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This week in dining

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

Holly Beretto
Dec 16, 2019 | 9:09 am

Houston rolls into Christmas this week, but that doesn't mean a let-up in events. There's a chef pop-up to check out, enchilada bragging rights to capture, a bunch of free bubbles to sample, and an all-day party complete with snowball fights. This week's festivities are heavy on fun, clearly targeting at unleashing the inner child in Houstonians. Party on.

Thursday, December 19

Chef Pop-Up at Glitter Karaoke
Chef Jason "Big Sexy" Hill, best known as one-half of the duo that powered the legendary H-Town Streats food truck, drops in, preparing dishes for the singing masses and their fans. Festivities kick off at 8 pm and run through 2 am. Guests are asked to RSVP by emailing the restaurant or sending a Facebook message but walk-ins are welcome, too.

Friday, December 20

Free Wine Friday at Revival Market
From 2 to 4 pm, come and check out samples of some killer sparkling wines.

Booze, Bites and Historical Sites Tour with Best Bites Houston
This roaming cocktail-tasting allows guests to sample libations from some of Houston's great bars, as well as learn more about Bayou City history. The tour meets at 800 Preston Street at 4 pm, and includes drinks and bites at downtown restaurants. The cost is $69 per person and reservations can be made online.

Saturday, December 21

Holiday Onesie Party at Truck Yard
Beginning at 11 am, this all-day fun fest kicks off with holiday drink specials and hot cocoa for the kids. There's a kids-only snowball throwing contest at 1:30 pm and an adults-only contest at 2 pm. The kid's contest winner gets a candy prize, while the winning grown-up pockets a $50 Truck Yard gift certificate. An eggnog-chugging contest starts at 5 pm and raffle drawings begin at 6 pm. The wearing of holiday-themed onsies is encouraged.

Wine Tasting at French Country Wines
The emphasis is on sparklers that aren't from Champagne, meaning shoppers looking for great-tasting bubbles without the sticker shock should drop in. The tasting runs from noon to 6 pm, and all the wines available to taste are also available to buy — just in time for New Year's Eve.

Best Enchiladas Cook-Off at Warren's
Home cooks who think they've got what it takes to compete should make a tray of enchiladas and bring it downtown for this culinary contest. At stake are bragging rights, prizes, and fun. Setup begins at 2 pm. Those more interested in eating can turn up at 3 pm.

Sunday, December 22

Farmers Market at Heights Mercantile
From 9 am to 1 pm, pick up everything necessary for a holiday feast, from grass-fed meats to eggs, hydroponic greens, produce from multiple local farms, mushrooms, honey, salsa, and more. Shoppers will also find gifts for foodies.

Drag Brunch at La Grange
From 12 to 3 pm, enjoy a menu of Tex-Mex inspired dishes, including tres leches French toast, stacked breakfast enchiladas, migas, and more. Expect a variety of specialty cocktails, along with local and imported beers, as well as mimosas and Bloody Marys. Special guest Angelina DM Trailz will emcee the event, featuring a rotating lineup of drag performances.

Casserole Christmas Celebration at Might As Well Lounge
From 6:30 to midnight, guests are encouraged to bring their best covered dish to this Spring Branch bar for an evening of shared dining, mulled wine, and holiday revelry.

Jason Hill pops up at Glitter on Thursday.

Terry Wong Jason Hill Robin Wong Glitter Karaoke
Glitter Karaoke/Facebook
Jason Hill pops up at Glitter on Thursday.
news-you-can-eat
news/restaurants-bars

where there's smoke

Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire

Eric Sandler
Dec 22, 2025 | 11:59 am
Candente brisket nachos
Photo by Duc Hoang
Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

It didn’t take Sambrook Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opens today, Monday, December 22, at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

Speaking on a November episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, Sambrooks Hospitality founder Michael Sambrooks explained that, as a Bellaire resident, he saw an opportunity to open a restaurant close to home.

“It was a combination of, this location became available, and we liked the market. I think Bellaire is underserved. As far as Tex-Mex options, I think it’s limited,” he says. “We always struggle with where’s somewhere we can grab a bite that’s five minutes away as opposed to driving to another part of town. I think Candente is that solution. I think it’s going to be pretty well received.”

In terms of design, the restaurant replicates many of the same elements as the original Montrose location that opened in 2019, such as its copper-topped tables and yellow, orange, and maroon accents. Diners will note a mural by local artist Franky Cardona along one wall. Overall, the restaurant seats 125 in its dining room, 10 at its bar, and 24 on an outdoor patio.

While the location is new, the menu is the same. That means the same wood-fired fajitas, brisket enchiladas, nachos, birria tacos, and other fare that helped it achieve a “Recommended” designation in the Michelin Guide for Texas — the only Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston to make the prestigious guide. Pair them with margaritas (both shaken and frozen), as well as agave-based cocktails such as the paloma and ranch water, beers, and non-alcoholic options.

Sambrooks Hospitality also operates The Pit Room, the barbecue joint with locations in Montrose and Memorial City that earned a Bib Gourmand designation.

“It’s a privilege to open in Bellaire and get to know and serve a new clientele,” Sambrooks said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce our style of authentic, handcrafted Tex-Mex that has made us a Houston dining staple.”

Candente will be open for lunch and dinner during the week beginning at 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 am.

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

Candente brisket nachos
Photo by Duc Hoang
Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.
openings news-you-can-eat tex-mex
news/restaurants-bars

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