Houston News, Events & Specials at Restaurants & Bars Through January 12
The Monterey Rey Melt is back at Whataburger for a limited time. Courtesy photo.
The food scene always has a lot going on! Our Houston News at Restaurants & Bars column rounds up deals, food and drink events, limited-time menu items, new dishes and much more! Make sure you don’t miss an installment of this useful series by subscribing to our newsletter!
Houston Restaurant & Bar Opening News
Chikahan, 2313 Edwards: A new Filipino-inspired fine dining restaurant has debuted in Sawyer Yards. The restaurant is one of the first Filipino tasting menu experiences in Houston, after Lumikha supper club downtown, with both businesses hot on the heels of Chicago’s Kasama — the first Filipino restaurant in America to be awarded a Michelin star. At Chikahan, chef-owner Andrew Musico prepares seven imaginative courses utilizing local, in-season produce and with nods to both Filipino and Texan cooking traditions. Reservations can be made on the website.
Lee’s, 5117 Kelvin: Renowned Houston restaurateur Benjy Levit debuted his latest project, a sophisticated cocktail bar and lounge, at 5117 Kelvin. It opened on Saturday, January 4 as part of the revamped second level of Local Foods‘ Rice Village location — which includes Italian-American trattoria Milton’s, one of Houston Food Finder’s “Best New Houston Restaurants of 2024.” To find out more, check out our full coverage.
Houston Specials & Events Happening This Week Through Sunday, January 12
Cuchara and Pho Saigon Join Forces on Saturday-Only “Phozole” Special
What happens when you mix Vietnam’s most-famous soup with Mexico’s most-comforting stew? Diners can find out starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 at Cuchara, located at 214 Fairview, while supplies last. Cuchara and Pho Saigon have joined forces to serve “Phozole”, a combination of pho and pozole. It includes phở and pozole broths, chicken, noodles, corn and “all the proper trimmings from both countries”. The first guests will also enjoy a complimentary mini corn muffin from Cucharita Bakery alongside. Both the Phozole and muffin are available only while supplies last.
Head To Southeast Texas For One Of Texas’ Best Whiskey Fests
The third annual Southeast Texas Whiskey Festival is happening this Saturday, January 11 to the Beaumont Civic Center. The event, put together by the team behind Longhorn Liquor, features more than 400 fine whiskeys and other spirits with representatives visiting from over 100 distilleries along with live music, gourmet food trucks and a cigar lounge. Guests will also have a chance to win a number of high-end prizes including rare bottles and other prizes. All proceeds from the festival support Cure Rare Disease, a nonprofit which develops medicines and advanced therapeutics for children with life-threatening diseases. Tickets are available online.
Happening the Rest of January 2025
Dine Out For A Good Cause In Rice Village
Through Friday, January 31, Dine Out Rice Village, hosted by the Rice Village District, is raising money for the Southern Smoke Foundation through exclusive prix fixe menus and featured items being offered at participating restaurants! Choose from some of the best restaurants Rice Village has to offer, including Israeli restaurant Hamsa, D’Amico’s Italian Market Café, Navy Blue and Milton’s — recently named one of Houston Food Finder’s “Best New Houston Restaurants of 2024.”
Whataburger Is Bringing Back Fan-Favorites For 75th Anniversary
The iconic fast food chain first debuted back in 1950, when co-founder Harmon Dobson flipped the first “Whataburger” in Corpus Christi. Since then, it’s expanded into 1,070 orange-and-white striped restaurants across 16 states. To celebrate its diamond anniversary, it’s bringing some beloved menu items out of the “WhataVault”, including the Chicken Fajita Taco and the Monterey Melt. Last seen in 2022, the melt is loaded with two juicy, all-beef patties, Monterey Jack and American cheese, grilled onions, peppers and creamy jalapeño ranch. Both items are available now for a limited time. Whataburger is also introducing new items such as the Mexican Hot Chocolate Coffee and Mexican Hot Chocolate Shake. Rewards program members on the Whataburger app will be privy to new menu item releases, special promotions, exclusive rewards and exciting prizes.
Chef Philippe Schmit Reappears at River Oaks Steakhouse
Bari Hospitality Group, the team behind Bari Ristorante, has taken over ownership and management of Georgia James — the luxury steakhouse originally conceived and operated by James Beard Award-winning chef, entrepreneur and Southern Smoke Foundation co-founder Chris Shepherd during his time with Underbelly Hospitality. The new leadership includes partners Pedro Teyuca and Tommy Nally, Bari executive chef Renato De Pirro and longtime Houston chef and Master Chef of France Philippe Schmit, formerly of recently closed restaurant PS-21. Changes to the menu include updated pricing, lunch and brunch offerings and new dishes including bone marrow with pickled onions and creole mustard, Ōra King Salmon with beurre blanc and a luxurious Chateaubriand for two.
Keep Your Wallet And Your Taste Buds Happy At Willie’s
Willie’s Grill & Icehouse, multiple locations, has brought back its popular $9.99 fried seafood baskets for a limited time. This inflation-buster features crispy, golden fried shrimp or catfish tossed in signature spices served with your choice of one regular side. Side options include French fries, seasoned rice, mixed veggies, mashed potatoes, street corn, chips and salsa or coleslaw.
Enjoy Loteria Night At Understory
Starting this month, Understory Food Hall, located at 800 Capitol in the Bank of America Tower, is hosting Loteria Bingo on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. with fun prizes. The weekly event includes rotating drink specials Silver Lining Bar and $1 tacos al pastor from La Taquiza Street Tacos while you play. The downtown food hall also features eight distinct dining options, two coffee shops and two bars.
Support Small Businesses In The Heart Of Montrose
Montrose Live, a “placemaking pop-up initiative” and open-air market space located at 1001 Westheimer at the corner of Montrose and Westheimer, has undergone a complete overhaul. Launched by local entrepreneur Jessica Ivins in 2021, the space is being transformed into a vibrant community hub with a dynamic blend of retail, dining and entertainment options. This includes live music performances, a series of air-conditioned shipping containers converted into boutique retail businesses known as container galleries and a rotating lineup of food trucks open daily such as HoustatlantaVegan, Yummy’s Hot Chicken and Just Smash. Montrose Live also features weekend tent shop collectives focused on sustainability, cultural experiences, original artwork and organic foods every Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.
Happening Next Week
Go Ahead And Push Your New Year’s Resolution Diet to February
On Tuesday, January 14, Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen, located at 1743 Post Oak, is celebrating National Hot Pastrami Day in a BIG way! The popular deli is offering a Triple Decker Hot Pastrami Sandwich piled high with USDA prime beef cured in-house for 45 days and triple-smoked at a low temperature. The pastrami is then thinly sliced and stacked on seeded rye with coleslaw and Russian dressing for $26.95.
Later This Year
Tickets On Sale Now For One of Katy’s Most-Popular Food & Wine Events
The Katy Sip ‘n’ Stroll — hosted twice a year in the spring and fall — draws thousands of attendees and features notable Houston-area chefs, local businesses and, as you might guess from the name, a lot of wine brands. Tickets for the spring Sip ’n’ Stroll are now on sale. It’s hosted on Saturday, April 5 at The Ark by Norris at 21402 Merchants Way. Part of the event is the Katy Premier Culinary Awards where chefs compete for awards and bragging rights. There’s also the new Sweet Street competition, where attendees vote on the best desserts. A portion of proceeds benefits Christ Clinic, which offers high-quality healthcare and healthcare-related services to those who are uninsured and underinsured. Go online for tickets and details.
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