Readers, we’d like your feedback on this regular roundup of all that’s going on in Houston. If you’re finding it a valuable resource, shoot us an email. Even better, share it on your social media so others know about it. 

Valentine’s Day events and specials are happening now! Find them in Minh Truong’s article! 

New Houston Restaurants & Bars

Crave & Craft Artisan Deli, 16536 Park Row: This locally-owned, casual Katy eatery opened in January and offers a full halal menu of customizable and signature deli sandwiches for all appetites and tastes. Customers can personalize their sandwiches by selecting their preferred bread, spread, meats, cheese and toppings, or choose from Crave’s house selections, including the Empire Club, Manhattan Melt, Gyro Pocket and ever-changing weekly specials. It also offers fresh-blended juices and sweet bites such as cookies, cakes, brownies and Dolci di Noci, a traditional Italian walnut cookie.

Haii Keii, 3300 Kirby: A new Asian-inspired steak and sushi concept from chef Jeff Auld and Jarred Tosto is set to open on Tuesday, February 18. Announced in March of last year, the 3,000-square-foot  restaurant is located on the first floor of the Shops at Arrive Upper Kirby, and specializes in high-end steak — including Japanese, Australian and American wagyu, Peking duck, noodles and sushi from executive chef Jeffrey Taylor and sushi chef José Espinoza, who have experience working for local restaurants, including Uchiko and Handies Douzo.

Hanshin Pocha Katy, 1223 Grand West: Katy Asia Town is home to a new Korean pocha, or pojang macha — a late-night food vendor that specializes in affordable South Korean comfort food, snacks and street food paired with soju and other uplifting libations in a casual, social atmosphere. Hanshin is open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and offers shareable specialties including kimchi fried rice, dumplings, Korean fried chicken, saucy chicken feet, Korean-style pancakes, stir-fried pork belly and a wide variety of soups and hot pot options.

Houston Specials & Events Happening This Week Through Sunday, February 16

Get Ready For The Fourth Annual Eat Drink HTX

Eat Drink HTX, the ancillary concept to Houston Restaurant Weeks, is taking place from February 15 through 28. It aims to support local restaurants during a historically slow period through affordable special menus while also giving back to the community. Proceeds from the event benefit the Houston Food Bank and Kids’ Meals, a nonprofit organization providing nutritious meals to preschool-aged children in need. This year’s event features a diverse lineup of participating restaurants, including 7 Spice Cajun Seafood, Ōporto Fooding House & Wine, Phat Eatery – Katy, State Fare Kitchen & Bar, Mala Sichuan Bistro — a recent Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient — and new participants such as EaDough Pastries & Provisions, Honey Drizzle and Mi Cocina. Menus and the full list of participating restaurants can be viewed on the website.

Treat Yourself To a Texas Barbecue Brunch

Brett’s BBQ Shop, a Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joint located at 25220 Kingsland Boulevard in Katy, has introduced brunch service each Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Co-founder and pitmaster Brett Jackson has put together a special menu that includes a gravy-smothered Chicken Fried Brisket Plate, chicken and waffles, avocado toast, breakfast tacos, home fries, housemade sausage, fried chicken biscuits and more, including the necessary mimosas and Bloody Marys (along with a full bar). 

Boo’s Burgers Is On Tour!

One of Houston’s best burger pop-ups has announced a “burger tour” at four iconic Houston restaurants this month. Boo’s Burgers, the  smash burger concept from chef Joseph Boudreaux, will be collaborating on a series of events to be held at different restaurants, with the next event taking place at Burger Bodega on Monday, February 10 followed by events at Mo’ Brunch + Brews on Wednesday, February 12 and The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation on Saturday, February 22 — conveniently located near Boo’s Burgers’ forthcoming brick-and-mortar at 2510 Navigation, which is set to debut later this year.

Get With the Gals for Heart-y Fun 

The Health Museum is hosting Galentine’s Heartstrings on Thursday, February 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with light bites, charcuterie, unlimited beer, wine, a signature cocktail and non-alcoholic drinks. This educational event might not be for the faint of heart though. During the event, Dr. Varsha Podduturi, deputy medical examiner at the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner’s Office, will teach about actual hearts and lead a guided interactive heart dissection. Everyone will get their own heart model to explore. Tickets include access to all museum exhibits and photo opportunities, as well as complimentary parking in the museum’s surface lot. Go online for tickets, which are $55 for members and $65 for nonmembers.

There’s A New Barbecue Option In Town

Mi Tierra Mexican Kitchen, located at 3327 Mangum, has launched a new Sunday Texas barbecue menu helmed by chef and pitmaster Martin Weaver. Weaver attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, competed on Season 27 of “Chopped” and has worked at numerous revered Houston restaurants, including a stint as executive sous chef at the iconic Brennan’s of Houston and chef de cuisine at KUU Japanese restaurant. He also grew up working at his father’s barbecue restaurant, Weaver’s Barbecue. 

The weekly menu is offered Sundays from 11 a.m. until sellout and includes smoked brisket, fajitas, pork ribs, sausage, hot links, chicken and boudin. Meats are available by the ½ pound, on one- or two-meat plates with your choice of two sides and there are also signature items such as loaded baked potatoes and sandwiches. During this time, the restaurant also offers $4 beer specials and $6 wells.

Wine Down On Wednesdays

Montrose Cheese & Wine at 1618 Westheimer just brought back Wednesday Tastings where guests try wines for free. If they spend $75 or more at the shop, they’ll also get a free pizza from neighboring restaurant Rosie Cannonball, which currently has Michelin Bib Gourmand status. 

Later This Year

Top Houston Hotel & Resort Raises a Toast to Mezcal

On Friday, March 21, The Manor House at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa at 111 North Post Oak is hosting “Tribute to Mezcal” starting at 6:30 p.m. The featured brands are Rey Campero, 400 Canejos, and Amarás, and all will be bringing some of their best expressions of the smoky spirit. For the night, The Manor House will evoke the “bustling mercados of Oaxaca and Puebla”, and along with a welcome cocktail, a Tobalá Sol Margarita, and mezcal tastings, guests will enjoy slow-cooked specialties from executive chef Gonzalo Campos, including Red Snapper Pibil, carnitas and cabrito. The cost is $209 plus tax and 20% gratuity per person, and guests are encouraged to break out their festive Mexican fashions. Go online for the full menu and tickets. 

The Truffle Masters Returns

The 2025 Truffle Masters is set for the evening of Monday, March 3 at The Revaire, located at 7122 Old Katy Road. The event, now in its 11th year, is hosted by luxury food importer and distributor DR Delicacy, with a portion of the proceeds from the event benefiting The Houston Symphony. It features a local chef competition with 30 truffle-inspired dishes and desserts to taste, a full premium bar, live entertainment, silent auctions, and a raffle from 7 to 10 p.m. This year will also debut the first annual cocktail competition featuring some of Houston’s top mixologists. Tickets are available on the website with options to purchase $295 general admission tickets and $495 VIP tickets, the latter of which includes entry to an exclusive pre-party to hobnob with the judges and chefs, access to the VIP Cocktail Competition, early admission into the main event and VIP Lounge access. Through February 20 or until discounted tickets are sold out, you can use code 25TM20 for a 20% discount. 

The Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser Returns in March 2025

Empty Bowls Houston is entering its 19th year of raising money for the Houston Food Bank. The annual event merges art and a humanitarian cause, as artists will collectively create over 1,500 unique bowls for sale with prices starting at $25 each (larger bowls cost more), and all proceeds go to the food bank. The event is on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, located at 4848 Main. During the event, there are also live demonstrations and music, and everyone who purchases a bowl will enjoy a salad or wrap from Salata and hot or iced coffee from local roaster Katz’s Coffee while supplies last.  

If you’d like an early chance to purchase some of the bowls, there is also a preview party on Friday, March 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests will also be treated to light bites, beer and wine. 

If you can’t make either of these events, a final chance this year to participate in the Houston Food Bank fundraiser is happening at Archway Gallery’s Empty Bowls Invitational Exhibition & Sale. The gallery is at 2305 Dunlavy, and the Empty Bowls exhibition starts on April 5 with a special artists’ reception from 5 to 8 p.m. and runs through April 30. More than 30 bowls will be on display and available for purchase alongside 2D and 3D artwork by the Archway Gallery artists. If you can’t make it to the exhibition in person, Empty Bowls artwork will also be for sale on the website. 

Longest Bar In Texas Coming To The Heights

The team behind Kirby Ice House has announced that it has broken ground on a new, 24,000-square-foot location in the Greater Heights neighborhood. Set to open in Fall 2025, the fourth outpost of the popular backyard bar and patio concept will boast a record-breaking 146-foot-long bar, ample parking and a sprawling indoor and outdoor space. Guests can expect an extensive beverage selection, rotating local food trucks and state-of-the-art audio-visual systems for sports and live events.

Mario-Sebastian Berry

Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.