this week in dining

These are the 7 best food and drink events in Houston this week

The risotto festival returns Sunday.

Photo courtesy of International Risotto Festival

Fall's cooler temps — and the utter futility of Houston's in-season professional sports franchises — provide diners with the ideal opportunity to get out and enjoy some fun food events. This week's roster includes Veteran's Day discounts, a night market loaded with up-and-coming culinary talent, and two chef competitions.

Monday, November 8

Fancy Chef Steak Night at Johnny's Gold Brick
Chef Jess Timmons (formerly of Cherry Block) will be serving tri-tip with persillade and potato and leek gratin. Proceeds from the $25 steak dinner will benefit local non-profit I'll Have What She's Having. 6 pm until sold out.

Thursday, November 11

Veteran's Day Dining Deals at Various Restaurants
In honor of the holiday, veterans can enjoy the following deals:

Axelrad: 20 percent off food and drinks
Becks Prime: Complimentary burger
Dish Society: 20 percent off (ID required)
Feges BBQ: Free meal for veterans (both locations)
The General Public: Free burger for veterans and active duty military
King's Bierhaus: Free 1-liter beer (ID required)
New York Eatery: 30-percent off your meal (excludes alcohol, ID required)
The Original Ninfa's: Free chile con queso
Orleans Seafood Kitchen: 50 percent off a meal (ID required)
Perry's Steakhouse: Free pork chop when companion purchases a meal (ID required)

Greek Wine Tasting at Camerata
Join sommelier Andreas Zinelis for a tasting of three Greek wine flights. Those who discover a new favorite may purchase it by-the-glass. 6 pm.

Saturday, November 13

Night Market at the Stomping Grounds
Curated by Tastemaker Award nominee Tatemo and winner Underground Creamery, the event features 13 vendors including: rising star pastry chef Christina Au, smash burger pop-up Burger Bodega, Vietnamese-influenced Khói Barbecue, and Katy Malaysian restaurant Phat Eatery. 6-9 pm.

Jake Cohen at the Jewish Community Center
The social media star and author will join CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler (aka, me) in a virtual conversation about his cookbook Jew-ish: Reinvented Recipes From a Modern Mensch. An ode to the blending of Cohen's Ashkenazic heritage with his husband's Mizrahi traditions, the book offers recipes for everything from brisket and latkes to tahdig and challah. Tickets range from $10-40. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, November 14

International Risotto Festival at The Houston Design Center
Chefs including Alessandro Scarafile (Roma), Maurizio Ferrarese (Alba), Angelo Cuppone (Concura), and Fadi Dimassi (Fadi's) will compete to create the best, most flavorful risotto dish. The event also includes wine, music, exotic cars, and more. Proceeds benefit Second Servings of Houston. VIP and general admission tickets are available. 2-6 pm.

Oxtail Mashup at Project Row Houses
A group of 15 chefs from Houston and beyond will compete head to head to serve the tastiest oxtail dish for a $500 cash prize and a trip to Oaxaca; five bartenders will also compete in a cocktail competition with a $500 prize. Participants include: Don Bowie of Taste Bar + Kitchen / Rare HTX, Javani King of JK Luxe Kitchen, Jonny Rhodes of Broham Soul Food and Grocery, Lawrence Walker of Lucille’s 1913, and Mark Clayton of Squable. The event will benefit Project Row Houses and the Texas Children’s Hospital Sickle Cell Anemia Program. VIP and general admission tickets available. 6-10 pm.

news-you-can-eat

a very fine house

East Coast-inspired tavern shakes up Rice Village with 'World's Coldest Martini'

Photo by Becca Wright

Hudson House is bringing its signature martinis to Rice Village.

The “World’s Coldest Martini” is coming to Rice Village. Hudson House will open its second Houston-area location this Wednesday, May 21.

Located between CB2 and Banana Republic at 2414 University Blvd., Hudson House is part of the Dallas-based Vandelay Hospitality Group that also includes Drake’s Hollywood, a retro-styled steakhouse that opened in Montrose last summer. For Rice Village, Hudson House’s new, 6,000-square-foot restaurant follows the model of the River Oaks location that opened in 2023. That means navy leather booths, brass accents, and a polished wood bar that serves as a focal point.

The menu takes its inspiration from East Coast taverns. That includes items such as a cheeseburger, lobster roll, lobster mac and cheese, steak frites, entree salads, and chicken parm. Raw bar offerings include East Coast oysters, shrimp cocktail, and sushi rolls. The brunch menu features pancakes, eggs Benedict, and a bagel with lox and cream cheese.

Hudson House pairs its dishes with a selection of classic cocktails that is highlighted by the “World’s Coldest Martini.” To achieve the proper effect, the drink is poured from a frozen bottle and served in a frozen glass. Other martini options include the Bleu & Gold (made with olive juice and blue cheese-stuffed olives) and a Lemon Drop that’s topped with limoncello foam. Hudson House also offers wines by-the-glass, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

Hudson House opens at 11 am for lunch and dinner during the weekend and at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Happy hour, served Monday-Friday from 3-6 pm, includes half-off all martinis, bellinis, and wines by-the-glass as well as $10 cheeseburgers and $3 East Coast oysters.

“We’re looking forward to bringing a second Hudson House to Houston,” Vandelay founder and CEO Hunter Pond said in a statement. “Our River Oaks location has seen strong support since opening just over a year ago, and we’re confident Rice Village will follow suit. With its already vibrant community and bustling shopping scene, Rice Village offers an ideal background for our beloved coastal-inspired American cuisine.”

Photo by Becca Wright

Hudson House is bringing its signature martinis to Rice Village.

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