Foodie News

A lucky menu? One of the top restaurants in town tries to tempt with small-bitespecials

Americas
Photo by Julie Soefer/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cordua.com
Churrascos
Photo by Frank Casimiro
David Cordua, left, and Michael Cordua
Photo by Shelby Hodge

The number eight is lucky in Chinese culture, but it has also been auspicious for the Cordúa family. Michael Cordúa opened his first restaurant, Churrascos, on Aug. 8, 1988 — or 8-8-88 — and his restaurant empire has been growing ever since, now up to four concepts and seven locations.

The company turns 24 this month, but Cordúa is already counting down to its 25th anniversary. The "8/8 88" menu is now available at Churrascos and Américas, with specials on food and drinks at the bar as well as a special dinner for two.

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., head to the bar at Américas for 8 bites, 8 wines by the glass and 8 cocktails for $8 each. Executive chef David Cordúa has created an incredible menu of small bites that includes steamed buns filled with juicy carnitas, yellowtail tuna tiradito served in three increasingly tangy citrus blends via a sextet of spoons, crunchy croquettes of shrimp and chorizo.

There's even a Latin American-accented plate of poutine — skinny fries served doused in spicy chicken tinga, cilantro and onion.

There's even a Latin American-accented plate of poutine — skinny fries served doused in spicy chicken tinga, cilantro and onion. It's kind of a shame that the poutine is only served until 8 p.m. because it's exactly the kind of dish one craves at 2 a.m. after a night of drinking, but that's nothing that a to-go box and a microwave can't solve.

At Churrascos, the $8 bar menu takes a more traditional approach, featuring beef tenderloin carpaccio, grilled arepas (corn cakes full of chorizo, black beans and cheese), beef short rib empanadas and a skewer of chicken with yucca and huancaina.

For cocktails at both restaurants, choose from the Coco Batida, a frothy mix of coconut milk, cachaca and coconut flakes that's so light and sweet you'll swear it should have a tiny umbrella, a traditional pisco sour, and the unexpected drinkability of the Bumpy, which combines scotch whiskey, pineapple, soda and lime.

For those who want to celebrate the anniversary with a bit more style, there's also a three-course prix fixe meal for two for $88. In addition to a 16 ounce signature churrasco steak to share, it comes with a choice of two appetizers and a dessert trio that includes Cordúa's famous tres leches cake.

What makes this deal extra-lucky? It will last all the way until August 2013.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists