Things to Do: Upcoming Food and Party Events in Houston This Week

Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary events:

The whole week

35th Anniversary Specials at Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant

Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant is celebrating its 35th anniversary through August 4, offering $5 churros, as well as a signature dish from the past, Chicken Alcaparrada made with mushrooms and a lemon-caper sauce.

Monday July 29

Gnocchi Day in Piola

From noon to 11 p.m., both Piola restaurants in Memorial and Midton will offer all-you-can-eat gnocchi for $18.95 per person. The handmade potato balls are served with sauces ranging from four cheeses to classic tomato basil sauce, Bolognese sauce and rosate sauce, a tomato sauce with smoked salmon cream.

Tuesday July 30

Roundtable of Minds at Brennan’s of Houston

BrennanBrennan’s Bar, located at 3300 Smith, will host a spirits panel discussion: American Cocktail Storytime from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Brennan’s Bar Manager Thomas Cordes will share stories around four influential cocktails from American history, each representing an iconic city: the Cosmo (NYC), the Southside (Chicago), the Sazerac (New Orleans) and the Mojito (Miami). Light snacks will be served and guests are encouraged to stay for dinner after the session. Tickets are $50 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Wednesday July 31

Houston Chef Series at Morton’s The Steakhouse

With this year’s theme inspired by “Presidential State Dinners,” Landry’s continues its Houston Chef summer series. This week, Chef Frank Lewis will present “Dining with Past Presidents: A Patriotic Dinner” at Morton’s Le Steakhousewith dishes including oysters two ways, shrimp and gouda grits, filet mignon and more. Price is $125 per person for five courses with drink pairings.

Friday Saturday

Diaspora Dinner Series with Chef Tristen Epps at Guard and Grace

Chef Tristen Epps, a 2024 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef in the South, returns to Houston with a new Afro-Caribbean tasting menu concept, Buboyan Afro-Caribbean, is set to debut in 2025. In the meantime, Epps will host a series of pop-up dinners at a private dining space in Guard and Grace500 Dallas, Friday and Saturday nights through August 3, featuring seven-course meals that highlight Afro-Caribbean culinary traditions through modern cuisine and global influences. Tickets are $165 per person.

Saturday August 3rd

Pro-Am “Comin’ in Hot” Hot Sauce Contest at Hope Farms

HTX Hope Farms10401 Scott, and Recipe for success invite hot sauce lovers to find out who makes the best hot sauce in town. The fun runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as heat lovers enjoy competition samples, free Saint Arnold beer, farm-fresh beverages, music and yard games, and more. Limited tickets are available for a $5 donation to Recipe for Success and its efforts to combat childhood obesity through education and community outreach. Amateur chefs who think they can take on the pros can register to compete online.

Sunday August 4th

Mr. C Pop-Up, with Chris Shepherd at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Four Seasons Hotel in Houston1300 Lamar, continues its Pop-Up Celebrity Chef series to benefit the Southern Smoke Foundationwith seatings at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. This summer pop-up will feature chef Chris Shepherd, who will present a “Sunday Dinner” inspired by his favorite childhood restaurant in Omaha, Mr. C’s Steakhouse. This retro family-style dinner includes lumache alla vodka and baked cacio e ppepe, strip steak and chicken parmesan, tiramisu and more. Reservations are $195 per person, with optional wine pairings featuring some of Shepherd’s favorite Italian varietals for an additional $130 for the standard or $315 for the prestige.

All month (August)

Houston Restaurant Weeks

Houston Restaurant Weeks is back this August, raising money for the Houston Food Bank while supporting the city’s restaurants from August 1 through Labor Day. Menus are officially live on the HRW website , so check them out and book your reservations now at old favorites and newcomers, including contemporary, coastal-inspired cuisine Duchesssuperb eclectic indian Amrinatrendy thai restaurant MaKiin and more.

Charcuterie Month at Kenny & Ziggy’s

The 9th annual National Charcuterie Month returns from August 1-31, with more than 45 classic delicatessens across the country coming together to shine a spotlight on the iconic deli and raise money for charity. Kenny & Ziggy’s, 1743 Post Oak, will offer a three-course multiple-choice lunch and dinner menu for $45 plus tax and tip, with 10 percent of each meal sold benefiting the Houston Holocaust Museumby providing funds for the museum’s educational programs. Each Charcuterie Month special meal sold will include a complimentary ticket to the Houston Holocaust Museum.

New and current promotions

Summer Sushi Experience at Roka Akor

Until August 31, Roka Akor2929 Weslayan will be offering its Summer Sushi Experience for $49 per person, featuring a chef’s selection of 12 sushi and sashimi dishes with a variety of maki, nigiri and sashimi. Expect delights like oysters with yuzu jelly, hamachi with shiso and preserved lemon, toro with Ossetra caviar and more.