Cypress says goodbye to Piqueo, hello to 429 American Grille
Owner Gerry Sarmiento will close Piqueo, his Cypress tapas restaurant, after service Saturday. Sarmiento, who also owns Mezzanotte, will put a new concept, 429 American Grille, in Piqueo’s place. The new restaurant’s grand opening is scheduled for Feb. 29.
In a note to customers, Sarmiento said that while Piqueo enjoyed “rave reviews,” the restaurant didn’t reach “the business level that we needed after 4 years of hard labor.”
Some of those rave reviews came from Chronicle critic Alison Cook, who included the restaurant on her past two Top 100 lists.
Cook said of the Peruvian-inspired Piqueo, “it’s rare to find this level of ambition and detail in the city’s far suburbs.” 13215 Grant, Cypress, 281-404-4190 Burger festival
Who makes the best burger in The Woodlands?
That question will be answered April 23 at the Throwdown Texas Burger & Beer Fest, which will be held at Town Green Park in The Woodlands. The inaugural event will challenge dozens of restaurants to cook up their best burgers for festivalgoers and a panel of judges.
Among the participating restaurants already confirmed are Fielding’s Wood Grill, Grub Burger Bar, Uncle Tony’s, Tewbeleaux’s, Crescent Moon Wine Bar, 5Ate Cafe, Ruggles Green, Black Garlic, Nick’s Oyster & Dive Bar, RC’s Pizza and Kirby’s Steakhouse.
The event also will showcase craft beer and regional music acts. In addition, there will be activities for the children.
Early-bird tickets are $20; an early-bird VIP admission is $50 and includes a burger and beer, private seating and bar and light appetizers.
Find tickets at throwdowntx.com. Learn to forage
Deer Lake Lodge is offering a workshop for those interested in foraging. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen will lead “Discovering Wild Edible Plants” 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 19. For the class, participants will spend four hours exploring the property surrounding the lodge. Vorderbruggen will teach guests how to identify edible and medicinal plants, as well as explain which parts of the plants can be safely eaten raw.
Cost of the workshop is $45. Deer Lake Lodge is located at 10500 Deer Lake Lodge in Montgomery. Call 936647-1383. Openings
• The Californiabased chain El Pollo Loco has opened its 10th Houston-area store. The restaurant specializes in citrus-marinated, firegrilled chicken. 5309 S. Rice, 713-668-6428
• Chikin, a familyowned restaurant specializing in fried chicken, has opened in the Bear Creek area. 5700 Texas 6, 832-730-4639