There is a lot of deliciousness to be had in Houston in between dining out. One can load their social calendar up with all of the food and drink festivities across the city. So what’s happening, and when? From exclusive chef pop dinners to large-scale food festivals, here are details on this month’s best food and drink goings on.
Montrose Cheese & Wine is kicking off the fall season–and prime patio weather–with the first edition of its monthly raclette parties, to be held on Saturday, October 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. Guests are welcome to gather on the shop’s quaint patio, where cheesemonger Shannon McCracken will present raclette over potatoes, caramelized onions, cornichons, and sliced baguette, for a decadent afternoon treat. Reservations are not required, but early arrival is recommended as seats are first-come, first-served. The season continues with parties on November 9, December 14, January 11, February 8, and March 8.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, the Houstonian Hotel, Club, & Spa is hosting a lunch to-go, drive-through fundraiser on Tuesday, October 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Big Sam BBQ lunch, which includes a pulled pork bbq sandwich, coleslaw, potato salad, and cookie, will be offered at the hotel’s valet entrance for $15 in cash only. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to All Hands and Hearts, an organization that has provided assistance to disaster-affected communities for nearly 20 years. Additional cash and check donations will also be accepted.
In celebration of Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, Brennan’s is hosting a three-course paired dinner on Wednesday, October 16 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., benefiting Southern Smoke Foundation. Guests can mingle with special guest, Jack Choate of Heaven Hill Distillery, before enjoying dishes like shrimp remoulade and entrees paired with Elijah Craig Old Fashioned. The price is $125 per person, with $15 from each seat sold donated to Southern Smoke Foundation. Visit brennanshouston.com for tickets.
Bacardi Rum is bringing its Rum Room Tasting Series to Chapman & Kirby on Thursday, October 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. for a spirited celebration honoring 162 years of premium rum-making. Along with pop-ups from artist and muralist, Hanna Bull, and Gooseworks screen-printing, guests will be treated to complimentary Bacardi cocktails. The event is free to attend for guests 21 and up.
Top Chef alum Evelyn Garcia and partner chef Henry Lu of Jūn in the Heights are taking their talent to the coast on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 for a two-night-only guest chef takeover at the Fancy in Galveston. The five-course dinner will spotlight Salvadorian cuisine, featuring dishes like grilled prawn in a lime, black peppercorn sauce; short rib with curry mole; and candied pumpkin with spiced crumble and whipped cream fraiche. Seatings are available from 5 p.m., but for those looking to get the party started a bit earlier, Jun’s sommeliers will host a wine tasting each day at 3 p.m. The cost is $95 per person, with reservations required via OpenTable.
DiningOut Events is bringing its Rare Steak Championship back to Post Houston on Thursday, October 24 from 7 to 10 p.m. Attendees will be treated to live entertainment, photo ops, and unlimited samplings of steak dishes from top chefs, with Downtown’s sweeping skyline as a backdrop. This year, Rare has added Surf, an exclusive seafood experience for VIP ticket-holders featuring eight of Houston’s top seafood restaurants competing in their own dedicated competition. Visit raresteakfest.com for tickets.
In honor of Etoile’s 12-year anniversary, master chef Phillipe Verpiand is hosting a four-course wine dinner on Thursday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. Along with wines handpicked by Verpiand, the dinner will feature dishes including Maine lobster medallions, roasted rack of lamb, and pear brioche bread pudding. The cost is $124 per guest, with reservations required by calling 832-668-5808.
