This Week In Dining

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Houston this week

The week begins with a benefit to help The Women's Home in Montrose, which provides support for women and families as they rebuild their lives. And it culminates in a series of offers to celebrate Father's Day. Along the way, check out New Zealand wines and see what's cooking around town for National Burger Month.

Monday, June 10 – Sunday, June 16
Taste of Montrose
This week-long benefit for The Women’s Home invites diners to eat out at participating restaurants, all of which have agreed to donate a percentage of sales or a flat sum to the area charity devoted to fighting addiction, tending to mental illness, and helping women reclaim their lives. Those taking part include Avondale Food and Wine, Good Dog Hot Dog, Katz’s Deli, Night Heron, Niko Niko’s, Paulie’s, Roost, and Southside Espresso.

Tuesday, June 11
Outdoor Cooking Series at Eight Row Flint
The popular Tuesday series continues at this Heights favorite. Chef de cuisine Marcelo Garcia honors National Burger Month with a bacon-blue cheese burger served with waffle fries for $15. They'll be available starting at 5 pm until sold out.

Wine Tasting at Jasper's
This Woodlands' restaurant features an evening of wines from Medallion paired with appetizers from chef Ruben Campo. The tasting (5-7 pm) includes selections such as baked oysters paired with the 2016 Domaine de la Verpaille Vire-Clesse, a short rib taco served with Black Rock “Cougar’s Cuvee," and duck confit gnocci with La Magia Rosso di Montalcino. Tickets are $35 per person, plus tax and gratuity. To purchase, call 281-298-6600.

Wednesday, June 12
New Zealand wine dinner at Coterie
This five-course dinner features selections designed to showcase the depth and imagination of New Zealand wines. The menu includes mini smoked salmon quiche paired with the 2016 TU Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, arugula salad tossed in a red wine vinaigrette and served with pine nuts and Greyure cheese accompanied by the 2015 Ceres Cosmopolitan Pinot Noir from Otago, and Texas Wagyu steak with chevre potatoes paired with 2013 Mills Reed "Elspeth" Syrah from Hawkes Bay. Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple and can be reserved online. Dinner begins at 6 pm.

Friday, June 14 – Sunday, June 16
Father’s Day Flights at Bosscat Kitchen and Libations
Celebrate Dad all weekend long with this whiskey flight of four selections, including Bosscat’s very own 1792, as well as Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, Jack Daniels Single Barrel, and Four Roses Single Barrel. The cost is $20.

Friday, June 14
Bourbon flights at Ouisie’s Table
In honor of National Bourbon Day, the River Oaks favorite is offering a flight of three bourbons for $20 all day long. Enjoy one-and-a-half-ounce pours of Angel’s Envy and Basil Hayden, both from Kentucky, and American Prairie from High West in Utah. Those looking for a taste of something else can make substitutes by asking their servers.

Sunday, June 16
Second Annual Father's Day Cookout at Last Concert Cafe
Sponsored by I'll Have What She's Having, this party from 11 am to 2 pm brings together some of Houston's hottest chefs to raise money for Liz Fenton Purse Snacks, a fund for preventive health care for the Houston restaurant industry's uninsured employees. Among those taking part are Mallory Buford of Tacos A Go Go, Alvin Schultz of Eat. Drink. Experience., Otto Sanchez and Matt Cabon of Magnol French Baking, EJ Miller of International Smoke, and Justin Yu of Theodore Rex, Better Luck Tomorrow, and Public Services. The menu features Texas wagyu brisket with side dishes of organic, local produce from Loam Argonomics. Beverages come courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Tequila Patrón, and Gin Mare. Tickets are $60 and include admission, food, and beverage. A VIP tasting of special bottling by Patrón is an additional $30. A $15 children's plate includes one meat, two sides, dessert, and a cookie decorating station. Tickets are available online.

Brunchisimo Sundays at Cyclone Anaya’s
Kicking off just in time for Father’s Day and running weekly until July 14, the Mexican kitchen’s amped-up Sunday brunch includes build-your-own mimosas and free swag. Offered from 11 am to 3 pm, the new menu includes selections like crab cakes Florentine, migas, pancakes, Carne Asada and eggs, and a host of other items.

Father’s Day Backyard Cookout at Brenner’s on the Bayou
This outdoor party features live country music and a great dinner deal. Thirty bucks buys a 20-ounce porterhouse steak served with a loaded potato and salad. Also available is a bucket of six Shiner Bocks for $25 (drinkers can buy them individually for $5). For kids, there’s an 8-ounce top sirloin.

Eight Row Flint begins an outdoor cooking series.

Photo by Carla Gomez

Eight Row Flint begins an outdoor cooking series.

where-drink where-to-eat

water, water everywhere

The quest for a Topo Chico replacement — we rate 9 sparkling waters

Photo by Eric Sandler

We purchased sparkling water at five stores across the inner loop.

Topo Chico drinkers nationwide are in a bit of a tizzy. Coca-Cola, which acquired the cult-favorite sparkling mineral water in 2017, announced that the product will be unavailable for at least the next few months.

CNN reports the shortage is due to “facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico.”

“We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” Coca-Cola said in a letter to CNN.

For Topo Chico fans, the shortage brings an obvious question. What should a person drink until the supply is restored? Or, what’s a permanent replacement that will avoid this issue altogether?

After collecting suggestions from people via Instagram, I went to Spec’s and inner loop grocery stores to purchase nine varieties of sparkling water with one goal in mind — find something that’s similar enough to Topo Chico that it will earn a spot in my refrigerator.

In the interests of science, I only included sparkling water brands that are similar in size (approximately 12-ounce bottles) and price (between $1 and $1.50 per bottle). Whenever possible, I purchased glass bottles instead of cans or plastic. Although many are available in flavors, I only purchased unflavored waters. All waters were chilled overnight in a refrigerator prior to tasting.

Sparkling water taste test Each water was chilled overnight prior to tasting.Photo by Eric Sandler

Not surprisingly, my top three choices came down to two other Mexican sparkling waters and a convincing dupe from H-E-B.

Most Similar to Topo Chico

Agua de Piedra
Purchased from Spec’s (can also be found at La Michocana), this water from Nuevo Leon, Mexico can be found at several restaurants and coffee shops around town. It offers both strong carbonation and just enough saltiness to satisfy a Topo craving. As long as I can source it reliably, this will be my new house water.

Mineragua
Available at both Whole Foods Market and H-E-B, this water from Jarritos is almost as carbonated as Topo Chico. Its flavor profile is salty with a slight, citrus-style acidity. I prefer the flavor of Agua de Piedra, but others may like this more.

1877 Mineral Water by H-E-B
H-E-B’s house brand sparkling mineral water is sourced from Texas, in Mineral Wells. It has carbonation that persists from opening until finishing. Its slightly salty flavor will be welcomed by Topo Chico drinkers. Overall, it’s probably the best choice for more people, since it’s so readily available.

Less Like Topo, but Still Tasty

Rambler Sparkling Water
This mineral water from Austin is available everywhere, including many restaurants and bars. Since it's only available in cans, its more mild carbonation doesn’t match Topo Chico’s; however, it has a lightly salty taste that makes it very refreshing. This is a good option for those who find Topo to be too fizzy.

Tehuacan
Purchased at Central Market, this water is sourced from springs within Citlaltépetl, Mexico’s highest mountain. The mountain’s volcanic rock gives the water a noticeable saltiness with a slightly sour taste. Although it wasn’t quite to my taste, its strong carbonation and distinct flavor could appeal to other Topo devotees.

Private Selection Sparkling Mineral Water
Available at Kroger, this water is neither as carbonated nor as salty as Topo Chico. Still, it has enough fizz and minerality to do in a pinch, particularly for people who prefer shopping at Kroger over other grocery stores.

Your Mileage May Vary

Richard’s Sparkling Rainwater
Admittedly, a non-mineral water was unlikely to emerge as a favorite in this taste test. Since it’s made with filtered rainwater, Richard’s has a very clean taste and a mild level of carbonation.

Saratoga Carbonated Spring Water
Like Richard’s, this water is too lightly carbonated and too mildly flavored to satisfy a Topo craving. Still, it’s clean and refreshing, which could appeal to non-Topo drinkers.

I’ve Had Better

Liquid Death Mountain Water (Sparkling)
Bland and flat-tasting, this water was the only one I wouldn’t purchase again. Maybe the flavored versions are better.

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