An infused-tequila cocktail at El Gran Malo. Brett Coomer/ChronicleBrunch King Jonathan Jones rides again: the former chef at Xuco Xicana will stage a pop-up brunch at El Gran Malo this Sunday, February 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. He'll be joined in the project by chef-about-town Alvin Schultz, an alumnus of Fox television's Masterchef.

The two are promising such novelties as togarashi chicharrones, "cup o' noodles," pastrami hash with root vegetables, and one of chef Jones's signature ceviches.

Add El Gran Malo's captivating infused-tequila cocktails to that mix, and you've got brunch plus. Those cocktails — and the 100% agave tequilas infused with all sorts of seasonal and local ingredients — were a key factor in my two-star review of El Gran Malo last week. Chefs Schultz and Jones both hang out at the bar there, and they are among the local chefs who have collaborated on special infusions with El Gran Malo owners Lea McKinney, Steve Sharma, Dimitri Dimitrov and Shaun Sharma.

That's Houston synergy, muchachos and muchachas. Cross your fingers and maybe the weather will cooperate enough to allow dining al fresco beneath El Gran Malo's lovely lime-green garden wall.

The patio garden wall at El Gran Malo. Photo by Alison Cook

(El Gran Malo, 2307 Ella Blvd., 832-767-3405)