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More than 50 wines from around the world will be available for tasting at Vine Wine Room’s biannual Vast Varietal Tasting beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 1. Admission is $45 and will include tastings from Two Saints, Chocolate Harmony and the Houston Dairy Maids. Reservations advised.
12420 Memorial, 713-463-8463

Fall cocktails at Down House
Down House has come up with 21 cocktails to welcome the fall and celebrate its new patio. Among the concoctions: Black Metal Daiquiri (house ginger-blackstrap rum with lime and turbinado), Cherry Caipirinha and Might as Well (basil, cucumber, gin, vanilla syrup and lime and orange juices). Cocktails are priced $8-$13.
1801 Yale, 713-864-3696

Mixology class at the Palm
The Palm is hosting a two-hour Mixology Class that includes food and cocktails pairings 6-8 p.m. Friday. Among the pairings: Pucker Up Lemon Drop cocktail with bacon-wrapped scallops and beef carpaccio. Cost is $55. Reservations are essential.
6100 Westheimer, 713-977-2544
The Ringer Burger
Hobbits inspire Denny’s
Denny’s has created a Middle Earth-themed holiday menu inspired by the upcoming “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” It features dishes such as Frodo’s Pot Roast Skillet, the Ringer Burger and Hobbit Hole breakfast, which stars the popular chain’s take on “egg in a hole.” The menu is available for a limited time.
Find the nearest restaurant at dennys.com.

Now open: Nothing But Bundts
Nothing Bundt Cakes has opened in Webster. It’s the fifth Houston-area store, part of a Las Vegas-born chain specializing in single-serving cakes called Bundtlets. The cakes come in a choice of nine flavors. There’s also a bite-size version called the Bundtini, as well as more traditional bundt cakes that serve eight to 18.
400 W. Bay Area Blvd., 281-332-7100