UPDATED: This Week in Food Events: Where Are You Going For Halloween?
Photo by David Stewart The beloved truck may be gone, but Phamily Bites lives on. Eatsie Boys is hosting the Phamily's four-course prix fixe dinner on October 28.
A special part of Houston's ever-growing food and beverage culture includes many wine dinners, parties, beer dinners, special keg tappings and classes. This new weekly feature is a "foodie calendar" that helps adventurous diners and drinkers plan ahead.
It's important to note that there are only a certain number of seats available for these events and a reservation is usually required. Contact the venues directly to make arrangements.
If you're a restaurant or bar owner hosting an event and would like to be included in an upcoming post, submit it by clicking the author's name at the top of this article and sending an email.
Tuesday, October 28
Phamily Bites Prix Fixe Dinner at Eatsie Boys
The Phamily Bites Vietnamese food truck is no more. Van "Panda" Pham has sold the truck (we fondly knew her as "Sasha") but he has no intention of stepping out of the Houston culinary scene. Phamily Bites is serving a four-course, prix fixe meal and it's being hosted at Eatsie Boys café. 100 seats are available, but in order for the organizers to get an accurate head count, you should RSVP on their Facebook page. The menu includes Shrimp Sweet Potato Fritters, Goi Ga (Vietnamese chicken salad) and Braised Pork Belly. Visitors will also get to try samples of 8th Wonder Brewery's beers. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 4100 Montrose Boulevard. $30.
Wednesday, October 29
Fight Cancer and Drink Watermelon Beer
Mongoose Versus Cobra is tapping a keg of Buffalo Bayou Watermelon Wit and donating the proceeds to "30 for Ana." The group is named in honor of Ana Barron Garcia, who succumbed to inflammatory breast cancer in 2009, but not before forming a support group to raise awareness about the disease. 30 for Ana will be raising more funds by running 30 miles on November 2. This year, funds raised will be donated to The Rose, a non-profit breast cancer organization whose mission is to reduce deaths from breast cancer by providing access to screening, diagnostics, and treatment services to any women regardless of ability to pay. 4 p.m. until the keg is gone. 1011 McGowen Road.
Thursday, October 30
Tequila Dinner at Pico's Mex Mex
Chef Arnaldo Richards is cooking a four-course dinner to pair with a full range of Don Julio tequilas while beverage director Monica Richards is creating cocktail pairings. Don Julio brand ambassador, Mayra Isais, will be on-hand to discuss what the tequilas. A cocktail reception featuring Don Julio margaritas will kick off the event. Call (713) 662-8383 for reservations. 3601 Kirby. $95
October 30--November 1
Preview Weekend at Prohibitionion
Prohibition Supperclub & Bar's dining room officially opens on November 2 but the theater area doesn't open until near the end of November. However, they'd still like people to come celebrate Halloween weekend with them. Modern burlesque troope the Moonlight Dolls will perform in "The Masque of the Red Death, "an ominous, immersive theatrical production." Want to attend? Well, you'll need to buy a ticket and wear a costume. A lavish buffet is being served and a ticket ensures a reserved seat for the show. The show begins at 10 p.m. 1008 Prairie Street Tickets start at $50.
Photo by Chuck Cook Photography TABLE on Post Oak is hosting a Halloween happy hour
Friday, October 31
Halloween Happy Hour at TABLE on Post Oak
TABLE is celebrating Halloween with $7 bar bites and signature cocktails, as well as a complimentary cocktail sponsored by Sugar Island Rum Co. Prizes will be raffled and The Met Dance Co. will perform the dance-that-will-never-die from Michael Jackson's "Thriller." A costume isn't required, but indeed appreciated. Planning to stay for dinner? Call (713) 439-1000 for a reservation. 5 p.m. to 9 pm. 1800 Post Oak Blvd., #6110.
Halloween Bash at Mr. Peeples
Some of us may be too old for trick-or-treating, but there's nothing to stop grownups from celebrating at this party that features dancing, a costume contest, a smilebooth, tarot card readers and "horror d'oeuvres." Twin sister DJs from L.A., the Duffle Bag Divas, will be spinning up the tunes. 21 and up only. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 1911 Bagby. $25 per person if you buy online in advance; $35 at the door.
Inaugural Dinner of Local Neighborhood
October 31 marks the first dinner by Local Neighborhood, a subscription-based dining club. This type of dining seems to be a trend, where people sign up for an annual membership in exchange for invitations to dinners that promise to be special experiences. Costumes are welcome but if you're not into it, business casual is okay, too.
The first event is at David Adickes Sculpturworx Studio (home of the We Love Houston! sign and the presidents' heads sculptures). Dinner will be prepared by chef Chef Demetrius Baxter, whose résumé includes Timpano, Valentino Vin Bar, *17 and Reef. You must purchase a membership in order to attend, but if you do, this first dinner is free. 7 p.m. 2401 Nance St. $120 for the membership.
Prix Fixe Halloween Dinner at Morton's the Steakhouse
On Halloween night only, Morton's is offering a "No Tricks, All Treats" three-course dinner at the very reasonable price of $35. Diners will be able to choose from baked onion soup or salad as a starter, filet mignon, chicken or salmon with either broccoli or mashed potatotes for the entrée and chocolate mousse or key lime pie for dessert. Make a reservation and select either the downtown or Galleria location via their web site. $35
The Haunting of Americas River Oaks
Have you ever had a candy corn cocktail? No? Well, now's your chance. The Candy Corn Pisco Sour is just one of the custom Halloween creations that Americas' River Oaks location will be serving. The motto is "Come Thirsty--Dress To Kill." In other words, there's a costume contest, as well as prizes and DJ E-Rock will keep you groovin'. Check out the flyer. 2040 West Gray. 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 1
Don Julio Tequila Lunch at El Big Bad
Tequila Don Julio is obviously focused on Houston this week. Dine with their Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa at El Big Bad and taste four different tequilas, including the new Don Julio 70 Anejo Claro. de Colsa will describe what goes into making each and go over the tasting notes. Since the luncheon is during El Big Bad's DĂa de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) fest, you will also receive a wristband that gets you into the VIP room during the party. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 713-229-0350 or email events@elbigbad.com. 419 Travis St. $75.
Ronin Cooking's Murder Mystery Dinner in the Forest
Ronin Cooking is know for their lovely, outdoor Full Moon Dinners on their 15-acre ranch in Bryan, Texas. For DĂa de los Muertos, though, they're doing something even more fun and different: a four-course murder mystery dinner. A lucky guest who solves the mystery will win two tickets to a future Full Moon Dinner. Read more or buy tickets here. There's even a handy link to accommodations in Bryan, should you want to stay the night instead of making the drive back to Houston. Directions to the farm and BYO pairing suggestions will be emailed after ticket purchase. 6:30 p.m. $65 (plus $2.62 Eventbrite fee).
Monday, November 3
Fall Back With Free Coffee From La Madeline
Did that extra hour of sleep from the time change the night before just not do enough for you? La Madeline invites you to come have a cup of coffee on them on November 3. Yes, you may take it to go. No, you may not have refills on your free cup of coffee. Don't be that guy (or girl). All Houston-area locations. Starts at 6:30 am. Free.
Next week's events:
Thursday, November 13
Alexander Valley Wine Dinner at Tony Mandola's
A four-course dinner will showcase Sonoma winery Alexander Valley. They make, amongst other things, a little first-growth wine you may have heard of named Cyrus. The menu includes Lamb Ravioli al Uovo (pasta with egg yolks) with 
Spinach Pasta Dough, Barbaresco Emulsion and Truffle Fondue; and Chocolate Tart
 with Raspberry Coulis and Whipped Cream. One lucky raffle winner will go home with a signed bottle of Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. For more information and reservations, call 713-528-3474. 7 p.m. 1212 Waugh Drive. $90 per person, plus tax and gratuity.