By Syd Kearney  |  Chron.com
More than 20 of the city’s favorite mobile kitchens will be parked at 1902 Washington, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, for the Best Damn Food Truck Festival Ever. Among the participating trucks will be Betton’s Comfort Food, Quite A Stir, H-Town StrEATs and PurfekCatch. The festivities also will include craft beer and live music. The band lineup: is Rooster and the Cheeseburger at 3 p.m., the Dead Kings at 5 p.m. and Liberated Soul at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $35 ($20 for kids) and include samples from all the food trucks. Information and tickets:thebestfoodtruckfest.com.
Bubbly tasting
Pappas Bro. Steakhouse sets the mood for the holidays with its annual champagne tasting 5:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $95 (plus tax and gratuity) and provide the opportunity to taste 15 bottles of bubbles, includingHebrart “Special Club” Brut 2008 and Gonet-Médeville Extra Brut Rosé NV. Reservations are advised. 5839 Westheimer, 713-780-7352
Openings
The Gringo’s Tex-Mex empire founded by Russell Ybarra expanded this week with the opening of its 10th location, this one in Spring. 19330 W. I-45, 281-288-6500
Pasta finished tableside in a Parmesan wheel is one of the authentic Italian touches at the recently openedRagu & Pesto 6445 Westheimer, 713-266-9999
Chicago Joe’s, a combination of Italian restaurant, piano bar and dance club, recently celebrated its grand opening in Spring. The restaurant specializes in deep-dish pizza, as well as pasta and panini. 18433 Kuykendahl, 281-533-3000
The Pappas family’s newest concept, Pappas Meat Co., is open and serving fried chicken, baby-back ribs, mac and cheese and other comfort fare. 12010 I-10, 713-455-0944
The Cheese Course, a franchise cheese shop and quick-serve bistro, has opened at Waterway Square in The Woodlands. 1501 Lake Robbins, 832-246-8884
Black Walnut-Woodlands has moved into bigger digs. The store that was on Research Forest has moved to 9000 New Trails. The focal point of the new restaurant is an “indoor patio” with huge windows that open when the weather is nice. Call 281-362-1678.
Texas-crafted beer, wine and specialty coffees are on the bill of fare at Michael’s Coffee & Wine in Humble. 9502 N. Sam Houston Parkway in Humble, 281-436-1271
Crissy Landmark and Rolando Alvarez Jr.
