Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, where you’ll get a plateful of restaurant, bar, and chefs happenings each week.
The 411
The team behind barbecue restaurant and neighborhood general store, Henderson & Kane, have opened Pinballz Pizzeria at 2240 Navigation Boulevard. As its name suggests, guests will find a John Wick-themed pin ball machine inside the dining room, along with mix of traditional, and non-traditional pies.
Former MasterChef contestant, Joseph Manglicmot, has opened a soccer-focused sports bar called La Cabra at 300 Sharpstown Center. The bar, which is currently operating Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. is fitted with large-screen TVs and will eventually be open daily with a collaborative food menu by Manglicmot and 93’ Til chef Lung Ly. Until the food menu debuts, a lineup of local food vendors is being featured at the bar, including Lafitte’s Seafood, Ceviche El Guero, and Pascual’s Tacos.
Dallas pizzeria Pie Tap is opening its first Houston-area location this June on the ground floor of the Novel Residences at 3748 Westheimer Road, Ste. 100. The concept is known for its 96-hour natural fermentation process of leavening dough, and was developed by Rich Hicks of Reach Hospitality, which operates restaurants like Eveyn, the Mexican, and Black Tap, and Italian chef Giovanni Mauro. In addition to a variety of pizzas, Houstonians can expect a menu of scratch-made snacks, salads, pastas, and desserts.
Happenings
World Class Meats is hosting a Wild Tasting Dinner at Pur Noire Urban Winery in Downtown from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The seven-course meal, led by chef Jamal Collier, will showcase a range of proteins including Australian wagyu flank, bison ribeye, and ostrich filet, and feature appropriate wine pairings. The cost is $225 per person, and tickets can be purchased at worldclassmeats.com.
Proper: A Burger Spot, one of the vendors inside the Finn in Downtown is hosting a burger-eating challenge between May 19 and 31 in honor of National Burger Day on May 28. Participants are challenged with the task of finishing a five-patty smash burger, a double order of beef fat fries, and a classic ice cream float in under 5 minutes, 28 seconds (with the duration being a nod to National Burger Day). Those who successfully complete the challenge will receive the meal free of charge and land themselves a place on the Proper Wall of Fame; while those who fail will be required to foot the $45 bill for the meal.
Loro’s Rice Village location launched its Live Music at Kirby series, with local artists taking the stage on the restaurant’s patio every Thursday through June 12. The line-up includes Gus Clark on May 22, Chris Lively on May 29, Bo Bottoms on June 5, and Taylor Marberry on June 12, all beginning at 5 p.m.
Ouisie’s Table is hosting a wine dinner with Taub Family Vineyards on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. Guests will be treated to a cocktail reception followed by a four-course dinner, paired with Napa and Sonoma wines, with dishes including king shrimp tower salad and five spice duck breast. The cost is $125 per guest, and reservations can be made by calling 713-528-2264.
As part of Landry’s ongoing Island Hop chef series, Executive Chef Brandon Soverall of La Grigilia is hosting a five-course “Taste of Trinidad” dinner on Wednesday, June 11 at 5 p.m. The evening will feature dishes like Trini beef stew paired with orange daiquiri and chocolate mousse made with 100% Trinitario cocoa, paired with Boulevardier Au Cacao. The cost is $150 per person and seats may be reserved at eventbrite.com.
On the Menu
Late August has introduced a new rotating taco omakase menu called the Artlan Experience, offered during dinner service Monday through Wednesday evenings. The inspired menu, curated by executive chef Sergio Hidalgo, blends ingredients and flavors to reimagine taco traditions and showcase them through an Afro-Mexican lens, with combinations like ahi tuna with avocado mousse in a jicama shell; smoked salmon and caviar on a chayote squash tortilla; and crispy squash blossom with Oaxaca cheese in a yellow corn tortilla. As a bonus, the tasting menu will feature an optional wine pairing.
Tavola has launched a refreshed aperitivo social hour menu, available on the patio and in the bar Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Guests can take advantage of specials on small plates and Italian wines, with food highlights including shrimp arrabbiata ($15), salmon tartare ($15), arancini ($8), and bruschetta fungi ($12) with truffle goat cheese.
