This week in dining

These are the 10 best food and drink events in Houston this week

The week's events feature a grand opening celebration, the return of an epic whiskey party, and a taco and wine happy hour. Diners can also grab 50-cent kolaches from the Kolache Shoppe and take part in a couple of chef and cocktail takeovers.

Tuesday, February 4

Taco and Friends at Politan Row
This pop-up event invites talented local to put their spin on tacos, to be added to Politan Row vendor Cochinita and Co.'s menu for the day. Today's installment features the creative stylings of Tipping Point owner David Rodriguez, who will be serving carnitas paired with a mezcal paloma, 11 am to 10 pm.

Wednesday, February 5

50th anniversary 50-cent kolaches at Kolache Shoppe
The local favorite marks its golden anniversary on April 1. But guests can get in on the celebration on the first Wednesday of each month in 2020, with small sausage, small sausage and cheese, peach, and cream cheese kolaches available for $0.50 at both the Greenway Plaza and Heights locations, while supplies last. There's also a special blueberries and cream kolache available today.

Wine and Taco Happy Hour at Hugo's
Jesse Bates of Oregon's Trisaetum Winery teams up with sommelier Sean Beck to lead this tasting which features a flight of grilled fish, wild mushroom and beef tacos, along with a sampling of four Trisaetum's Pinot Noirs, including the 2017 Willamette Valley and the 2015 Coast Ridge Pinot from the Yamhill-Carlton region. Happy hour is from 5 to 7 pm. Tickets are $34 per person and can be ordered here.

Thursday, February 6

JuiceLand Grand Opening
The juicery's newest spot is at 1709 Dryden Rd., and today's grand opening features specials like half-off drinks all day, the chance to win a JuiceLand tumbler, half-off of JuiceLand purchases in 2020, and more. Doors open at 7 am.

Dave Phinney Wine Dinner at Piatto
The winemaker renowned for his "Locations" series has hand-selected wines to pair with selections from Piatto's menu. Courses include spaghetti Bolognese paired with Locations "I" from Italy and a pork chop Milanese paired with Locations "TX" Texas red blend. The cost is $59 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 713-871-9722.

Saturday, February 8

Wine and chocolate tasting at French Country Wines
Stop in from Noon to 6 pm for this free wine tasting that pairs a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines, with samples of an equal number of chocolates and chocolate treats.

5th Annual Houston Whiskey Social at The Citidel
The yearly bash starts at 6 pm, featuring more than 400 whiskies and spirits from around the world, along with select single barrel offerings and fine food to match. Look for selections from Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig, Macallan, and more. General admission tickets are $90 per person and include entry from 6 to 9 pm, gourmet hors d'oevres while they last, access to a masterclass and a tasting glass to sample the night's selections. Those who buy a $140 VIP ticket can enter at 5 pm, in addition to tasting from a Limited Edition list, and a VIP swag bag. Buy tickets online.

Sunday, February 9

Booze Can Sunday at Riel
The monthly event, named after the Canadian slang for a nightclub or bar, is a casual, fun afternoon of food, drink, and art. Guest chefs Erin Smith and Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ will provide menu selections, while art work from Be Someone, Franky Cardona, W3r3 On3, Robert Hodge, Donkeemom, and Noke will be on display. There's music by DJ Seek and specialty cocktails by Riel bar manager Derek P. Brown. Festivities kick off at 3 pm.

Jim Buchanan Kitchen Takeover at Wooster's Garden
The pitmaster, who recently closed his restaurant Buck's in Galveston, will serve his signature smoked meats alongside sides prepared by Kirby Group chef Brandon Silva. One and two meat combo plates will be available with brisket, pork ribs, or pulled pork paired with braised collard greens, potato salad, fried okra, cole slaw, and pimento cheese. Buchanan's signature brisket grilled cheese will also be available, 3 pm to 8 pm (or sell out).

Kindred Takeover at Two Headed Dog
Krisan Fromm and David Kinsey from San Diego cocktail bar Kindred turn up in H-Town, bringing with them their heavy metal soundtrack and creative cocktails. The partying happens from 9 pm to 2 am, with vegan food available from Somos Semillas Vegan Kitchen.

Get $0.50 kolaches on Wednesday.

Photo by Carla Gomez

Get $0.50 kolaches on Wednesday.

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when I dip, you dip

Heights restaurant's new lunch service will only offer 1 sandwich

Courtesy of La Lucha

La Lucha will begin serving French dips on Friday, June 12.

If a sandwich hall of fame existed, one of its plaques would surely be devoted to the French dip. Its combination of thinly-sliced beef, tangy horseradish sauce, and a savory au jus is a winning formula.

Beginning Friday, June 12, Heights restaurant La Lucha will be showcasing two takes on the venerable sandwich when it starts serving them for its new Friday-only lunch service, which will be held from 11 am-2 pm. To be clear, the two sandwiches (plus fries) will be the only menu items available at lunch — apologies to anyone hoping to ease into the weekend with La Lucha staples like fried chicken or the pharmacy burger.

The two sandwich choices are: a West Coast style French dip that’s just shaved meat and au jus or an East Coast style that adds provolone and caramelized onions. Both are served with horseradish aioli on bread from Houston’s Royal Bakery that “gets crispy and delicious,” according to executive chef Bobby Matos.

The meat is the same prime rib that newly opened steak joint Star Rover, La Lucha’s sister restaurant, serves as part of its viral, “I ate the 76’er” eating challenge. Priced at $26, the sandwich offers a healthy seven ounces of thinly-sliced beef.

“They’ve done this at Little Sparrow in Atlanta but for late night. It’s been a huge success and people are digging it,” Matos explains about the motivation to introduce the offering.

Limiting the menu to two variations of the same sandwich, fries, and beverages — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic — allows La Lucha to offer its Friday lunch service more easily than if Matos had to staff the kitchen to parepare its full menu.

“It’s just bringing more people to the Heights and giving them a chance to get to know our restaurants,” Matos adds. “There are still people who don’t know about La Lucha, and it’s been eight years.”

Although Matos moved to Texas from California, he says he prefers the East Coast French dip. “I want cheese and onions on mine. I like cheese on French dips,” he says.

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