This week in dining

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

It's January, which means people are thinking about healthy eating — unless they're planning to attend Friday night's kickoff for this year's Truffle Masters competition, which is among the year's most decadent food events.

This week also offers grand opening parties for three new spots, as well as a celebration for an iconic deli sandwich, plus a wine tasting with a Tastemaker Awards winner, and a totally goofy barbecue pop-up. That's enough to satisfy any palate.

Tuesday, January 14

Hot Pastrami Day at Kenny & Ziggy's
Lovers of the classic deli sandwich rejoice! All day today, both Kenny & Ziggy's location are offering the restaurant's triple-decker hot pastrami sandwich for $21.95 in honor of the food holiday. It's made from USDA prime beef cut from the plate and cured for 45 days, before being triple-smoked at a low temperature so the flavor permeates the meat. For serving, it is thin sliced and stacked sky high. Doggy bags optional.

Wednesday, January 15

Voodoo Doughnut Grand Opening
The Portland-based doughnut shop announces its arrival on Washington Avenue with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, and a wedding. The first 28 people in line will receive a free dozen doughnuts. Open 24/7, the location will donate a portion of proceeds from every doughnut sold until 6 am on Thursday to Big Brothers Big Sisters, 10 am.

Thursday, January 16

Wine tasting at Revival Market
Coltivare GM Leonora Varvoutis walks guests through a sampling of six wines designed to pair with heavy bites from Revival Market's Steve Lamborn. Those available include the Bucket White Blend from Macedonia, Greece; Malat “Crazy Creatures” Gruner Veltliner from Kremstal, Austria; and Massaya Red Blend from Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. It's a world of unique flavors that both the wine adventurous and wine novices will enjoy. Tickets are $80 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 713-880-8463 or via email.

Friday, January 17

2020 Truffle Masters Pre-Party at Central Market
One of Houston's biggest foodie bashes gears up with this event, featuring some of Houston's culinary stars creating truffle masterpieces alongside Central Market Cooking School chefs. Among those showing their stuff are Drake Leonards of Eunice, Hilda Ysusi of Broken Barrel, and Pete Cox of Terrace 54. Several tasting stations will be set up on the store's mezzanine level, allowing guests to nosh and mingle with chefs, while sipping selections from Gloria Ferrer and Becker Vineyards, among others. Tickets are $49.50 per person and can be purchased online. The festivities run from 7 to 10 pm.

Saturday, January 18

Uberrito Grand Opening
The popular fast-casual spot opens the doors to its Memorial location today at 14092 Memorial Drive. Look for all kinds of specials and giveaways, such as a prize of 100 free burritos for a year giveaway, a $45,000 value. There will be salsa tasting, face painting, balloon animals, free chips and guac, as well as swag and the chance to win a catered party for 10. Doors open at 10:45 am.

Mutiny Wine Room Grand Opening
Houston's newest wine bar and restaurant opens its doors today in The Heights at 1124 Usener St. Mutiny offers a wine list focusing on boutique producers, heavy on California wine country selections that haven't been available in the Lone Star State. Look for menu items that reflect the wine country vibe courtesy of consulting chef Ari Weiswasser, 12 pm.

Sunday, January 19

Cooking with Candy (and Other Stuff) with Bryan Bingham at Buck's
Head to Galveston for this event, featuring eats from Longview's Bodacious Barbecue, ranked number four on Texas Monthly's Top 50 list of the best Lone Star 'cue. No telling what Bingham and Buck's pitmaster Jim Buchanan will be serving, but, given the name, we expect to see Butterfinger-crusted brisket among other outrageously delicious bites. Serving starts at 10:30 am and runs until 3 pm, but we expect them to sell out well before then.

Farm to Thai dinner at Street to Kitchen
Kicking off at 7 pm, this five-course pop-up dinner features locally raised, seasonal ingredients, prepared by Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter from Bangkok. The Oxheart veteran has been attracting serious foodie buzz for her authentic Thai flavors. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online.

Kenny & Ziggy's triple decker pastrami sandwich

Courtesy of Kenny & Ziggy's

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