This week in dining

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Houston this week

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Heights exterior

Jeni's celebrates its grand opening on Thursday.

Photo by Eric Sandler

As Houston eases into 2020, a host of events offer hands-on leaning opportunities, whether it's how to make Chinese dumplings, the most perfect camp-out food, or even sampling some great Rhone wines. Anyone who made a new year's resolution to learn more about food and drink will dig this list.

There's plenty for more passive participants, too, including a new throwdown event at Penny Quarter and the grand opening celebration for a new ice cream shop.

Wednesday, January 8

Lunar New Year Dumpling-Making Class at the Chinese Community Center of Houston
Get ready for the Year of the Rat by learning how to make pork, beef, and vegetarian dumplings in this class that also features an eight-course Lunar New Year's Eve Family Dinner. The cost is $99 per person and class starts at 5 pm. Purchase tickets online.

Thursday, January 9

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Grand Opening
Although the shop has been open for a month, Jeni's makes it official on Thursday. Founder Jeni Britton Bauer will be on hand for the festivities, which run from 7 pm to 11 pm. The ice cream tasting is free, and the first 50 customers through the doors get a swag bag.

Friday, January 10

Rhone Wine Class at French Country Wines
Charelle Grant leads this learning experience, focusing on small, family-owned vineyards in France's celebrated Rhone region. The cost is $48 per person plus tax. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Call 713-993-9500 to save a space.

Full Moon Party at Present Company
Celebrate the first full moon of the year — the Wolf Moon — with lunar-inspired cocktails under a starry sky. Check out the inflatable full moon on the second floor patio, plus get henna tattoos, a Tarot card reading, and groove to music by Grrl Parts. The party rocks from 8 pm to 2 am.

Saturday, January 11

Dutch Oven Cooking Class at REI
This hands-on class offers tips and tricks for dealing with cast iron, as well as showcasing all the tasty items campers and home cooks can craft from the study appliance. No cooking experience is necessary. Class starts at noon.

Tequila and Wine Dinner at Alicia’s Mexican Grille
The Katy location hosts a three-course dinner featuring handcrafted Goza Tequila cocktails as well as Franscian Cabernet. On the menu are selections such as squash blossom soup topped with shrimp and crabmeat, paired with "El Arándano" made with Goza Reposado tequila, and filet mignon stuffed with panela cheese, served over a bed of portabello mushrooms and topped with brandy chipotle black pepper sauce, paired with 2014 Napa Valley Franciscan Cabernet. The cost is $59 per person and reservations can be made by calling 281-347-1800.

Sunday, January 12

Booze Can Sunday at Riel
Food, art, and cocktails collide at this monthly event that features music by DJ Seek and art curated by Donkeeboy. Tonight's installment features guest chef Scott Vivian, of Toronto's Beast restaurant, and live art by local artist Tyler Kay. Expect Vivian to make a few of his signature biscuit sandwiches alongside a few one-off creations from Riel chef-owner Ryan Lachaine. The fun starts at 3 pm.

Penny Quarterly Throwdown at Penny Quarter
Bobby Heugel and Justin Yu's all-day cafe invites 32 baristas to compete at this event. A $5 buy-in will yield a first prize of $400. Members of the general public are invited to witness the competition while enjoying drink specials (half-price Irish coffee and $3 Buffalo Bayou brews). Attendees can also participate in a raffle for three $100 gift cards to Anvil and additional giveaways from Slow Pour Supply. Festivities start at 7 pm.

news-you-can-eat

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.

news-you-can-eat openings the-heights hotels

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say hey to Hypsi

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