well done

Sizzling new food festival celebrates steak with beefy bites from Houston restaurants downtown

Sample bites from more than 20 restaurants at the Rare Steak Championship.

Courtesy of DiningOut Events

Calling all carnivores. A new food festival has rounded up some of Houston’s top restaurants to celebrate steak.

The Rare Steak Championship will be held Thursday, October 19 at Post Houston. Created by DiningOut Events, Rare comes to Houston from Denver. Organizers have rounded up more than 20 participating restaurants, including Andiron, Blood Bros. BBQ, Killen’s STQ, Marmo, Mastro’s, and Phat Eatery (participants subject to change).

They’ll compete for both people’s and judges’ choice in Traditional Steak, Creative Steak, and best cocktail at Rare’s Grand Tasting. As with similar tasting events, attendees get access to bites from all of the participating restaurants as well as beverages and live music. Get a feel for the environment with this video from the Denver event.

Those springing for VIP tickets will also have access to a separate tasting featuring bites created by Top Chef finalist Dawn Burrell, James Beard Award winners Paul Qui and Tom Cunanan, and Golstrommen owner Christopher Haatuft.

Tickets are priced at $175 for admission to the Grand Tasting and $325 for VIP. Early bird discount tickets ($155 and $300, respectively), are currently available. In addition to the separate dining area, VIPs also get early admission, access to a VIP lounge, and an extra VIP vote.

“We are so excited to bring Rare to Houston,” DiningOut’s Jeff Suskin said in a statement. “This event brings together Houston's best chefs in a thrilling competition that celebrates the artistry of steak preparation and craft cocktails.

Rare joins a host of other food events taking place this fall. They include, Chopd & Stewd, a celebration of West African culture on September 30; Chefs for Farmers on September 30 and October 1; the star-studded Southern Smoke Festival on October 14; and the Honeyland Festival, a new event celebrating Black chefs, artists, and musicians. The Tailgate, CultureMap’s sports-themed event, returns for its second year on October 25.

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a spoonful of sugar

New Mexican eatery sweetens Houston with 150 spirits and bold flavors

Courtesy of Mexican Sugar

Mexican Sugar is coming to Regent Square in December.

A Dallas-based Mexican restaurant is coming to Houston. Mexican Sugar will open its first Houston location in Montrose this December.

Located next to Georgia James in the Regent Square mixed-use development, Mexican Sugar will occupy a two-story, 13,000-square-foot building. All that room offers seating for 375 as well as two private dining rooms with full audio-visual capabilities. Both the upstairs and downstairs patios will have a view of nearby Buffalo Bayou Park.

Its part of FB Society, the Dallas-based hospitality group behind Whiskey Cake, Sixty Vines, and Haywire, the Texas-inspired comfort food restaurant that opened its first Houston-area location earlier this year. Mexican Sugar has three locations in the Dallas area: Plano, Las Colinas, and Uptown Dallas.

In a release, Mexican Sugar touts its use of seasonal ingredients. It also makes its tortillas by hand. Menu highlights include skirt steak, lobster fundido, and a bone-in pork chop. At brunch, look for options such as cajeta French toast, Benedictos Rancheros, and vanilla-cinnamon pancakes.

Agave fans will find plenty of choices courtesy of more the 150 tequilas and mezcals. They’re available in individual pours as well as in flights that allow customers to compare the flavors of the different spirits.

“Our goal is to create a dining experience that blends bold Mexican flavors with our signature style of hospitality that stays two steps ahead,” Justin Beam, Mexican Sugar’s director of operations, said in a statement. “We’re excited to offer Houstonians an immersive Mexican experience in a fresh, light, and approachable way.”

Courtesy of Mexican Sugar

Mexican Sugar is coming to Regent Square in December.

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