September Odds & Ends

Greetings readers!  It's a LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG weekend and the start of a new month, so it's time for another posting of Odds & Ends for the Hankster.  And as usual, I have a few small bites to try, and a couple of meaty dishes to sink your teeth into, metaphorically speaking of course.

1. Uchi Houston Raffle to benefit Alzheimer's Association 

Uchi Houston is one of my favourite restaurants to come to Houston in the past year.  Their food is delicious, pretty, creative  and it has become one of the hottest restaurants in Houston due to all of these things.  They are continuing to do great things in the Houston area by participating in a raffle to raise funds for the Houston & Southeast Texas Alzheimer's association.  Tickets are $20.00 each and need to be purchased by September 9th.  The winner of the raffle will receive a Chef's Tasting Dinner for 12 with included wine and sake pairings.  Wow!  The rafflfe will be held on Monday, September 10th at Uchi itself.  However, the raffle Happy Hour is closed to the general public and the winner need not be present to win.  My Paternal Grandfather suffered from Alzheimers and Dementia in his old age, and it greatly grieved my late father.  This is a worthy organization that helps support research into treating this malady as well as helps support family members dealing with a loved one who is stricken by this disease.  I've bought a raffle ticket myself, so I hope you consider doing so as well.

2. Talk Like a Pirate Day September 19th

Avast ye, me hearties!  I'll be a scurvy scalawag once a year!  Before you ask if I've taken leave of my senses or had one too many craft beers, allow me a moment to explain.  September 19 is one of those odd holidays like Festivus which was created by a group of people for an excuse to have fun--Talk Like A Pirate Day.  I've had some fun with it every once in a while during the past 10 years.  Anyhoo, I've had some folks ask me via Email about my no negativity policy and in some cases criticize me over it.  Hey, it's my blog and I'm trying to share what I think is GOOD FOOD, not what I think is awful.  However, after talking it over with a couple of foodies, and remembering the song "Once a Year Day" from The Pajama Game.  Once a Year we're entitled to lose our senses, and for me that means Once a Year, I will briefly mention some restaurants I visited that got "No Thanks from The Hankster."  However, I will diffuse the negativity with a bit of humor:  I will make a video, dressed like a Pirate, and talking in the Pirate vernacular about said eateries.  Stay tuned, readers!  Ye've been warned, ya scurvy dogs!  I be declaring the bilgewater squabserving bilgerats from the past year!  AHHHHRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!


3.  Galveston Brewmasters Festival

Right now the Brewmaster's Craft Beer Festival (3rd Annual) is running in Galveston at Moody Gardens through September 3rd.  400 different craft brews are being showcased at this 21 and over event.  Several Houston area and Texas craft breweries will be featured and there will be a huge BrewHaHa Cantina Grand Tasting event.  Of note:  A brand new local craft brewery, Fort Bend Brewing, which is not even open to the public yet or selling beer to pubs yet, is having two of it's beers--Texas Farmhouse Ale (a Saison style) and Texas Lightning IPA--available for tasting.  Personally I want to try their Texas Thunder Stout.  Anyhoo, I wish I could get to the Island this weekend, but have other commitments, much to my regret.  But if you can make it and buy the tickets, why not, eh?

Well that about wraps up my odds and ends section for this month.  I'll be a little busier since teaching college is back  in full swing, but I will still be posting on the good food I like best and want to share.  I'll be grilling brats this weekend, watching a couple of movies and enjoying this last summer weekend before getting deep into the fall workload.  Happy Long weekend to all!

4. Pinkberry Opens in Highland Village Sept. 7--Free Yogurt

Pinkberry, the number one tart frozen yogurt brand will open its doors in Highland Village on September 8. Houstonians are invited to a sneak peek of the new store on Friday, September 7 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests will enjoy FREE yogurt, a spinning DJ, giveaways and much more! In addition, 25 lucky guests will receive FREE Pinkberry for a year.* This will mark the third store in the greater Houston area joining the Clear Lake/Webster and The Woodlands locations. My daughter is very fond of Pinkberry, having visited the Location in the Woodlands with her grandmother.  Free is always good, and the chance at free FroYo for a year will surely bring the crowds.  Plus, its inside The Loop and close to Central Market and other Foodie hotspots.  Win-Win in my book.

Pinkberry Highland Village is located in between Walgreens and Plants & Petals at
3838 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77027

 5.  Halfway There and Living on a Prayer

Those of y'all who have been following my quest for a plate on the wall at The Flying Saucer Sugar Land should know that I will be passing 100 beers during this Long Weekend.  Halfway there feels good in a way.    I've had a lot of my favourite beers, found a few new favourites, developed an appreciation of Wheat Beers that I did not have before and developed some disgust at one IPA in particular (Moylan's Hopsickle: I'm looking in YOUR DIRECTION!).  In any event, it has been good for me to break out of the usual habits and try new craft beers, and I thank the Flying Saucer's UFO club for this experience.  I'm already considering what to put on the plate, though I will confess this:  I have gone through A LARGE NUMBER of the taps at Sugar Land's Saucer location and am having to take on more bottles as a result of this.  I'm also having to drink a lot more IPAs because I am not as fond of them as other beers.  I have tapped out most of the stouts, darks and bocks they have on their taplist and am having to wait for new beers in that variety to show up.  Still, I've enjoyed this challenge immensely and will keep you all appraised on my progress.


And remember to  Eat Happy, Y'all!
早安，你们!!!