Hugo Ortega on JBA Nom; Ft Bend Brewing Tours

CHEF CHAT— Hugo Ortega talks about being nominated for a James Beard Award in this interview. As to how he keeps things fresh at his eponymous restaurant Hugo's, Ortega says "collaborating with my brother, Ruben, our pastry chef, and traveling around Mexico are the main ways that I keep my creative juices flowing. I also try to visit with my good friend and mentor Diana Kennedy each January." [Texas Monthly]

BEERWIRE— Fort Bend Brewing Company opened for its first tour on Saturday. Hank on Food has a full report. The brewery is open the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Tours are $5 or $10 with a pint glass and includes four tasting tokens. [Hank on Food]

MIDTOWN— Tonight's cocktail menu at Mongoose versus Cobra commemorates the collapse of England's Barings Bank in 1995. See the full menu here.

Inside Fort Bend Brewing's first tour [Fort Bend Brewing Company/Facebook]