Tasty snacks are a must

Are you ready for some football food? Takeout specials sure to score big on Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl XLVII is about the Baltimore Ravens facing off against the San Francisco 49ers. It's also about the Beyoncé halftime show, the $4 million per 30-second ads and the game day party. More specifically, the game day eats.

Tasty snacks are a must at any at-home Super Bowl bash; you can't afford to fumble the fare in front of a rowdy crowd of football fans. Seek help with your menu from some local restaurants and bakeries instead. Here are 10 options sure to be a hit at your Super Bowl Sunday blowout.

AMERICAS
What's a football game without wings? The Big Game Special at Americas feeds 10 and includes a package of plantain chips, 12 empanadas and 36 angel wings all for $75. Add Americas delectable tres leches cake for an extra $20. For an over-the-top eating extravaganza, inquire about a paella stand or whole roast pig.

THE COUNTER
Go big this Sunday with The Counter's Custom Built Burger Bar. Place your order in advance for pick-up, or let The Counter deliver and set everything up. Choose your proteins, cheeses, toppings, sauces, buns, and any sides, salads or beverages, or let the experts at The Counter make the call and create an assorted menu of burgers and toppings for you.

An 8 person minimum is required for each option and prices start at $9.50 per person. For orders greater than 30 people, 24 hour advance notice is needed.

BERRYHILL BAJA GRILL
Renowned tamales and fish tacos: Berryhill’s party bites are sure to score extra points with the crowd. Choose from several catering packages ranging from $6.00 to $10.50 per person.

FUDDRUCKERS
Kick off your football party with an assortment of burgers from Fuddruckers. Order and pick up a party pack for 12 complete with burgers, fries or chips and toppings for $99.95. For parties of 12 or more, punt and let Fuddruckers do the work. Fuddruckers can set up a buffet-style spread with burgers and/or salads, toppings and sides, and desserts and beverages.

Relax and watch the game without the kitchen duty hassles with game day grub from Fuddruckers’ mobile kitchen. This catering option includes on-site grilling, set-up/clean up and dining supplies. For more information and pricing, call your local Fuddruckers or email at catering@fuddruckers.com.

RA SUSHI
It may not be your typical football fare, but fans of any team will enjoy RA Sushi’s take-out sushi platters. Choose from the Basic for $60, Vegetarian Combo for $50, Maki Maki for $70, Tsukiji Combo for $100, or Harajuku Combo for $120. All trays are served with wasabi, ginger, soy sauce and chopsticks. Customized platters are also available. To order, call your nearest RA Sushi location.

GOODE COMPANY
Gather the gang around the television and nosh on some mouthwatering BBQ from Goode Company. Party packs (10% off until February 17) feature tasty meats and divine sides at around $12 per person. Call to place your order.

HAVEN
Tailgate-to-go with Haven’s Wild Boar Chili Frito Pie Kit. It comes with a half-gallon of Chef Evans’ housemade Hill County Wild Boar Chili, jalapeno cheddar cheese sauce, diced onions, and individual Frito bags. The kit, $50, serves 10.

Also available for order: free range deviled eggs, pulled pork sliders, Evans’ signature shrimp corn dogs, mole chicken lollipops, chicken and andouille gumbo, shrimp boudin balls, and a complete family-style chicken dinner. For pricing and more information, click here.

HOUSTON TEXANS GRILLE
The Houston Texans Grille is offering curbside service for all to-go orders this Super Bowl Sunday. Perfect for your gathering, order the chicken wings, “Bigger Than the Great State of Texas” nachos, bacon-wrapped jalapeños, deep fried pretzels, flatbreads, burgers, or any other menu item. For the full menu and pricing, click here.

3 BROTHERS BAKERY
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a party platter of assorted treats, sweets and breads from 3 Brothers Bakery. It’s sure to leave your guests smiling regardless of the outcome of the game. Pricing starts at just $19.95.

SPRINKLES CUPCAKES
Whether you're rooting for the 49ers or the Ravens, Sprinkles Super Sunday boxes will score a touchdown at your viewing party. A box, priced at $49, comes with 6 red velvet and 6 vanilla cupcakes each adorned with football sugar decorations or your favorite team's name.

Haven's wild boar chili Frito pie

Photo by Paula Murphy

Haven's wild boar chili Frito pie

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say hey to Hypsi

Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

A new Italian restaurant is now open in the Heights. Located within the newly opened Hotel Daphne, Hypsi marks chef Terrence Gallivan’s return to professional cooking in Houston.

Known for his time as the co-execuive chef of The Pass and Provisions and owner of ElRo Pizza and Crudo, Gallivan brings strong culinary credentials to Hypsi. Although he isn’t known explicitly for Italian fare, he has significant experience making pizza, pasts, and other Italian-inspired dishes. After closing ElRo last year, the chef says that working for Bunkhouse Hotels, the Austin-based company that operates the Daphne, had a lot of appeal.

“My wife and I always made it a point to stop at their places whenever we’re in Austin. They know how to make cool stuff,” Gallivan says.

Hypsi’s menu includes updated takes on Italian fare begins with starters such as lamb meatballs, black truffle arancini, and Caesar salad. A selection of house-made pastas include squid ink radiatori with rock shrimp, butternut squash tortellini, and lumache with vodka sauce that gets a little heat from nduja. Entree choices include a roast chicken, pork Milanese, and roasted snapper with salsa verde.

The restaurant is also open for breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends with items such as a panatone waffle, frittata, and breakfast sandwich. Lunch will follow in January.

“We took inspiration from tradition without being traditional,” Gallivan says. Later, he adds, “For me, it’s about balance. You try to please everybody. I want my mom to enjoy herself as much as a 25-year-old foodie. It’s important to hit as many marks as you can.”

One of the restaurant’s signatures will be the mozzarella cart that rolls through its dining room. Gallivan says he’s sourcing a mix of both American and imported Italian cheeses that will rotate every week or two. The cheese is served with a range of pickled fruit and vegetables, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, focaccia, and more. Of course, seeing a cart immediately grabs diners’ attention, making them want whatever is on offer.

“That’s the beauty of carts,” Gallivan says. “It’s a fun thing to do. I think sometimes we get a little too serious in restaurants. It’s supposed to be fun. People are here to enjoy themselves.”

All that eating and drinking takes place in a dining room that’s inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies, according to press materials. Details include blueberry lava stone on the bar, vintage velvet chairs, and custom Carimate dining chairs by Vico Magistretti. An outdoor patio features brick pavers, mosaic tables, and sculptures.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

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