Best Bars Near Rice; Secret Menus; Foie Gras Splurge

WHERE TO GRAB A COLD ONE NEAR RICE — There's no shortage of drinking holes near Rice but picking the right one can be challenging. Let off steam at Irish bar The Gorgeous Gale and Kelvin Arms, the city's only Scottish pub. Kick back with a cold one at beer meccas The Ginger Man and Hans' Bier Haus. [Houston Press]

OFF-THE-MENU-ITEMS TO TRY  — Want to feel like the V.I.P. that you are? Order secret menu items available at a number of restaurant and be the envy of the entire restaurant. When the chicken-fried lobster tail isn't on MAX's Wine Dive's nightly or brunch menu, take rapper and Houston native Slim Thug's lead and order the entertainer's favorite dish like a boss. [Zagat Houston]

SPLURGE-WORTHY FOIE GRAS DINNER — East Coast based D’Artagnan is expanding its operations into Houston with the opening of its new warehouse. To celebrate their arrival, the company known for its gourmet and exotic meats is hosting an extravagant dinner Tuesday, February 10 at Prohibition Supperclub and Bar (1008 Prairie). Feast on foie gras, duck, venison and more prepared by chefs from Uchi, Triniti, Mark’s American Cuisine and Saint Arnold's Brewing Company for $125. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. [Houston Chronicle]

WHOLE FOODS' FIRST BREWERY DOES DINNER — Longing for a quality beer dinner? Whole Foods Market Brewery, the nations first brewery within the store, is your go-to-destination. Want a peek at what a typical dinner would include? Take a look at the inaugural dinner where the food and brews overflowed.  [CultureMap]

BUTCHER'S ICONIC COW WHEREABOUTS  — If you've passed by B & W Meats on North Shepherd lately, you may have noticed something missing: the butcher shop's cow mascot. The fiberglass cow fixture since 1959 will return in a few weeks with a fresh coat of paint. [Houstonia]