Tasty Tidbits

Will there be less “Monster” on Kirby Drive this Halloween? It looks like it. InJuly, Monsterville Horton left his post as co-owner and operational head honchoof COVA (5600 Kirby Drive, CovaWines.com) to start a new catering company,MonsterGourmet. At COVA, Jeff Bettencourt will be leading the “day-to-day”and new partner, Larry Lilly, joins Richard Robert in the driver’s seat.

More change for Houston wine bars? Michael Kramer, formerly of Voice atHotel Icon (220 Main, HotelIcon.com), is taking the reins as the executive chef at the Tasting Room (TastingRoomWines.com). Rumored to be making a shift towards fine dining, Kramer will be in charge of updating the menus and helpingcreate new concepts, such as the recently announced Tasting Room CITYCENTRE.

And local culinary queen, Cleverly Stone (Cleverley.com), is helping to stir upthe perfect pairing of charity and cuisine again. Featuring 130 restaurants, HoustonRestaurant Week (HoustonRestaurantWeek.com) benefits the Houston Food Bank(HoustonFoodBank.org).Need some culinary adventure? The Travel Channel’s intrepid food explorer from FoodReservations, Anthony Bourdain (TravelChannel.com/TV_Shows/Anthony_Bourdain), ismaking his way to Houston. Opening the Society for the Performing Arts’ season,Anthony Bourdain: Up Close and Confidential is at Jones Hall beginning onSeptember 20.

For 27 years, Magnolia Bar & Grill has been a spicy spot on RichmondAvenue for Louisiana-inspired seafood, crawfish and fun. But in late July, theparty on the patio came to an end and the last platters of stuffed red fish were served. The restaurant lost their lease.