Oyster Extravaganza

Oyster Extravaganza and other Houston restaurant news

Saint Arnold will host an Oyster Extravaganza at the Brewery 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Guests will include oyster expert Jim Gossen and Brennan’s Chef Danny Trace.
Admission is $50 with proceeds going to benefit Foodways Texas, a non-profit that works to preserve the state’s diverse food cultures. Purchase tickets at foodwaystexas.com.
2000 Lyons Ave., 713-686-9494

Food celebrates Texas’ heritage
Frank’s Americana Revival is celebrating Texas’ heritage with a series of special menus offered Friday evenings through March 29.
The menus include American West-inspired appetizers, entrées and cocktails. Appetizers include chile shrimp tacos, oyster nachos and pork asado atop a cheese biscuit. Among the featured entrées: Texas strip steak with caciotta cheese enchiladas and grilled snapper with black-bean salsa.
On Feb. 22, March 8 and March 22, the Emmett and Shine Chuck Wagon will be at the restaurant to treat guests to cooking demonstrations.
3736 Westheimer, 713-572-8600

El Tiempo opens on Navigation
El Tiempo Cantina has opened its fifth location, east of downtown, directly across the street from where Roland Laurenzo’s family business got its start. Laurenzo’s mother, Ninfa, opened her 10-table cafe in 1973. The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation is no longer part of the Laurenzo family’s holdings.
The new El Tiempo is first come, first served during its initial opening weeks.
2814 Navigation, 713-222-6800

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Where to spot celebs this weekend

Los Angeles and New York are rife with celebrities. Houston? Well, not so much.
That makes the celebrity-magnet NBA All-Star Weekend the perfect time for stargazing.
It’s four days jammed with parties, lunches, golf tournaments, concerts and countless photo ops.
Official All-Star performers include Alicia Keys, John Legend, Ne-Yo, Ludacris, Ke$ha, Fall Out Boy, B.o.B., Ellie Goulding and Phillip Phillips.

Mi

chael Jordan and Ne-Yo are expected to be in town.: Getty

 

Thursday’s All-Star Celebrity Game also welcomes some A-(to-Z)listers, including Queen Latifah, Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, TV personality Samantha Harris, and Kevin Hart and Nick Cannon of “Real Husbands of Hollywood.”

Read Full Article

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

A-list stars serve as hosts during party weekend

Alicia Keys will co-host a huge party here Friday.: Getty
NBA All-Star Weekend is already confirmed to bring several high-wattage performers to Houston, including Alicia Keys, Ke$ha and Diddy. But brush up on your “Single Ladies” dance, because we’re back on Beyoncé watch.

That’s right, folks: Houston’s biggest superstar will likely be back in town to party, post-inauguraton, Super Bowl and Grammys. Husband Jay-Z is hosting the D’USSÉ Cognac party Saturday at Rich’s nightclub.

Of course, that doesn’t mean either will show up. But you never know. Here’s a rundown of the weekend’s music-related celebrations, featuring an impressive roster of R&B singers, rappers and reality stars:

Thursday
All-Star Weekend Kickoff Celebration: With Scarface, Jadakiss, Slim Thug and Juelz Santana. 9 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel. $40-$70; 713-225-5483 or warehouselive.com.
Erykah Badu: A three-hour show as DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown. 7 p.m. at Scott Gertners at Houston Pavilions, 1201 Fannin. Tickets start t $50; 713-520-9688 or www.showclix.com/event/baduskybar.

Read Full Article


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day by the numbers

See Photo Gallery


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

bringing downtown back to life

New crop of talent is bringing downtown back to life

Aside from the occasional whoosh of a MetroRail train going by, there's not a lot happening around the corner of Main and Congress on the north end of downtown. Empty storefronts hold the remnants of bars and clubs that clogged the street a decade ago, when the Super Bowl and burgeoning public transit brought Main Street to its most recent, though short-lived, heyday as an entertainment district.

That's something that a group of young but influential restaurateurs and bar owners is trying to change. In the next two months, no less than four new concepts are opening within a block of this intersection, transforming a dead zone into a culinary and nightlife destination.

"We had a conversation two years ago at Warren's Inn, and the gist of it was that individually we could fail but together we could make something really cool," said Brad Moore, a co-owner of Grand Prize Bar in Montrose and Big Star Bar in the Heights. "What we wanted was a place where we could all park and walk to each other's businesses, and I don't think we could have picked a better block."

Read Full Article


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/