The Newest ATX Import, Cold-Weather Comfort Food, and More of the Week's Tastiest Food News

This Connecticut-based wine and tapas bar recently uncorked its first Houston location in Montrose. The massive space takes its design cues from the Spanish city’s Las Ramblas pedestrian area with a U-shaped bar, a Spanish-heavy wine list, and a robust sherry program. Another element that sets it apart from many wine bars is its generous menu of authentic tapas and Spanish dishes, all executed by chef Thomas Laczynski (formerly with Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar). Expect myriad cheese and charcuterie options; chilled tapas like tuna carpaccio and calamari; and warm tapas including Spanish style-meatballs, grilled steak with chimichurri, and spiced beef empanadas. We are especially pumped about the four different paellas offered in half, full and — get this — double portions.

Newcomer Buena Vista Cuban Café aims to bring the spirit of Havana to the Memorial Heights area. With live music, dancing, and cigars hand-rolled on site, there’s no shortage of excitement. The spiffy restaurant owned by Roberto and Esther Diaz channels the Caribbean with floral wallpaper, half circle booths, vibrant greens and splashes of festive pink. Roll up your sleeves for the ropa vieja, the classic Cuban dish of slow-braised beef slow-cooked in tomato sauce and spices; African-Cuban pork served over yucca mash; and seafood paella. Of course, there are mojitos on the menu, best enjoyed on Buena Vista’s inviting outdoor patio bar.

Austin-born Clark’s, from the team behind Jeffrey’s, Perla’s and more, will bow this month in Houston. The beloved concept will reside in the former Montrose Car Care auto shop site near the Menil, and will have ample parking, patio dining and a new garden. Anticipate a similar menu as the original with favorites like lobster rolls, grilled Gulf fish, shrimp cocktail, cioppino and juicy Gruyere-topped burgers.

Just in time for soup season: A beloved dumpling house from Seattle specializing in Chinese comfort food like dumplings, noodles, vegetables dishes, and more will soon arrive in Midtown. By mid-month, expect to be slurping handmade soup dumplings every which way in the former Ibiza space in Midtown. The menu includes more than 50 items that are made with dough or batter. Besides stuffed dumplings, anticipate various noodle dishes from different regions of China such as Dan Dan, hot and sour glass noodles, and beef stew noodles topped with braised brisket. Sides of sweet and sour cucumbers, scallion pancakes, and pan-fried chive dumplings round out the menu.

Pappasito’s, known for fine Tex-Mex and a smoking grill wafting fragrances throughout the ‘hood, is celebrating its 40th anniversary celebration with specials throughout the month of October. Anticipate food and drink specials — including $40 for 40 Fajitas on Wednesdays starting at 4pm, a commemorative mug with Fiesta Fizz or Pappasito’s signature reserva margarita, and a Fiesta Fudge brownie. Enter online to win one of 10 $400 gift cards (starting on October 1).

“It’s incredible to be celebrating four decades of Pappasito’s! The first Pappasito's Cantina opened on Richmond and Hillcroft, bringing our famous fajitas and margaritas to Houstonians, and now we have grown to over 20 restaurants throughout Texas and Georgia,” says Christina Pappas, Vice President of Marketing. Pappasito’s is driven by the same principles that family patriarch H.D. Pappas brought with him to the New World in 1897: a passion for quality food and service with every detail in place. Salsas are roasting in their kitchens daily; fresh-squeezed lime is used in the margaritas, tortillas are hand-made on site daily; and the kitchen uses the highest quality produce, meat and fish at each location.

It’s that time of year again, and this Spring Branch-area spot is celebrating with an Oktoberfest beer dinner ($55) all month long! Hoist a toast to seasonal dishes like fried quail, sweet potato gnocchi, butternut squash soup, pumpkin brownies and more. Beer flights ($17) include local delights Karbach, Saint Arnold Brewery, Buffalo Brewing, and Lone Pint Brewery.