar, will bring back the popular Saturday afternoon sessions where children 12 and under can participate in a hands-on workshop learning how to decorate their very own Gingerbread Houses. In addition, there’s Afternoon Tea (including Mexican hot chocolate and malt wine for the adults), live holiday music, and a crepe station. Guests are also encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to be given to Casa de Esperanza (and get a surprise gift in exchange). Running from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday, the Holiday Market is $65 per child 12 and under and includes the house with decorating supplies. Adult admission is $85 per adult or two for $155.
Revival Market, 550 Heights, has added another date for its Holiday Pie Baking Class on Tuesday, December 8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pastry Chef Alyssa Dole will share her techniques and tips for making a flaky crust and delicious pie fillings in this hands. In addition to your own mini pie, students will go home with recipes for everything they’ve learned. Cost is $85. Demonstration classes are limited to 12 students and all classes require a reservation. Call 713-880-8463 or email info@revivalmarket.com to reserve your place.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2015.
