Frightfully Fun

Scary-good celebrations rise at 2 hauntingly delicious Houston restaurants

Rumor has it that Texas is one of the most Halloween-obsessed states in the nation, so naturally two of Houston's hottest restaurants have spine-tingling events lined up for All Hallow's Eve.

Following in the bony footsteps of its Cena Negra honoring Dia de los Muertos, Flora Mexican Kitchen is now hosting an all-day celebration of spookiness on Saturday, October 26.

Flora Mexican Kitchen Cena Negra Expect this same level of commitment from guests at Flora Mexican Kitchen this year. Photo by Leah Wilson Photography

It begins with brunch from 10 am-3 pm, accompanied by the enchanting melodies of a live Spanish guitarist to set the mood.

Brunch bites include crunchy chilaquiles, frutas del mar for seafood lovers, and traditional-with-a-twist huevos rancheros. Delectable sunrise sips include a brunch-exclusive hibiscus margarita, a salty oyster shooter, and The Flores: a frozen margarita elevated with fresh-pressed cucumber juice and muddled jalapeños.

The evening brings a special $55 three-course tasting menu featuring the bold, vibrant flavors of the season (alongside the all-day menu). Curated by culinary director Mate Zorrilla, the first course is your choice of huauzontles or lobster quesadilla, beef tenderloin or sea bass pibil, for the main, and pumpkin cheesecake or chocolate semi-freddo for dessert.

Flora Mexican Kitchen Cena Negra A scene from last year's Cena Negra. Photo by Leah Wilson Photography

This is also your chance to try the Big Vibe Group Reserva de la Familia Añejo. Aged in a private Colombian oak cask, it's perfect for sipping.

Once you arrive in costume, grab a complimentary welcome cocktail provided by Maestro Dobel Diamante and get swept away by live mariachi and dancers. Partygoers can also dance the night away in the courtyard until midnight, surrounded by an ofrenda and towering catrinas and enjoying the beats of a DJ, a face painter, a taco cart pop-up, and satellite bars for those looking to sip and mingle under the stars.

Flora Mexican Kitchen taco cart Eat tacos under the stars.Photo by Kirsten Gilliam Photography

If you can't find your preferred time slot online, call 713-360-6477 for reservations.

At Coppa Osteria, step into the eerie elegance of a Haunted Roman Feast on October 26, where you’ll be greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne when you arrive in costume.

Enjoy a spook-filled evening in the webbed-out dining room, and don't miss the specials of the week, featuring short ribs and the beloved persimmon crostata, and new menu offerings like Kaluga Huso Caviar for $50 paired with $5 martinis. Other chilling cuisine offerings include a roasted beet and goat cheese salad, tuna tartare broken arancini, truffle mushroom risotto, and veal milanese picatta.

Coppa Osteria caviar and martinis $50 caviar paired with $5 martinis — it's about balance. Photo by Kirsten Gilliam Photography

If you want to party hop, do so safely with a 15 percent discount on Alto rides to and from Big Vibe Group restaurants for the rest of the year. Just use the code TBVG15 to enjoy a worry-free night.

Keep the celebration going with brunch and live music the next morning at Flora, or head to Graffiti Kitchen and Bar for a more laid-back vibe.

Flora Mexican Kitchen huevos rancheros Huevos rancheros can cure a morning after.Photo by Kirsten Gilliam Photography

From 10 am-4 pm, treat yourself to ultimate hangover healers like The Cure, a golden chicken schnitzel topped with Coppa Osteria’s famous carbonara, or a chilaquiles omelette that captures the best of both worlds.

This evening of unforgettable ghoulish fun, delicious food, and lively entertainment promises two spooktacular Halloween events you won't want to miss. Check out all of The Big Vibe Group's offerings here.

Photo courtesy of Swizzle Media

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Successful Houston patio bar Kirby Ice House now open in Clear Lake

Courtesy of Kirby Ice House

Kirby Ice House is now open near Space Center Houston.

The newest location of Kirby Ice House is now open in Clear Lake.

First announced in July, the expansive new bar is conveniently located near the Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston at 530 Bay Area Blvd. Like its siblings in Upper Kirby, Memorial, The Woodlands, and near the Heights, the Clear Lake location features Kirby Ice House’s winning formula of a huge indoor-outdoor bar with an extensive selection of beer and cocktails, lawn games, space for food trucks, and plenty of TVs for watching sports.

It also offer Kirby Ice House’s daily specials and happy hour discounts. They include $1 off draft beers on Tuesday, $5 select Texas drafts and liquors on Wednesday, Ladies Night on Thursday, and daytime specials on Saturday and Sunday.

The bar customized its interior for Clear Lake. For example, the design nods to NASA with a neon sign that depicts its signature cowgirl riding a rocket.

“One of the things we enjoy most is creating spaces that reflect the communities they serve,” co-owner Danny Evans said in a statement. “We never want our locations to feel copied and pasted. We want them to have their own personality, and we hope guests feel that from the moment they walk in.”

Beverage choices start with dozens of beers on tap alongside wines by-the-glass or bottle. Kirby Ice House also serves cocktails such as a cucumber-lime Moscow Mule, blood orange paloma, and lemonade Old Fashioned. A rotating roster of food trucks serves customers who want a bite with their beers. Taken together, the extensive selection and massive footprint have helped each location of Kirby Ice House rank among the highest’s grossing bars in Texas.

Kirby Ice House arrives just in time for football season. It opens at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday to ensure fans catch all the day’s action. It opens at 2 pm Monday-Friday.

Kirby Ice House welcomed hundreds of people to a pre-opening party on Labor Day. Alongside its full menu of drinks, special guests Lupe Tortilla and Eastbound Barbecue served food.

Courtesy of Kirby Ice House

Kirby Ice House is now open near Space Center Houston.

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