Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, where you’ll get a plateful of restaurant, bar, and chefs happenings each week.
The 411
On Friday, August 29, Dandelion Cafe is honoring its 9th anniversary by offering $9 chicken and waffles and $9 mimosa pitchers all day.
After expanding into a neighboring space within the Stomping Grounds, Rebecca “Becca” Pham of Becca’s Cakes reimagined her Garden Oaks-area bakery and reopened it as Little Sister Bake Shop & Cafe. Open daily at 8 a.m., the well-appointed space is a destination for fresh-baked pastries like fig and prosciutto buns and cinnamon rolls; cakes by the slice; sweets like cupcakes, macarons, cookies, brownies, and blondies; and coffee, tea, and matcha drinks. A separate section, called the “Sister Suite” serves as a space for custom cake consultations, decorating classes, and seasonal pop-ups.
Michelin Recommended restaurant, Late August will close briefly from September 1-10 as chefs Sergio Hidalgo and Chris Williams prepare to present their new fall menu.
A new outpost of Katz is opening at 10321 Katy Freeway in Memorial City on Tuesday, September 2, marking it the fifth Houston-area location for the popular diner. Like its other locations, Katz Memorial City will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with around-the-clock dining and a signature menu of all-day breakfast comfort dishes, cocktails, and indulgent desserts.
In celebration of its 27th anniversary operating in Houston, El Bolillo’s Heights, Pasadena, Gulfgate, Mission Bend, and Fountain View locations are offering half-priced regular and birthday conchas, and free slices of tres leches cake on Thursday, September 4.
Following its original location in the Summit Square Shopping Mall, Bread Zeppelin is set to debut a second Houston-area location at 9753 Katy Freeway in Memorial City in September. Like its sister concept, the counter-service restaurant will serve its signature “Zeppelins”, which are custom chopped salads packed into hollowed-out, freshly baked artisan baguettes. The eatery has become equally known for its lemonade and tea bar with mix-and-match flavors, plus a warm, house made bread pudding that is made from the soft centers scooped from each baguette.
Happenings
Save the date this spooky season: Black Lagoon, an immersive Halloween pop-up that hits multiple cities across the nation is returning to Texas this fall, taking over Nickel City in October. The month-long pop-up will feature dark and moody, themed interiors and a menu of Halloween-inspired cocktails.
Urbe is hosting a fiesta honoring Mexico’s Independence Day on Saturday, September 13 from 7 to 11 p.m. Along with street food and dessert stations from chef brothers Hugo and Ruben Ortega, expect folkloric dancers, live mariachis, a DJ, photo booth, and bites like tacos de birria, taquitos de pollo, gorditas de carnitas, tamales, ceviche, churros, tres leches, and pan dulce. Tickets are $85 per person, and include unlimited food, and four hand-crafted agave cocktails. Tickets may be purchased at https://www.urbehouston.com/news-item/fiestas-patrias/
On the Menu
Succulent has launched a new tableside Tito’s Bloody Mary service during weekend brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guest may customize their brunch beverage with their preference of toppings and garnishes, including olives, bacon strips, pickled dilly beans, jalapenos, and more.
Brennan’s is now offering carafes of rotating red, white and rosé wines at the Courtyard Bar during happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m. daily. Guests can opt for an 8-ounce carafe for $8, or a 15-ounce for $15, and pair their sips alongside happy hour bites like marinated crab claws, pickled deviled eggs, and muffaletta sliders.
The Original Ninfa’s Uptown is making its happy hour specials available to guests throughout the duration of all Texans home and away games this season. Along with $7 Original Ninfaritas, $5 sangria, and $4 draft beers, guests can enjoy dishes like $5 beef picadillo empanadas and chicken wings al pastor for $8. Games are shown on multiple screens at Ninfa’s Uptown, with specials beginning 30 minutes before kick-off and lasting until the game’s finish.
