Trend Alert: Spring for These New Tasting Menus!

Trend Alert: Spring for These New Tasting Menus!

B&B Butchers smoked lamb bacon course / photo by Kirsten Gilliam

FEELING JADED BY the same ole restaurant menus? Whether you’re curious about all things beef, seeking the perfect wine pairing, or craving to know more about the culinary regions of Mexico, this roster of new tasting menus should quell your craving for an epicurean adventure.


B&B Butchers

B&B's Kobe beef tasting

You never have to ask, ‘Where’s the Beef?’ at B&B Butchers, which is launching its newest dining experience April 6. Previously only offered as a private event, “Meet Our Meat” is an intimate 12-course dinner offered in The Butcher Shop.

Created by B&B's executive chef Eduardo Montesflores, guests have the, ahem, rare opportunity to taste and compare the flavor components of exclusive cellar cuts while learning about the meat and the dry-aging process. Expect a fun, educational evening as you indulge in various cuts, working your way up to the holy grail: the A5 certified Kobe beef. To make things even more marvelous, the dinner includes wine pairings for the ultimate foodie night out ($375 per person).

A peek at the menu reveals juicy dishes including thick slabs of smoked lamb bacon; several styles of dry-aged ribeye; filet mignon many ways; family-style sides, desserts and more. Guests can book their spot on OpenTable here and each dinner is limited to 16 guests. Can’t make the first one? Learn more and view all the 2022 dates here.

Picos

Course two of Picos' maize menu / photo by Alex Montoya

On the heels of ushering in 38 years of Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, the Upper Kirby restaurant that celebrates Mexico’s seven distinct regions, chef-owner Richards is launching a monthly dinner series dubbed “Curated x Picos.” It will showcase the richness of Mexican culture by highlighting one seasonal ingredient on the last Thursday of every month, starting with the Mexican staple maize. On March 31, two seatings are available for the inaugural dinner, which can accommodate up to 40 guests in the restaurant’s intimate private tequila room. Cocktail pairings are optional.

“We fell in love with the idea of doing this series because it not only gives our guests the opportunity to enjoy a more intimate and curated experience, but it also shines a spotlight on time-honored cooking methods and traditional ingredients,” says Richards. He added, “Corn is in our roots, so it only made sense to kick the series off with this revered ingredient.”

Chef Sergio Ledesma and chef Atzin Santos will dish out a savory menu that offers six different interpretations of maize. Think tostada with scallop sashimi; langoustine and recaudo negro black beans; 72-hour braised Wagyu short rib with mole negro and plantain purée. Get all the details about Curated x Picos and upcoming dinners here.

Rosalie

Rose-scented soft-serve at Rosalie

Everything’s coming up rosé at Rosalie Italian Soul! Chef Chris Cosentino and his team have designed a pretty little menu that plays well with rosé wine. Each dish is priced a la carte and includes the perfect wine pairing. Dig into Lady and the Tramp: spaghetti and meatballs for two, coupled with Unshackled by Prisoner rosé. Rose Chicken and Radicchio with blood orange and rose petals is married with Aqua Di Venus, and for a truly rosy finale, Rose-Scented Soft Serve Ice Cream is on offer, with bubbly Lucien Albrecht Crémant rosé.

Food
Chapman & Kirby Launches Free Concert Series for Spring

Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band performs May 31 (photo from dannyrayatlanticstreetband.com)

CHAPMAN & KIRBY, THE premier event destination in Houston’s East Village, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Spring Music Series, kicking off on Friday, April 12. Chapman & Kirby has become synonymous with top-tier events and unforgettable experiences, many attended by celebrities both local and worldwide. With concert ticket prices soaring to hundreds and even thousands of dollars in the last year, this eight-week music series promises to be a welcomed opportunity to engage with live music for free, showcasing an eclectic lineup of talented acts.

Keep Reading Show less

ONE OF THE many amazing things about William Shakespeare is how well his comedies and tragedies communicate when reimagined in contemporary settings. Shakespeare’s language may be highfalutin, but the Bard always had his ear to the street — and always gave audiences a healthy dose of grand guignol (i.e. blood and more blood) along with the poetry.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Serial entrepreneur and spa visionary LeBrina Jackson

NESTLED IN THE heart of France, the town of Vichy holds a rich history in the world of wellness and hydrotherapy. Acquiring fame for their alkaline springs in the 17th century, the Romans were among the first to recognize the therapeutic benefits of the springs. They established a French spa known as “Vichy,” which still exists today and continues to attract spa-goers from around the world to experience the transformative effects of hydrotherapy.

Keep Reading Show less