Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, where you’ll get a plateful of restaurant, bar, and chefs happenings each week.
The 411
Black Rock Coffee Bar opened a new outpost at 11123 West Airport Boulevard in Stafford, marking the company’s 21st location in Houston, and 42nd statewide. The Oregon-based brand is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies, and Fuel energy drinks, with the new 2,000-square foot store showcasing its signature menu and industrial modern design.
Small batch bourbon brand, Smokeye Hill Whiskey, which garnered a win for Bourbon of the Year at last year’s ASCOT Awards, is now available at Houston-area Spec’s stores. The company produces two bourbons aged in new American white oak 30- and 53-gallon barrels with flavor profiles that balance deep caramel, oak, and spice notes.
Nobie’s announced via a social media post that it will be closed for renovations from Sunday, July 27 through Tuesday, August 5.
Midtown racquet sports-inspired restaurant and lounge, Solarium has launched a new happy hour, offered Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. with specials like frozen cocktails and house wines and bubbles by the glass for $10; beers for $6; and taco and slider trios for $7. Along with happy hour specials, guests can take advantage of weekly happenings like the $12 beer and burger all-day special on Mondays; and dollar wings on Thursday nights. The weekend brings its own set of happenings. On Saturdays, night owls can attend Eclipse late night party from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. featuring DJ Felix Avila; followed by beats by DJ Pedro Navaja during Sunday brunch, from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., which features $12 spritzes all day.
Local Public Eatery is opening a Houston-area location at 9595 Six Pines Drive in the Woodlands this August. The chain brings a large made-from-scratch menu of burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and expansive beverage program to Market Street and a bustling space that will include a sprawling wraparound patio.
Happenings
Guard and Grace is hosting a TAG Meets Top Chef dinner on Thursday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m. with chefs Tristen Epps and Troy Guard collaborating on a special five-course menu that reflects both chefs’ signature styles. The cost is $150 per person, with the option to add wine pairings for $60, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
The finale of the annual Houston Chef Series, featuring Landry’s Inc. Signature Group’s executive chefs will be held on Saturday, August 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Post Oak Hotel. Dubbed “Island Hop: A Culinary Voyage”, the dinner will begin with a reception at the Post Oak Motor Cars showroom featuring cocktails and seven appetizers inspired by various island cuisines. Dinner will follow in the Post Oak Ballroom, with a six-course menu prepared by Jean-Luc Royere, the Post Oak executive chef of culinary, and executive chefs from Brenner’s Steakhouse, McCormick & Schmick’s, La Griglia, Grotto, Vic & Anthony’s, Brenner’s on the Bayou, Del Frisco’s, Grotto Downtown, Willie G’s Seafood, Morton’s, and King Ranch. The cost is $225 per person, and tickets can be purchased here.
On the Menu
Ahead of its one year anniversary, Credence unveiled its new summer menu, available now through the end of the season. Highlights from the new menu include roasted beet salad with embered blueberries and candied Texas pecans; Gulf shrimp dip with smoked trout roe; cornbread gnocchi with wild mushrooms and summer truffle; hearth-roasted whole fish; and dark chocolate soufflé with vanilla bean ice cream.
Little Woodrow’s Katy, Heights, and Shepherd locations are all offering $2 draft beers, from open until 7 p.m. daily through Sunday, August 31. The selection of draft beers includes Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Karbach Lager, Lone Star, Miller Lite, and Ziegenbock.
Balboa Surf Club is now offering a fish fry exclusively on Sundays, in addition to its popular weekend lunch menu. The offering combines two jumbo fried shrimp and a portion of fried Gulf grouper with housemade hushpuppies, jalapeno coleslaw, and cocktail and tartar sauces for $35.
Georgia James is offering an exclusive summer truffle menu through the summer season. The $75 prix-fixe experience includes dishes like compressed watermelon salad with vanilla truffle vinaigrette; oven-roasted seabass with truffle mousseline sauce; and truffle honey panna cotta.
