Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, where you’ll get a plateful of restaurant, bar, and chefs happenings each week.
The 411
Bar Buena, the mezcal-focused bar from Goode Co., has set an opening date. The cocktail lounge, which will feature a cocktail experience inspired by the ancient process of mezcal-making driven by hand and fire, will open on Wednesday, July 16, in a space tucked behind Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina’s River Oaks location at 2002 West Gray Street. Guests can look forward to agave-based cocktails like the Oaxacan old fashioned, tequila y tonic, a selection of margaritas, and a small plates menu with dishes like Gulf crab tostadas and carnitas flautas. When it debuts, Bar Buena will be open Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
Named one of Esquire’s Best Bars in America in 2022, Diversión made a splash in the Spring Branch neighborhood before shuttering last year. Now, it is set to reemerge with a new address. Diversión Montrose will open its doors at 1226 W. Clay Street neighboring its sister concept Emma Jane in the Harlow District on Thursday, June 19. The cocktail bar, known for its farm-to-glass ethos and drinks with elaborate, over-the-top presentations will have the same allure, featuring boundary-pushing cocktails like the Operation: ‘White Flame’ made with vodka, dry vermouth, Earl Grey, and caviar; and the Vilanova Ritual, a blend of jasmine green tea, gin, herbs, and honey, brewed tableside for two, and served in Emma Jane tea pots.
Clarkwood has unveiled its luxe new courtyard bar, a 1,500-square-foot space designed by Gin Design Group featuring a blend of indoor and outdoor vignettes. To commemorate the launch, the buzzy cocktail bar debuted two exclusive courtyard bar cocktails: the Clarkwood Punch Bowl, a shareable concoction crafted tableside with gin, elderflower, cold-pressed Texas grapefruit, tonic, rosé, and custom artisan ice; and the Mezcal Matcha Colada made with mezcal, blanco tequila, ceremonial-grade matcha, pineapple, banana, and crema de coco. A Golden Hour spritz menu has also been added, with three Aperol-based spritzes offered nightly from 6 to 8 p.m.
With kids out of school for the summer, Tony’s is treating grown-ups to a little fun with Adult Daycare specials. This summer, adult guests can score half off a first bottle of any wine on Tony’s illustrious list and complimentary spicy snack mix during all business hours, simply by mentioning: “I’m here for Adult Caycare.”
Happenings
Alicia’s Mexican Grille is hosting Sip the Spirits: A Tequila Tasting Experience on Thursday, June 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Alicia’s Cypress location at 26326 Northwest Freeway. The guided tasting features a flight from three different labels, including Casamigos, Don Fulano, and Mezcal Unión, plus passed hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
Beginning Monday, June 16, Tacodeli is launching its two-week Grab and Gold promotion, giving Houstonians a chance to win prizes if they can locate gold tickets — aka free taco vouchers — hidden inside select grab-and-go breakfast tacos at Tacodeli restaurants. 1,500 winners will receive a free taco, and 15 lucky winners will walk away with free tacos for a year (two tacos per week, for 52 weeks.)
Ahead of Beyonce’s Houston concert weekend, Traveler’s Table is collaborating with SirDavis Whiskey to showcase five specialty themed cocktails, available Monday, June 23 through Sunday, June 29. With playful names like the Texas Buckin’, Blackberry Mint Julep, Texas Tea Shot, Southern State of Mind, and the Passionate BeyBey, the lively Montrose restaurant is giving concert-goers plenty of reason to stop by for a pre-game cocktail.
The second annual Pro-Am hot sauce competition is happening on Saturday, August 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hope Farms. Chefs will go up against talented amateurs in a battle for the best hot sauce judged by local food journalists. Adults and up to three children under 12 can secure entry by making a $10 donation, which will include a Saint Arnold beer, Hope Farms non-alcoholic botanical beverages, hot sauce samplings from all contestants, and the chance to vote on a favorite. Tickets can be purchased here, with all proceeds supporting Recipe for Success Foundation.
On the Menu
Craft Pita has launched weekend brunch service, available Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m at both of its restaurant locations. New brunch features include a brunch sampler, which comines hummus, labneh, pickles, crudités, olives, a half Za’atar and half Cheese flatbread, and soft scrambled eggs; and Knafeh, a classic Lebanese dessert made with kataifi pastry, a Lebanese cheese blend, simple syrup, and pistachios. Guests can pair their meal with mimosas, French press cold brew, Turkish iced lattes, hot ceylon tea, and more.
Il Bracco debuted a new weekend lunch menu, exclusive to its Houston location, that offers an Italian-inspired breakfast twist on daytime dining. Highlights of the menu, offered Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., include blueberry focaccia topped with lemon and brown sugar; a frittata crafted with Vital Farms eggs, asparagus, tomatoes, goat cheese and arugula; Carbonara featuring house-made pasta tossed with pancetta, egg and Reggiano; and the new mortadella sandwich, a flavor-packed combination of arugula, pesto, ricotta and shaved mortadella on house-made focaccia. Food offerings are complemented by a weekend cocktail menu, which features drinks like the Bracco, il Bracco’s signature frozen greyhound with Aperol and freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit; and the Breakfast Martini ($17), a blend of Sapphire, Grand Marnier, orange marmalade and lemon.
