This week in dining

These are the 11 best food and drink events in Houston this week

From an anniversary deal to a free "sneak eat" to a couple of Texas-sized parties marking the release of France's traditional harvest wine, this week's list is an eclectic mix.

Tuesday, November 19

Four-Year Anniversary Celebration at the Burger Joint
The ultra-popular Montrose burger spot will celebrate its birthday with a celebratory discount. Guests who come in and say "Happy Birthday" will receive a Birthday Cake Shake for $1 when ordering a meal.

Wednesday, November 20

Sneak Eat at Uberito
From 11:30 am to 7:30 pm, guest can check out the new restaurant in Memorial. Sign up for a 15-minute window, and receive a free burrito, bowl, salad, or nachos, drink, and a cookie. Those who want to take part in the sneak peak must RSVP online.

Wines of Sicily and Umbria Tasting at Vinology
From 4 to 7 pm, come in for this walk-around wine tasting featuring reds and whites from both Umbria and Sicily. The event is organized by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce.

Thursday, November 21

Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé!
Beaujolais Nouveau, the traditional French harvest wine made from the Gamay grape, makes it annual debut today, and several Houston spots are getting in on the celebration. Camerata at Paulie's hosts an all-out Beaujolais bash from 4 pm to 2 am called Beaujoworld. Sommelier Chris Poldoian has created a fun recipe for freaujolais (frozen nouveau), cult bottlings by the Gang of Four (all rarely available by the glass), an ice luge, great music, and more.

Bistro Provence has its annual Nouveau Beaujolais Dinner starting at 7 pm. The Beaujolais Nouveau will be poured with the amuse bouche; the rest of the multi-course meal features other wines from Beaujolais winery Domaine de la Ronze. Call 713-827-8008 for reservations. A $30 deposit via PayPal is required to secure a seat. And the French-American Chamber of Commerce marks the traditional feast day with Beaujolais 2019: A French Wine and Food Festival at Minute Maid Park. More than 30 Houston restaurants are serving bites; there's also a fashion show, music, and, of course, Beaujolais. Tickets are $50 per person. Festivities start at 6:30 pm.

The Perfect 10 Gala at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston
Houston Food Finder hosts this event that unites 10 of the city's top chefs with 10 of its most-acclaimed beverage professionals. The meal begins with a cocktail hour of five bites paired with a wine or cocktail. Attendees will then feast on five savory courses that receive their own pairings. Participants include: Monica Pope, Kaiser Lashkari, Teddy Lopez, Richard Knight, Sean Beck, Justin Vann, Qwesha Byrd, and Jojo Martinez. Tickets ($145 regular, $245 VIP) are available online.

Friday, November 22

Holiday Champagne tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
More than a dozen different styles of Champagne will be available for tasting at this grand event at the Galleria location that also features bites from the restaurant. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased online.

Saturday, November 23

Fried Chicken and Chicken Fried Steak Pop-Up at Killen's
Ronnie Killen previews his upcoming Washington Avenue restaurant with this pop-up that includes fried chicken, chicken fried steak, barbecue, classic sides, and desserts. Lovers of Killen's signature style won't want to miss it. The pop-up kicks off at 11 am.

Sunday, November 24

Fifth Annual Retail Wine Sale at Camerata at Paulie's
This walk-around tasting is a chance for guests to purchase small-production wines at big-box-store prices. Some of Camerata’s favorite wines from distributors and importers will be on hand to discuss various selects and pour samples so that customers can try these special wines before they buy. Expect more than 50 selections to be on hand. Those wanting to stock up for holiday parties will love knowing there's discount pricing on cases. The sale is from 12 to 4 pm; all sale orders will be available for pickup beginning Monday, November 25.

Raclette Party on the Patio at Montrose Cheese & Wine
Goodnight Hospitality's Montrose wine shop celebrates raclette, described as "the meltiest and sexiest of all the cheeses." As is traditional, the cheese will be scraped from a large wheel directly onto a plate containing potatoes with caramelized onions, frisée, cornichons and baguette slices for ($18 or $22 with salami). The party goes from 2 - 8 pm; those who can't attend Sunday can come on Monday during the same hours.

Buy new wine at Camerata.

Courtesy of Camerata

Buy new wine at Camerata.

news-you-can-eat

say yes to tacos

Proprietor of smash hit seafood spot revives cult favorite Galveston taco shop

Photo by Becca Wright

Fish Company Taco will reopen in June.

A shuttered Galveston taco shop is getting a new lease on life. Fish Company Taco will reopen in June under the ownership of Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House proprietor Raz Halili.

A Galveston native, Halili purchase Fish Company Taco’s assets, including its recipes and branding, from chef-owner Daya Myers-Hurt, who shuttered the restaurant to take a job at the Hotel Lucine. He appreciated that Myers-Hurt took a similar approach to using local ingredients that Pier 6 executive chef Joe Cervantez and chef de cuisine Lexy Garcia do at the acclaimed seafood restaurant in San Leon. He saw an opportunity to revive the concept with some key improvements.

“I liked the idea behind Daya’s concept as soon as I visited and am excited to relaunch something that people loved, that was successful and keeps up a chef-driven mentality,” Halili said in a statement. “It’ll also be fun to venture beyond San Leon. I was born on the island, so it’s a special feeling for me to be able to do something for Galveston.”

Daya Myers-Hurt Raz Halili Chef Daya Myers-Hurt sold her restaurant to Raz Halili.Courtesy of Fish Company Taco

Under Halili’s ownership, Fish Company Taco’s space at 1914 23rd St. will receive a number of upgrades, including upgrading the kitchen and bathrooms. A wraparound counter will be converted into a new bar top, which will pair with the restaurant’s switch from BYOB to offering a full beverage program that includes cocktails created by Houston-based consultants the Ladies of Libation.

Fish Company’s core menu of five fusion-inspired tacos — named the Baja, Korean, Vietnamese, Hunan, and Dirty South — will remain. Garcia will supplement those offerings with specials sourced from Galveston’s Katie’s Seafood Market and the Galveston’s Own Farmers Market that takes place every Sunday. In addition, the chef plans to make tortillas from heirloom Mexican corn.

Initially, the restaurant will be open from 11 am until 4 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Plans call for adding dinner service. Hours and days of operation will vary seasonally.

galveston news-you-can-eat openings