This week in dining

These are the 10 best food and drink events in Houston this week

The week's events feature a grand opening celebration, the return of an epic whiskey party, and a taco and wine happy hour. Diners can also grab 50-cent kolaches from the Kolache Shoppe and take part in a couple of chef and cocktail takeovers.

Tuesday, February 4

Taco and Friends at Politan Row
This pop-up event invites talented local to put their spin on tacos, to be added to Politan Row vendor Cochinita and Co.'s menu for the day. Today's installment features the creative stylings of Tipping Point owner David Rodriguez, who will be serving carnitas paired with a mezcal paloma, 11 am to 10 pm.

Wednesday, February 5

50th anniversary 50-cent kolaches at Kolache Shoppe
The local favorite marks its golden anniversary on April 1. But guests can get in on the celebration on the first Wednesday of each month in 2020, with small sausage, small sausage and cheese, peach, and cream cheese kolaches available for $0.50 at both the Greenway Plaza and Heights locations, while supplies last. There's also a special blueberries and cream kolache available today.

Wine and Taco Happy Hour at Hugo's
Jesse Bates of Oregon's Trisaetum Winery teams up with sommelier Sean Beck to lead this tasting which features a flight of grilled fish, wild mushroom and beef tacos, along with a sampling of four Trisaetum's Pinot Noirs, including the 2017 Willamette Valley and the 2015 Coast Ridge Pinot from the Yamhill-Carlton region. Happy hour is from 5 to 7 pm. Tickets are $34 per person and can be ordered here.

Thursday, February 6

JuiceLand Grand Opening
The juicery's newest spot is at 1709 Dryden Rd., and today's grand opening features specials like half-off drinks all day, the chance to win a JuiceLand tumbler, half-off of JuiceLand purchases in 2020, and more. Doors open at 7 am.

Dave Phinney Wine Dinner at Piatto
The winemaker renowned for his "Locations" series has hand-selected wines to pair with selections from Piatto's menu. Courses include spaghetti Bolognese paired with Locations "I" from Italy and a pork chop Milanese paired with Locations "TX" Texas red blend. The cost is $59 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 713-871-9722.

Saturday, February 8

Wine and chocolate tasting at French Country Wines
Stop in from Noon to 6 pm for this free wine tasting that pairs a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines, with samples of an equal number of chocolates and chocolate treats.

5th Annual Houston Whiskey Social at The Citidel
The yearly bash starts at 6 pm, featuring more than 400 whiskies and spirits from around the world, along with select single barrel offerings and fine food to match. Look for selections from Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig, Macallan, and more. General admission tickets are $90 per person and include entry from 6 to 9 pm, gourmet hors d'oevres while they last, access to a masterclass and a tasting glass to sample the night's selections. Those who buy a $140 VIP ticket can enter at 5 pm, in addition to tasting from a Limited Edition list, and a VIP swag bag. Buy tickets online.

Sunday, February 9

Booze Can Sunday at Riel
The monthly event, named after the Canadian slang for a nightclub or bar, is a casual, fun afternoon of food, drink, and art. Guest chefs Erin Smith and Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ will provide menu selections, while art work from Be Someone, Franky Cardona, W3r3 On3, Robert Hodge, Donkeemom, and Noke will be on display. There's music by DJ Seek and specialty cocktails by Riel bar manager Derek P. Brown. Festivities kick off at 3 pm.

Jim Buchanan Kitchen Takeover at Wooster's Garden
The pitmaster, who recently closed his restaurant Buck's in Galveston, will serve his signature smoked meats alongside sides prepared by Kirby Group chef Brandon Silva. One and two meat combo plates will be available with brisket, pork ribs, or pulled pork paired with braised collard greens, potato salad, fried okra, cole slaw, and pimento cheese. Buchanan's signature brisket grilled cheese will also be available, 3 pm to 8 pm (or sell out).

Kindred Takeover at Two Headed Dog
Krisan Fromm and David Kinsey from San Diego cocktail bar Kindred turn up in H-Town, bringing with them their heavy metal soundtrack and creative cocktails. The partying happens from 9 pm to 2 am, with vegan food available from Somos Semillas Vegan Kitchen.

Ryan Lachaine hosts Erin Smith and Patrick Feges on Sunday.

Butcher's Ball 2018 Ryan Lachaine Erin Smith Patrick Feges

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Ryan Lachaine hosts Erin Smith and Patrick Feges on Sunday.

news-you-can-eat

What's eric eating episodes 513 and 514

Beard Award-winning chef and family dish on their new Houston restaurant

Zaranda restaurant Tracy Vaught Hugo Ortega Sophia Ortega

Photo by Nick de la Torre

Zaranda owners Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sophia Ortega are this week's guests.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, his wife and business partner Tracy Vaught, and their daughter Sophia Ortega join CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss H-Town Restaurant Group. The company operates a number of local concepts, including interior Mexican restaurant Hugo’s, Backstreet Cafe, Mexican street food eatery Urbe, and Zaranda, the company’s newly opened restaurant in downtown that’s inspired by California.

After a brief discussion of the early days of Hugo’s, the trio dives into the process of opening Zaranda. Vaught explains how she became aware of the space in the Norton Rose Fulbright Tower and why it’s proximity to Discovery Green made it particularly appealing. Chef Ortega shares how a three-week road trip throughout Mexico provided some of the inspiration for both Zaranda and Caracol, his Galleria-area seafood restaurant.

From there, chef Ortega describes how the zaranda — a wire metal basket used to cook seafood over an open flame — anchors much of the menu. He also recommends some dishes diners should try when they visit Zaranda.

Sandler asks Sophia Ortega what it’s like working with her parents. “I get that comment a lot. It is very different. A lot of people can’t imagine working with family,” she says.

“For me, I’m an only child. We’re a very close family unit. The restaurants have been a huge part of my growing up. For us, it comes very naturally to work together. It’s all we know. I’ve only ever worked for my restaurants. A lot of the employees have seen me grow up. I think we all have our own lane, but at the same time we overlap. We’re always open to hearing different opinions. That’s when the best decisions are made. I love it.”

“Sophia is very intuitive. The way she communicates is very thoughtful and sensitive. I think that’s so valuable for our staff. Everybody loves her,” Vaught adds.

Listen to the full episode for an update on Backstreet Cafe. Its original building was torn down last year to make way for an all-new structure that’s on track to open next year — hopefully in time for its legendary Mother’s Day brunch. Sandler also asks about the restaurant group’s conspicuous omission from the Michelin Guide.

In this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson, the proprietor of newly-open wine shop Montrose Grocer, discuss the news out of the week. They begin with a discussion about the Houston Chronicle’s list of the city’s top 100 restaurants, including a discussion of Aga’s as the No.1 selection, some of the new entries on the list, and restaurants that dropped off the list entirely, such as Himalaya, Kata Robata, and Killen’s Barbecue. They also talk about Bari Ristorante opening a new location in The Woodlands and restaurateur Brian Doke’s plans to open Lazy Lane restaurant in Garden Oaks.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Clarkson and Sandler share thoughts on their recent meal at Maison Chinoise. Located next to Brasserie 19 in the River Oaks Shopping center, the new Chinese restaurant is the latest project from Dallas-based Lombardi Family Concepts, known locally for Toulouse Cafe and Bar, its French restaurant in River Oaks District, and Lombardi Cucina Italiana in Uptown Park.

Listen to the episode to hear which dishes they liked best, as well as the one that missed the mark. They also discuss its decor and how it will fit with the other luxurious restaurants in the shopping center.

-----

Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hear it Sunday at 9 am on ESPN 97.5.

Zaranda owners Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sophia Ortega.

Photo by Nick de la Torre

Zaranda owners Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sophia Ortega are this week's guests.

podcast interview news-you-can-eat chefs