Love is in the air…the love of food and drink that is. Because February’s culinary offerings will make you fall in love with this city all over again, one delectable bite at a time.
Also in February 2016
With January’s resolutions full under way, we think you’ve earned that much deserved “cheat” day. What better way to cheat than with one of February’s sweetest gastronomic events. From a chocolate & beer tasting and hands on chocolate making class to epic Super Bowl watch parties, check out these 14 must hit events this month:
Top 14 Food & Drink Events to Hit in Houston this Month
- 2016 Mardi Gras Galveston | Friday, January 29 through Tuesday, February 9 – Get your beads ready for Texas’s largest Mardi Gras celebration. Festival goers can expect nearly 2 weeks of elaborate parades, balcony parties, headliner performances, masked balls, family events, feasting and other festivities that come with an island-style Mardi Gras in the heart of Galveston’s historic downtown district.
- Chef’s Wine Dinner Benefit at Harold’s | Wednesday, February 3 – Chef Antoine Ware, a Lupus survivor, is teaming up with the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America for an exclusive Wine Dinner fundraising event. Enjoy a six course, wine-paired meal, featuring dishes like Pasta Jambalaya with andouille and Gulf shrimp, Steak Frites with truffle fries, and Mama Ware’s traditional NOLA Bread Pudding. Cost is $125 including tax and gratuity. 6pm to 8pm.
- Valentine’s Day Beer and Chocolate Tasting at The Ginger Man | Saturday, February 6 – Nothing says “I love you” more than booze and sweets. Hit this brewpub to enjoy unique seasonal beers paired exceptional chocolates. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased in advance on location. 3pm.
- Super Beef Sunday at Saint Arnold Brewery | Sunday, February 7 – The gang over at Saint Arnold is pre-gaming for the Super Bowl the only way they know how: with good ol’ Texas BBQ. The 3rd Annual Super Beef Sunday combines the legendary Louie Mueller BBQ with Houston young guns Pinkerton’s Barbecue and Feges BBQ. The cold beer will be flowing as you fill up on ‘q from each of the 3 powerhouses. Like previous years, Wayne of Louie Mueller BBQ will have pre-wrapped whole brisket and beef ribs available for pre-purchase at the time of your ticket purchase. Tickets are $50 and are available for purchase on site. 11am to 2pm (arrive by 12:30pm if you want a taste of it all).
- Wonder Bowl at 8th Wonder Brewery | Sunday, February 7 – This EaDo brewery is throwing down for the big game. Enjoy specialty kegs, plus a Casks Game Day Menu by Eatsie Boys, BBQ from Pappa Charlies Barbeque, and complimentary 8-Layer Dip & chips (from game time ’til it’s gone). They’ll be setting up 10 HDTVs and an outdoor projector, too. Noon to end of game.
- Super Bowl Watch Party at Karbach Brewery | Sunday, February 7 – Watch the big game in style at Karbach’s brand spanking new facility, where it will be shown on two large projection screens upstairs. Admission includes access to 5 different buffet style stations, including a Frito Pie Station, Pulled Pork Slider Station, Build Your Own Nachos, German Beer Brats & Kraut, and a Crudite & Cheese Station. Tickets start at $45 and also include an exclusive 16oz souvenir event glass with 3 beer tokens. 4pm to 10pm.
- Mardi Gras Dinner at Brennan’s of Houston | Tuesday, February 9 – Every year, Brennan’s of Houston celebrates Mardi Gras with a faux float, bead tossers, a palm reader, festive decorations, and a three-course prix-fixe menu from Executive Chef Danny Trace (a Louisiana native, formerly of New Orleans institution Commander’s Palace). The multi-choice 3-course menu features dishes such as Jose’s Bayou Gumbo, made with alligator sausage, Gulf oysters and shrimp; Mardi Foie Gras; Hunter’s Honey Roasted Duck; Shrimp and Grits; and Vieux Carre Beignets. Seafood platters and wine picks are also available to add on. Cost is $65 for the 3-course menu. 5:45pm to 10 pm.
- Chocolate Wonderland at Central Market | Wednesday, February 10 – Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the basics of making chocolate confections from one of Houston’s best chocolatiers, Annie Rupani of Cacoa & Cardamom. You’ll perfect your skills as you temper chocolate and make a variety of flavored ganache, including Strawberry Balsamic Butter Ganache, Peanut Butter Gianduja, and Star Anise & Honey Ganache. Tickets to the class are $65 per person. 6:30pm to 9pm.
- Throwback to 1930s Mexico City at The Pastry War | Wednesday, February 10 | FREE to attend – The Pastry War is recreating the La Cucaracha Cocktail Club for one night only. Once located in the center of Mexico City, this bygone cocktail bar featured recognizable classics brought over by American bartenders who fled the U.S. during Prohibition— think the mint julep, the Manhattan cocktail, Old-Fashioned, and the Clover Club. Some items, however, were lost in translation. See how this menu translates—and tastes— in today’s world at this one of a kind event. 4pm to close.
- Don’t Speak a Word at Prohibition Supperclub & Bar | Thursday, February 11 through Sunday, February 14 – You can expect things to steam up at Houston’s favorite speakeasy this Valentine’s Day Weekend. The sultry bar and eatery is offering a special prix fixe meal for lovers alongside a la carte appetizers like char-grilled oysters by the half and full dozen. Highlights of the decadent $65 fixed menu include Lobster & Saffron Bisque finished with crème fraiche and brandy, Surf & Turf with braised short rib and butter poached lobster; and luxurious Vanilla Bean Pot de Crème with strawberry compote. Reservations recommended. Times vary.
- Bayou City Outdoors’ Valentine’s Farmers Market Bike Ride | Saturday, February 13 | FREE to attend – Bring your sweetie on this very social bike ride to shop for the best handcrafted cheeses, local produce, baked goods and locally sourced organic meats in town. The day kicks off with a leisurely coffee meet up at Onion Creek, then continues as you cruise take a 12-15 mile ride, hitting up a local farmers market along the way. All levels of riders are welcome. Meet at 8:30am. Ride is 9am to noon.
- Houston’s Caffeine Crawl Kick-Off Party at Ahh, Coffee| Thursday, February 18 | FREE to attend – The Caffeine Crawl may be sold out, but java lovers can still get a taste of the good stuff at this kick-off party and latte throwdown. Houston’s best baristas, roasters and shops will be on hand to show off their crafts and offer insights into the coffee industry. 7pm for sign-ups; 7:30pm for the throw down.
- Baking 101 at Revival Market | Saturday, February 20 – This hands-on baking class makes the perfect Valentine’s gift for that special baker in your life. Agricole Hospitality’s pastry chef Alyssa Dole, who creates all the delicious sweets at Revival Market and Coltivare, will share her recipes and tips as guests learn how to make cookies, brownies and her signature gluten free chocolate macarons. Leave with a to-go bag of your treats to share with family and friends. Class size is limited to a dozen. 7pm to 9pm.
- Cochon 555 at JW Marriott Houston Downtown | Sunday, February 28 – Five chefs, five winemakers, five locally-raised, heritage breed pigs. That’s what you have to look forward to at this extraordinary traveling culinary event, where guests will experience a one-of-a-kind feast as five of Houston’s finest cook with whole pig from nose to tail paired with wines, brews and spirits. Taste and see who is Houston’s Sultan of Swine. Tickets are $125 for general admission; $200 for VIP. 5pm (4pm for VIP).