Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, where you’ll get a plateful of restaurant, bar, and chefs happenings each week.
The 411
La Calle’s Downtown location is temporarily closed until Thursday, July 17 as it receives sidewalk upgrades and a mini remodel of the patio, kitchen, and restrooms. During the brief closure, guests are invited to dine at the Bagby Park location just a couple of miles away.
After Tim Reading’s recent departure from Leo’s River Oaks, Kirk Thompson has been named the new executive chef. Thompson was part of Leo’s opening team as Reading’s sous chef, and has previously worked under James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd at One Fifth, Georgia James Tavern, and Wild Oats; and at Guard & Grace. Thompson has already implemented a new seasonal menu at Leo’s, which includes dishes like short rib with pommes puree and Gabagool Rockefeller.
As part of its Cones for a Cause program, Lick Honest Ice Creams hosts its month of giving to support local nonprofits across Texas to raise funds and awareness during the month of July. In Houston, Lick is partnering with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, a nonprofit leading the transformation and stewardship of the 10-mile stretch of Buffalo Bayou. Donations can be made in-store or online, and on Sunday, July 20, which is National Ice Cream Day, Lick is donating 10% of its sales to the cause.
Phat Eatery’s Katy location is temporarily closed due to an unexpected issue with water heater compliance related to the restaurant’s expansion into a larger space. According to a post made on Instagram, the restaurant could reopen as early as this week.
Portillo’s is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of its fourth Houston-area location at 25531 Tomball Parkway on Tuesday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m. A grand opening event will follow at 10 a.m., during which Portillo’s Vice President of Restaurant Support, Michael Portillo, will present Tomball ISD Education Foundation with a check.
Happenings
Turner’s Cut is hosting a five-course Champagne-pairing dinner on the evening of Thursday, July 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests can look forward to an indulgent menu that includes dishes such as lobster risotto with yuzu-lobster bisque and duck confit with apple-potato and vanilla terrine. Tickets are $450 per person, and may be reserved via OpenTable.
From Sunday, July 20 through Saturday, July 26, Ouisie’s Table is hosting its Week of Watermelon with a dedicated food and drink menu that spotlights the juicy fruit. Look forward to cocktails like a watermelon mojito and watermelon tequila, plus dishes like watermelon gazpacho, watermelon salad with harissa shrimp, and watermelon sorbet.
On the Menu
Emilia’s Havana, a Cuban-inspired speakeasy hidden inside the building that houses the Annie Cafe and Bar and Turner’s, has launched a new dinner menu, offered during the restaurant’s first seating. Guests can enjoy dishes like Spanish wood-grilled octopus, truffle chicken pot pie, and beef tenderloin Wellington for two, while basking in the beats of Havana as performed by the restaurant’s live band.
In celebration of its 46th anniversary, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille has launched an exclusive Perry’s Reserve Premier Cru Champagne, in collaboration with historic, family-owned Maurice Philippart Champagne House. The Carte d’Or Premier Cru offers notes of white flowers and fresh citrus, and is accompanied by Perry’s Champagne Biscuit, a homemade version of “Biscuits of Reims” that date back to the 1600s, designed to be dipped in the bubbles. Perry’s Reserve Premier Cru Champagne is also featured in a new Reserve anniversary wine flight, which includes three 2-ounce pours of Perry’s Reserve Premier Cru Champagne, Chardonnay and Rosé for $20, available through July 31.
B.B. Italia Bistro and Bar in Sugarland has launched a new menu with highlights including artichoke spinach formaggio, red wine-braised short rib, risotto al porcini, and vanilla bean panna cotta. Coinciding with the launch is the introduction of a new two-course weekday lunch menu for $22.
Il Bracco is serving up seared ahi tuna topped with Amalfi vinaigrette and a fresh citrus and herb salad, as a limited time off-menu item for the summer. Reserved for those in the know, small quantities of the dish are prepared daily, making it all the more exclusive.
Buttermilk Baby has debuted a summer berry smash sundae, available through Thursday, July 31. The limited time dessert features yellow cake batter ice cream swirled with strawberry puree, crumbled vanilla wafers and a dollop of whipped cream.
Real Agave has launched a new lunch menu, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy a two-course prix fixe menu for $15, with highlights including chicken tortilla soup, gem lettuce salad, quesadillas, and braised birria torta. For $9 more, guests can add a dessert like tres leches cake, churros, or Mexican chocolate pot de creme.
