Here's a look at this week's hottest culinary happenings:
New Specials
Seasonal menu at a’Bouzy
Just in time for the holiday season and cooler weather,
a’Bouzy, 2300 Westheimer, has rolled out all new menus for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Guests can kick off their meal with starters such as the artichoke and caviar dip, jamon serrano, king crab and shrimp cocktail, and burrata with roasted beets, butternut squash and lavender oil. Lunch options include a decadent twist on a classic cheesesteak, featuring beef strip steak, melted cheese, peppers, caramelized onions, mushroom,
chipotle aioli and served with
pommes frites; and heartier dishes offer beef
bourguignon, local seafood
cioppino and five-spice Hudson Valley duck breast served with truffle cream mushroom and brussels sprouts. For weekend brunch, guests can start with the new brioche toast service featuring daily butters, jams and Texas wildflower honey.
All month long
Specials of the moment at Tacodeli
Tacodeli, 1902 Washington, is offering its December Specials of the Moment, a “Loco & Eggs” breakfast taco and the Lomito Adobado. The breakfast taco combines organic scrambled eggs with its Tacoloco, made with
adobo-braised brisket, caramelized onion, mushroom, Jaimito
queso fresco and green onion; while the Lomito Adobado rocks
adobo-marinated pork tenderloin topped with sweet onion
habanero escabeche and cilantro.
Wednesday, December 12
100 Years of Scotch at Down House
Scotch lovers can learn and sip the good stuff at the
100 Years of Scotch tasting event with Glenfiddich and Balveniet at
Down House, 1801 Yale, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $39 and include tastes and bites.
Tamales and Tequila at The Rustic
The Rustic, 1836 Polk, is teaming up with Ambhar Tequila for a T
amales and Tequila event, when it will dish out complimentary passed tamales with a drink purchase. Join from 7 to 9 p.m. to get some tamales and try a special spirit off of its reserve Tequila menu.
Thursday, December 13
Thursday Night Take Over at Fluff Bake Bar
Fluff Bake Bar, 314 Gray, continues its
Thursday Night Take Over series with Cape Cod chef Brandon Baltzley. Guest can enjoy a three to four item a la carte menu from 6 to 9 p.m. No tickets or reservations are required, though four “chef’s table” seats will be available for purchase each month at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Masson will create a special dessert to complement each chef’s menu, with optional wine pairings and specialty beer available. Ten percent of all proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program.
Oyster & Beer Dinner at Field & Tides
Field & Tides, 705 East 11th, is teaming up with
Saint Arnold Brewing Company for an
Oyster & Beer Dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Guests can expect four sets of oysters from different regions paired with four beers from Saint A. Tickets are $65 (including taxes and gratuity).
Friday, December 14
National Bouillabaisse Day at Etoile Cuisine et Bar and Brasserie du Parc
To celebrate National Bouillabaisse Day, both
Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park,
Brasserie du Parc, 1440 Lamar, will be serving different versions of chef Philippe Verpiand’s own special bouillabaisse for both lunch and dinner. At Brasserie du Parc, he will create a Gulf of Mexico bouillabaisse, a localized version made with Gulf snapper, shrimp, redfish and saffron
rouille, for $28. Over at Etoile Cuisine et Bar, guests will find a
bouillabaisse much like the traditional stew which originated with Marseille fishermen, packed with shrimp, fresh-caught snapper, john dory, mussels, scallops and a saffron emulsion for $38.
Saturday, December 15
Gingerbread Afternoon Tea at Quattro
Guests are invited to join
Quattro at Four Seasons Hotel, 1300 Lamar, for a gingerbread-themed afternoon tea with pianist from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to traditional tea offerings, kids can enjoy arts and crafts activities including ornament and cupcake decorating and gingerbread house building. Cost is $45 for children ages six to 12 and $65 for adults (includes prosecco); complimentary for children five and under.
Saturday and Sunday
Holiday Children’s Tea at Ristorante Cavour
Hotel Granduca's Ristorante Cavour, 1080 Uptown Park, will host a Holiday Children’s Tea
from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16. All are invited to enjoy a tea menu complete with assorted tea sandwiches, warm scones and pastries, and each child will also be gifted a holiday favor. Santa will also be on-hand to spread additional holiday cheer, and kids will be able to take part in interactive activities such as a build-your-own Snow Man Cupcake. Reservations are $52 for adults and $45 for children (five-12). Call 713-418-1104.
click to enlarge Just add Veuve Clicquot...
Photo by Becca Wright
Sunday, December 16
Madame Clicquot Birthday Brunch at a’Bouzy
Celebrate the birthday of one of Europe’s first female entrepreneurs, Champagne queen Madame Clicquot, with a special brunch at
a’bouzy, 2300 Westheimer, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy the all new brunch menu along with special priced bottles of Veuve Clicquot and champagne-themed raffle prize giveaways. Reservations are strongly encouraged as these events tend to fill up fast.