RodeoHouston Is Officially Canceled for 2021

Welcome to AM Intel in the time of coronavirus, a round-up of the city’s newest bits of restaurant-related intel. Follow Eater on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date details on how COVID-19 is impacting the city’s dining scene.

RodeoHouston will not ride on after all

The 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has officially been cancelled. RodeoHouston announced the cancellation in a press release yesterday, just a few months after saying that the event, which usually takes place in March, would be postponed until May of 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Organizers will still host Junior Livestock Show and Horse Show Competitions in March, but they will be private events, which means no concerts, corn dogs or carnival rides for rodeo fans.

Biochemist-backed Blendin Coffee opens on Allen Parkway

Blendin Coffee, the Sugar Land coffee shop whose owner, a biochemist, uses science to perfect the roasting process, has finally opened its doors on Allen Parkway. The cafe opened in the former Stages Theater at 3201 Allen Parkway. Blendin’s Sugar Land location gained a cult following after coffee brewer and owner Weihong Zhang won multiple national brewing contests utilizing his scientific approach to coffee preparation. At the new location, Zhang and wife Xuan Zhou plan to host tastings, espresso classes, and brewing competitions.

Madi Gras-themed pop-up bar coming to Downtown Houston

Yet another pop-up bar is coming to 711 Main Street in Downtown. Krewe de Plethora, a bar meant to emulate the experience of being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, will run February 6 through 28, and will feature cocktails, mocktails, king cake, mask decorating and lots and lots of beads. The bar is the work of Asha Holloway, owner of Plethora/Four44 Hospitality Group, who also brought a Harry Potter-themed pop-up, and an Office pop-up, to the same address. It’s worth noting that bars in the real New Orleans are closed through the pre-Lent festival.