UPCOMING: Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Wine Dinner at Durham House

WHAT: A Five-Course Wine Dinner with Château de Pibarnon wine pairings, featured for the first time in Texas.

WHERE: Durham House

WHEN: Thursday, December 10th, 2015

THE DEETS, PLEASE:

First Course: Geoduck with lemon oil, citrus, pomegranate gastrique and micro cilantro
Domaine Turenne, Côte de Provence Cuvée Antoine Blanc, 2014

Second Course: Alligator Tamale with caramelized fennal masa, green mango salsa and sassafras leaf
Château de Pibarnon, Bandol Blanc, 2014

Third Course: Razor Clams or Mussels with white wine, marinara, chorizo and red pepper flakes

Château de Pibarnon, Bandol Rosé, 2014

Fourth Course: Venison Pot-Au-Feu with carrots, onions, turnips, potato, brussels sprouts, cornichons, mustard and sea salt
Château de Pibarnon, Bandol Rouge, 2011

Fifth Course: Mille Feuille with coconut crème, braised pineapples, tarragon pecan crumble and shaved coconut
Domaine Vordy-Mayrannes, Languedoc Muscat, 2014

The Durham House will also be offering a fine selection of French spirits after dinner

BRIDEY NOTE: Tell me where else in town you can eat a "1000 layers" of French pastry and an alligator tamale.

A Home(town)-Cooked Thanksgiving: What To Drink With What (WINE EDITION)

You know what local treats to pick up for your home(town)-cooked Thanksgiving.

Now it's time to pair these holiday comestibles with some booze...I mean, sophisticated libations.

For assistance in this matter, I turned to my two favorite Houston winemakers, Ryan Levy and Ian Eastveld, sommeliers and owners of The Nice Winery. I should also mention they are also both Cordon Bleu-trained Chefs. #overachievers

Ryan Levy (left) and Ian Eastveld (right)

First, buy a whole bottle of  Notorious Chardonnay. It pairs well not only with your Sopa de Calabaza and Mole Cornbread but also the Truffle Macaroni and Cheese.

Then, go to the red side for your Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Au Gratin with a Notorious Pinot Noir.

(Btw, I'm sensing a theme here and it ain't have nothing to do with rap. For the complete experience, sample the aforementioned Notorious wines while watching the eponymous film.)

Next, savor that Spinach Kugel Soufflee  with a Nice Rose of Pinot Noir (because I know you aren't f&cking drinking any Merlot).

Your turkey and Andouille Sausage Stuffing need to be washed down with something different. No, not hot apple cider (save that for the kids) but rather a Nice Malbec Reserve. 

By now you may be three sheets to the wind and therefore ready to hit the sheets in a tryptophan-induced slumber. Take a nap while more industrious members of your clan take a walk and regroup for a slice of Whiskey Pecan Pie--and a glace of Nectar PX Gonzales Byass Pedro Jimenez.

A Home(town)-Cooked Thanksgiving: What To Order From Where in Houston

Love Thanksgiving? Love to eat local? Hate to cook? Houston restaurants have you covered this holiday. Call ahead, then grab your wallet and jump in your wheels to assemble a Turkey Day spread of dishes both traditional and with an H-town twist. 

APPETIZERS

Cheese Plate (Houston Dairymaids). Head to their shop to pick up all your favorite hard, soft, stinky, savory, and even sweet cheeses.          

Sopa de Calabaza from Hugo's.

Sopa de Calabaza and Mole Cornbread (Hugo's). Warm up with some luscious, creamy liquid pumpkin in a bowl..mmm.  NOTE: Orders should be placed by Monday, November 23 for pick-up with re-heating instructions on Wednesday, November 25.  Orders can be placed by phone, or an order form can be found at www.hugosrestaurant.net.

ENTREES

Grilled Quail from The Rainbow Lodge.

Turkey and Quail and Suckling Pig (Rainbow Lodge). Game (har) for more than just turkey this holiday? Rainbow Lodge offers an array of meats to go including grilled quail, suckling pig, tenderloin, and venison. NOTE: 24-hour advance notice is needed.  To order, call 713- 861-8666 or email info@rainbow-lodge.com .

SIDES

Truffle Macaroni and Cheese (The Union Kitchen). Show those Yankees in town for the holiday how the South does Thanksgiving, i.e., with mac and cheese (plus truffle oil to keep it classy).

Truffle Mac and Cheese from Union Kitchen.

Bacon and Onion Braised Brussels Sprouts (Urban Eats). Thank God, they added bacon. Don't want to be too healthy. This dish = vegetable candy.

Bacon and Onion Braised Brussels Sprouts.

Cauliflower Au Gratin (Backstreet Cafe). So creamy, cheesy, and decadent, it will compete with the mac and cheese for your attention. NOTE: Orders should be placed by Monday, November 23 for pick-up with re-heating instructions on Wednesday, November 25.  Orders can be placed by phone, or an order form can be found at www.backstreetcafe.net.

Cauliflower Au Gratin from Backstreet Cafe.

Andouille Sausage Stuffing (Mockingbird Bistro). Any creole brethren at the table will appreciate this traditional favorite infused with chunks of garlicky andouille. NOTE: Orders must be placed before 2pm, Tuesday, November 24, 2015.  Orders may be picked up on one the following date/times: Wednesday, November 25, between 10am & 4pm OR Thursday, November 26, between 10am & noon.

Andouille Sausage Stuffing from Mockingbird Bistro.

Spinach Kugel Soufflee (Kenny & Ziggy's). In keeping with our trend of pairing vegetables with salt, butter, cream and carbohydrates, don't miss K&Z's fluffy, amazing spinach kugel soufflee.  Popeye and your bubele will be proud. NOTE: Orders should be placed by November 18th for pick up before 2pm on Wednesday, November 25. Restaurant is closed on Wednesday the 25th starting at 2pm and all day Thanksgiving Day, November 26. 

Spinach Kugel Soufflee from Kenny & Ziggy's.

Dessert

Whiskey Pecan Pie (Pour Society). Sweet, boozy, and more than little nutty: just like you by the end of dinner. NOTE: Contact events and catering at 713-882-7249 to place your order. 

UPCOMING: St. Arnold's Beer Dinner

They had me at "baked mussels stuffed with cheesy garlic butter." Stay tuned for a full write-up.

This just in: The Dinner on the 11th is SOLD OUT, but spots remain for another on the 18th.