Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, where you’ll get a plateful of restaurant, bar, and chefs happenings each week.
The 411
The indulgent brunch buffet that chef Hugo Ortega has long been known for is now being offered at his casual Uptown Park restaurant, Urbe. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, brunch is offered for $39 per guest, and includes scratch-made favorites like quesabirria, taquitos de pollo, chilaquiles, tamales, and pozole de verde, plus the restaurant’s beloved pan dulce. Guests can bask in the festive atmosphere, complete with a live DJ, while sipping on coffee, horchata, agua frescas, or a margarita flight. To coincide with the launch of Sunday brunch, Urbe has introduced a new reverse happy hour, offered Tuesday through Thursday from 8 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 to 10:30 p.m. During this time, margaritas and cocktails are discounted to $9, and happy hour eats like chicharron de pescado and individual tacos are on offer.
After a four-year hiatus, DJ Jason Farr has resumed his post at Armandos on Thursday nights. For more than a decade, Farr helped cement the River Oaks Tex-Mex restaurant as one of the neighborhood’s liveliest Thursday night destinations, with post-dinner dance parties that lasted into the wee hours. Now, the tradition with Farr continues every Thursday, from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Southern Smoke Foundation announced that more than $1.5 million was raised during its festival at Discovery Green last weekend. The funds will serve as financial support for food and beverage industry workers affected by recent storms, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
The iconic Tower Theater in Montrose will remain vacant no more. The storied Lower Westheimer space is being revamped into a live music venue and restaurant by pianist and band leader, Doc Watkins who currently owns and operates Jazz, TX in San Antonio. The multi-use development at 1111 Westheimer Road was acquired by Radom Capital last year, the same real estate firm behind the Montrose Collective, and is already under construction, with the unnamed supperclub slated to debut next year.
Tokyo-based ramen restaurant, Afuri Ramen, will open its first Texas location in the Heights on Friday, November 1. Afuri is known for its signature yuzu shio ramen, which boasts rich umami flavor and a hint of yuzu citrus, but the menu will also showcase sushi and sashimi, and dishes like crispy chicken gyoza tostadas, karaage, and tonkotsu ramen.
On the Menu
During a day of retail therapy in Rice Village, quench your thirst with one of Hamsa’s new fall cocktails. The modern Israeli restaurant has introduced libations like the Apple Smash ($17), crafted with Elite Arak, Woodford, apple, lemon, mint, honey and Topo Chico; the Pumpkin Spice Sour ($17) with Elite Arak, pumpkin, baking spices, lemon and egg white; and the Smoked Hamsa Manhattan ($25) made with Elijah Craig Rye, Carpano Antica, and angostura bitters.
Downtown mini golf destination, Puttshack, has introduced happy hour, available from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Players can enjoy bites and beverages discounted to $6, like Nashville hot bao buns, 16-ounce drafts, and High Noon vodka seltzers, plus half off a second round of mini golf all day long.
