Get a Pre-Valentine’s Rush at this Hot Spot’s Wine & Dine Series

Get a Pre-Valentine’s Rush at this Hot Spot’s Wine & Dine Series

Navy Blue's branzino (photo by Caroline Fontenot)

WINE, CANDLES AND FINE cuisine — almost all the elements needed for a romantic evening. Not into the crowds or strict reservations this Valentine’s Day? When you want to woo your loved one your way, consider Navy Blue’s Mondays with Molly.

The monthly series is for wine- and food-lovers, and the next one is Feb. 12, which means you can duck the Valentine’s Day frenzy by attending. Molly Austad, the sommelier for Navy Blue and Bludorn, takes a deep dive into wine and food pairings and educates guests on wine varietals and the art of tasting wine. Four- or five-course meals and pairings are usually kept a delightful surprise, so it’s a little like opening a box of chocolates.

The superstar sommelier kicked off the four-part monthly wine club dinner series back in October. Her topic for the evening was “How to Sound like a Wine Expert” in an intimate and interactive dinner setting. Tables are set up the private room at Navy Blue, so you won’t have to compete with the main dining restaurant activities. You can be sure that restaurateur-chef Aaron Bludorn will include fresh seafood on the menu!

If you can’t make it Feb. 12, both Navy Blue and Bludorn will offer an a la carte specialty menu Feb. 14, as well as delectable desserts from pastry chef Marie Riddle. Guests also have a chance to add a bountiful bouquet for their significant other or a bottle of Champagne ahead of time.

Molly Austad (photo by Julie Soefer)

Key lime pie (photo by Caroline Fontenot)

Robert Saucedo has been named artistic director of River Oaks Theatre. (photo by Jason Ostrow)

THE REOPENING OF the storied River Oaks Theatre, which first began showing movies in Houston in 1939, is getting closer to reality after a long restoration process — and now an artistic director has been named.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

THE WRATH OF Hurricane Beryl couldn’t stop the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from presenting 70 students, representing 57 Future Farmers of America chapters from across Texas, with $1.4 million in scholarships to a college of their choice. Scholarships were awarded at last week’s 96th annual Texas FFA State Convention which, amazingly, was held July 8-12 in the George R. Brown Convention Center for the first time in 20 years. The scholarship awards are part of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s $27.3 million dollar commitment this year to support Texas youth and statewide educational programs.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places