Top 13 food & drink events in Houston this month: March 2016

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Heights Crawfish Festival | Photo: Sher Yip via CC

Hope you’re just as crazy about Houston as we are, because March Madness is about to begin. And we’re not talking about the basketball games.

Also in March 2016

Top 15 Things This Month

St. Patrick’s Day Parties

Top 10 Games & Sports Events

Top 13 Food & Drink Events

Top 10 Plays & Performances

Top 10 Art Openings & Events

The NCAA may be gearing up for the tournament, but a whole other kind of madness awaits Houstonians this month. And that’s all of the insanely awesome gastronomic happenings. From Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations complete with Irish whiskey to mudbug-fueled festivals, check out the baker’s dozen of must hit events this month:

Top 13 Food & Drink Events in Houston this Month

  • Texas Independence Day Dinner at Ouisie’s Table | Wednesday, March 2 – In honor of Texas Independence Day, this charming restaurant is celebrating with a “Come and Sip It!” Independence Day Wine Dinner. They’ll be teaming up with Napa Valley’s Chimney Rock Wines (who, okay, aren’t exactly from Texas) to bring you a six-course dinner, starting with appetizers and cocktails and moving onto five Texas-sized, wine-paired courses. Feast on seared beef tenderloin crostini, lobster ravioli topped with Beluga caviar, and herb-crusted buffalo loin with blood orange glaze, among other delights. 6:30pm.
  • Heights Crawfish Festival behind Heights Floral Shop | Saturday, March 5 | Free to attend – Head to the Heights for a day of community, fun, and good ole fashioned mud buggin’. The open to the public festival features live music, the finale of the annual Idol of the Heights singing contest, performances by students from local schools, exhibitor booths and shopping opportunities, a Kids’ World area of rides and activities, and hot and fresh crawfish, of course! And for those who don’t want to peel and suck, there will be Happy Fatz dogs and desserts as well as Papa Murphy’s pizza. 11am to 6:30pm.
  • Veracruz in Houston Pop-Up Brunch at Cuchara | Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 – Join the vibrant Mexican restaurant in celebrating the beautiful state of Veracruz with food, drinks, music, crafts and folk dances. For two special Veracruz brunch services, the dining room will be transformed into La Parroquia’s as the kitchen prepares an incredible selection of typical foods, all under the command of special guest Alejandra Fernandez, chef of the famous Café de La Parroquia. 11am to 4pm.
  • Ziggy’s Roumanian Steakhouse at Kenny & Ziggy’s | Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 – After two-sold out nights last August, Ziggy’s Roumanian Steakhouse is returning for two more. In case you missed it the first time, the Borscht Belt Pop-Up is the popular deli’s version of the famous Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse in New York’s Lower East Side. Guests can expect a fun Bar Mitvah-like night, complete with a belly-busting multi-course feast, frozen vodka bottles, and entertainment from Sammy’s Dani Luv. Nosh on tableside prepared chopped liver, stuffed kishka, prime steak with fried onions, chicken schnitzel, and more. 7pm.
  • 3rd Year Anniversary Party at 8th Wonder Brewery | Saturday, March 12 – Help the EaDo brewery “celebr8” three years of awesomeness at this sure to be crazy-fun birthday throwdown. The rain or shine party will feature plenty of beer and live music from Black Joe Lewis, The Hot 8 Brass Band, Walker Lukens & The Side Arms, Fat Tony, Say Girl Say, Khruangbin, The Waxaholics and DJ Gonz. Noon to 10pm.
  • Rebecca Masson’s “Dinner with My Friends” at Fluff Bake Bar | Monday, March 14 – Fluff Bake Bar isn’t just a sweet spot for sweets. The confectionery is delving into the world of savory with a new dinner series, where every month, “Sugar Fairy” Rebecca Mason invites some of her buddies over for dinner (and invites you to join them). This month’s epic meal features Chef Justin Carlisle of Milwaukee’s Ardent – an innovative New American eatery with a rotating tasting menu. Each dinner includes a six-course collaborative menu, along with wine pairings for an additional cost. 6pm.
  • Jameson Irish Whiskey Dinner at The Goose’s Acre | Tuesday, March 15 – Start your St. Paddy’s Day celebrations early with this whiskey-spiked dinner from The Woodlands’ favorite Irish pub. Guests will see how the whiskey enhances the food as the food enhances the whiskey during a leprechaun-inspired, four-course St. Patrick’s Day meal.
  • 9th Annual Saint Patrick’s Festival at Lucky’s Pub | Thursday, March 17 – All three locations of Lucky’s Pub are going big for their annual St. Patty’s Day blowout. Party-goers can expect green beer, bagpipers, leprechauns, 15 bands, four DJs, and a live broadcast from 94.5 The Buzz. Doors open at 6am in Downtown and at 11am in The Heights and Cypress.
  • 3rd Annual Houston Whiskey Festival at Silver Street Studios | Saturday, March 19 – Get ready, whiskey lovers! This third annual festival offers both aficionados and neophytes the chance to taste a fantastic library of blended Scotch, single malts, bourbon, rye, Cognac, and even vodka, wine, gin, and amazing beers. The pouring list will be availiable shortly, so be sure to check it out. Tickets start at $65. 7pm to 10pm (6pm VIP).
  • Taste of Louisiana Festival at Constellation Field | Saturday, March 19 – Experience the flavor and culture of Louisiana by way of Sugar Land at this Creole-icious festival. A diverse blend of ethnic backgrounds, including but not limited to Italian, Spanish, French, Caribbean, German, and African, two types of distinct cuisine, Creole and Cajun cuisine gloriously show off the unique taste of the Bayou State. Immerse yourself in the culture through live music and decadent eats like crawfish étouffée, savory boudin, and tongue-scorching gumbo. 1pm.
  • 6th Annual Haute Wheels Food Truck Festival at Houston Community College’s West Loop Campus | Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 – Houston’s best and brightest are ready to roll for this haute food truck festival. This year’s lineup includes mobile eateries like Coreanos, Cousins Maine Lobster, Koagie Hots, and The Lucky Fig, to name a few. But that’s not all. There’s also a plethora of fine wines, ice-cold beer, a vendor village packed with artisans, and live music over the course of the weekend. Noon to 5pm.
  • Silver Oak Wine Dinner at Bramble | Tuesday, March 22 – Celebrated chef Randy Rucker is welcoming Matt Duncan of Silver Oak Winery as restaurant host of Bramble in its second wine dinner. Guests can enjoy a spectacular multi-course, Third Coast and Southern-inspired meal from the chef, paired flawlessly with Silver Oak Wines. 7pm.
  • The Woodlands Margarita Festival at Northshore Park | Saturday, March 26 – Take yourself all the way to Margaritaville at this tequila-tinged outdoor fiesta. Sip and sample frozen and on-the-rocks margs, all mixed with 100% agave tequilas and served in a tour of flavors – including pumpkin spice, cucumber apple and coconut. Then vote on the best of the fest, all while enjoying live bands, dancing and good times. Noon to 8pm.
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Brooke Viggiano
Brooke Viggiano is a food and lifestyle writer residing in Houston. When she's not contributing to publications like 365 Things to Do in Houston, Thrillist Houston and the Houston Press, she's on the hunt for the coolest happenings in the city. You can follow her musings on Twitter @BrookeViggiano .