Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:<\/p>\n
All week long<\/b><\/p>\n
Texas Cocktail Week Monday, September 15<\/b><\/p>\n Bites & Brews: Tailgate Classics at Crawfish Cafe Heights Monday\u2013Saturday<\/b><\/p>\n 10th Anniversary Specials at KA Sushi Tuesday, September 16<\/b><\/p>\n Mexican Independence Day Both Sylvia\u2019s Enchilada Kitchen<\/a> locations, 6401 Woodway, 1140 Eldridge, will celebrate Mexico\u2019s Independence Day with a special Mexican Colors Enchilada Plate \u2014 featuring three enchiladas in the colors of the flag for $18.95, dine-in only. That evening, the Eldridge location will host a four-course Tequila Dinner at 6:30 p.m., paired with Casamigos tequilas, for $65 per person; reservations are required. <\/p>\n Mexicanos Unidos: Maximo x Belly of the Beast at Maximo Thursday, September 18<\/b><\/p>\n Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinner at Ousie\u2019s Table Friday\u2013Saturday<\/b><\/p>\n Oktoberfest at Little Woodrow\u2019s Friday\u2013Sunday<\/b><\/p>\n Karbachtoberfest at Karbach Brewing Co. Saturday, September 20<\/b><\/p>\n WhiskyX at Silver Street Studios All month long<\/b><\/p>\n Two Dine for $99 at Brennan\u2019s Chiles en Nogada at Hugo\u2019s Farm-to-Table Specials at River Oaks Shopping Center New and ongoing specials<\/b><\/p>\n Passport Germany at Central Market Bernie\u2019s Burger Bus at PINCHO
\n Houston hosts its first Texas Cocktail Week<\/a>, celebrating the craft of bartending and Southern hospitality. Cocktail Passport holders gain access to tastings, pop-ups, guest shifts, and masterclasses at top bars across the city, including Julep, Camaraderie, Bandista and more. The week also features a Guest Bartender Series with award-winning talent from around the country and Global Bar Partners spotlighting international flavors. <\/p>\n
\n Football season gets a Viet-Cajun twist as Crawfish Cafe<\/a> <\/b>partners with Karbach Brewing Co.<\/b> for a new Monday Night Football pop-up series. Fans can dig into the Game Day Pack \u2014 think spicy wings, Cajun fries, sausage, corn, potatoes, and a boiled egg slathered in signature Smack Sauce \u2014 while sipping Karbach\u2019s brand-new Lager. Buckets of six beers run just $10 (or $2 each), with games showing on big screens and swag, tastings and brewery reps on hand before kickoff.\u00a0From September through the Super Bowl, the series will travel across five Crawfish Cafe locations, kicking off at the Heights on September 15 and continuing at the Shenandoah-Woodlands location on October 20.<\/p>\n
\n In honor of its 10-year anniversary, KA Sushi<\/a>, 1901 North Shepherd, will be offering a special $10 menu, including eats from basil tuna maki and otoro crispy rice to three-piece flights and house cocktails. <\/p>\n
\n H Town Restaurant Group<\/a> is celebrating Fiestas Patrias (Mexican Independence Day) with $10 red, white and green margaritas at Hugo\u2019s<\/b>, 1600 Westheimer, Caracol<\/b>, 2200 Post Oak, URBE<\/b>, 1101 Uptown Park, and Xochi<\/b>, 1777 Walker.<\/p>\n
\n Chefs Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast<\/b> and Adrian Torres of Maximo<\/b> are teaming up to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Maximo<\/a>, 6119 Edloe. The night kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a seven-course dinner highlighting flavors from seven Mexican regions, complete with Mexican wine and agave cocktail pairings. Tickets<\/a> include food, drinks, tax, and gratuity, with a portion of proceeds going to FIEL Houston. Folks can also stick around for a Mexicanos Unidos Patio Party starting at 8 p.m and featuring a meet-and-greet with the chefs, complimentary paletas, snacks, beverage samples, and a cash bar; admission is $15, with all ticket sales supporting FIEL Houston<\/b>.<\/p>\n
\n Ouisie\u2019s Table<\/a>, 3939 San Felipe, is sending summer off with a five-course dinner paired with Napa Valley\u2019s Cakebread Cellars wines on Thursday, September 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Highlights include Oysters Rockefeller, Brown Butter Scallops, 5 Spice Duck Breast and more, with tickets for $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. <\/p>\n
\n On Friday, September 19, Little Woodrow\u2019s<\/a> Shepherd, 720 Shepherd Drive, kicks off Oktoberfest at 9 p.m. Guests can try their strength in stein hoisting and watch dachshunds dash in the Dachtoberfest Weiner Dog Races for prizes. The fun continues on Saturday, September 20, with stein hoisting and dog races beginning at noon at the Midtown location, 2306 Brazos; and Oktoberfest celebrations starting at 1 p.m. at Little Woodrow\u2019s Webster, 20251 Gulf Freeway. <\/p>\n
\n Houston\u2019s beloved Bavarian celebration returns for three weekends at Karbach Brewing Co.<\/a>, 2032 Karbach. Expect live music, stein-hoisting contests, bratwurst tosses, wiener dog races, seasonal Karbachtoberfest brew, German food, bingo, giveaways and family-friendly fun. The fun is free and open to the public. <\/p>\n
\n WhiskyX<\/a> returns to Silver Street Studios<\/b>, 2000 Edwards, bringing more than 60 premium whisky brands to sample alongside a Food Truck Village, live music from Tiera Kennedy and fun extras like complimentary beard trims and cigars. General admission begins at 7 p.m. with VIP entry at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $75. <\/p>\n
\n Brennan\u2019s<\/a>, 3300 Smith, is bringing back its Three-Course, Two Dine for $99 experience all September long. Guests can start with Snapping Turtle Soup or Shrimp R\u00e9moulade, then choose entrees like Petite Filet Oscar, Gulf Shrimp & Grits or Eggs Brennan before finishing with Mississippi Mud Pie, Bananas Foster or Creole Bread Pudding Souffl\u00e9 (+$5). Select wines are specially priced at $9\/glass or $30\/bottle. Reserve online or call 713-522-9711 and mention \u201cTwo Dine for $99.\u201d <\/p>\n
\n Hugo\u2019s<\/a>, 1600 Westheimer, is celebrating walnut and pomegranate season with its annual Chiles en Nogada, served throughout September only. Representing the colors of the Mexican flag, the festive Puebla-born dish features poblano peppers stuffed with pork, apples, pears, peaches, plantains, almonds and raisins, topped with creamy walnut sauce and garnished with pomegranate seeds and parsley. The special includes two peppers with rice for $29.\u00a0
\nHunger Action Month
\n Houston Food Bank<\/a> and partner agencies mark September as Hunger Action Month. This year\u2019s theme, What Does Home Mean to You, highlights how safe, affordable housing supports food security, with opportunities to advocate, volunteer, and donate throughout the month. From Operation: Hunger Relief competitions to SNAP Challenges and voter registration drives, Houstonians can take part in hands-on activities and special events to help reduce food insecurity across the region.<\/p>\n
\n The River Oaks Shopping Center<\/b> is teaming up with Urban Harvest Farmers Market<\/b> for limited-edition dishes<\/a> at Brasserie 19, Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina, Zanti Cucina Italiana<\/b> and Leo\u2019s River Oaks<\/b>, running all September long. Highlights include grilled tri-tip with mushroom- and goat cheese-stuffed tomato at Brasserie 19, Mexico City\u2013style mushroom quesadillas at Goode Co., ricotta-stuffed cannelloni and dessert cannoli at Zanti, and heirloom tomato cocktails and tarts at Leo\u2019s. Ten percent of sales from these farm-to-table creations benefit Urban Harvest\u2019s local food-access initiatives. <\/p>\n
\n Through September 23, Central Market<\/a>, 3815 Westheimer, brings the flavors of Germany to Texas with its in-store Passport Germany event. Guests can enjoy tasting strolls, cooking classes, and a wide range of German specialties, from sausages, Frikadelle, Rouladen and Currywurst to pretzels, marzipan pigs, seasonal wines and sodas. Festive pumpkin displays and desserts like Apple Torte and Bee Sting Cake round out the two-week celebration. <\/p>\n
\n Five years after closing, Bernie\u2019 Burger Bus brings its fan favorites back for a limited-time collaboration with PINCHO<\/a>. Now through October 5, alll Houston PINCHO locations will serve reimagined Bernie\u2019s classics, including The Bernie\u2019s Burger, Honor Roll fries and the Cookie Butter Milkshake. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Periwinkle Foundation. <\/p>\n